To the Editor of the DAY,

Groton School Budget Magic?

In the 02/01/11 edition of the DAY( Matt Collett’s feature headline article “Groton writes 2 school budgets”), and in a follow up to the Board of Education meeting, Groton Superintendent Paul Kadri introduces some financial figures that resemble a magician’s act. Such a deal he has for us…if we let him have his proposed Phase II new school program for $133 million dollars, he will agree to having “artificially low staffing levels” for three years. These new levels would then save approximately $1.4 million dollars from his 2012 requested budget….such a deal…

Mr. Kadri appears to be trying to convince the taxpayers that ultimately this huge, very expensive school project is going to save us money in the long run. The Claude Chester site is perfect and we should ignore the “Wizard of Oz” magician figure hiding behind the curtain…who wants us to ignore the lack of adequate open playing field space for 800 kids, the existing flood water problem, the increased traffic congestion and the fact that this project is on the direct flight path to the primary runway at the Groton Airport.

Sure, no planes have hit the existing school…yet…so let’s build a bigger target!

How about if we simply cancel the “magic” show and send a message to the Groton School Board that this entire expansion project needs further review, with new emphasis on better use of existing properties and facilities? And, if they don’t like the King property, why not simply expand the Cutler Middle School, which has far more athletic field space and none of the above problems?

Realistically, why don’t they plan to spend somewhere between $5 to $10 million dollars expanding and renovating existing, usable facilities, rather than spending $133 million?

Ed Johnson, Notes from the Noank Jail