How about the Shawsheen Tech School Committee race? I am unsure as to why Mr. O'Neill feels compelled to challenge Mrs. Meuse.

Cecil -- I read Jo's comment differently. Shawtech candidates appear not included in the 6:00 pm debate? Tf true, the public would not have the opportunity to hear their platforms debated. Would this reinforce a perception that on TMHS turf Shawtech's public leadership contest is not welcome? Didn't the Tewksbury School Committee ban Shawtech recruiters from recruiting in Tewksbury Public School buildings? These are sine if the issues Jo might feel should be raised in a debate in a Tewksbury Public School forum which may not be raised if Shawtech candidates are excluded in the Christine McGrath Auditorium as Shawtech recruiters were treated in the Christine McGrath superintendency?

Doug, I read it the same way. Not to question the right to contest but what are the specific issues they differ on. If not in this forum when and where.

Thank you Cecil for answering my "ridiculous" question. I can see that there is no need for a debate, since you so eloquently stated Mr O'Neill's platform. You apparently endorse the Kelley/O'Neill block (as you refer to it) to challenge Superintendent Lyons. I sense that you are anticipating a continuation of the conflict that existed when these two gentlemen served on The Tewksbury School Committee. And congratulations to the two of them, a number of positive results happened during their time in office.

Here is my concern, as ridiculous as it is- there are students involved here. You may look forward to controversy between the Tewksbury block on the tech committe and Mr. Lyons, but how will this improve the educational system at Shawsheen Tech? It appears to me that everything that I read about that school is positive, if not superlative in nature. I recently read that educators from other parts of the country observed the facility and educational system at Shawsheen, based upon its excellen reputation. This just does not happen by itself. The rubber stamp school committees that you allude to obviously have been succesful.

Certainly Mr. O'Neill and others have the right to run for office, but there should be a forum to explain how there will be improvement to an already extremely positive situation( as I see it).

Cecil I think she means that she thinks a scumbag lawyer does not belong on the Techs SC.Can i make that any clearer.

Is the Candidate's night at the Country Club still on? I suspect that the candidates for Shawsheen Tech will be at that venue. And also other cadidates like BOH and Library Trustees, etc. Haven't seen anything on that, Bill.

Candidate Patricia Meuse is a kind and loving person who cares about the kids, I believe the other candidate is a politician who cares only about bringing down Charley Lyons because he is a successful school administrator.

The question remains --

Why is there not a debate between the Shawtech School Committee candidates on April 1st?

It doesn't matter who the candidates are -- but it does matter that they appear not be invited.

There is more than one School Committee in town.

Shawtech is supported by Tewksbury tax dollars -- some say to the detriment of Tewksbury tax payers -- others say to the taxpayers' good fortune..

Shawtech School Committee members should be able to opine along with the Tewksbury School Committee candidates on how our tax dollars are spent.

If an incumbent believes these $$$ are being well spent, there should be an opportunity to debate a challenger who may have a different perspective.

Having this opportunity to debate seems a real no-brainer due to the elevated level of expressed concern over the past few years on both sides of this issue.

In reality -- the relationship between Shawtech and TMHS is not well served by denying the School Committee candidates of the former the opportunity to debate the School Committee candidates of the latter on Tewksbury Public Schools property.

Tech parents don't need to relive the feeling of second class status in their home Town -- especially when they are receiving a first class education -- and it is school where the non-debate is taking place that is crying foul! .

The Tech candidates' debate would probably be the most interesting debate of all the contests!

Note: I am not advocating a mixing of the two committees in debate, but putting on three debates: 1) Shawtech School Committee; 2) Tewksbury School Committee; 3) BOS.

the silence is deafening

Bill, patience. While it might seem otherwise, we are not at the computer all the time.
Doug, I hear what you are saying. I'll discuss this possibility with the other organizers involved. I can't make unilateral decisions regarding this event.
However, if inclusion in the April 1 event is not a possibility, I will look into other options to be able to providers with a debate in that race.

I have to say that I support Mr. Sears position.

Bill: I fully appreciate that you cannot always be available on your cellphone or online to respond to calls and posts; however, if this is the oversight that it appears to be that the Shawtech School Committee candidates are left out of the upcoming debate, it needs remediation. Why? Because Tewksbury residents have two school committees with representatives-- and inclusion of just one in a debate sends precisely the wrong message to the community -- that, as the 10th grade ANIMAL FARM reading reminds all students, sometimes "all animals are equal but some are more equal than others." I believe that Tewksbury Memorial High School is just as fine an educational institution as Shawtech. The Tewksbury School Committee does not need to act as if its offering is inferior. It has overseen the building of a new building to increase its market share of available 9th graders. The Tewksbury School Committe's policy of denying Shawtech recruiters access to 8th graders on Tewksbury School Committee turf is a blatant admission that if given the "choice" more students would head to Shawtech if the playing field were equal. If this were not true, this exclusion would not have become Tewksbury School Committee policy. As a former Tewksbury School Committee member whose children attended TPS K-12, I believe in the TPS and recognize the excellence of Shawtech. Taxpayers should have the opportunity to hear candidates for both committees debate. Doug

Doug,

Are you ignoring the questions or just ignorant in general?

