By JOHN HOWELL It was the new - if a heating system installed in the early 1990s is new - that failed during the recent cold snap, bursting a sprinkler pipe and closing Toll Gate High School on Jan. 8. And, ironically, it was the failure of that new""
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It was the new – if a heating system installed in the early 1990s is new – that failed during the recent cold snap, bursting a sprinkler pipe and closing Toll Gate High School on Jan. 8.
And, ironically, it was the failure of that “new” rooftop heater in the Robert Shapiro Center for the Arts that resulted in the freezing of pipes in a heating system installed when the school was built 20 years earlier.
Steve Gothberg, director of school building and grounds, described the sequence of events on Friday. When the comparatively new heater failed, the air exchanger portion of the unit continued to operate. Now it was pumping in cold air that dipped to single digits on Saturday and Sunday. That froze the sprinkler line, splitting it.
The leak was quickly discovered early Monday as students started arriving at school. The school was closed for the day and the school crew went to work mopping up the mess when they were in for the second surprise.
Hot water pipes from the older system, which remained operational during the freeze, couldn’t take the cold introduced by the failure of the newer system. Now more water gushed into the newer portion of the school.
“It just couldn’t keep up,” Gothberg said of the older system.
Veterans Junior High also experienced a frozen pipe that was near an overhead door in the shop area. Gothberg said a narrow opening between the door and the casing was enough to let in frigid air and freeze the pipe. Fortunately, when the pipe burst, the water flowed under the door and outside instead of into the school.
Gothberg said the seats at the Shapiro auditorium can be salvaged, but the carpeting and flooring has to come out. Stage flooring will also need to be replaced. The ceiling will need to be painted, as well. He said the plan is to concentrate on the auditorium with hopes of having it usable by April. Crews will then turn their attention to the music classrooms outside the auditorium.
Gotherg said the department’s insurer, Interlocal Trust, is overseeing the project. He could not provide cost estimates.
In the opinion of Superintendent Philip Thornton, the incident is all the more reason why the city needs to move ahead with an $85 million bond issue to address school building deficiencies over the next five years.
With the forecast of heavy rain on Friday night, Thornton said school crews worked to clear snow from roof drains at Lippitt and John Brown Schools, where there are known leaks. Tarps were used to cover interior sections of both buildings.
Also, he pointed out that precautions were taken at Holliman School when it became apparent that, due to a frozen drain, water was seeping back into the school boiler room. He said a person was stationed at the school, incurring overtime costs to the department, to ensure the drain was open.
As for the roofs at Lippitt and JBF, Thonton said, “These are the problems we face with older schools. It shouldn’t be like this. You can’t patch these [the roofs]; they’re beyond their useful life.
Roofs for both buildings would be addressed if the $85 million bond issue is approved by the City Council, which must happen in order for the General Assembly to approve the referendum and place it on the November ballot. The council considers the bond proposal at a special meeting Jan. 22. The School Department must submit its plan to the state Department of Education by Feb. 1 in order to be eligible for state funding that could be as much as 50 percent of projects. If placed on the ballot, the final say will then be up to the voters.
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richardcorrente
On the positive side the response time was commendable. Gothberg and his staff fixed the problem in frigid weather, and in record time and they deserve a lot of credit for that.
On the negative side, Warwick taxpayers have been handing over $160 million a year "forever".
Since 2009, the School Committee (SC) has received OVER A BILLION DOLLARS. Much of that money was supposed to go toward renovations and repairs.
It didn't.
Now, the SC wants $85 million MORE! That's not $85 million. That's $85 million in addition to the $160 million we ALREADY give them EVERY YEAR. That's $85 million MORE than the ONE BILLION DOLLARS Warwick taxpayers have given the SC since 2009! And it's for things that are covered in the normal budget of $160 million dollars EVERY YEAR!
Beverly Hills California is a school district with 4,261 students and a budget of $61,072,913. That comes to a per-student cost of $14,333 to educate each student in affluent Beverly Hills, each year.
Here in Warwick, if we add the $85 million in new money to the $160 million that we already gave to the School Committee, then Warwick taxpayers will be paying a total of $245 million dollars next year to educate less than 9,000 students. That's a per-student cost of $27,222 for the upcoming year. It might cost less if we flew our students to Beverly Hills!
