(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville News belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville News, its staff or publishers.)

On December 21, 2011, in response to the Somerville News’ story, “Charter school question rages,” a reader call “Joe” posted this comment on the newspaper’s blog:

 “It’s interesting that our state delegation has finally had their eyes opened and realized that the laws and regulations they saddle us with often have consequences which they failed to foresee. Perhaps this will color some of their decisions going forward…”

 “Joe” seems to assume that the Somerville delegation voted in favor of the 2010 law that allows the state to entertain an application for another Somerville Charter School. Yet opinions were sharply divided about this controversial bill. The final vote in the House was 97 for, and 47 against it; the bill did not receive unanimous support from Somerville’s state representatives.

Not only did I vote against the bill, but I testified and organized against it. That bill – eventually titled “An Act relative to the Achievement Gap” – was filed by Governor Patrick in 2009, in an effort to access federal “Race to the Top” funding, and it was strongly promoted by Mayor Menino of Boston. Yet, reading the bill, it was clear to me that it would have negative repercussions in Somerville and other communities.

 At a public meeting held at Somerville City Hall on December 9, 2009, it was also clear that Somerville citizens and school committee members were similarly concerned about its disruptive potential in our community. Community testimony, and the factual research I did about test scores, student attrition, and school finance all informed my thinking on this issue. I hope that “Joe” will similarly check his facts in the future, when he makes statements about delegation members “saddling” Somerville with specific laws.

Denise Provost
State Representative