Through a Prism....

The last week has been pretty interesting. Ever since the city auditor dropped the bomb about the school department's inappropriate spending of special education funds....everyone from the Line to the Dunkin Donuts across from Pope John has an opinion. The reaction seems to hinge on personal perspective - like light through a prism that changes color as you turn the glass. It's been rather curious to watch some people attempt a defense - particularly those who have been on the receiving end of those funds. Not surprisingly, though, the average Joe or Josephine on the street doesn't seem to have a problem understanding that spending special education money on what appears to be frivolous pursuits - advertising, dinners, and parades, is - at the very heart of it -- unethical. Special education is practically sacred - it's the third rail of government funding. Who would ever want to take anything away from children with special needs? Let there be no mistake about what this money is. This money was allocated as special education funding, and it was reported to the Department of Education as special education funds. The reserve fund is created with funds from overpayments (from either overbudgeting or when children leave the program), rents from "taxpayer funded" school rooms used by Shore Collaborative, or from services provided to other communities - again, using taxpayer funded teachers and resources. While other cities may have their own reserve funds - the fact of the matter is that the money is returned to the city treasurer, and then the school committee and superintendent are supposed to request it back, and reallocate it appropriately. You don't get to send bills that you don't want the auditor or city government to see to a third party; that's not how government is supposed to work. Again -the average Joe or Josephine seems to "get this" without a problem. Hopefully, the rest of city will catch up soon.