By Mark Fitzgerald, Somerset.
After attending the “Emergency” Franklin Board of Education meeting on Feb. 17, it appears the administration is very unprepared with accurate financial information for both para and sub outsourcing. Until there is a real proposal to review with adequate time (even a pro-forma proposal) from a qualified vendor, the board should not be asked to vote for or against outsourcing. If the board sees the actual information (from only one vendor) for the first time on Thursday and then are being forced into an immediate vote to proceed to outsource on Thursday, that lacks good sense, good management, and good governance from the board.
This is a matter impacting hundreds of current employees, thousands of students, and millions of dollars. For one potential vendor to impose a deadline on the Franklin BOE to act or vote its intent on the matter is completely inappropriate and should not be tolerated. This is an important decision impacting the district in large and unforeseen ways. There is no room for error, regardless of the urgency that one potential vendor may create. This needs to be slowed down and looked at in the right way and not rushed. Doing otherwise will certainly result in serious mistakes and oversights, which will make the current problem with the budget shortfall seem minor in comparison.
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