I feel that this man is not only bitter and wrong, but also selfish. If he feels he should be the "gate keeper" to the Town's educational dollars, he should run for FinCom. When he doesn't get appointed to FinCom, then might I suggest he go hold up picket signs in front of the schools, since this behavior would be expected, as clearly shown in this poor, hostile article.

I think he needs to be reminded, that his opinion will change nothing, and it was only intended and written to bother others. Why would someone go purposely out of their way to try to bother others, cause ill feelings, or create conflict? There is too much hostility in the world, and no need for these inappropriate comments. Remember the old proverb "If you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all". That's my suggestion.

As a voting, tax paying, parent in Billerica, I believe we must educate ALL children. A public education should prepare each student for a productive life as a contributing member of society and becoming a taxpaying adult.

Consider it an investment, pay upfront and educate a citizen or fail to keep the promise of a free appropriate education and pay to support that person for the rest of his or her life. Some children require additional support on the front end to become productive. All students deserve the chance.

Why is it that everyone's first thought when they think of Special education, is that a child is severely impaired? So impaired in fact that they will never amount to anthing?
Well, that is simply not the case! There are plenty of kids that fall into what Mr. Liberatore claims to be of the 'average or bright children', who also make the classification of being in 'Special Education'. I bet he didn't know that. I bet a lot of Town Meeting Reps (and regular town people don't know that).
Geez, and how would he know who they are?? Can he, or any of us, walk down the street picking them out? Can he walk thru school and point at kids and say who is recieving support services at school?
Plenty of children may have some extra help in math, reading or OT, yet remain in a regular educational classroom for most of the day. Do their parents go around broadcasting their services to everyone, just so our Town Meeting Reps, and towns people will be able to distinguish them as not worthy of a future? No - they don't and shouldn't - because it's not any of our business!

These children could be star athletes on your kid's Hockey, Soccer or Basketball team. They could in your child's Boy or Girl Scout troop. What we do know is that with some supportive services early on in life, children with some special needs will go on to Jr. High, High School and then either to College or into a skilled trade. They lead fully productive lives; have families, hold down jobs and pay back into the system, not become a drain on it.

So, for all those kids who recieve some help and are in special education, AND shockingly, look normal to the rest of the world, while they are in elementary school- should we tell them that we're going to stop the extra reading or math support, because Mr. Liberatore feels that as grown ups they won't amount to anything?

Should I tell the little boy I know who is looking forward to a career in the FBI, and who wants to go to the CSI exhibit at the MOS this fall; "I'm sorry son, but it's already been decided for you. Nothing we can do about it. You are destined to life skills class - so just stop doing your homework. There's no need to work that little extra on your homework to get ahead. McDonalds will have a nice little hat for you when you hit 20."

The Billerica Superintendent needs to do a much better job at explaining Special Education to our Town Meeting Reps, and Town Meeting. He needs to stop laying the blame on all our Out of District kids every time he comes forth with budgetary issues. It's no wonder we are getting letters like this!
In turn the Town Meeting Reps need to make an effort to understand Special Education and how it runs.

Ideally, I would like to see a brief presentation made to Town Meeting at the start of the Spring Meeting by either the School Committee, or Dr. Serio, on Special Education. It should include a breakdown of how it works, the IEP process, and the kid who make up special education from least to severely impacted

If the citizens of Billerica want Town Reps to be able to vote, and make wise decisions on the budget and how the money is being spent - then they should expect that Town Reps have a real clue on how the system works.

This really is a non-issue, for all those people who think that Spec Ed is sucking the money out of the school budgets. Consider this, your own children. Would you want to, even for a minute think your child deserves less because of luck of the draw? Oh, What! Not your child. Well that's what we thought too. We have to fight daily for even the smallest things, so you can imagine what educating our children means to us.

I really can't understand this kind of thinking, where a child's education is dismissed as if we were discussing the cost of a cup of coffee. What it costs to educate our children is what it is. Get over it. Stop posting these infuriating post and walk a mile in another persons shoes.

Our children will grow up to be productive members of society, frankly, no thanks to people like you.

At the end of the day we are talking about people. Little people who deserve every opportunity they can get, just like everyone child. I would never stand here and tell you your child deserves less, how dare you.

In responce to FREDERICK LIBERATORE Oct 18,
“Which group will make the greatest contribution to our society in the long run?
...No more money should be spent on a special-education student than any other student.
Do bright students deserve more? “ He has missed the point. Education so that all our
children can reach their full potential is important. I am sad to think that he represents
people in Billerica. I have taught science for over thirty seven years, the last 20 or so
teaching High School chemistry to all students, some more gifted than others but all with
a desire to learn and participate. He should focus his attention on how we can provide the
funds to educate all our children. With his thinking people who wear glasses, walk with a
cane, are hard of hearing or are different would be relegated to the scrape heap.
Frank Sarno , Lexington Ma

I am writing in response to Frederick Liberatore, Oct 18, comments .
As a parent of a hearing impaired child, in the Billerica public school system, I find his
comments disturbing, that he would not want children in special Ed to live up to their
full potential. To deny them services is to discriminate against them, why would this be
acceptable in this day and age? Mr. Liberatore writes “The Special Education Program is
the program that is eating the school system alive fiscally in Billerica, leaving crumbs for
the 80 percent of the students not in the program. That SPED comes first seems to be the
budgetary rule while the average and bright students are short-changed. Which group will
make the greatest contribution to our society in the long run? “. How dare he imply that
children who receive special education service will not “make the greatest contribution to
our society in the long run?” How does HE suggest we educate ALL our children, to be
valued members of society and live up to there full potenial? My child is an A student,
and receives service to help her with her disability. Some day perhaps she will be the
next Marlee Matlin ( actress), Juliette Low ( founder of Girl Scouts) Connie Ellsworth
( writer), Heather Whitestone McCallum ( Miss America, 1995), Terence Parkin (2000
Olympic silver medal winner), Alexander Grahm Bell, Thomas Edison, or Beethoven.
All of whom are/were hearing impaired, I guess in Mr Liberatore’s world these people
would not be the ones to make the greatest contribution.
Anne Mcilwrath, Billerica

In response to Mr Liberatore.... "A Misuse of Resources" To my recollection when my children were in the Billerica School System in the 70's there was a program established for gifted students, did I complain? "No". Many children have received special services while in school. What gives you the right to make accusations about the SPED program. My beautiful seven year old granddaughter has acheived so much since she has been a student in the Compass program in the Parker School. The teachers, therapists, Principal and the students of the Parker School intereact with the Special Children with their disabilities and make them a team in the classrooms, lunchrooms and playgrounds. This teaches other children that everyone is different and learns differently. How dare you even suggest that the Special Children won't contribute to society one day. Mr. Liberatore speak for yourself as a society of ignorant misinformed human beings.....you deserve the south end of a north-going horse....