Respect The Rights Of Others. Treat others as you want to be treated.

This is the only place where voters can get even a portion of the truth. They certainly can't get it from city officials, who continue to mislead, obfuscate, and outright xxxx about all things fiscal.

They are hoping to get lower voter turnout in order to pass it. Everyone equates Election Day to November. They mayor and proponents will suggest it’s because fiscal year begins July 1. However, the fiscal year begins every year on July 1. Think about it. The 2015 override was in November and the citizens spoke loud and clear in soundly defeating it.Their only chance to ever pass an override is through a special election. If the election was in November instead of April it would only impact one fiscal year. The cost for the special election at all 14 precincts is 25-30k. Seems such a waste when a mandated election is 7 months later. Additionally, the mayor has been discussing override plans since last April. She could have asked BOA toput it on November 2018 ballot. However, she knows it would be defeated by a wide margin if election is in November. Shameful!!!

The override debate has dominated civic discussion in Melrose ever since the Board of Aldermen agreed to this tax override vote.April 2 2019 Tuesday .

Congratulations. You just got you Masters in stating the obvious - again.

THANKS.

The truth speaks volumes. Trying to silence everyone is impossible as there are too many victims. Thank goodness people are coming forward and not afraid of intimidation tactics. Quiet puts me to sleep.

Interesting to note that when you attempt to use the override calculator on the city's web site it does not work.

Using scare tactics is a typical MO in this town. Similar ones were used in the last override attempt. (funny that the town survived even though the override failed) Now the local press is actively recruiting teachers to back this override, asking them to write stories in local media including newspaper's and Patch. Usually would not be a problem voicing an individual opinion, but then again who would not want a raise? Trying to maintain quality teachers is a fools errand. The really good ones will seek out towns and cities for a better salary or quality of life regardless. Simple fact of being an employee. A quality is not guaranteed by the salary of a teacher. But, this is only one part of this money grab by an administration who thinks they can solve all problems by throwing more money at the problem.

Voting NO on any new taxes until this City addresses the longest running crisis in Melrose.

It could be interpreted that way I suppose. But how about this? Stop swiping METCO funds for use in the general school budget.

The override is going to fail. I wonder what disingenuous snarky comment she'll make then? The expression on her face as she was saying that made me want to throw a brick at the TV. What a tarantula.

Do yourself a favor. Take a long, hard, honest look at the collection of nitwits running the schools. How could you possibly expect anything but what we've gotten?

Educated and informed voter.We do have.Just to get even basic information in order to make informed decisions on important votes. The voters will do April 2 2019.

Lesson to be learned: Change.

Thanks for reviving this valuable public service message board!

Demand Truth and Accountability.

This superintendent needs to go.It is time fire her.

So get out and make your vote matter. April 2 2019

Medeiros: Taxpayers need unobstructed view

from the M Free Press:

Opinion: Medeiros: Taxpayers need unobstructed view
Posted at 12:40 PM Updated at 12:41 PM

Submitted by Alderman Monica Medeiros.

Last November, I, as an Alderman, voted against moving the Mayor’s proposed $5.18 million tax override question forward. I felt the city had not been thorough enough in evaluating our financial picture, nor in considering the effects of adding these millions of dollars of new spending.

In preparing for this vote, I learned that our city had much bigger problems than I had suspected. Namely that the executives in our city government have failed to do any long term evaluation of our financial outlook.

I felt it critical to have a full understanding of the financial assumptions the city was making before I could vote to pass such a hefty burden on to seniors and families.

After asking Mayor Infurna for copies of any long range budget forecasts that had been prepared and used by the City of Melrose over the last five years, I was forced to appeal to the Secretary of State’s office for this information only to learn that no such documents exist.

The Mayor’s office directed me to a tool on our city website, “Visual Budget.” In the Aldermen meeting, I asked our CFO & Auditor Patrick Dello Russo if this was the tool he was using to make our predictions in terms of revenues and expenditures. His reply? “We don’t make predictions. This is not a magic show.”

Try as I might, I could not seem to match the “Visual Budget” figures to the actual budgets I had voted on. Days later, Kerriann Golden, our Assistant Auditor confirmed, “The last actual figures reflected are Fiscal 2016,” -- two full fiscal years behind.

The outdated “Visual Budget” data was not only a waste of thousands of taxpayer dollars spent on this service, but also so inaccurate that it was actually misleading to the public. Most importantly, it could not have been being used as an accurate tool for evaluating our city’s financial outlook by anyone including our city executives.

Melrose is at a crossroads. Real estate prices have skyrocketed to an all-time high. Many new families have chosen Melrose for its great schools, beautiful downtown and its relative affordability.

