ORCSD Getting Ready for FY10/11 Budget and Strategic Plan

Now is the time to weigh in on District priorities. The ORCSD School Board is starting to work on their FY10/11 budget and the Strategic Planning Committee has kicked off. I encourage you to write to the Board with your thoughts about where our District should spend precious tax dollars.

Let's try to make every effort to give our children and educators the best with our limited resources!

Consider careful allocation of District funds

Please find below a letter articulating my concerns about fund allocations in our District.

***

Dear Mr. Colter, Ms. Clark, and ORCSD Board Members:

During recent Board meetings, I have heard much discussed about technological tools, special training on technological tools, and digital portfolios. Clearly, these endeavors cost our District money. Yet our District lacks critical curricula and facility offerings; for example:

· Limited foreign language offerings in the Middle School

· No foreign language offerings at the elementary level (excluding extra-curricular language clubs)

· Limited AP course offerings (e.g. AP English) in the High School

· No High School running track

With this, I ask the Board to scrutinize where monies are being spent and whether or not these monies are being spent in areas that contribute directly to academic achievement and in areas that have the greatest impact to the Oyster River community at large.

Yes, technological tools are helpful and useful. However, when our District lacks some baseline curricula offerings, I think the budgetary focus should be on filling these gaps. A secondary priority should be funding these technological tools / training.

From here, I ask the Board to consider carefully where to allocate our District funds for the upcoming District’s budget. I would hope that funds are spent in the areas that promote academics are given the highest priority.