Gov. Deval Patrick in WBUR's Studio 3
The comparisons between Deval Patrick and Barack Obama are numerous, but as one sails into Washington with the wind at his back, the other climbs Beacon Hill under a sisyphean boulder. Knee-deep in a ponderous budget crisis, Patrick has gone from “together we can” to “alone I cut.” His treasured educational reforms seem miles away; the loftiest goal of state government now seems merely to stanch the bleeding.
We’re very excited to have Governor Deval Patrick in for the full hour this week on Radio Boston. He’ll be taking your phone calls and emails. Leave a comment or a question below; we’re collecting as much as we can in advance of this Friday’s airtime.
What in the budget should be cut, and what should be off-limits? Halfway through his first term, are you happy with your Governor? We hope we’ll hear from you!
Not only will this special edition of Radio Boston air on WBUR, it will also air on WFCR/WNNZ in Amherst and WAMC in Albany. The whole state will be listening. You should too.
Dear Governor Patrick,
In the current recession, some cities, such as Gloucester, have not yet seen restoration of state education funds (chater 70)lost from the last recession, of 2002. Yet far from helping us, the state is now considering imposing a costly charter school on Gloucester. Other communities struggle to pay for their charter mandates.
Is this not the time to stop expanding the charter school program in the state–until charter funding can be put on a sustainable basis?
Dear Governor Patrick,
I am a teacher in Gloucester and am greatly concerned about the charter school program, specifically the one proposed for Gloucester. During this recession, with many public schools hurting from it, shouldn’t there be a freeze on the charter schools? Also, the one for this city isn’t offering anything that the Gloucester Public Schools don’t already have. Please visit anytime.
Thank you for your time,
Cynthia
Dear Governor Patrick,
Thank you for your commitment to education and your thoughtful consideration of our current fiscal crisis.
Given that President Obama has pledged hundreds of millions more dollars for Charter schools, wouldn’t it be prudent to expand the Charter School program in Mass — especially since only states committed to charter school expansion would be eligible for these new funds?
In light of the recently released Boston Foundation Study, does it not seem clear that Charter schools hold great promise for improving achievement for all students in districts lucky enough to have Charters?