I have watched the out-of-control Concord School Board’s spend, spend, mentality. Every year, annual budget’s increase, while enrollments decrease. After complaining about this pattern and practice of financial abuse a board member communicated to me concurring with my assessment, however opined that nothing will ever change. What the board wants (not needs) is the manner in which they operate, with seemingly no concern to how their decisions affect taxpayers. I am convinced this is occurring due to the autonomous structure they operate under. When is the last time you heard the board discuss austerity measures; eliminating programs; wage/hiring freezes; eliminating nonessential positions; and across the board budget cuts? Never is probably the correct answer.

The Concord School District has a fiduciary responsibility to the taxpayers to be good stewards of public funds. This is not transpiring, considering for one the ridiculous nearly $200 million decision for a new school. This is arrogance and complacency! The board should be approaching expenditures similar to how they manage their family budgets. You have to make hard decisions and make unattractive, but necessary reductions in expenditures. I agree with Charles Russell of the Concord Concerned Citizens group that citizens should begin the process of stripping the board of this autonomous power. Concord citizenry should be afforded a vote on annual budgets, as well as making final decisions on material capital expenditures exceeding $25 million. Language should be included introducing significant oversight over proposed capital expenditures. Taxpayers fund expenditures and should make final decisions.

James Watt

Concord