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Dear Bob Cushman,

I have often said that you are one of the most intelligent people in Warwick. You also have the integrity to use your real name adding to your leadership status. Therefore when you speak, I will always listen as I have for the past several years, both in writings like this, as well as in person. I believe that others feel the same way about you and they should.

However, in this case, you state that there has been much turnover in the School Department (SC) and little in the Warwick Teachers Union (WTU) and you ask "What does that tell you?"

Well Bob, it tells me that the SC has been mired in turmoil for years and the WTU hasn't. It tells me that the SC is UNstable while the WTU is VERY stable. It tells me that the SC changes their minds far too often (even when they give their word that back-pay will arrive 4 days before Christmas and then they reneg on it) while the WTU can always be counted on to be consistent in their views year after year.

Bob, according to Salary.com, Warwick teachers get the same pay as top-rated Barrington. (within $200 per year). However, Barrington has a $14,594 annual dollar-per-student cost while Warwick has over $18,000 and Barrington is listed as the best school system in Rhode Island according to MSN. I think the question to ask is "Where is all that extra money going in Warwick?" Factually Bob, it is NOT going to the teachers! Maybe Barrington doesn't have a massive overload of administration like an Assistant Principal of Climate and Culture, or an Assistant Principal of Teaching and Learning. Maybe Barrington's SC knows how to spend their taxpayers money way, way, way more efficiently than Warwick's SC does?

Maybe.

Barrington has a budget of approx. $50 million with approx. 3,500 students costing Barrington taxpayers approx. $14,500 per student per year. Warwick has a budget of approx. $161 million with approx. 8,500 students costing Warwick taxpayers over $18,000 per student per year,and if the SC gets another $40 million, that figure jumps up to over $22,000 per student.

Bob, you accurately complained about the lack of everyone "working together" but as I recall it, the WTU was willing to "sit and negotiate" FOR OVER TWO YEARS with zero cooperation from Mayor Avedisian OR THE SC!

Bob, don't the Warwick taxpayers deserve better treatment than this?

I think so. I think Judy Cobden does too.

Happy Spring Bob Cushman.

Good luck on your campaign Judy!

Happy Spring everyone.

Rick Corrente

The Taxpayers Mayor