RIDGEFIELD'S CONSCIOUS UNCOUPLING

Gwyneth Paltrow coined the phrase a "conscious uncoupling" to describe her divorce and, oddly, it appears we've had a "conscious uncoupling" here in Ridgefield. 

School Superintendent, Karen Baldwin, spoke a language that I never quite understood so a "conscious  uncoupling" seemed a fitting way to describe her termination agreement. 

Kudos to the Ridgefield Press for acquiring a copy of that agreement via FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) & publishing an article about it. Shame on BoE for making it come to that.

The article states that BoE "found no wrongdoing or misconduct in [Ms. Baldwin's] performance", that BoE had "not requested [her] resignation" nor had they "forced [her][...] resignation. In addition, BoE found no "deficiency, wrongdoing or misconduct with respect to Dr. Baldwin's performance or actions". 

Moreover the resignation did not "constitute an admission" by Ms. Baldwin that she did anything to warrant her termination and that -- according to the Press account -- Ms. Baldwin simply "suggested she would resign". 

Accordingly she would continue to receive her full salary until June 30th plus an annuity of $14,660 plus her un-used vacation days at $894 per day.

So from all accounts, it appears to me that Ms. Baldwin woke up one fine morning & just quit her $200,000 plus job because she simply felt like it. 

The problem is that after her self-serving resignation, she will continue to receive her full salary until June 30 and there is no mention of plagiarism. So what's the takeaway?

In my opinion, neither side has taken responsibility for anything in this matter. There is no "learning moment" for the 5,000 Ridgefield students from whom we demand more. Its' hypocritical and disgraceful. 

"First Selectman Rudy Marconi said he felt the arrangement [was] a “fair agreement for both sides.”

I give it an "F".

INVESTIGATIVE REPORT (:-) IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

The conversation about parking ebbs and flows. A few years back there was discussion of building a multi-level parking garage off Bailey Avenue. The current discussion has taken on a new dimension. 

On the one hand there is the danger of burying a stream near the Boys & Girls Club & creating "too much asphalt". 

On the other hand, there is an idea, voiced by the First Selectman, to create a pocket park frontage to hide more parking spaces on Catoonah -- a creative idea. 

However, I have a different take. I'm not sure there is a parking problem. I think there is a people problem. We chose Ridgefield to live in, not for parking convenience.

This is what I saw On Monday, July 17th at 1:00:40 pm.

Even though these are snaps of one sliver of one summer week day, it still raises the question (in my mind) whether we really do need more parking spaces. 

If it's for weekends or community events, maybe we should consider walking more. We know taking 10,000 steps daily is a healthy goal. 

I ask myself, if downtown is so crowded on Saturdays, why are so many businesses going out of business? Is everyone having coffee at Tazza?

And what about weekday parking? Here's something else I saw at 11:04:27 the same day.

A woman walked out of this Main Street establishment and erased the chalk parking mark from her right front tire.

While I'm sure she's not alone in this kind of activity, I submit that before we spend one additional taxpayer cent on more parking, we FIRST address the people problem. Otherwise  we risk transforming our quaint village into a parking lot to service the lazy and inconsiderate.

Jan Rifkinson

169 New Road

$5 million too radical a one­ year change - Letter to the Editor 5/6/2016

I feel manipulated when it comes to our school financials.

First, ERG equality.

A few years ago, I spoke with Peter Prowda, state Board of Education, the man who developed the ERG system. Mr. Prowda explained ERGs were created so educators could compare pupil test

scores in the same ERG category; not the amounts spent on each student. So the ERG is no reason to approve a 4.99% increase in the Board of Education budget.

Second, more seniors are moving into Ridgefield.

Why? There are many advantages to this town — besides the schools — that make Ridgefield, Ridgefield. After all, Ridgefield was the #1 town in Connecticut for years before the $90,000,000 school

bundle was even considered or passed. So schools are not necessarily the reason for a 4.99% increase either.

Third and fourth: Recent history should have clarified the connection between property values and school budgets. They do not parallel each other. And school expenditures do not guarantee

academic excellence. The #1 town in Connecticut — known for its excellent school system — spends far less per student than we do. Again, no rationale for a 4.99% increase.

We pay pension/health benefits for non­certified Board of Education employees, currently set at $1,051,000. Board of Education wants to add another 19 to its payroll. Why do we need more

people for fewer students? An increase of 4.99% makes even less sense.

I still don’t understand what happened between 2015 and 2016 that requires an additional $5 million. That’s a radical change especially in view of a declining school population.

