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March 4, 2008
Get accurate facts before voting in Chelmsford
I'd like rebut recent letters in The Sun so Chelmsford voters can understand how the rampant misinformation many people in town have distorts the truth and will prevent residents from making the best-informed decision as the override vote approaches on April 1.
I find the frequent comments that town leaders are using "scare tactics" to be disturbing. If anything, officials have gone to great strides to present only facts so people can understand both sides of the issue and learn how the results of the override vote will affect them. I don't consider this a "hard sell."
Another thing I hear is the schools are top-heavy with administrators. However, the facts show that Chelmsford spends 20.5 percent less per pupil in administrative costs than the state average. Another comparison shows that Chelmsford spends less than half the state average in instructional leadership costs. This doesn't sound to me like a top-heavy school system to me.
Then there is the belief that the town must "cut the fat" from the system. I agree that any excess should be eliminated first. Both town and school officials during the past several years have done just that in an open process, doing such things as not filling open positions, searching for ways to streamline operations that reduce costs, and using innovative ways to find new revenues.
There's a lot of misinformation out there, such as Mr. Davidson's incorrect assertion in his Feb. 29 letter that money for the Performing
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Arts Center could have been used to increase test scores and reduce class size.
State law dictates that money such as this can only be used for building projects, but this type of misunderstanding is all too typical coming from people who mean well but are basing their opinion on incorrect information.
So research the issue yourself. Go to the town and school Web sites, or contact the Selectmen and School Committee members. The worst thing you can do is make a decision without having all the correct facts. And that's exactly what the opposition is hoping you do.
JOHN SHAW
Chelmsford
Posted by Admin at March 4, 2008 3:02 PM
Comments
I was dismayed that the Lowell Sun chose to print that portion of John Shaw's letter referring to my "assertion" about money from the Performing Arts Center. Mr. Shaw's claim was erroneous and therefore should not have been included.
In fact, there was no assertion on my part. Nowhere in my letter do I assert that said money could have been used to improve test scores or reduce activity fees. I asked 2 questions about the issue and that was it.
Posted by: Scott Davidson at March 4, 2008 3:38 PM
To JOHN SHAW; Kings Defender! King Yeoman!
The Elitists of Chelmsford (LOYALISTS to the king )aka: the save our schools, and onechelmsford gangs wish to impose a burdensome tax upon the population of this honorable town. They are known to have unlimited monetary resources and are ruthless in getting their wishes. You Must Comply Or Be Assimilated! The opposing forces to this unjust proposed taxation meet on Friday nights in N.Chelmsford Congregational Church and are led by Men & Women of sound mind and judgement. They will be making their own homemade signs to try and stop this Tyranny and injustice against the townspeople of Chelmsford. Please support the NO VOTE
Posted by: TILT at March 11, 2008 11:33 AM