Now, before my critics suggest that I would consider doing that, let me be clear. I am showing the Beverly Hills comparison to prove how expensive our cost of educating is. Warwick taxpayers simply can't afford $245 million. They can't even afford the $160 million they are already paying. (Which, at a per-student cost of $17,777, is still much higher than Beverly Hills). Warwick needs to "Cut Taxes - Cut Spending" and we should start with an independent audit of the School Committee budget since that represents the biggest part of the total budget.
It's just basic economics. Any independent audit will show that. I've been saying that for over three years and the 80,000 taxpayers that are paying the tab, seem to agree with me.
Happy Valentines everyone.
Rick Corrente
The Taxpayers Mayor
Tuesday, January 16, 2018 Report this
CrickeeRaven
The delusional, lying, fake "mayor" continues trying to push an objectively false and clearly delusional view of the city.
- "Warwick taxpayers have been handing over $160 million a year 'forever.'"
First, the fake "mayor" purchased the residence that he later lost to tax delinquency in 2007, so he has no basis for claiming to know what has been happening "forever." Secondly, the city does not pay the entire school budget; in fact, the state's contribution has been going up as Warwick's school population has fallen, independent of the school consolidation.
- "Much of that money was supposed to go toward renovations and repairs."
90+ percent of the school budget pays salaries and benefits and state mandates. The small percentage that is left could only be termed "much" by the delusional fake "mayor."
- "That's $85 million in addition to the $160 million we ALREADY give them EVERY YEAR."
This is the central lie that the fake "mayor" pathetically repeats every chance he gets. The $85 million for building upgrades will not all be paid at once, nor will the city have to pay it all at once. Those funds are going to be borrowed through bonds that the city will manage and paid over 20 years.
- "[W]e should start with an independent audit of the School Committee budget ..."
As explained to the fake "mayor" previously, the same auditing firm is used by the city and the school department. He has yet to justify how he believes that this firm is somehow able to audit the city independently but not the school department.
- "[T]he 80,000 taxpayers that are paying the tab, seem to agree with me."
More than 26,000 honest, taxpaying voters defeated his candidacy in 2016, proving that, in fact, the only people who "agree" with him are the ones he has invented in his fevered imagination.
Tuesday, January 16, 2018 Report this
Scal1024
Rick, 90% (likely more) of the school budget is tied to salaries/benefits/mandates. So where did you come up with the following:
"Since 2009 the school committee has recieved over $1 billion dollars. Much of that money was supposed to go towards renovations and repairs"
Once again you are doing what you do best: make things up, pander, lie. Who told you "much of that money was for repairs and renovations"? Let me explain how budgets work...when 90% is tied to salaries/benefits and state mandates that leaves 10% of the budget FOR EVERYTHING ELSE!!!
What concessions have you called on the teachers to make that would help reduce their budgetary burden? The answer is none because you are gutless. Instead you attack the school committee for "corruption" because its a better talking point to the parents who aren't paying attention to what matters in there childs life.
Bottom line:
You are a lying dope who doesn't have a clue how city government, or any form of government works. You constantly talk like you're the smartest guy in the room, but in order to do that the room would need to be practically empty. Not only are you a financial train wreck but you are also morally bankrupt. From your lack of child support, to skipping tax payments, to losing YOUR OWN HOME TO TAX SALE. That doesn't even include your crazy list of conspiracy theories about school committee members, government employees, or how you basically called the mayor responsible for the drowning death of a young child. You would sell your soul if it meant boosting your failing campaign 5% points.
To anyone who says we aren't fair to Corrente, you are part of the problem! This man is running for mayor of the 2nd/3rd largest city in the state yet doesn't understand taxes, budgets, LINE ITEMS, schools, government rebate checks or any other basic function of government. If you don't think it can get worse, hold on to your wallet. The real shame is that theres not 15-20 people commenting on what a joke his 4 year campaign has been. I won't sit back and allow this embarrasment to comment daily with free reign, as if he's done ANYTHING in his personal or public life to deserve it. I look forward to the response...although if past history is any indicator I'm sure Corrente will go run and hide, and comment under an honor roll article to make it about himself.
