Comments on: Annual School District Meeting 3.13.2009 http://www.bowcitizenscoalition.org/bow/2008/02/24/annual-school-district-meeting-3132009/ The "Real" News from BCC - Bow NH 03304 Mon, 02 Aug 2010 23:09:27 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Teacher http://www.bowcitizenscoalition.org/bow/2008/02/24/annual-school-district-meeting-3132009/comment-page-1/#comment-177 Teacher Thu, 05 Feb 2009 03:06:34 +0000 http://www.bowcitizenscoalition.org/bow/2008/12/08/annual-school-district-meeting-3132009/#comment-177 Independent studies from Fordham show that NH's State Standards get an F. So you figure out what that means. I can't be inside every classroom, and some teachers may do more than they are told, so it's hard to say who is doing what, but they definitely must teach to the standards. http://granitegrok.com/blog/2008/11/the_first_step_to_improving_math_educati.html AM Banfield is a Math Teacher who studies these things. Independent studies from Fordham show that NH’s State Standards get an F. So you figure out what that means. I can’t be inside every classroom, and some teachers may do more than they are told, so it’s hard to say who is doing what, but they definitely must teach to the standards.

http://granitegrok.com/blog/2008/11/the_first_step_to_improving_math_educati.html

AM Banfield is a Math Teacher who studies these things.

]]> By: ProtectingMyInvestment http://www.bowcitizenscoalition.org/bow/2008/02/24/annual-school-district-meeting-3132009/comment-page-1/#comment-176 ProtectingMyInvestment Thu, 05 Feb 2009 01:33:03 +0000 http://www.bowcitizenscoalition.org/bow/2008/12/08/annual-school-district-meeting-3132009/#comment-176 I just reread your post - "it may not have hit Bow yet, but they could be still using a traditional curriculum" All this talk about underperformance being the result of fuzzy academics and you don't know what the curriculum is in Bow? How do you know if its worth supporting or not? I still have not got one person, by the way, to even make a lukewarm comment about the successes that do happen in Bow. And can I ask "It's because the standards for NH are so poor that the grades are skewed. They teach to the test, but it may not include everything you think it should." Is your thesis essentially that whatever curriculum we may be taching is poor, it just happens to be not as poor as everyone elses so we look good comparatively? Basically we are valedictorian's of summer school? How do you know the numbers for all of NH are skewed by the results of fuzzy academics if you don't know the curriculum in your own town? Did I misunderstand? I just reread your post –

“it may not have hit Bow yet, but they could be still using a traditional curriculum”

All this talk about underperformance being the result of fuzzy academics and you don’t know what the curriculum is in Bow? How do you know if its worth supporting or not?

I still have not got one person, by the way, to even make a lukewarm comment about the successes that do happen in Bow. And can I ask

“It’s because the standards for NH are so poor that the grades are skewed. They teach to the test, but it may not include everything you think it should.”

Is your thesis essentially that whatever curriculum we may be taching is poor, it just happens to be not as poor as everyone elses so we look good comparatively? Basically we are valedictorian’s of summer school? How do you know the numbers for all of NH are skewed by the results of fuzzy academics if you don’t know the curriculum in your own town?

Did I misunderstand?

]]> By: ProtectingMyInvestment http://www.bowcitizenscoalition.org/bow/2008/02/24/annual-school-district-meeting-3132009/comment-page-1/#comment-173 ProtectingMyInvestment Wed, 04 Feb 2009 23:57:57 +0000 http://www.bowcitizenscoalition.org/bow/2008/12/08/annual-school-district-meeting-3132009/#comment-173 I agree with you. I just which I could get one person to acknowledge one time that there actually are some very good things going on in Bow. I agree with you. I just which I could get one person to acknowledge one time that there actually are some very good things going on in Bow.

