To the editor:
The Tiverton Town Budget Committee met last week on February 21 and witnessed one of the more highly anticipated presentations. This arrangement was offered by the new …
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To the editor:
The Tiverton Town Budget Committee met last week on February 21 and witnessed one of the more highly anticipated presentations. This arrangement was offered by the new Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Peter Sanchioni, assisted by the Tiverton School Committee. The result was a well put together and clear picture of the budget choices and how they will affect our children’s education.
The Tiverton schools have been level funded over the last couple of years and I, for one, am encouraged that the school could receive the largest requested budget and 7.3% increase. The school district has done its best without the proper budget just imagine it they can do with the funding that meets our children’s needs.
What the town did not know was that one of the town council members had met with the superintendent of schools prior to the budget meeting. It is alleged that in this meeting, Dr. Sanchioni was presented with a 2 percent budget increase. Who would be so bold as to go rogue and hold a meeting, apparently without the knowledge of the remaining six council members?
If you answered Councilman Justin Katz, you would receive a gold star from the underpaid teacher for your answer. How could an elected official with a history of litigation against the town, do something this insolent you ask? Councilman Katz answers this question himself in a post on social media, “I’m an elected official,” and later said he finds that “the school department’s handling of budgetary matters opaque in a way that seems deliberate.”
The Town Council governance policy seems to make it very clear that council members may not “act as an agent of the council.” It is not shocking really, if you think about it. He enigmatically transformed himself into an ordinary citizen in an attempt to speak publicly at a town council meeting in which he was ethically unable to participate in as a council member. When voting for the Library Board of Trustees, he made it clear that anyone who challenges his selection will be met with swift legal action. These actions concern me as a resident and parent of a student in this wonderful town.
I encourage all parents to attend Town Council and Budget Committee meetings. Meetings can also be viewed via live stream on the “Tiverton Pulse” or “Tiverton Videos” Facebook pages. A council member should not be allowed to attempt to run the budget and town under the guise of ever-changing roles.
Parents should be outraged that our students may be denied funding in support of the Tiverton Taxpayers Association agenda. Residents should be outraged by the actions of an elected official that restrict the abilities of two separate bodies of elected officials. Tiverton does not have a mayor, real or imagined.
Nickie L. Buchanan
Tiverton