The Board of Education

Needs To Listen

To the Editor:

So, JanRon got a raise. Nice. Tumbling test scores, questionable paperwork, and putting 30-plus Newtowners out of business. Not just out of a job, out of business. In an economy where most people’s paychecks are getting smaller and benefits are decreasing. I guess we should all work for the school system.

It has been brought to my attention that I have incorrectly used the term “lawsuit” regarding the action being brought by the owner-operators. The correct term is “labor complaint.” This complaint is about whether the owner-operators are employees of the town or not. This has brought another question to my mind: If the owner-operators are found to be employees of the town, then doesn’t that mean that the Board of Education just fired them all for no reason?

I still have an issue with the school district’s finance director filling out paperwork for All-Star Transportation. If All-Star filled out the incorrect paperwork (and how they got the incorrect paperwork is another question), then the bid should have been dismissed or at the very least returned to them for correction. In my opinion, the moment Mr Bienkowski touched All-Star’s bid he tainted the entire process.

I went through the back issues of The Newtown Bee, looking for all letters that specifically gave an opinion on this subject. I have found letters from 19 different Newtowners in favor of keeping the owner-operators (or at least stating their dissatisfaction with the bidding process) and only one in favor of replacing them. To me, this is an overwhelming majority, and the Board of Education needs to listen.

So let’s see those yellow ribbons showing our support for the owner-operators! Put them on your cars, your front doors, and your mailbox posts! If nothing else, it tells our O-Os that they are important to Newtown.

(Several people have commented on my telephone number being disconnected. I no longer have a phone line, except in case of emergency, so the best way to reach me is via e-mail, bseaman2000@yahoo.com, or you can find me on Facebook.)

Sincerely Astounded,

Bridget Seaman

Hanover Road, Newtown                                      September 28, 2011