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Ben0077, There was no magic money found. The surplus was created by the hard work of myself and others on the school committee over the last 6 years through closing of 3 elementary schools, Laying off or retirements of 62 employees from the WISE union, Laying off or retirements of nearly 100 teachers over the course of 5-6 years, stimulus federal funding, grant money used to fix the Pilgrim roof. Also, renegotiating the Teacher contract to include no salary increase for a year and teachers paying 20% co-pay when they used to pay $12 a pay period. Also the Wise Union paying a 20% copay when they used to pay nothing and administration also paying a 20% co-pay. Believe me when I tell you, This is not magic money. Please do not make light of the work that was done over the course of the last 4-6 years. During the last 4 years the school budget has stayed the same while the city budget has grown $30 million annually during the same time period. The school committee should be thanked for the work done for creating a surplus. This was not EXTRA money, hard work went into making the budget work. The city also had a surplus during the last few years by raising Warwick Taxes to the maximum allowed each year by law. (The only year they didn't raise taxes the maximum was the year they lowered the car tax exemption and raised more revenue than the law allowed. They just raised a different kind of tax.) Attend the school committee meetings, the city council meetings and contact the Mayor.

From: Panel accepts plan to close Gorton Jr. High

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