This issue awaited the trustees and General Becton when they arrived 14 months ago. Because of inaction to date, a potential strike is just two weeks off. I believe, Senator Jeffords, that today is the opportunity to reassess the action taken by the control board on November 15, 1996. A few words on where I think a reassessment could take us. We need to build on what works.
Education reform is possible.
To effectively develop our workforce, we need real and lasting participation from the private sector. The District is currently without a functioning Private Industry Council. Business participation on the School to Work Council is negligible. We must get real and stop setting unrealistic expectations. It was foolish to even think about working on 50 schools in a single summer.