To the editor:

It concerns me that as mentioned in past letters, people are mad at the COA for doing their job. 

Their responsibility is to look at the finances of the town, compare past budgets and take into account on how much of an increase our tax base can be afforded. The COA made a recommendation of what the school department’s budget should be. They did not make the cuts. 

I was not happy to see what the administration said they would cut if they did not receive any funds for the next school year. I do know that one position they said they would cut was a mandated position and another would cause us to lose our high school accreditation. So I do question the motive behind some of their recommended cuts. I applaud those COA members looking for reappointment and new blood coming in. I am sorry to see one resign as he has done a very good job over the past years.

As we all know the COA is one of those committees that you need to have an open mind and look at the big picture and the future of the Town of Barrington. You cannot come into this position with a personal agenda to push forward programs and changes like Scott Douglas stated in his letter of intent. I am also concerned that having Dr. Douglas on the school committee and Mr. Douglas on the COA may not be in the best interest of the community at large. Both have made it very clear they have an agenda, and will do anything, to move change the start times of our high school. 

The budget process policies are set by the town charter. If people are upset with how the town has been doing business maybe they should focus the next charter review.

For those running please keep an open mind. This is not another committee just for our school system.

Tom Rimoshytus

Barrington