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

The Milton Foundation for Education is an independent, non-profit organization that works tirelessly in support of enhancing programs and increasing opportunities for the Milton Public Schools. Among the events and activities they organize and host is an annual event that recognizes outstanding teachers.

They are seeking nominations now! The is March 27th.

from their web site: “Help make the 9th annual MFE Awards program a success!  Recognize the extraordinary contributions made by our teachers in the Milton Public Schools by submitting nomination papers for a teacher who deserves this special recognition.  Award recipients will be honored at a special ceremony on May 20, 2009. ”

Download nominating form and instructions.

Related link:  Milton Foundation for Education.

from Marketwire

Marathoners from towns across the Commonwealth and beyond are getting in shape for the Boston Marathon® on April 20 as part of the Alzheimer’s Association “Run for the Memory” team. The runners are committed to battling the fatal disease that steals memories and challenges families.

The team has set a million dollar goal. They each pledge to raise a minimum of $3,000, and since the team’s inception seven years ago, they have been steadily moving towards that million dollar mark. (read full story here)