I love all of your posts, all of your suggestions, and even the comments that are negative about the school. I know it's all typed, but this conversation about the school is good. Communication and respect are the key to any good relationship and I think that's what's happening here. Keep it coming!
So, to let you know a little bit of behind the scenes, I've been meeting, talking, e-mailing with various people about the subject of the schools. I'm getting a bigger picture of what is going on and maybe a small glimpse of how things came to be this way.
I'd love to meet or talk with more people who know more about this than I do. Anyone on the School Committee, or the Finance Committe, or anyone involved in the schools or town hall. The more information I get, the better. Even if you don't agree with me, I'd love to hear from you.
In the meantime, I found this article in the Item today. I'm sure some of you have already seen it, but I thought it was interesting.
School costs put Naughton on hot seat
Share your thoughts.
Respect your concern and willingness to investigate and follow up on school needs, Suggest talking directly with the Superintendent of Schools, and School Committee members, directly. I would be interested in some kind of publication in the newspaper from the schools, Have seen nothing since town meeting. Mr. Naughton article, appreciate asking for him to investigate special need and vocational cost, but this matter of schools in Clinton needing funding was also there last year and nothing got addressed. School choice in my opinion is one big issue to look at for Clinton. How many students in our special needs program do not reside in Clinton? Do we have parents dictating that their special needs child be put into a school other than Clinton? If so why can we not supply necessary special education in Clinton, that would decrease cost for us? Yes on occassion we may not be able to supply necessary special ed needs, but that should be minimal. As far as vocational, maybe Clinton needs to evaluate if Clinton should bring in some kind of vocational program to our schools. I am beginning to think Clinton should stop school choice. Also I think we should look at what children are school choice out to to other schools. I have heard many reasons, the one that disturbs me the most is "I don't want my children with the class of children that attend Clinton Schools.- Note it appears alot of school choice is about class (and how some parents view their childs education needs being about certain class of children and not education supplied - Anyone ever think that if these children attend for example AMSA or Assabet , these parents are supporting those schools and not Clinton. Yes you will never change opinions especially if parents base education on class of children. Sad to believe this is what some school choice out comes down to: Thought All men (children) are created equal ! I do not believe financial class decides a childs future, there are some very successful students that have come out of Clinton schools, that are not and were not at the top of the financial class and those children learned how to adapt to all issues in life. Real problem in my opinion is you will never get money needed by the Clinton Schools, if you cannot get all parents in Clinton to support and focus on Clinton schools and stop school choicing out,and put their efforts into improving the education offerred in Clinton with their financial willingness to support and parents returning to respect and support the town of Clinton and take pride in their community once again.
ReplyDeleteI could be wrong...so if someone knows otherwise, please feel free to correct me. However, what what I understand from attending some school committee meetings and budget presentations, AMSA & Assabet are not included in the equation when speaking strictly about "school choice." This is because AMSA is charter and Assabet is vocational. The official school choice numbers are public school district to public school district only (for example choicing out of Clinton and into Berlin, or Lancater, etc...). Also, I know Clinton can close school choice to students opting to come into the district, but I do not believe we can close school choice for those that are opting to leave. As far as the special ed. students that are "opting" out of district, this is done as part of their IEP. The needs of the student are looked at & then it is determined if Clinton can provide services in the district or not. My understanding is that the budget includes several residential placements, which clearly, is not available in Clinton. If a student does not reside in Clinton, but is coming into Clinton for services, their "home" district is responsible for the cost. Again, this is my understanding from some of the presentations I have been at. I do agree that there needs to be a careful evaluation as to why families are opting to choice out. Are the issues that families have "fixable" and if so, would fixing the issue be cost effective. One example that comes to mind is class size. If a family is leaving Clinton due to class size, would it be better financially to hire additional teachers, keep class sizes down, and hopefully save some kids from choicing out? I also think getting information to the public about what is fact and what is not is very important. For example, I read on the CPS website that for next year there is an advanced class for 5th & 6th grade, as well as the return of Social Studies and Science for all students at the middle school. Has that been "advertised" to families? I have children in the district and would not have known that information, if I didn't happen upon it on the website. Also, if anyone has choiced-out of district...I wonder what is the process like? I think an "exit" interview of sorts with a principal, superintendent, or school committee member would be one way to address concerns and perhaps get a handle on why students are leaving.
ReplyDeleteI do believe we pay money to allow students to choice out to assabet and amsa- also yes cannot stop school choice out. But we can stop it in. (that will decrease class sizes that parents are requesting) Exit interview idea I do believe students and parents have always had an opportunity and have been encouraged to discuss why they are selecting out of Clinton,
ReplyDeleteschools. Hire additional teachers, nice thought but the town does not support the needed funds to do that ~ Simple in my eyes why students are leaving -some parents think they do not want their children with other lower financial class children. (isn't that sad) others want vocational,we need to bring in vocational studies)Some are convinced class size to big, well without money you cannot hire teachers and decrease size. Some parents feel their child is beyond rules and discipline in the schools, so they opt out when their child is reprimanded instead of teaching the child he or she was wrong. they blame the school. Also I believe lack of marketing our school is an issue that ought to be addressed immediately. Communication is poor
from the schools to the general public.
Assabet cost us $16K per student to send there-(we send 25 students per grade) AMSA costs about $5K per student
ReplyDeletethank you Mariah for verification that it does indeed cost us money to school choice out to amsa and assabet. Total that up its alot of money going out of our schools that needs to stay in our schools to utilize for the public school. Need to find the way to keep the students in Clinton Schools.
Delete