Jourdain shows leadership on schools: supports lower class sizes!

Bigger classes trigger concern
Friday, September 25, 2009
By JEANETTE DeFORGE
jdeforge@repub.com
HOLYOKE - The City Council is requesting information about class sizes and the number of teachers who were laid off, with the idea of restoring some teacher positions if funding is available.

In August, the City Council voted on an order to request information on teacher layoffs and class sizes. The School Committee received the order and discussed it in their meeting this week.

"What does this City Council order mean?" asked School Committee member Dennis W. Birks Jr.

He and other members said they hoped it may mean the City Council is willing to assist in replacing some of the positions cut when the school budget of about $76 million was adopted in June. A total of 106 jobs were eliminated through layoffs, resignations and retirements. They included teachers, administrators, custodians and teacher assistants.

By state law, the city is required to spend a minimum amount of money on the schools and it typically does not spend more, but it can with mayoral and City Council approval. The state funds about 90 percent of the school budget.

"The is a step in the right direction," Birks said. "We will need the help."

City Councilor Kevin A. Jourdain said he filed the order more as a parent of children who are in kindergarten, first-grade and pre-school in the public schools. He said he sees class sizes increasing in Lt. Clayre P. Sullivan School, where his two older children are students.

The city's free cash fund, which is money left unspent at the end of the fiscal year, is available and Jourdain said the City Council may be able to use some of that to rehire some teachers reduce class sizes.

"My order is focused on teachers," he said. Adding he knows other employees, such as custodians, are also important but he wanted to focus specifically on the classroom.

But Jourdain said his order is two-fold. He also wants to push school officials to move quickly from offices rented at 57 Suffolk St. to the half-empty H.B. Lawrence School. While it is estimated to cost $870,000 to renovate the school to create offices, the move would save $400,000 a year in rent and other expenses and would be recouped in two years.

He is also pushing the committee to decide if it will use the vacant John J. Lynch School or if it can be turned over to the city and sold.

School Committee members said they are concerned about how budget cuts have affected educational programs across the city.

Committee member Michael J. Moriarty said parents have complained to him about a third-grade class with 30 students and health classes in some of the kindergarten through eighth-grade schools have been severely cut.

While extra money would be welcome, the City Council cannot by law tell the School Committee how to spend the funds, said Mayor Michael J. Sullivan, who also serves as the committee chairman.

Pluta, Lumbra score victories in Preliminary Election!

Election Results from September 22, 2009 Primary:

Turnout 4573 (19%)

Mayor

Elaine Pluta 2,224
Daniel Boyle 1,292
Eva O'Connell 499
Antonio Colon 487

Treasurer

Jon D. Lumbra 1,781
David B. Donoghue 1,544
John C. Pietrzykowski 1,057

Councilor Jourdain's Re-Election Kickoff on September 17th!

Dear Friend,

Another Election Year is upon us and these are exciting times in the City of Holyoke. We will be welcoming in a new Mayor and there are some openings on the City Council. Incredibly, at the youthful age of 37, I am now the 3rd most senior member of the City Council and the Most Senior member of the important Finance Committee.

For 16 years, I have been your fiscal watchdog and the best friend of Holyoke’s taxpayers. During my tenure, I have kept the devil at the door in order to root out government waste and abuse in order for you to enjoy a city government that is more responsive to your needs and less taxing on your pocketbooks. I am a leader who is always prepared and always vigilant in the defense of Holyoke’s important priorities and basic common sense. During these times of fiscal uncertainty, Holyoke voters know they can turn to me as the most qualified candidate for Councilor At Large on fiscal issues.

I have worked hard to expand our tax base with key support for new economic development while also being a good ambassador of the city and improving our reputation throughout the state and region. In 2008, Business West Magazine chose me as one of the Top 40 Young Professionals in Western Massachusetts under the age of 40. Experience counts and no one in the last two decades has a better record of constituent service, unquestioned integrity and unwavering commitment to the people of our city.

In order to continue my work on the City Council, I need your support! Fundraising for better or worst is the lifeblood of any campaign. Unfortunately, the cost of campaigns, like everything else, continues to go up. I have always been able to count on you and this is why I am asking for you to join me for my Re-election Kickoff and fundraiser.