The Shawsheen Tech has done some amazing things in elevating the quality of education, improving academic scores, developing a successful sports foundation, and overall general fantastic learning environment. No one can, or should, argue any of those points. However, as Mr. Sears has selectively ignored, what is the price for those improvements? The Shawsheen Tech is not restricted by Prop 21/2, The superintendent takes home a salary of $220,000 a year, and the costs are 50% higher for each student that Tewksbury MUST pay. Does any of this seem NOT normal to you? So the extra money that Tewksbury HAS to pay Shawsheen Tech and Charlie Lyons salary could open the South Station Fire. Or fund an athletic field or tennis court. Maybe the money could be used to help with the Sewer Costs. However, we HAVE to pay. Why doesn't the town get a say? Why are not the costs the same as TMHS? Why isn't the Tech restricted by prop 2 1/2. Why does Charlie Lyons get a salary of $220,000 a year? Those are questions I want asked. Mr. Meuse came on here and said that Mrs. Meuse is a nice, caring person. I have no doubt of that. Lillian Carter said the same of President Carter. Where is your child going to get a better education? Boston College or Bunker Hill Community? You get what you pay for and Tewksbury is getting the short end of the educational stick.

Cecil --

I am not running for School Committee.

Perhaps you should encourage a debate on issues you cite among those who are?

Doug

Doug,

I understand that, however you advocate for the achievement and success of the Shawsheen Tech? It is easy to be great when you have the tools, advantages, and more money. As a leader of this town, why are you not advocating for an even playing field and for the schools in Tewksbury? The number of Tewksbury children attending the Tech dropped this year but the assessment of what the town must pay went up? How is that fair?

Cecil,

The "achievement and success of the Shawsheen Tech" adocates for itself. It doesn't need commentary from either of us.

The "even playing field" for which we both advocate is not within the control of those in local elective office.

The disparity you cite comes from the laws enacted by the Legislature.

Tewksbury has had the same Representative in the Legislatue for the 36 years. During these years Shawtech has increasingly prospered, in part from an affirmative choice to favor regional schools.

As anyone who attended last year's Graduation (held in Burlington HS) can attest, the very Charlie Lyons whose leadership your posts question lavished such praise on the supportiveness of our Representative that -- in his accustomed modesty -- our Representative could easily claim that the success of all Shawtech is all due to him - not Charlie!

It is reasonable to expect that this perceived local legislative favoritism will continue until the voters of Tewksbury -- or the passage of time -- gets someone else in statewide office who can implement the reforms you espouse in your posts.

Doug

To further the concern of leaving this position off the agenda with the Tewksbury Selectman and School Committee Candidates forum, just look at the signs that Candidate O'Neill has already posted all over town. One might venture a guess that he is outspending all of the other candidates for office. He must really want this position. I just want to hear why. It just seems strange that someone who was so openly negative of the Shawsheen Tech school district now wants to be part of it.

Cecil -- a penny for your thoughts ?... Doug

Is the Patch running the series of Questions and Answers to each candidate like they did last year? Does anyone know?

Doug,

You asked...so here it is. You blame everyone else, now it is the legislature and your dig at representative Miceli. You credit the Tech for their achievements but criticize the Tewksbury School Committee. You blame other selectmen for the sewer rates and take credit for the Brown St. bridge. Now you would like us to believe that the Shawsheen Tech School Committe has no say in the operation of the school? What are the board members responsible for? What does that position do? Are they there to represent Tewksbury's interest in regards to the co-op school that we share with other towns? If so, have those interests been effectively represented? You are a selectmen in this town...do you share any responsibility in the effective use of our tax dollars? It seems that you have a lot of excuses, take no responsibility, and cast blame on others.

Happy St. Patrick's Day.

Cecil -- that must have made you feel better! I can't imagine how you have suffered holding this all inside since November?

But what does this all have to do with having a debate between the candidates for Shawtech School Committee?

I am not running for this position so you can save your fixation on my inability to control your world to your satisfaction to next April? Save the Tackleberry Pie toss till then

Doug

"Tackleberry Pie toss" - what does that mean?

I think that Ms Meuse like Charlie Lyons don't need to explain themselves to the residents of Tewksbury. Its a controlled school board that rubbers stamps any thing Charlie wants to do. Tewksbury taxpayers have to support a school system that cost about 6M dollars to educate 428 kids. Tewksbury residents pay 4.5 M directly. If Charlie Lyon's policies were challenged at a public debate , the other candidate would have a field day with all the low hangin fruit.

As as resident of Tewksbury, I love having the option of sending my children to TMHS or Shawsheen Tech. It must make the town more attractive, as well as keeping our real estate values higher, right? I don't support making TMHS our only public high school option.