]]> By: Teacher http://www.bowcitizenscoalition.org/bow/2008/02/24/annual-school-district-meeting-3132009/comment-page-1/#comment-172 Teacher Wed, 04 Feb 2009 23:00:07 +0000 http://www.bowcitizenscoalition.org/bow/2008/12/08/annual-school-district-meeting-3132009/#comment-172 The smart kids will always survive. In some towns the Math is so fuzzy that parents have to re-teach it to their kids who aren't dumb. And I'm talking about parents who are BOTH engineers, etc. It's the poor learners who suffer the most under fuzzy academics. But then again, they don't want them for their political reasons, they want the smart kids. The smart kids will always survive. In some towns the Math is so fuzzy that parents have to re-teach it to their kids who aren’t dumb. And I’m talking about parents who are BOTH engineers, etc.

It’s the poor learners who suffer the most under fuzzy academics. But then again, they don’t want them for their political reasons, they want the smart kids.

]]> By: ProtectingMyInvestment http://www.bowcitizenscoalition.org/bow/2008/02/24/annual-school-district-meeting-3132009/comment-page-1/#comment-171 ProtectingMyInvestment Wed, 04 Feb 2009 22:39:40 +0000 http://www.bowcitizenscoalition.org/bow/2008/12/08/annual-school-district-meeting-3132009/#comment-171 You may be right teacher, and it may very well be that I went to a very poor school when I grew up, but my kids, grade k and 3 are infinitely ahead of where I was at the same age. What my oldest child is doing now I did not do until grade 6, and I ended up successful at an Ivy League school. I do agree with your overall sentiment, that standards, not just in education, but in the workpace, hell, even things as simple as good customer service, have fallen. Still, I think its fair to say, as the data shows us, Bow is quite a bit ahead of the state and national curve. I'm not saying we should be satisfied wth that, but we have to recognize the success of the district within the system in which it operates. We really do have some excellent teachers and students who accomplish amazing things. The school is far from a failure. You may be right teacher, and it may very well be that I went to a very poor school when I grew up, but my kids, grade k and 3 are infinitely ahead of where I was at the same age. What my oldest child is doing now I did not do until grade 6, and I ended up successful at an Ivy League school.

I do agree with your overall sentiment, that standards, not just in education, but in the workpace, hell, even things as simple as good customer service, have fallen.

Still, I think its fair to say, as the data shows us, Bow is quite a bit ahead of the state and national curve. I’m not saying we should be satisfied wth that, but we have to recognize the success of the district within the system in which it operates. We really do have some excellent teachers and students who accomplish amazing things. The school is far from a failure.

]]> By: Teacher http://www.bowcitizenscoalition.org/bow/2008/02/24/annual-school-district-meeting-3132009/comment-page-1/#comment-170 Teacher Wed, 04 Feb 2009 22:34:14 +0000 http://www.bowcitizenscoalition.org/bow/2008/12/08/annual-school-district-meeting-3132009/#comment-170 It's because the standards for NH are so poor that the grades are skewed. They teach to the test, but it may not include everything you think it should. Also, it may not have hit Bow yet, but they could be still using a traditional curriculum, but the more things 'change' the more fuzzy the academics become and more politically charged. I lived through this and it was devastating to the little ones. They didn't get to learn things until grade 3 that normally they would know in grade 1. I mean, kids can read when they are 2 or 3, so by age 8 if they can't read there is a reason why -- not letting teachers teach. It’s because the standards for NH are so poor that the grades are skewed. They teach to the test, but it may not include everything you think it should.

Also, it may not have hit Bow yet, but they could be still using a traditional curriculum, but the more things ‘change’ the more fuzzy the academics become and more politically charged.

I lived through this and it was devastating to the little ones. They didn’t get to learn things until grade 3 that normally they would know in grade 1.

I mean, kids can read when they are 2 or 3, so by age 8 if they can’t read there is a reason why — not letting teachers teach.

