Politics & Government

Moccia to Rilling on Education Plan: It's all being done, or in the works.

The following is an Oct. 14 103 Press Release from Mayor Moccia
Last week, Democratic Mayoral candidate Harry Rilling announced his “3 point plan to bring a 21st century education system to Norwalk.” The remarkable thing about Mr. Rilling’s plan is that it should really be viewed as an endorsement of our current policies -- because practically everything he proposes in it is either already being done, or is in the works. 

The “positive partnership with the Board of Education, the Superintendent, and school leaders” he calls for already exists, as evidenced by the close cooperation of my office, the Council and the BET with the Board of Education on this year’s budget. 

Mr. Rilling says he will “increase student academic performance” – we’re already doing that, with scores of our students on standardized tests steadily rising for 5 years. 

He says he will “fully address safety concerns” – We have adopted a new School Safety Plan, trained staff, added school police resource officers, have $100,000 in safety improvements under way, and, with most Police and School Safety Committee reviews completed, the Board is requesting another $500,000 in funding for safety improvements, which I will support. 

Mr. Rilling says he will “maintain and improve facilities” – We have major renovations of Naramake and Rowayton schools moving forward, and plans for Jefferson renovations in the works. 

He says he will “implement the Common Core curriculum” – but Norwalk is already well ahead of the curve here. We made an extraordinary commitment of resources this year on the Common Core ($2.1 million in capital spending approved already, with over $1 million more planned for next year). Common Core math is already implemented at all schools, K-12; English is being implemented in 6-12 already, with K-5 to be implemented next year on schedule; a science curriculum specialist position was added to the budget in preparation for the science Common Core. 

He says he will “seek state and federal resources to accomplish these goals” – but I’ve led the fight for equitable ECS funding from the State, travelling to Hartford with BoE officials and parents (but notably without Mr. Rilling) to lobby for more State aid; the Board also just submitted an application for $5 million in Race to the Top funding to the Federal government. 

Mr. Rilling says he “will respect the value and worth of all employees in the Norwalk Public Schools” – I am in the schools on a regular basis, every week. I show respect for our employees every time I visit a school, and they are listened to and have input on everything from curriculum decisions to teacher evaluation systems. 

Continuing on with some of the laundry list of items in his “3” point plan in his press release, he says he will “obtain additional pre-K seats” – We are already working closely with Norwalk ACTS on their “cradle to career’ program to provide more pre-K educational opportunities to our kids. 

He says he will “promote adequate programs in the arts, music, sports, and student government” – Interestingly, when Democratic politicians, unions and even some Board members urged cuts in these programs in the budget crisis last year, I and a majority of the Board of Education held firm and refused to cut them. We maintained all high school sports programs (refusing to charge students to participate), maintained all arts and music programs, and protected our Academically Talented program. Middle school intramurals programs cut in the budget crisis were restored this year. I take second position to no one in the support of these important parts of our educational offerings. 

His press release says “Rilling will work with Norwalk Community College, unions, local businesses, and the community to create a career pipeline so Norwalk’s students are prepared for post secondary education opportunities and careers.” We’re already doing all of this, with joint programs with NCC (note the key role NCC’s president played in our superintendent search), Norwalk ACTS, the Chamber of Commerce, and community organizations. The school system is evaluating a proposal for business internships for high school students with local businesses. 

It’s all being done, or in the works. 

There are two key takeaways. First, Mr. Rilling has laid out a great program for the Norwalk schools, practically every element of which is already being done. With the continued leadership of our new superintendent of schools, Dr. Rivera, who was supported unanimously by the BoE Republicans (with only two Democratic members not supporting his appointment), things are looking up for Norwalk’s schools. 

Second, however, there is one glaring omission from Mr. Rilling’s release – any mention of fiscal responsibility at all. He continues his process here of proposing new spending on everything he talks about, but without any attention paid to protecting the taxpayers. I and the Republican-majority BoE have done that, with a new Chief Financial Officer, responsible budgeting, tough but fair union contract negotiations, commencement of work on the school’s first-ever three-year budget plan, and complete pay-back of the insurance shortfall. Other than vague promises to try to get money from the State and Feds (both of which are broke), Mr. Rilling (as usual) ignores the question of how to pay for it. I haven’t, and won’t. 


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