At the Scool Committee meeting on 3/18, member Glenn Pavlicek’s summary of a discussion he had with the Warrant Committee regarding the contingency budget based on passage of an override raised serious concerns among members of the School Committee.  Mr. Pavlicek reported that the schools would get slightly less than $1.2 million. “I’m shocked,” stated Chris Huban. “I thought we were crystal clear”  that $1.3 was the amount needed to keep all schools open. He asked why anyone would vote for an override if a school were to close. Ms. Kelly questioned the Warrant Committee’s putting $50,000 into the Stabilization Fund. “That’s a full time teacher.” She suggested dipping into the “rainy day” Stabilization fund. “It’s pouring out there.” Mr. Pavlicek noted that the Warrant Committee discussions were ongoing and that they were still in session as the school committee meeting was taking place.

The School Committee agreed that they should seek a meeting with the Warrant Committee to discuss further.

On 3/19, the Milton Times reported that the ‘Contingent Override Budget’ was $3.1 million. The article states, “Schools would receive around $1.4 million. . . ” It appears that the Warrant Committee may have revised the contingent budget from what was discussed with Mr. Pavlicek. (read the full Milton Times story here).

The Warrant Committee does not factor in any potential federal or state relief. They are taking a conservative position in their budget and preparing for a “worst case” scenario.

However, there is reason to believe aid to towns may be forthcoming. Senator Joyce recently sent out a letter addressed to Milton officials and interested residents informing them of an announcement by Governor Patrick regarding allocation of stimulus funds in support of schools achieving “foundation level” funding.

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from Boston Herald

A five-year-long transformation has turned the six-bedroom home at 11 Countryside Lane in Milton into a real showpiece.

The 26-year-old country-style house has gotten more than $600,000 of upgrades, from porcelain floors to custom wall coverings, wainscoting and built-ins. (read the full story here.)

A number of items and issues came up at the recent School Committee meeting of 3/18. They met with the Championship Mens Basketball Team and their coaches, they discussed their initial thoughts on the news that the  Warrant Committee’s contingent override budget is not sufficient to keeping all schools open; and they also met with Leslie Cheverie.

Leslie Cheverie has two special needs children in the Milton Public Schools. She believes they have done well because she has given them the tools to do well. She believes other special needs children can also do well given the proper tools.

To that end, the Cheverie family is donating $10,000 to the Special Education Department of the Milton Public Schools. Mr. Rubin, head of the department, was on hand to thank her and discuss how the money would be used. Principally it will go to equipment for the “motor room.” Namely, equipment that can be used in the course of occupational and physical therapy to improve strength and coordination etc. It is an exceptionally generous gesture during a very financially difficult time and the School Committee expressed their deep gratitude.

This evening saw a rousing conclusion to the Milton Public Schools celebration of “Music in Our Schools Month” with a  performance by the elementary, middle and high school band ensembles.

In keeping with the creative programming we have seen for all these concerts, the MHS Brass Choir opened with Coro Spezatto by Giovanni Pierluiga da Plestrina. The choir had an interesting physical arrangement. Half of the ensemble, which is comprised of approximately 14 musicians, were on stage with remaining standing in the audience at the base of the mezzanine level. The effect was marvelous.

Altogether six different ensembles performed. In addition to The Brass Choir, they were: the Elementary Band, the 6th Gr Band, the 7th & 8th Gr Band, the MHS Wind Ensemble, and the MHS Concert Band.

The Elementary Band, conducted by Gary Good, performed John Kinyon’s arrangement of the Chorale and Canon on a theme by Thomas Tallis. And they pulled it off. This was refective of the entire program in which all the ensembles were gently stretched by their respective conductors and they all rose to the occasion.

Highlights included the 7th 8th Gr Band’s John Williams medley which featured some great percussion and the 6th Gr Band’s version of “Aztec Dance. Both ensembles were conducted by Ms. Lauren Kapalka, in her first year as Director of the Pierce Middle School Bands.

The MHS Concert Band did a stunning rendition of the “Slavonic Folk Suite” by Alfred Reed. As with the choral and string ensembles that came before them, this group diplayed excellent range, discipline and tone. The MHS Concerrt Band is conducted by Ms. Rebecca Damiani and Gary Good.

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The Boston Globe reports today that Governor Patrick is about to announce a plan that would inject $168m into the state’s school districts. It will provide some deperately needed relief and could not come a moment too soon for Milton, which like most MA school systems is looking at drastically reducing levels of service.

Specifically how much individual school systems will receive and when is unclear. Hopefully, it will come soon as Milton’s town departments are wrestling with budget projections and struggling together with the Warrant Committee to develop a responsible financial amount that will be recommended in an override election. The school budget will be a large piece of that.

The govener will be making the announcement today in Framingham. You can read the full story here.

Tonight you can hear bands from the elementary, middle and high schools perform. This is the last of three concerts given this month in celebration of “Music in Our Schools Month.”

It starts at 7:00 in the Milton High School Auditorium. Admission is $5.00 at the door.

Treat yourself to a fun evening of music and show your support for these wonderful musicians.

from Wicked Local: Milton

Players on the state championship Milton High School basketball team and their coaches were congratulated at the start of Wednesday’s school committee meeting.

Chairman Beirne Lovely said that in a time of economic gloom, the team gave the town something to cheer about. (read full story here.)

Many may be aware of the heist at the Isabella Stuart Art museum; but fewer may be aware of the role a one time Milton resident may or may not have had in the affair. So here on this 9th anniversary of the largest art theft in U. S.history, is a brief profile of Myles Connor, one time Milton resident, who told Time Magazine in 1997 that, “I know emphatically and beyond any doubt” who stole the art.

His father was a Milton cop. One of his brothers was also a cop and another a priest. Myles was neither. He was a rock guitarist with “Myles and the Wild Ones.” He also became a  con man and art thief. The  band was relatively successful. They played the Beachcomber over in Marina Bay and opened for Sha Na Na.

Mr. Connor’s first art theft took place here in Milton. In 1966 he robbed the Forbes House Museum, wounding a state trooper in the process. He was arrested, convicted, served time and was paroled in 1972.  And he just went on from there. The Boston Herald ran a comprehensive story of his exploits last year. (please see link below).

Despite his claims, the paintings have not been recovered. Mr. Connor is coming out with a book later this year, Art of the Heist: Confessions of a Master Art Thief, Rock-and-Roller, and Prodigal Son.

Related links:

Isabella Stuart Gardner Museum — Wikipedia entry

Meet the suspects: Myles J. Connor Jr. — from the Boston Herald

THE GREAT ART CAPER: Is the heist of the century about to be solved — from Time Magazine

Myles Connor’s web site, home the President of Rock ‘n Roll

Art of the Heist: Confessions of a Master Art Thief, Rock-and-Roller, and Prodigal Son — Barnes and Noble