February 9, 2005
As a member of the School Committee, I review the Payable Warrants regularly. Before payment to vendors, the transactions must be approved by the School Committee.
Not too long ago, I asked why I could see certain expenses paid out of a special separate fund for Raynahm teachers, but nothing for Bridgewater. A little background here - there are at least 20 separate funds managed distinct from the Appropriation Fund that everyone talks about concerning the District Budget. Money moves in, around, and out of these funds (Driver Ed, Grants, Cafeteria, etc...) regularly, but these funds are never discussed at School Comm. Meetings. Why no one ever talks about these many funds is a question for another day and time.
The important point here is that there is not a fund created for Bridgewater gifted money. While B-R is anxiously awaiting the funds, it does not appear anything is being done about this money. On two separate occassions, citizens of Bridgewater gathered for a Town Meeting to vote on the gifting of money, contingent upon the B-R School District providing to the Town documentation acceptable to the Town Accountant detailing the expenditure of the funds. Based on the wording of the Article, the condition was crafted to make sure that the funds were used for the stated purpose - teachers for Bridgewater Schools (first Article) and teachers for Bridgewater-Raynham High (second Article).
So, what is the delay with the funds? Obviously the B-R School Administration is aware of these conditions, and must have assembled the documents. Teachers were hired new or re-hired. It seems so simple to create the two listings with the related salary details. Is there something about the spending of the funds, or about the re-hires that some want to remain quiet about?
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Joseph Gillis Jr.
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