Town of Braintree

Look Again

112 out of 373 on the Globe rankings. Maybe not quite as high as the past couple of years, but still much better than the town's median income level would suggest, as the Globe carefully points out.

Braintree still scored higher than Norwood, Milton, Dedham, and Canton. Each of those towns has a far higher average income per family than Braintree does, and that's the most accurate predictor of how a town will do. More college grad parents, higher income, higher test scores.

Are you one of those people who waits quietly until you can snatch some small opportunity to slam teachers and schools? Unfortunately this town is full of them.

By Get Out the Glasses

Hey Dufus....

Ever check out comparable residential tax rates in the two communities, dufus? I couldn't afford to pay real estate taxes in Weston or Sudbury, but in Dorchester or Mattapan, they are even more reasonable than Braintree. Braintree has green grass lawns, much better schools, junction of Route 3, 128, 93 and close by 24, 95 etc. Accessibility to major highways, mall, T, homes, good commercial tax income to keep tax rate low and ''good schools'' are all in the equation. To argue as you did 42, you must have had your brain fart for the day!

By Anon

Mediocrity not accordng to Globe

Scholar:

As someone else stated you have to look at the whole picture. First of all you really can't compare year to year, you have to look at trends. Braintree has trrended well in the past. You could very easily argue that scores went down becasue of loss of teachers and larger class sizes. The Globe today actually holds up Braintree High as a model for other communites to follow.

http://www.boston.com/news/education/k_12/mcas/articles/2004/09/27/braintree_has_test_success_system/

Everyone complains about the 50% of money goes to schools. Has anyone investigated the complete reason why?

As far as raises are concerned. I think most teachers are hard working, dedicated individuals who do much more than anyone on this board gives them credit for. However, so aren't I and I do not get a step increase and 3% raises every year. They need to deal with reality and our negotiators need to stay strong.

Location

The above mentioned towns do have a higher average income than Braintree. Remember, most of the higher than average parents send their children to private school. You're not getting the cream of the crop taking the tests. Just goes to show you that the more money pumped into a school system doesn't mean better schools. These towns are very desirable to live in. Location. LOcation. Location.