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Andover School Race:
“First, I want to maintain programs and services. I don’t want to see anything go. We have a great educational system and we need to maintain it. You just don’t know what in the school is the salvation (for a given) child.” “The second big issue is to find the money to do this (maintain programs and services)” Asked what the outlook was for finding the money he said, “The prospects are not very good.” Collins stated that his third priority is “not losing teachers.” Regarding the recent Executive Session discussions of Superintendent Bach’s contract, Collins said, “These were not commitments until they were to come out in open session and be voted on. (Pre-contract negotiations) are routinely conducted in executive session. It was perfectly appropriate.” Collins feels the controversy arose due to the repetitive use of the word “secrecy” in the press and felt the School Committee was “just following Executive Session procedures like everyone else in Massachusetts.” Collins said he does not support MCAS as a graduation requirement. In response to a written question Collins wrote: “We must maintain high academic standards but there are great kids in the schools that are just poor test takers through no fault of their own. They may have very good grades, be extremely hard workers, excellent contributors to the school and outstanding school citizens. They should not be punished.” On Special Education costs that, in total, are estimated to consume 28-30% of next year’s budget, Collins remarked that he “was 100% in favor of Special Education but that the State can’t mandate this to us and force us to fund it out of Regular Education. Special Education expenses, out of District, are unbelievable. We should be doing it, that’s not the point. The state says, ‘You do this. Take it out of Regular Ed.’ It’s a crime this has happened.” Regarding the request by some students and parents for an advanced math program at the Middle School, Collins commented on what he thought was the natural transition from classes combining all achievement levels in the elementary schools, to classes separated by achievement levels at the High School. While noting the Middle School was “in the middle”, he concluded, “We need to find a way to meet the needs of all students. I may be at odds with the administration on this, but I see nothing wrong with having advanced math at the Middle School.” Asked about the need to impose student fees, Collins said, “It is a crying shame that we have to do this, but it is better than eliminating programs.” Collins stated he was “concerned that athletics were singled out. The fee system is not universally applied. It hits athletics more than other things.” On the subject of increasing taxes through a Proposition 2 ½ override Collins responded, “If necessary, I would support an override but hope it isn’t necessary. The big key is state aid. We get very little state aid because we are a wealthy town, but we do not tax our wealth.” In follow-up discussions
Collins made a distinction between property values (which
are taxed) and net wealth (that is not). He remarked that
State Senator Sue Tucker was working on this issue.
Finally, when asked what he thought differentiates
him from the other candidates Collins said that he knows
all the candidates and “they are all very good
people.” The biggest difference, he said, is his
“experience in education and in the Town of
Andover.” Send your questions
comments to ValleyPatriot@aol.com |
Dick
Collins is no stranger to Andover residents or the
Andover school community. Collins served at the High
School for 38 years both as a teacher (AP US History) and
as a very successful track and football coach. After two,
three-year terms on the School Committee,
‘Coach’ Collins is vying for yet a third term.
“I feel my whole life has revolved around Andover,
the kids and the schools. I just want to keep doing
it.” Collins cited three key issues/priorities he
will emphasize in his campaign: