********* Moderator Comment ************
This posting is in response to posting "Seeking: school saving suggestions
(SSSS)" where I solicited proposals that could we put in front of the school
committee and/or city council school liaison committee. See the posting at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/KnowingNewport/message/408
********* End of Moderator Comment ****

School Thoughts.

Controlling School spending. That's an oxymoron. Anyways, since I was not one of
the chosen few who will map out recommendations to the Newport School
Administration and the Newport City Council on how to address the out of control
Newport School Budget, I am putting on paper some of my thoughts.

1. End health insurance for life for retired school personal.
2. Increase co-pay starting at the next contract for all school employees to 25%
and increase it each year by 10% till it reaches 75%.
3. Eliminate free school bus transportation: make it pay as you go.
4. Figure out a way of renting school buildings in summer when Newport is full
of visitors, conventions, etc. ie. Auditorium rentals.
5. Figure out a way to charge non-profits (especially those who make an income
off their properties) to pay a part of the assessed taxes.
6. Make parents pay for text-books (new state of the art books, not out of date
books).
7. Eliminate all school social service programs that are not directly related to
education.
8. Reduce public housing in Newport to mandates 10%.
9. Fight to eliminate mandated programs.
I wrote this last October.
-- Federico Santi