It feels like expenses are just spinning out of control again. How do we regain control? The only way we can — by voting.

Squeezing taxpayers is only one part of the budget formula, not the entire formula.

A proponent of excellent education,

Jan Rifkinson

5/6/2016 Letters

Copyright © 2016 Hersam Acorn

Trickle Down Education - Ridgefield Press, February 25, 2016

Could someone explain to me what has changed in Ridgefield's educational Neverland except the replacement of one superintendent with another?

Specifically, with fewer students to teach, what is the supposed cause for the extraordinary increase now before us after years of reasonable increases? I just want the facts and figures. No educational mumbo jumbo, puleeeze!

Fewer students, possibly one less plant to support but we need more employees? Where's the rationale in that?

Have Ridgefield's children been educationally disadvantaged over the past years? Or is this a political move by our new superintendent, trying to make a statement and a 'name' for herself?

All I know is that beyond a certain point, more money does not equate with a better education -- here or nationally. In my opinion, administrators and teachers have been feathering their nests for far too long in the educational industrial complex. It's more top down economics; the kids get the least benefit.

We need an activist, democratically elected Board of Education, Board of Selectmen and Board of Finance to maintain a fair balance in this town -- as they have demonstrated in the past -- and put a lid on this ridiculous financial flim-flam before it gets out of hand again.

Labor vs Education > Letter to the Editor, Ridgefield Press, Published 2011/03/17

Parents, PTA, READ, etc -- you are all sheep. Why do you exhibit only Pavlovian reactions to school budgets without considering the consequence?

You use your considerable organizations to pressure taxpayers to pay more, but not for education. Of the approved 2010 budget, 81.12% went to salaries & benefits, NOT to education.

High School: 1 Principal, 4 Assistant Principals, 4 Deans. Really?

What is the school doing with the $59,800 taken in Tiger Hollow gate receipts? This could have been a German class.

Students from 7-12 grades could supply their own netbook to plug into the schools' formidable IT system & save several hundred thousand dollars annually. How many teachers would that represent?

And none of this would cost taxpayers one extra penny.

Believe it or not, I stand with you on educational values. So you tell me, what's wrong with the current picture:

1. Middle school German will be eliminated (Mandarin was already cut)

2. Again, no literacy teacher will be hired

3. Art classes will again be reduced

4. Eight teachers will be cut next year

Clearly, labor is costing your children some education.

The political pressure applied by you parents, PTAs and READ is misplaced. Like a laser beam, you should be focused on labor costs which can be contained. Excellent teachers should be paid more. Bad teachers should find another job.

I believe in the right to negotiate but I believe it is time to change our approach to labor negotiations in order to benefit our children's education.

We are not beholden to the unions. This attitude has been exhibited in the past but times change, the truth emerges and our negotiating principles must change too.

We CAN re-open contracts. I ask you: what do you think is going to happen next year when teacher payroll goes up 3.0%?

Mark my words, education will suffer.

01/31/2011 Letter to the Editor > Ridgefield Press "What, me Worry?"

Carol and I just returned from a little trip to Costa Rica & I came back a changed human. It was a wonderful, laid back  adventure. The natives were courteous, warm & welcoming; the weather delicious. It relaxed me, put things in perspective.

I now consider asking taxpayers for $167k to hose down some six year olds at the recreation center that already loses about $600k annually just another quaint Ridgefield idea. So is building a $20 million dollar library during these economic times.

The Board of Selectmen spending so much energy not approving a full (from part) time salary for Fred, our diligent parking cop, which would have been funded from the Branchville Parking fees while, simultaneously hiding a million dollar mistake in executive sessions.... Eh! Who cares?

And a measly 2.87% school increase on an $80 million dollar school budget. Oh pish.... that's just $2.25 million. What's that? A matter of foregoing eight or nine cups of Starbuck's coffee?

Finally, instead of the BoF asking embarrassing questions, I say give the Board of Ed the entire $89k they requested for a new boiler even though they will be reimbursed $60k by insurance (which they didn't mention). They can use the extra money for something educational.....or not.

That Ridgefield's income is flat and that property owners have lost another 6% of their home value just last year (http://tinyurl.com/5srjg5c) no longer concerns me. I'm calm and confident Ridgefield will rebound in the next 8-10 years.

In the meantime, raising property taxes a few points annually shouldn't cause alarm. We have a wonderful school system -- in the middle of the educational pack -- propping up our property values. And parents of kindergarten aged kids now have more free time to "shop Ridgefield".

I agree with Mr. Jewell. This space should be reserved for friendly letters.