Councilor At Large Kevin Jourdain’s Re-Election Kickoff

Thursday, September 17, 2009

6pm – 9pm

The Wherehouse?

109 Lyman Street

Holyoke, MA 01040

Suggested donation: $20 per person


Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance by sending your contribution to The Jourdain Committee; PO Box 10383; Holyoke, MA 01041-1983. (There is a response card attached below for your convenience - just double click it and print it) I am looking forward to a big crowd but if you cannot attend, please strongly consider a generous donation to make our campaign victorious. If you have any questions or would like to volunteer on the campaign, please call me at (413) 538-5519.

It has been a tremendous honor to serve the people of Holyoke on the City Council, let us make sure they have the type of leadership they deserve in their city government by making sure I am re-elected on November 3rd!

See you September 17th and thank you again for all of your past support!

With warmest regards,

Kevin A. Jourdain

Jourdain sponsors order to provide new Property Tax Relief for Holyoke's Seniors

Holyoke – Councilor At Large Kevin Jourdain announced that he has co-sponsored an order with City Councilor At Large John G Whelihan to dramatically increase the eligibility of senior property tax exemptions in the City of Holyoke so that an additional two hundred seniors will be potentially eligible for eligible for critically needed tax relief. “For 16 years, I have fought for affordable and stable residential property tax rates, as well as, curb the growing cost of city government,” said Jourdain.

“Unfortunately, the city has continued to increase its tax levy each year and it is hurting many of our seniors who are on fixed income, this order will come as welcome news that some relief is on the way,” added Jourdain. For the Fiscal Years 2000-2009, the tax levy, which is set solely by the Mayor, has been increased by $2 million per year causing average single family tax bills to increase $1200 per year.

M.G.L. Ch 59 §5(41C) establishes the state allowances for senior tax exemptions and who is eligible. Councilor Jourdain proposes to amend the eligibility allowances to the maximum allowable under the statute as follows:

1) That the eligibility age be reduced from 70 to 65
2) That the Income Limits be raised to $20,000 for singles and $30,000 for married persons from $18,000 for singles and $25,000 for married couples.
3) That the Asset Limits be raised to $40,000 for singles and $55,000 for married persons from $35,000 for singles and $37,000 for married couples.
4) Asset Deductions be allowed for up to a 4-Family for number of units in the home from up to a 3-Family home under current Holyoke law.
5) That the Exemption allowed be increased from $500 to $750.

Statistically, because of the current lower eligibility limits only 79 people in Holyoke currently qualify for the current $500 tax exemption. The City of Holyoke is permitted to distribute 259 exemptions of $500 and get a full 100% reimbursement from the state. Therefore, except for adjusting the amount of the exemption to $750, adjustments 1-4 in the Jourdain-Whelihan proposal comes at no cost to the city.

Because of the rising average single family tax bills, the current elderly tax exemption of $500 has lost much of its impact because it used to account for 30% of their tax bill but now only reduces 18% of the bill. By increasing the exemption to $750, the exemption would account for 28% of their bill and provide some real relief that will come as seniors on fixed income with limited assets could sorely use. “While Social Security is giving no raises, Holyoke must remain affordable to our seniors who are often caught between a rock and hard place when they try to make ends meet, this order will provide hundreds of dollars in new relief for each senior” said Jourdain.

With the city preparing to certify millions in new free cash in addition to $9 million in stabilization fund, the small cost of $250 (because state pays first $500) to help 259 of our most needy seniors keep their homes would cost only $64,750 if every senior who qualified took exemption. “Our seniors built Holyoke and when they are in need we need to make sure we are there for them,” said Jourdain.

The Jourdain proposal would begin July 1, 2010 if adopted by the City Council. At the meeting, the Jourdain-Whelihan order was referred to the Finance Committee for a committee meeting with the Assessors. Councilor Jourdain also added, “I am very proud to co-sponsor this order with Jay Whelihan, his father and I adopted the last adjustment 6 years ago and his father would certainly have supported this order because he was always a champion for our seniors.”