I've gone on long enough but I love this city. I love it enough to want whats best for it. I will not allow some hack to call himself THE TAXPAYERS MAYOR, while ignoring the fact he is a TAX DELINQUENT. Think about how mentally unstable someone must be to not see the irony...
Thursday, January 18, 2018 Report this
CrickeeRaven
Amen, Scal1024. I don't think I've ever seen a more inept, dishonest, pathetic candidate for office continue to shamelessly lie despite all of the evidence against him -- and that's saying something, because I've seen quite a few elections in my time.
Happy 291 days until you and I and tens of thousands of honest, taxpaying, Warwick-loving voters again overwhelmingly reject his candidacy.
Thursday, January 18, 2018 Report this
richardcorrente
Dear Scal1024,
When you say that 90% of the School Committee (SC) budget is for salaries I think you are right. I don't know for sure because the SC won't allow an independent audit that I am sure you would read, but I think you are right. By the way, those salaries include many new ADMINISTRATIVE positions, like the "Assistant Principal of Teaching and Learning" at Winman and also the "Assistant Principal of Climate and Culture". These positions are for the sole benefit of the SC, not the students, and the SC is proposing that cuts be made that hurt the students to help fund these unnecessary "appointments". You wouldn't do that Scal and neither will I as Mayor.
Second issue:
I have said for several years that Warwick taxpayers paid "OVER A BILLION DOLLARS SINCE 2009" To update that Scal, it is now "OVER A BILLION AND A HALF DOLLARS" The SC was supposed to spend much of that money on repairs and renovations for our schools. It's in their rules and regulations Scal!
They didn't. Now they want $85 million MORE with no guarantee as to how they will spend it. I won't support it! Will you?
Third issue:
Scal, a couple of my critics are lying about me and they are going to get into legal problems. Don't join them. As far as the Mayor handling the death of that child that drowned, immediately after that tragic unpreventable event, the Mayor removed all lifeguards for the remainder of the season...fact.
As Mayor, I would have increased the number of lifeguards for the remainder of the season...fact.
I believe that you would have made the same decision as me. Read my article. Read exactly what it says. Don't misquote me Scal. Please. Mayor Avedisian was NOT responsible for his tragic death. I never said he was. Mayor Avedisian WAS responsible for what happened next. That horrible decision is one that neither of us would have made.
Scal, why don't you disclose to the readers who you really are so they know exactly how biased (or unbiased) your opinions really are? Don't hide.
Last issue:
When my lender broke Rhode Island law I sued them in Federal Court and won! They were court ordered to pay the taxes that came out in my name. They did! They also paid them late so Warwick received even more taxes. If you want, I will sit with you and show you everything that I already showed to Rob Cote. That way you will know the truth. I will offer you that respect because I believe that you do love this city. I do too. There are two groups. Those 80,000 taxpayers that are paying the tab, and those who benefit from the tax payments. You are part of both groups, aren't you Scal? Where is your loyalty Scal?
Happy Valentines everyone.
Rick Corrente
The Taxpayers Mayor
Friday, January 19, 2018 Report this
Scal1024
As usual Rick you are throwing alot against the wall, hoping something will stick. Unlike you I state facts and actually back them up. You'd have to inform me as you've implied what benefit or wage(of any kind) I am receiving from the city, the mayor or his campaign. I have never worked for either entity, so again will you admit that you are making a baseless claim without any evidence? More proof that you are a liar who will say anything to cover your own poor record.
You've stated others are lying about you and will be getting in legal trouble and also said to me "don't join them". I certainly wouldn't want to get in any trouble Rick so please tell me what specifically are captain and crickee lying about? Do you understand when you say on this forum "maybe I said I can only afford $10 in child support, maybe I didn't" as well as "i don't remember" that doesn't sound like a very credible denial to the readers. Please tell me what they are lying about so that I don't make that same mistake. Fair enough?
As I've stated many times I'm an objective voter when it comes to politics. If a candidate ran for mayor and I thought they were credible, honest, had a good platform and a feeling they'd be better at the job than our current mayor, I would strongly consider them. The problem for you is you don't check any of those boxes. You have to make up stories about me donating, working and campaigning for the mayor because someone like me (objective independent) criticizing you so harshly makes you look really bad.