]]> By: ProtectingMyInvestment http://www.bowcitizenscoalition.org/bow/2008/02/24/annual-school-district-meeting-3132009/comment-page-1/#comment-169 ProtectingMyInvestment Wed, 04 Feb 2009 22:31:01 +0000 http://www.bowcitizenscoalition.org/bow/2008/12/08/annual-school-district-meeting-3132009/#comment-169 I don’t understand why folks think the district is top heavy? We are below what the state considers minimum standards (1 AP for every 500 students for example). Its been mentioned a couple times above, but we have no curriculum coordinator (which is why there is tracking at BMS but not at BES & BHS) and no assistant superintendent. The work normally associated with those positions is done by the assistant principals. Bow has no library/media director as many schools do (and as appears in the state standards). We have no department heads. What would you cut? The district staff is two people if I am not mistaken that are required by state law, the super and the business administrator. I agree on freezing admin salaries. I have to be honest, I don’t get the suggestion that the schools are not performing. They are in the top of the state in standardized testing. We are the top of the state in terms of graduation rates and acceptance into 4-year colleges. We have among the lowest drop-out rates. What data are folks using to suggest the Bow school system is not succeeding? Should we push them to constantly improve and in return expect high achievement? Of course! But lets not lose sight o the fact that we are one of the best schools in the state and the data proves that. I don’t understand why folks think the district is top heavy? We are below what the state considers minimum standards (1 AP for every 500 students for example). Its been mentioned a couple times above, but we have no curriculum coordinator (which is why there is tracking at BMS but not at BES & BHS) and no assistant superintendent. The work normally associated with those positions is done by the assistant principals. Bow has no library/media director as many schools do (and as appears in the state standards). We have no department heads. What would you cut? The district staff is two people if I am not mistaken that are required by state law, the super and the business administrator.

I agree on freezing admin salaries.

I have to be honest, I don’t get the suggestion that the schools are not performing. They are in the top of the state in standardized testing. We are the top of the state in terms of graduation rates and acceptance into 4-year colleges. We have among the lowest drop-out rates. What data are folks using to suggest the Bow school system is not succeeding? Should we push them to constantly improve and in return expect high achievement? Of course! But lets not lose sight o the fact that we are one of the best schools in the state and the data proves that.

]]> By: retiredvet http://www.bowcitizenscoalition.org/bow/2008/02/24/annual-school-district-meeting-3132009/comment-page-1/#comment-155 retiredvet Wed, 04 Feb 2009 02:09:56 +0000 http://www.bowcitizenscoalition.org/bow/2008/12/08/annual-school-district-meeting-3132009/#comment-155 RLB asked about the school board members and the administrators to look at the daily news regarding the economy. They don't care even if they did as their jobs are secure. All of these folks (perhaps there's one exception) earn far in excess of $100K per year So any increase in taxes would be but a fraction of their income. Folks making a lot of money also have the luxury of tax breaks not afforded to the less fortunate, who are paying more than their fair share for this school system. I'm sure that they pay less in taxes than a household bringing in $50K a year. On a different note: the teachers' benefits and administrators' benefits are what are obscene.It's not so much the salaries. SAU Superintendent, Dean Cascadden makes $109,000 a year and has benefits exceding $40,000. AND his son attends BHS at the Bow taxpayers' expense!!! That adds insult to injury. Would he have agreed to accept this job two years ago if his son was not allowed to attend BHS? It's time for the school board to end this archaic benefit. Dean lives in Bristol and obviously pays no taxes in Bow. So he's an outsider not even contributing to the bottom line. Thanks Dean. There is absolutely no doubt that the school system is "top heavy." Time for a serious look at what these folks actually do. Much of their respective duties are redundant and could easily be consolidated. There are currently no teaching vacancies within the state. With that in mind and the economy in the tank, I'd like to think that the teachers would have second thoughts about demanding pay raises. Can't they at least wait until the economy recovers? That would be the moral ideal. RLB asked about the school board members and the administrators to look at the daily news regarding the economy. They don’t care even if they did as their jobs are secure. All
of these folks (perhaps there’s one exception) earn far in excess of $100K per year So any increase in taxes would be but a fraction of their income. Folks making a lot of money also have the luxury of tax breaks not afforded to the less fortunate, who are paying more than their fair share for this school system.
I’m sure that they pay less in taxes than a household bringing in $50K a year.
On a different note: the teachers’ benefits and administrators’ benefits are
what are obscene.It’s not so much the salaries. SAU Superintendent, Dean Cascadden makes $109,000 a year and has benefits
exceding $40,000. AND his son attends BHS at the Bow taxpayers’ expense!!! That adds insult to injury. Would he have agreed to accept this job two years ago if his son
was not allowed to attend BHS? It’s time for the school board to end this
archaic benefit. Dean lives in Bristol and obviously pays no taxes in Bow.
So he’s an outsider not even contributing to the bottom line. Thanks Dean.
There is absolutely no doubt that the school system is “top heavy.” Time
for a serious look at what these folks actually do. Much of their respective duties are redundant and could easily be consolidated.
There are currently no teaching vacancies within the state. With that in mind and the economy in the tank, I’d like to think that the teachers
would have second thoughts about demanding pay raises. Can’t they
at least wait until the economy recovers? That would be the moral ideal.

