2010 Brainstorm Brunch Program & Planning

 

Eighteen members of the League gathered at the community room at the  Ledges for both a delicious lunch with wine and an informative and very helpful address by Caren Connelly -Executive Director of the Winchester Foundation for Educational Excellence.

 

Assessing the role of our Federal government in public education is one of three proposed items for study or concurrence from which every local league is asked to choose one. The final votes will be held at National Convention in the coming spring. Coordinator, Marilyn Mullane, explained in detail the process required for program planning, following guidelines presented in a recent Webinar, attended by Marilyn and Judie Muggia.  After explanations of both "votes for study", concurrence and the requirement by LWV-US that local

leagues were limited to one choice only, we proceeded to consideration 

of the three pending items.

 

Caren Connelly, executive director of the Winchester Foundation for Educational Excellence, addressed the meeting	Steering Committee member Marilyn Mullane led the discussions	Foreground: SC members Elizabeth Ghoniem, Betsy Cregger, Meredith Conway, Susan Lewis. Background: SC members Elizabeth Angelino and Jean Herbert and Sue Wankowicz
Click on small photo to obtain larger image

 

Ms. Connelly gave a general background of Federal involvement in public education, beginning in the 50s and 60s, primarily with Title I funding for school districts in poverty. In her opinion, major issues NOT covered in the California proposal to be considered included:

a) Private money in public education

b) Union issues

c) 10th amendment - States rights vs Federal role

Winchester does not see a great deal of Federal Chapter 70 funding and the 

phrase "unfunded mandate" is not accurate!

 

New developments in funding for education are on the horizon. They include:

a) The Elementary and Secondary Education Act - sets standards and goals in partnerships with businesses.

b) Race to the Top  program funded with up to four billion dollars to bring schools "up to snuff".

c) States will compete to open Charter and "Innovation" schools to qualify for these funds.

 

Questions and discussion included concerns for teacher excellence, parental involvement and managementof the terms of corporate funding involvement.

Click here to read more points from Caren Connelly's talk

Following Caren's talk and the Q & A period, Marilyn Mullane led the discussion and vote on the proposals to be considered. She delivered a detailed outline of each proposal before our discussion.

1) Formation of a Peace cabinet post

2) The role of the Federal Government in local education

3) Affirm concurrence in LWVUS position on campaign finance reform

 

A brief discussion ended in a unanimous vote AGAINST a study of a Peace cabinet post. Several attendees felt such a study was a bit too broad - directing the head of such a department to create anti-violence programs for cities and towns and would be perceived as conflicting with both the Defense Department and Secretary of State duties as well.

 

On the Federal role in public education, it became clear that the study was a high priority with all present.

 

Due to what members felt was a stunning and appalling Supreme Court decision on treating corporations as individuals, the group decided to APPROVE the concurrence on campaignfinance reform as a high priority, but voted as well to add an addendum to the vote, indicating that immediacy dictated the vote to support the Concurrence and that there was great distress in being required to approve only one item!  It was suggested that the Winchester LWV, hopefully with other Massachusetts LWVs, study this item anyway.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 2:40 p.m.

 

- Judie Muggia