Rochester Concerned Taxpayers

Along with several other people, Rob Gates (RCTA President), Fred  Leonard (RCTA Vice-President) and Sue O’Connor (RCTA Treasurer) attended the public forum about the second high school Thursday  January 15, 2009 held at the Spaulding High School library. We presented comments and questions to Mr. Shea, Spaulding HS Principal and Mr. Hopkins, Rochester School Superintendent.

While we believe the dialogue helped to answer many questions and  concerns (see documents section), it is clear that the work toward  creating an additional Rochester high school has only just begun. Mr.  Shea and Mr. Hopkins assured everyone at the meeting that public involvement would be an integral part of the discovery work throughout  the entire process. However, one thing seemed very clear – Mr. Shea  and Mr. Hopkins strongly believe that smaller schools provide for a  better educational climate for students.

To date there has not been a lot of research done on this subject and it may be just another “fad.” The one fact that does come out regarding smaller schools is that the concept and models are generally geared towards larger cities with numerous inner city high schools and large percentages of minority student populations. There have been only 22 research reports from 1966 to 2000 when the idea of smaller schools first emerged. These reports investigate and define school size, socioeconomic status (SES), and school-size issues.

The RCTA has done extensive research on the idea of smaller schools and we have presented many links on the documents section of our website for your information. While the RCTA will continue to stay involved with this process of looking at providing a smaller high school, we encourage you to do your own research and become informed. Whether you will have children that will be impacted by the outcome of this effort or if you’re generally concerned about education performance and the cost of providing education, this will be an important step that our local school district might take that requires constant public scrutiny.

The RCTA strongly believes that parents and the public need to continually be involved with our children’s education, so we hope that you will do your very best to do your part.

November 20, 2008

RCTA appeared on CNHT’s “NH Taxpayer Radio” Show on Thursday the 20th of November.

Here is the audio of the First and Second Hours.

July 7, 2008

According to the Rochester Economic Development Strategic Plan (August 2006, endorsed by the Rochester City Council and adopted by Rochester Planning Board), “In 2004, Rochester workers earned an average annual wage of $33,403 ($5,800 below the average wage within region), which represents a decline of almost $5,000 (13%) since 2000.” Additionally, as stated in the plan, “Rochester household incomes have not kept pace with inflation, while the region’s household incomes have risen faster than the rate of inflation.”

So, while having this important information, the Rochester City Council and School Board approved city and school labor contract unions that were outside the Rochester taxpayer’s ability to pay. In the City of Rochester and Rochester School Board Current Labor Contracts (June 26, 2008) document, you will see that current labor contract yearly wage increases have outpaced the average Rochester taxpayer’s ability to pay.

The contract document information also points out that there are three contracts (Para-professionals, Department of Public Works and School District Administrators) that have expired and that are currently being negotiated. We believe that it is very important that you contact all of our elected officials and let them know that they need to negotiate responsible contracts with these three groups. Continuing to approve wage increases that place undue hardship on the taxpayers of Rochester simply have to stop.

The Ability to Pay is always the most important determining factor when negotiating labor contracts. It’s not simple enough to look at what counter parts in other communities receive for wages and salaries. The Rochester taxpayers deserve and expect our elected officials to work in our best interest and not the best interest of labor unions who perform services for us, the taxpayer.

Please review these documents and contact all of our City Councilors and School Board Members. Tell them you want them to only approve wage increases that don’t create fixed costs we cannot afford.

For Immediate Release
June 11, 2008

As a result of the recent announcement by the department heads in Rochester, the Rochester Concerned Taxpayers Association expresses their disappointment over the attempt by this elite group of people attempting to unionize. According to a recent Foster’s Daily Democrat Article, “Benefits that have been accrued to unionized groups have been better, at least marginally better, than what has been accrued to nonunionized groups,” Ortmann said. “While there was general parity, if there was any slippage at all it happened with the nonunion group as opposed to the union group.”

“We are completely perplexed” said Bob Gates, co-chair and spokesperson for the Rochester Concerned Taxpayers. We think it is absurd that this group, which includes several people making $80,000 a year or more, would even consider they are underpaid.” “Perhaps they should spend a day in the life of people who have no idea how they will heat their homes this winter or the many people losing their homes.”

We believe that if these department heads are not satisfied with the pay and benefit structure in Rochester, then they would do well to up-date their resume and submit it to other cities or towns. Just quietly move on without the intimidation and threats toward the stressed, hard working taxpayers of Rochester.

We (The Rochester Concerned Taxpayers Association) have already received a flood of phone calls and emails from taxpayers who want to join our struggle, disclosed Gates. “They are angry and frustrated by this announcement.” “Most people want to know what they need to do to make changes in our city’s government.”

For more information go to:

http://www.rochestertaxpayers.org

Email: info (at) rochestertaxpayers (dot) org to join our membership.

About the Rochester Concerned Taxpayers

Rochester Concerned Taxpayers Association is a group of Rochester citizens who have come together to provide information and guidance on issues that are important to the City of Rochester voters.

We are an independent, non-partisan, non-profit organization of taxpayers living or doing business in the city of Rochester, New Hampshire. All are welcome to join and bring their ideas that will help promote smaller government, lower taxes, and more freedom.

The Rochester Concerned Taxpayers Association believes that elected officials should carefully administer the spending of our property tax dollars. We will work to provide information to the taxpayer and influence our local government to ensure that they are more accountable with our money.