]]> By: Rick Hiland http://www.bowcitizenscoalition.org/bow/2008/02/24/annual-school-district-meeting-3132009/comment-page-1/#comment-131 Rick Hiland Mon, 02 Feb 2009 04:19:13 +0000 http://www.bowcitizenscoalition.org/bow/2008/12/08/annual-school-district-meeting-3132009/#comment-131 Have you ever considered calling or emailing the members of the School Board or the Selectmen or the Budget Committee and letting them know how you feel? Maybe they are not aware of your s and others problems so close to home? Maybe worth a try. Not all are monitoring this web site or maybe they are? Just a thought........ Have you ever considered calling or emailing the members of the School Board or the Selectmen or the Budget Committee and letting them know how you feel?

Maybe they are not aware of your s and others problems so close to home?

Maybe worth a try.

Not all are monitoring this web site or maybe they are?

Just a thought……..

]]> By: RLB http://www.bowcitizenscoalition.org/bow/2008/02/24/annual-school-district-meeting-3132009/comment-page-1/#comment-114 RLB Sun, 01 Feb 2009 20:50:38 +0000 http://www.bowcitizenscoalition.org/bow/2008/12/08/annual-school-district-meeting-3132009/#comment-114 What can we as a resident, parent, taxpayer do to start to get these school board members and administration to see that they need to start looking at the daily news and the articles about the economy? It seems that they are oblivious to what is going on. I always paid no attention to the comments in town about Bow having a private school and campus at taxpayers expense but this is sickening to see and hear. Are their heads buried in the sand? This is extremely depressing, fuzzy math or not. What can we as a resident, parent, taxpayer do to start to get these school board members and administration to see that they need to start looking at the daily news and the articles about the economy?
It seems that they are oblivious to what is going on. I always paid no attention to the comments in town about Bow having a private school and campus at taxpayers expense but this is sickening to see and hear.
Are their heads buried in the sand?
This is extremely depressing, fuzzy math or not.

]]> By: Rick Hiland http://www.bowcitizenscoalition.org/bow/2008/02/24/annual-school-district-meeting-3132009/comment-page-1/#comment-17 Rick Hiland Mon, 19 Jan 2009 04:01:00 +0000 http://www.bowcitizenscoalition.org/bow/2008/12/08/annual-school-district-meeting-3132009/#comment-17 WHO IS SMARTER THAN A 5TH GRADER IN BOW IN FUZZY MATH? The current proposed school district operating budget for 2009-10 as presented to the Budget Committee was $23,813,072. This does not include money spent in warrant articles or the food service (basically self supporting). Estimated student enrollment for the 2009-10 budget is 1640 students. If you divide 23,813,072 by 1640, it equals 14,520. That is $14,520 average for educating each student folks! For this kind of money you could send your student to UNH or many of the local colleges or universities in the northeast. For $14,520 per student why are we not getting better education results for the money we currently spend in the Bow School District? Why do we continue to reward no results annually from our administrators and educators? The Superintendent? The Curriculum coordinators? The 3 Principals? The 3 Asst. Principals? The professional educators of the BEA and BESS? I for one am tired of the excuses for the lack of improvement in education in Bow along with the annual property tax increases. I am tired of the "feel good mentality" exibited for the past 20 years +/-. I am tired of all the smoke and mirrors utilized by the School Board and Administration for the last 20 years +/-. Why are we negotiating 3 year contracts with the school BEA & BESS unions? Why are we not negotiating 1 year contracts based on performance results? 1 year contracts might be beneficial especially not knowing where the economy is going in the future? Why are we not putting performance clauses in all administration contracts? Why are we the taxpayers and parents not demanding better education for the money we spend for it in our taxes annually? When will we get $1 worth of education for each $1 that we spend? WHO IS SMARTER THAN A 5TH GRADER IN BOW IN FUZZY MATH?

