OPINION: “Dartmouth’s Jim Mathes supports a scheme that would take money from New Bedford schools”

“I recently read an article “Charter school proposal roils South Coast” by Michael Jonas published by CommonWealth Journal of Politics, Ideas, & Civic Life. In it I was troubled to learn that Jim Mathes from South Dartmouth is using his voice to advocate and defend the shady “Mattapoisett Boy’s Club” and the banker$’ plan for the “Innovators” Charter School.

Shamefully, Jim goes beyond supporting the scheme and actually has the audacity to state that New Bedford Coalition to Save Our Schools members are wrong to exercise our freedom of speech.

Jim Mathes. Facebook photo.

Jim Mathes we not only have the right to stand up against this corporate and colonial scheme we also have the moral obligation to give voice to our community’s disapproval of the “Innovators” Charter School scheme.

Especially, given the fact that the scheme would take $10,000,000 annually from New Bedford public schools and the Fall River public schools. Our cities’ public schools are already disproportionately underfunded.

It is unethical that the “Innovators” Mattapoisett cluster and others plan to siphon ten million dollars annually from our historically overstretched public school budgets in New Bedford and Fall River.

The scheme would also eliminate the democratic process in our communities. Public voting ensures accountability of our public schools. Public elections for school committee members and for the elected officials who appoint the superintendent are fundamental to democracy.

On the other side, charter schools are private corporations that undermine public control by eliminating public vote. For charters there is no democratic process, only a private corporate board in control.

Jim Mathes, do you realize that the greater majority of New Bedford people, the mayor of New Bedford, the entire New Bedford city council, the New Bedford school committee, and all of New Bedford’s State Representatives oppose the “Innovators” Charter School scheme?

One would think you would take your lead from our community in New Bedford. Yet deplorably there you are in South Dartmouth defending a scheme that will hurt New Bedford Public Schools and the people of New Bedford.

It is equally disturbing, to read you are critiquing New Bedford community members for exercising our constitutional rights and freedom of speech. As Dr. Ricardo Rosa pointedly stated ““Democracy gets loud, Frederick Douglass, who lived in New Bedford, said power concedes nothing without a demand. There’s a need to have that kind of pressure from below.”

Jim Mathes I pray you pause and think long and hard about your position during your next drive to New Bedford to collect your paycheck from your comfortable position as President and CEO of Dennison Memorial.

Jim Mathes, I also pray you learn to listen to our community and follow our lead. To continue to ignore our community is to move forward with a colonial mindset and the arrogant assumption that you know what is best for our community. Jim you don’t.” -Erik Andrade.

Mayor Jon Mitchell Statement Following Withdrawal of Innovators Charter School Proposal:

Mayor Jon Mitchell released the following statement after today’s withdrawal of the Innovators Charter School proposal from state consideration.

“We’re pleased that the Innovators Charter School withdrew its application, as we believed that the diversion of funds from our school district would have undermined the district’s progress.

I wish to thank Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan, state and municipal leaders, educators, parents, and community members for making their voices heard in the process. We remain committed to improving educational opportunity for all children in the region, and we believe that can best be accomplished when we work together.”