Lets work together.

Enrollment is down and naturally one would expect that with that decline we could see the loss of some teachers. That being said, I don’t want to see the more seasoned teachers lost. They have provided excellent instruction to bow youthes. The question I have for the board is this:

Has the board considered cutting sports programs? I don’t want to rail on the sports department, but I’m always troubled that when it comes down to football or text books; football seems to win out. I’d rather see a loss of a sport team than teachers. I’m torn though, because I cannot get around the incortrovertible facts that enrollment is down.

Just a couple things – I think the class-size numbers from the state are the minimums for what Concord considers an adequate education. Those numbers were derived by taking the total amount of money the State was able to pay, and using that figure to “independently” cost out, as required by the courts, an adequate education – the same one they are legally bound to fund. This approach basically allowed the State to meet the terms of the court mandate without impacting their own budget. The numbers are not recommendations.

That’s just a side point really. Honestly, I think the numbers Mr Keane is referencing are reasonable given the current economic situation and not high enough to significantly reduce the quality of education in Bow. We as citizens, especially parents like me, just need to readjust our expectations as is always the case in tough times. Some teachers may be slower in responding to inquiries, writing recommendations, grading papers/tests and pro viding differentiated instruction. I think the reduction in staff is a responsible solution, lots of business are requiring more work of less people, I just hope if it comes to be that parents remember that come September and accept a slower, if not lower level of service.

As for the email from Dean, I have no idea what the facts are, but he’s the leader of the school district. The budget is by far the biggest news of the day impacting the staff, and its discussions are public. He has to inform the people that work for him what is going on. Its part of his job. Not communicating to his own staff the result of public budget meetings that directly affect them is not a good approach.

I also have no idea where the ideas of secret meetings come from. I am sure that’s not the case. However, communication is a problem, not because of any desire for secrecy, but because the process is not conducive to it. Its tough to stay properly informed. The budget workshops are during normal work days making them impossible to attend for all practical purposes. The deliberative session is way too late to get involved and have any chance t make an informed decision. Even the upcoming meeting is late to be involved for the first time. I will be attending, but I have no idea what the discussions have been up to this point? What other cuts have been looked at – already enacted, considered, scrapped? I don’t have a solution, but believe we need one. The budget is a complicated issue filled with Special Ed laws, unfunded State mandates, curriculum choices, low-term estimates, etc. It’s a lot to absorb in sound bites. A local access cable channel maybe?

I am very happy to see the idea of equity across the district being focused on. For too long, in my opinion, the focus has been centered on the high school to the detriment of the middle and elementary kids. Where does Dean, who’s office I believe to be located at the high school, spend his days? Why are high school activities/coaches funded but elementary activities, like Destination Imagination – an activity far cheaper than high school sports, not fully funded? Why do only elementary teachers need donations for classroom supplies? Just some thoughts – there are other areas of inequity, not just class sizes.

Thanks for your time!

I will try to make it Monday night, but do you guys know that Monday the 21st is so close to Christmas. Have some respect. Will ya.

Can the BCC post that school video?