The Constitution

For John, BLUF:  Congressional principles in conflict.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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Yesterday, in a telephone conversation, City Life Host George Anthes suggested that I don't respect the US Constitution because I did not initially tumble to the idea of "one man, one vote" for the School Committee of the Greater Lowell Technical High School.

I would like to be clear that I fully support "one man, one vote".  I have lived where it has not been in effect, like Alabama in 1964-5, where a lack of redistricting from 1910 to 1972 resulted in rural domination of the State Legislature.  It was not good for the State or its Citizens.

The question with regard to the Greater Lowell Technical High School was if the three towns would find their interests swamped by Lowell.  This is a US Senate Model vs a US House of Representatives model.  In the US Congress Wyoming, Vermont, North Dakota and Alaska have one US Rep each, but each have two Senators, just like California, Texas, New York and Florida.  This Congressional arrangement was the result of "The Great Compromise at the Constitutional Convention in 1787.

It appears to me that it is unlikely the courts will view the Greater Lowell Technical High School School Committee as a "Senate" like organization, one based on the Great Compromise, but rather a House of Representatives like organization.  Thus, for the towns there is the danger of being squashed.

One solution, perhaps, is to have a bicameral School Committee.  It isn't like we pay the current members anything, so it wouldn't be very expensive.  The other option is to just hand GLTHS over to the City of Lowell and then have the towns purchase seats during the school year.  Is that Councilor Kennedy's real objective?

UPDATE:  Given the current situation, I like the idea of GLTHS going to Lowell, but with its own School Committee and its own Superintendent, separate from the current School System.  And, I would suggest that the school property, and the land between it and Lowell, be transferred to Lowell.♠  And let the towns buy seats at GLTHS, as their needs dictate.  Busing may be a problem, but I believe it can be worked out.

Regards  —  Cliff

♠  As it is, GLTHS is a drag on Thyngsboro resources, for which the town is not compensated.