Conversely, many of our families, seniors and one-income households are struggling. Recently, a Melrose Housing Authority Commissioner testified at our meeting that the waitlist for housing of Melrose families, seniors, Veterans and the handicap is in the thousands.

Sadly, I hear from residents who are told if they can’t afford this increase, they should move along. But where will they go? After paying their taxes for years, volunteering in our community, donating to all kinds of causes, including our schools, they are told they haven’t paid their “fair share” and should move along. I can think of little that is so cruel.

Even for those of us who are working, many of us are only one lockout or government shutdown away from being in financial peril.

But regardless of income, every taxpayer deserves good fiscal management.

As an Alderman-at-Large, my job is to consider the big picture ramifications of our decisions, especially when it comes to spending and taxation. When it comes to the big picture, the taxpayers deserve an unobstructed view.

If our leaders are not looking forward to ensure we can sustain the costs associated with the hiring of nearly 30 new positions and school department raises (not teachers only) of nearly $2 million included in this proposal, every one of these positions is at risk.

Before final decisions are made, the voters also need to know that large expenditures are waiting in the wings. What’s not included in this override, may be most significant.

This proposed tax increase includes no money for any other city department other than the schools. Although $250,000 is included in the override for the loss of rent from Beebe School, no plan exists to bring this building back online and fund the staff, renovation nor utility costs. As we make room for some Melrose students, we will disrupt the lives of the 30 or so Melrose special needs children who currently attend the SEEM Collaborative who will be uprooted and bussed to a new school outside our city limits.

Plans are in the works for the rebuilding or repair of the police and fire stations, and renovations of the library. Whether or not this question passes, each of these is expected to be presented to the voters in the form of an increase above the Prop 2 ½ limit.

Like our taxpayers, our leaders need a panoramic view before they make decisions that affect individuals so significantly. Financial forecasting in budgeting has been considered a best practice for more than a decade. Melrose can do better. Before any tax increase is considered, our taxpayers deserve an objective analysis of our financial picture and an independent audit of our books.

Demand accountability. Vote NO.

The truth speaks volumes. Trying to silence everyone is impossible as there are too many victims. Thank goodness people are coming forward and not afraid of intimidation tactics.

The poster above is correct.

Lesson to be learned: Change the school superintendent and the school committee - short of this - nothing changes.Primary September 4 2019.

Thinking before you speak or do something. It's about knowing that every day, the choices we make can and will affect our lives. It's about being accountable for our choices in life. We have the right to make our decisions every day, and every day is a new day. But will the school committee make good decisions and the superintendent Cyndy Taymore?

I don't normally peruse this section of the MM but occasionally I check it out to see if anything has changed from the normal boring toppics and discussions. And I am never let down - boring topics and discussions as usual! Based on these postings.

The one that none of them can hide a major scandal.So may be it is time for the Call for the resignation of Cyndy Taymore

The school committee did make a mistake.It is time to Call for the resignation of Cyndy Taymore.

This superintendent needs to go.

Thinking before you speak or do something. It's about knowing that every day, the choices we make can and will affect our lives. It's about being accountable for our choices in life. We have the right to make our decisions every day, and every day is a new day. But will the school committee make good decisions and the superintendent Cyndy Taymore?

As we have discovered (almost daily!), you can apparently lie despite the facts, and a lot of buffoons will STILL Not have all the facts.

Maybe...don't depend on newspapers uncovering any type of corruption her. Bringing these issues to light might affect housing pricing and sales!

Here is the major issue Corruption. Do we have corruption her in Melrose Mass 02176??

Yup
There’s corruption starting with the previous administration,
All the way up to now with the current administration.

There is a new METCO director at Melrose Public Schools, but some parents are unhappy with the district’s decision and perceived lack of transparency during the process.

On Aug. 4, METCO parent Darrelle Boyd, whose daughter is a freshman at Melrose High School, wrote a letter to Melrose Superintendent Cyndy Taymore and other parties on behalf of several METCO parents to voice their displeasure with the school district over the “hiring practices” for the new METCO director and former interim director Amy Jackson.

“Several concerns were raised regarding the cultural needs and well-being of students of color, hiring practices and administrative transparency,” Boyd wrote in the letter. “Throughout the five-month tenure of the interim, many unacceptable events occurred resulting in a vote of no confidence among the parents.”

In February, Taymore selected Jackson as interim director to replace the previous METCO director, Doreen Ward, who had been there for 17 years. Boyd said parents disliked Jackson’s behavior as interim director during her five months.

“A few examples include blatant dishonesty, non-participation in an IEP meeting and the police being called to board an elementary school bus, leaving children afraid they would be arrested if they rode the bus again,” Boyd wrote. “All occurrences were reported directly to Superintendent Mrs. Cyndy Taymore.”

