Stand up for the results that count
Dear Editor:
One would think that with three former public school teachers on the Edgecomb School Board there would be detailed, strategic discussions regarding the progressive decrease in student test scores relative to neighboring schools. Instead, we are told “We are proud of our student’s test scores”. Celebration of mediocrity is never a path to success.
To be clear, the problems with the Edgecomb school system are many years in the making. Signs are everywhere, however, that the current school board “strategy” is failing to reverse this downward trajectory. Just as clearly, a solution will require a new comprehensive, creative strategy combined with specific action plans. Consider:
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At least six (6) fourth grade resident students attended another school last year. Why?
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Eddy has budgeted $60,791 for professional development in the past 7 years but only spent $20,884. Over the same period, it has budgeted $63,000 for staff tuition reimbursement but only spent $29,548.
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Despite massive budget increases (which dwarf actual inflation) the FY2023 school audit shows the school exceeded its original approved budget by $495,000.
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The non-teaching employee salaries increase by contract 10% a year. Teachers’ salaries have been increasing by 6.75% or more every year.
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Obviously, a lack of funds is not the problem, it’s how that money is spent. Yet, the school board proposes another massive 17.44% increase in tax spending to support their budget for next year.
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The school board acts as though they are providing a magnanimous gift when they apply last year’s surpluses to the next year’s budget. In fact, a surplus is the result of their poor budgeting. The application of that surplus to the subsequent year’s budget is required by state regulations.
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Most important, the school budget process is a lesson in chaos with no clear strategy to improve academic performance.
Clearly the current selectboard and school board have failed to show they are up to the task. If you want to save the Eddy school – Vote for change, vote for new leadership on May 16.
Kathryn Rohr MD
Edgecomb
