Harsh doses of reality

How much did the Daily News of Newburyport resist using a variation of that famous NY Daily News headline?

Rep. Mike Costello gave city leaders a harsh dose of reality Wednesday night: The state is unlikely to bail the city out of its school funding crisis this year, so they had better find solutions from within.

At a public forum organized to discuss local education funding at the Nock Middle School, members of the community attempted to lobby state and federal representatives for additional help.

"Quality education for children and proper funding is desperately needed from the state and federal governments," said former School Committee member Dick Sullivan, who organized the forum.

But the delegation on hand, which included city and state legislators and representatives from the governor's and Congressman John Tierney's offices, didn't have the answers local officials may have hoped for.

Costello, D-Newburyport, urged community members to push for a Proposition 21/2 override, enroll in the Group Insurance Commission plan immediately and to look closely at transportation costs of special education students. Small changes on the local level could mean savings, Costello said.

"The last override was not articulated well; fixing the problem can't come from the state," Costello said. "Let's face it, saying you can turn this around without an override is irresponsible.