Boyd said parents spoke with Taymore “numerous times” about Jackson, and they told Taymore they didn’t want Jackson to be hired for the permanent role. However, to the parents dismay, Taymore hired Jackson over the summer, and parents don’t believe the school district listened to their concerns.

“Our understanding was [Taymore] wanted [Jackson] regardless,” Boyd said. “For us not to have the only person who is representative of the METCO students be a person who is qualified and we have confidence in is unacceptable. We had no input or involvement in hiring. The parents were not in favor of hiring the interim person and made this very clear to the superintendent, and she hired her anyway.”

Some parents complained Taymore didn’t post the position until the end of the school year, which made “the pool very slim.” In addition, parents claimed Taymore lied to them about reaching out to another candidate during the process, which they said never happened.

“I don’t think [Jackson] was the most qualified applicant, and I don’t think the process to get her there was done with the purest of hearts,” METCO parent Demia Wells said, adding the hiring process was “sneaky and not all forthright.” ”[Taymore] lied to the whole parent body.”

Although Boyd and other parents were strongly against the school district hiring Jackson, they are more frustrated the “cultural needs” of the METCO students were not taken seriously.

“We happened to see the flaws in the hiring process,” said Boyd. “Our issues are not necessarily with [Jackson]. We want our voices heard and taken into consideration.”

Boyd said the METCO director position is crucial for their children’s educational experience.

“The only person [our kids] can go to who can understand what it feels like or what they have to go through as METCO students not being members of the Melrose community is the METCO director,” Boyd said. “If she is not someone we have confidence in or is not qualified, she is not going to meet the needs of the students, and she has already proven that.”

“A set process”

Taymore responded to the parents’ accusations and said the hiring process was the “same process” she has used for the last seven years.

“We have a set process here in Melrose,” Taymore asserted. “They do not like who I chose and I understand that. Given the information I had at the time, I made the choice that was in the best interest of the district and my students.”

Taymore said the district was “caught by surprise” when Ward left, and she said she had to delay all hiring decisions due to an override campaign in the winter.

Then, Taymore said the district had to fill five positions in 10 weeks. They first began hiring two principals, two directors and then the METCO director, and she said she went through the usual sequence of events when filling a position.

“I think it’s a difference in opinion,” Taymore said of the parents frustration. “The previous director may have told them they would have more say in the process than they would have.”

Taymore created a search committee to lead the hiring process, and she said it had “plenty of representation.”

There were two METCO parents and two METCO students on the committee, and Taymore said she listened to the feedback of the parents. However, she emphasized she has “sole authority” for hiring, and School Committee Chair Ed O’Connell believes the process was also performed correctly.

“This is her decision,” O’Connell said. “This is the process we use. If she had not adhered to the process we had adhered to for seven years, I would be concerned.”

Taymore explained she had “meet-and-greets” with parents and staff, and she also had private conversations with each candidate. Taymore said she can’t reveal everything about the other applicants’ background, but she believes Jackson was the right candidate for the job.

“She is a pleasure to work with and cares deeply about our kids,” Taymore said. “She was the best match for the district at this point in time. She brings a lot to the table.”

Taymore only gave Jackson a one-year deal, which Taymore explained is not typical, but she said Jackson is “getting a lot done for the district.” Taymore added her staff will be evaluating and monitoring Jackson in her new permanent role.

O’Connell said a small percentage of parents are criticizing the process because they don’t like the decision. However, he further emphasized it was the standard process, which Taymore followed “faithfully.”

“We want to be responsive,” O’Connell said of the parents’ concerns. “We take all of this seriously. This was an open, honest and fair process.”

Happens every time here. Hiring freeze because of the override??? Not for the METCO position because that's not how it's funded.

How do I know Taymore is lying? Her lips are moving.

Obviously she wanted this person in & rigged the system to get them in.

That's the trouble with nepotism - once you start doing it, you're sort of stuck with it lest someone not hired starts opening cans of worms about those who were.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren is still a long way from the White House. But if elected president, the Massachusetts senator has already settled on one person from whom she’ll seek advice.

Jacob Lemay — a 9-year-old transgender boy from Melrose, whose story went viral after his mother Mimi wrote an open letter in 2015 about his early-age transition — got to ask Warren a question during CNN’s presidential candidate town hall on LGBTQ rights Thursday night.

“What will you do in your first week as president to make sure kids like me feel safer in schools?” Lemay asked alongside his mom from the live audience at the Los Angeles event. “And what do you think schools should do better so that I don’t have to worry about anything but my homework?”

Warren said she liked the question, even if she didn’t immediately get into specifics. The Cambridge Democrat did however reiterate her commitment to appointing an education secretary that “believes in public education,” and would enforce students’ civil rights. And she said that Lemay would have a say on who it is.

