Neil S. Bernstein - League of Women Voter Questionnaire Response
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League of Women Voter Questionnaire Response
 
Brief Bio:
 
  I grew up in southern California. I attended Stanford University, but had ants in my pants and took a leave of absence. Following my interests, I went to stay on a Kibbutz, in Israel. Once there, it felt great, and I stayed, for 17 years. I joined a group that co-founded a Kibbutz, I served in the Israeli military, I met my future wife, Aliza, and our first son was born. After 10 years, we left the Kibbutz, and settled in Beer Sheva, where I worked and studied Engineering, our daughter and second son were born, and Aliza completed her medical studies. Next, we moved to England, where, for 3 years, I taught graduate students and, later, earned my Ph.D. Our third son was born in England. In 1992, we moved to Columbus, Indiana, and, in 1997, we moved to Swampscott. Over the last 25 years, I have worked in software related jobs, including, technology, Lecturer (Assistant Professor), Marketing, Management, Industry Analyst and Consultant. Most recently, I have worked as a consultant in Electronic Health Records for ambulatory providers and, separately, advising an IT start-up. Our four children, my wife and I all attended public schools.
  (For more info and updates after the election, please go to:
www.schoolcommittee.nsbernstein.com.)
 
Please answer the following questions. Limit each response to 200 words. Attach extra page(s) if necessary.
 
1. Each year, the school budget crisis seems to surprise the School Committee which undermines the confidence of the community in the committee. What are your idea for anticipating and addressing the perennial budgetary shortfalls?
2. What is your position regarding the closing of Machon School, the consolidation of the elementary schools, and the plan for redistricting?
3. What is your understanding of the current special education programming at the elementary, middle and high school levels? What do you see as the School Committee's role in ensuring the delivery of superior services in a fiscally responsible manner?

 
  Surprise! Surprise! At Management Elementary School, the astute student will learn that nasty surprises come from two sources: (a) unforeseen traumatic events and (b) mismanagement and poor planning. Hmmm, which one do we have here?
 
  We knew that the town had a problematic financial future. Last autumn, the Town Administrator projected an average deficit of $600,000 over each of the next five years (downloadable spreadsheet on the town website). We have had two recent and contentious overrides. Superintendent Malone recently admitted that, last fall, the School District was aware of the need to request a VERY LARGE increase in FY08.
 
  I have attended almost every School Committee meeting over the previous 15 months. I have witnessed a process that was characterized by grossly insufficient information and an obsession with secrecy. For example, can anyone tell me how the planned 7.6% increase in total salaries is divided between administration, instruction and SPED? With no probing questions, no substantive public dialogue and no substantive debate, the School Committee UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED an "educationally sound budget," with its associated 11.4% increase.
 
  As I have stated on more than one occasion, the bizarre options being considered today – postponing the opening of the new high school, the full or partial closing of Machon School, temporary redistricting, numerous teacher layoffs (a precedent, I have been told), the abrupt departure of the Assistant Superintendent and plans that aren't really plans – are knee-jerk responses of a system out of control. We have been told that we can expect more disruptions next year. Details will be forthcoming ...
 
  Returning to the sources of surprise, whad'ya think?
 
  Want to avoid nasty surprises? Guess what, there are actually some very good governance tools – processes and techniques for planning and financial management. I cannot ensure that the School Committee will never request override-level funding. I can and will insist that the School Committee adopt policies and processes that will provide the town with plausible long range budget forecasts. I can and will insist that the process include appropriate reporting and public dialogue.
 
  Upon election, I will request that the School Committee immediately initiate the following:
(a) Multi-year budget planning process and study of alternative funding sources;
(b) Study of scenarios for delivering education, over the long-term, together with the financial, educational social and environmental ramifications of each alternative;
(c) Frequent, clear (human-intelligible) and consistent reporting;
(d) Forums for frequent and inclusive dialogue with the community, including the 80%+ who are "merely" taxpayers, with no DIRECT connection to the public school system;
(e) Project to increase mutual assistance and volunteering between the school district and the community;
(f) Setting, tracking and reporting of measurable goals and outcomes, on the part of the School Committee itself and all participants in the educational process.
 
  Although most of these projects will span years, I expect initial results within months. I will put every effort into presenting the results in multiple media sources, including oral and slide presentations, written reports and in the local media. I fully expect the School Committee to be able to provide online access to most presentations, reports and other publications. I know that the above list sounds like an ambitious plan, but I am an educator, I have expertise and experience in each of these areas, and I have a track record of achieving my goals, even in the face of substantial barriers.
 
  The above should NOT be understood as a holy war against the existing School Committee or its current members. The School Committee was, is and will be a democratic institution that follows Robert's Rules of Order. Therefore, it will be my responsibility to convince the other members. Alternatively, maybe I have it wrong, on one or all of my suggestions. If so, it will be the responsibility of the other members to convince me that there is a better way – that's why the town elects a committee.
 
  I expect to take part in helping the School Committee transition from management by surprise to management by planning. I would appreciate your support not only in my candidacy to the School Committee, but also in the tasks that will follow.
 

Home: http://schoolcommittee.nsbernstein.com/
Candidacy home: http://schoolcommittee.nsbernstein.com/candidate/
 
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