The History Behind Mock’s Disclosures

 

The History Behind Mock’s Disclosures

I would like to set the story straight about Tim Mock and WNWSU. Mr. Mock did indeed present the figures for tuitioning the students elsewhere at my request, however, we should be fair to Tim and back the story up to where it actually started.

I attended a meeting on January 8, 2008 at the Hancock School. At this meeting I was expecting to review the up-coming budget for the coming year.

This indeed did happen and while those conversations were taking place, then school board member Kristi Fuller asked Mr. Mock if he had the figures that represented closing the schools and sending the kids elsewhere. Mr. Mock responded that he did and proceeded to inform all in attendance of those figures. The figures for Hancock are $95,000. The figures for Granville are $223,000.

In the minutes that I have, Tim Mock discusses a number of issues, but the cost of tuitioning is not mentioned; however on the agenda for the Hancock School Board, number seven to be discussed is Cost/Tuitioning Students/Operating Cost.

The next mention of tuitioning came from me at our regular Town Meeting on March 4, 2008 where your reporter was in attendance. I asked the question about the proposed saving of $95,000 at that time. We were informed by Dan Perera that we would lose our small grants; therefore it would be a wash with no savings. The next mention of the tuitioning saving came from me as well. It was at the end of a Hancock School Board meeting held on April 22 in Hancock.

Christine Farr and I met with Mr. Mock in the parking lot where I asked Tim about what had been said concerning tuitioning at the meeting in January and at Town Meeting, and why there was a conflict between the two.

Mr. Mock stated that what was said at Town Meeting was incorrect and that he would have figures at the upcoming Town Meeting, and said that he would provide those answers if the question was asked. I assured him that it would be asked.

With all of this being said, I would also like it known that I have not supported WNWSU. I do not like their business practices, but I also support being fair and I felt that we, as a group of Hancock residents, were not fair to Mr. Mock. We, as residents, are entitled to all of the facts, that includes those that do not agree with the selectboard or the school board. It is OK to let the public make a choice. Remember, majority rules.

James Leno, Selectboard Chair

Hancock

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