You have acknowledged in the past I said some fair things about your pension buyout plan. Did you think I was "working" for the mayor then? The answer is no. The problem is, much like every campaign idea you've ever had, you never offered one shred of credible specifics. That's when I began to doubt your candidacy and ask questions. I'd get talking points or vague/ non answers and responses. I began to ask repeatedly and it didn't take long before I knew that "cut taxes, cut spending" was a lie by a man who had ZERO clue how to achieve either. Even more sad is that you've tried taking credit for things you've had nothing to do with.
I could go on but I feel I've been pretty fair in my critique. You comment daily and tell us that disagree with you to scroll past it. Why should we? Why should you be allowed to blatantly lie to voters? You failed to tell voters about your late tax payments while you were running for office and loaning your campaign over $30,000. You lied when you said you had a plan that actually "cut taxes, cut spending" while sustaining all city services. I will not allow you to once again campaign on a lie.
Finally:
1. What line item in the budget would you cut to fund your "buy a house, get a check" program?
2. If 90% of the budget is salaries (for teachers and admin) you told me there are new admin positions, so fine lets say eliminate those...my question was what concessions will you ask the teachers to make to reduce their budgetary burden?
Saturday, January 20, 2018 Report this
CrickeeRaven
Keep up the excellent work, Scal1024. You again expose the pathetic failed candidate fake "mayor" for the lying, delusional person he is.
What you and I and others on this site realize is, the more he talks, the more he misleads people. The fake "mayor" believes the opposite -- he keeps commenting because he is intent on finding new readers who he pathetically hopes will somehow support his candidacy.
You have also driven him to fall back on some of his favorite "last resort" comments, which he seems to hold back until he thinks he can "win" his argument with them: Erroneously guessing someone's identity, posting rhetorical questions that he, himself will not answer legitimately, demanding that others stop using screen names, and making empty threats. [As you rightly point out, none of these actually answer for the repeated falsehoods he has made.]
- "[T]hey are going to get into legal problems." As a public figure though his repeated candidacy, the fake "mayor" has no standing to claim libel or slander. The facts stated about him on this website are true, supported by objectively provable fact, and have been provided for the purpose of informing readers and voters about his candidacy. Ironically, his decision to call his ongoing comments a "campaign" means he stipulates that any replies to him are legitimately campaign-oriented and are not subject to libel or slander claims.
This is just another smokescreen that he is trying to use to deflect from his own potential legal troubles, specifically his campaign finance payments to Mr. Shackleton for his campaign office -- the same Clay Shackleton who paid the fake "mayor's" delinquent tax bill several years ago. Perhaps an enterprising Warwick resident will file complaints with the board of elections or ethics commission for their legal opinion on such activities -- or, at least, a local journalist will look into this clear appearance of unethical behavior.
Congratulations for winning yet another argument against the fake "mayor," Scal1024, and happy 289 days until you and I and tens of thousands of honest, taxpaying Warwick voters again overwhelmingly reject his candidacy.
Saturday, January 20, 2018 Report this
CrickeeRaven
Here is the verifiable and publicly available information about the FY18 school budget that the fake "mayor" does not read before making statements like "I don't know for sure" that 90+ percent of the school budget pays for salary and benefits and state mandates: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1C2grOY8Maga1eENE63c76T285ZMxFiIS/view
Page 5 of this document [which did not require an audit to access] shows that, of $165,753,523.86, $3,347,627.61 is listed as "capital equipment and property," representing 2.01% of the budget. This, apparently, is the "much of" the school budget that he insists should pay for the school renovations currently under discussion.
The rest of the budget -- fully 97.99% -- is for salaries and benefits and for meeting state mandates and other legal requirements like paying bonds, funding transportation, covering tuition costs for out-of-district placements, providing fire and building insurance, and other items.
As other commenters have pointed out, the fake "mayor" has never identified any concessions that he would request from the WTU and instead invented conspiracy theories about the school committee in a desperate attempt to make some kind of political point.
Happy 287 days until the fake "mayor" will again be defeated by tens of thousands of honest, taxpaying Warwick voters.
Monday, January 22, 2018 Report this