The current proposed school district operating budget for 2009-10 as presented to the Budget Committee was $23,813,072. This does not include money spent in warrant articles or the food service (basically self supporting).

Estimated student enrollment for the 2009-10 budget is 1640 students.

If you divide 23,813,072 by 1640, it equals 14,520.

That is $14,520 average for educating each student folks! For this kind of money you could send your student to UNH or many of the local colleges or universities in the northeast.

For $14,520 per student why are we not getting better education results for the money we currently spend in the Bow School District?

Why do we continue to reward no results annually from our administrators and educators? The Superintendent? The Curriculum coordinators? The 3 Principals? The 3 Asst. Principals? The professional educators of the BEA and BESS?

I for one am tired of the excuses for the lack of improvement in education in Bow along with the annual property tax increases. I am tired of the “feel good mentality” exibited for the past 20 years +/-. I am tired of all the smoke and mirrors utilized by the School Board and Administration for the last 20 years +/-.

Why are we negotiating 3 year contracts with the school BEA & BESS unions? Why are we not negotiating 1 year contracts based on performance results? 1 year contracts might be beneficial especially not knowing where the economy is going in the future? Why are we not putting performance clauses in all administration contracts? Why are we the taxpayers and parents not demanding better education for the money we spend for it in our taxes annually?

When will we get $1 worth of education for each $1 that we spend?

]]> By: yeswecan http://www.bowcitizenscoalition.org/bow/2008/02/24/annual-school-district-meeting-3132009/comment-page-1/#comment-6 yeswecan Wed, 10 Dec 2008 00:02:21 +0000 http://www.bowcitizenscoalition.org/bow/2008/12/08/annual-school-district-meeting-3132009/#comment-6 In the past I have supported the Bow teacher's contract even when I thought their percent increase was high. The economic slowdown, for my industry, started about two years ago and I have been supporting my family on the same wages that I made 2 years ago and it is really hard, particularly when gas and heating oil went through the roof. I hope the Bow teachers' union (BEA) doesn't get too greedy with their contract negotiations because the huge tax increase put me over the edge this year. I was not ready for that big of an increase but I shouldn't have been surprised. My taxes have doubled in the last 6 years. I know that when voting for the teacher's contract. It is either yea or nay and no compromise. If the teacher's union gets greedy that it will be a nay for me and my wife. Two votes you had before. Perhaps if the union gets too greedy and they lose the vote they can give back the teachers' union dues. In the past I have supported the Bow teacher’s contract even when I thought their percent increase was high. The economic slowdown, for my industry, started about two years ago and I have been supporting my family on the same wages that I made 2 years ago and it is really hard, particularly when gas and heating oil went through the roof.
I hope the Bow teachers’ union (BEA) doesn’t get too greedy with their contract negotiations because the huge tax increase put me over the edge this year. I was not ready for that big of an increase but I shouldn’t have been surprised. My taxes have doubled in the last 6 years.

I know that when voting for the teacher’s contract. It is either yea or nay and no compromise. If the teacher’s union gets greedy that it will be a nay for me and my wife. Two votes you had before. Perhaps if the union gets too greedy and they lose the vote they can give back the teachers’ union dues.

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