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Mathews decision lambasted
By JORDAN COHEN
VIENNA
The woman who headed Mathews schools levy committee last November strongly criticized the board of education for its decision to keep Neal Middle School open for the 2010-11 school year.
Wendy Thompson, who chaired the committee in the unsuccessful effort to pass a $22 million bond issue for a new school building, contended board members didn’t keep promises they made about the middle school when the committee was organized.
“You did not have the backbone and the spine to stand up for this decision,” Thompson told the board Wednesday evening. “You’re keeping the school open one more year, and that will suck the money out of the budget.”
The board originally had planned to close the nearly 90-year-old building at the end of the current school year but changed its mind in the wake of complaints from some district parents.
Thompson said she was misled by the board and charged that the Neal decision resulted from that public protest.
Ken Wallace, board president, denied her allegation.
“We needed more information about the options,” Wallace said. “We did not start the process soon enough.”
Wallace was backed by Sandra Webber, president of Mathews Education Association, the teacher bargaining unit.
“You did the right thing,” Webber told the board. “I don’t think you buckled to pressure.”
Thompson was unconvinced, telling the board before leaving the meeting that she believes it is “losing respect.” She declined to comment further.
The board made its decision last month even though Superintendent Lee Seiple had projected that closing Neal at the end of the present school year could save the district more than $800,000. When the decision was approved, more than 70 residents who attended the March meeting applauded.
The district already faces a projected deficit in excess of $1 million in two years. The board has submitted a reduced replacement levy of 7.8 mills on the May 4 primary ballot. The five-year levy would cover operational expenses.