“The secretary of education was given a whole lot of power over the public schools and over the rules and how they’re enforced,” Warren said. “And we’ve had some secretaries of education who have been better and we’ve had one that’s been a whole lot worse. Her name is Betsy DeVos.”

DeVos, a former Republican Party leader who has called for expanded charter schools and school voucher programs, has come under intense scrutiny from Warren’s office since being appointed by President Donald Trump, including for her office’s stance on civil rights protections. Under questioning by Massachusetts Rep. Katherine Clark in 2017, DeVos declined to say if she would withhold federal funds from private schools that deny admission to LGBT students or families (Clark, who represents and resides in Melrose, applauded Lemay’s question Thursday).

“When I’m president, she’ll be gone,” Warren said Thursday.

Whoever replaces Devos, Warren added that she would get Lemay’s input on the person.

“Here’s what I plan to do,” she said. “I want to make sure that the person I think is the right secretary of education meets you and hears your story. And then I want you to tell me if you think that’s the right person, and then we’ll make the deal. Does that sound good?”

Lemay replied with a thumbs up.

Elizabeth Warren on transgender children feeling safe in school: “We've had some secretaries of education who've been better and we've had one that's been a whole lot worse. Her name is Betsy DeVos. So when I'm President, she'll be gone.” #EqualityTownHall https://t.co/dBF43PYMdk pic.twitter.com/4Md8UQftRI

— CNN (@CNN) October 11, 2019

According to his family, Lemay’s assigned gender at birth was female. But before he was even 3 years old, Jacob began to consistently insist he was boy. After consulting with experts and struggling with the decision, his parents decided to let him make the decision. Mimi’s open letter to her son on his fifth birthday — which was published on Boston.com — about raising and accepting him as transgender made national headlines.

In a post Friday morning, Mimi wrote on Facebook that she was “bursting with pride” over the courage Jacob showed in his nationally televised appearance Thursday night.

“Jacob struggled for a long time. He struggled coming out to us, because we struggled to understand what he was asking for,” she wrote. “He struggled being one of few kids in his daily life who were special in this way. He struggled with the fear of what kids would say if they found out – so we kept our advocacy in silos, mine active, his dormant. Then came last night and he was ready, and he shone his beauty into the world and came out – I would argue – in spectacular fashion.”

Parents should be blamed for some of their actions. I don't think they have to worry it will be the same president again.

As we have discovered (almost daily!), you can apparently lie despite the facts, and a lot of buffoons will STILL Not have all the facts.

How can you stop teacher from leaving? More are leaving again. No leadership or control from this administration.

Dolan and Taymore Banking on Paul B. to win then he's all set again.

Monica would never take Melrose in the wrong direction again like Mayor Dolan or Clarke I was voting for Monica anyway her record speaks for her.

Going Against the Odds To Be Successful. Never be afraid to have a little sane touch of madness. Like Ellen DeGeneres now saying what the presidents family face daily is not kind.

Great post i agree with it all.this democrat will be voting for her.i do not care about the R next to her name its about the person for me and she is fair and will listen to both sides.with me its time for a change in this city and with paul its the same crap we had with Dolan..

Lesson to be learned: Change the school superintendent . short of this nothing changes.This is for PAUL Brodeur,Hopefully with all your experien you will have a new superintendent

This is the only place where voters can get even a portion of the truth. They certainly can't get it from city officials, who continue to mislead, obfuscate, and outright lie about all things fiscal. Melrose is a house of cards. The sooner that house of cards collapses, the sooner we can get a mulligan and fix the mess we've allowed to happen.

It's about being accountable. How can Taymore look people in the eyes and say that she are for educational excellence when she lack a basic understanding of transparency and honesty towards the residents of Melrose.This website often sheds light on subjects politicians.The truth hurts.We all have every right to be concerned.What's going on in Melrose?

Lesson to be learned: Change the school superintendent . short of this nothing changes.Do it soon 2019.

Where have you been? She's retiring June 30th. There's no way in hell now that anyone is going to do anything before then!

Where has he been? He's been busy repeating the same idiotic post over and over and over again under different screen names.

This is such a great post. Read it in its entirety and change your life!

Thinking before you speak or do something. It's about knowing that every day, the choices we make can and will affect our lives. It's about being accountable for our choices in life. We have the right to make our decisions every day, and every day is a new day. But will the school committee make good decisions and the superintendent Cyndy Taymore?

What the hell is wrong with you? Are you off your meds or something, or did the attendants leave the door unlocked again? First you waste a massive amount of space re-posting other posts, then you follow up with the same post you have made 50 other times under different screen names.

Yup, I agree!

Of course you do. Nitwits often travel in pairs.