ORCSD changes
To the editor: In the wake of the media attention granted to Wednesday's protest at the Oyster River School Board meeting and yesterday's (April 14) student walkout, both transparently led by former or ousted members of the board, we commend the board for their decision to deny Justin Campbell a multiyear contract as high school principal and offer our support to expedite the administrative transition at the ORCSD.
The board has correctly chosen to overturn the recommendations of Superintendent Colter and the Search Committee (which by one member's own account had no criteria to guide them through the search process). Budget revenue uncertainty combined with a mandate from the tax-paying community to rein in spending, a lame duck superintendent, and the demand from Mr. Campbell for a multiyear contract each warrant serious consideration to seek alternatives. Members Kach, Lane, O'Quinn and Turnbull have done the school district and townspeople a service through their action.
With the appointment of a new principal temporarily suspended, the board should now develop a comprehensive strategy for the transition of the school department administration, beginning with the search and selection of a new superintendent. Mr. Colter's choice to not serve past June of next year is a decision no one denies him and one he deserves. But, in this case, that decision unnecessarily complicates, or worse, disrupts, the needed long term planning, governance and management of the district.
The relationship between the superintendent and the board must be synchronous with regard to goals and objectives of the district. That is clearly not the case at ORCSD. Therefore, it is time for the board to develop their long term plan, define the methods of measuring its achievement, and hire the superintendent that can best execute the plan. Prioritizing a negotiated buyout of Mr. Colter's contract and appointing his replacement as soon as possible is a critical step in this process.
The legacy of the old school board and Superintendent Colter is extravagant spending for a product that cannot justify the expense. The newly composed board must confront this legacy directly and swiftly.
Elmer and Tiffany Liebsch
Durham
Who are these people are why do they hate our schools so much? I have just read several letters on this blog from people who complain about taxes and complain about schools, and I guess I can only offer one piece of advice: MOVE!!!
ReplyDeleteMany people moved here because they liked the schools, and wanted their kids to get an OR education. We saw it as an investment: much, much cheaper than private school (Berwick costs about $27,000/year, and an average to nice house in Durham will cost 10 - 12K in property tax FOR ALL YOUR FRIGGIN' KIDS!!! Not a bad deal, is it? So when people complain about the cost of an OR education, I ask, how much do YOU pay in property tax? My 12K covers school for my 3 kids, plowed and maintained roads, library, fire, police, etc. Not a bad deal, is it?
Yet we have people who complain and complain about the cost of our schools and then derail legitimate search processes for their own ego boost. This Elmer and whoever obviously know nothing about our schools. Do they even have children attending the district? How long have they been paying attention?
It seems clear to me that the Board must go. They have not made one intelligent decision from electing Henry Bracket chair to their latest to not elect a principal. Clearly they are a bunch of fools. Howard Coulter seems to be the only intelligent person sitting at the board table whenever I watch a meeting (and if I do, I need to make sure I have a bottle of muracid on hand).
This whole blog is a disservice to our community and anyone who posts these negative letters is outing themselves as people seeking to destroy public education and should probably look for a home somewhere else - preferably in Texas, where I here they are cutting school costs at a rate fast enough to even make Roger Spidele jump for joy.
Wow! I just don't get it. If you look at the posts, there are letters on BOTH sides of this argument. Agree or don't but the blog creator and authors are doing the right thing here in my opinion. Also, there is a new post about a petition against the school board. Like this site or don't but don't create more negativity on here please.
ReplyDeleteAlso, in defense of the "budget crazies" in the community. I think all they want to hear is why the cost is so high in comparison to other districts with comparable demographics.
In addition, the cost is high but what are the results in the test scores (and I know that scores alone aren't the sole metric). However, districts (EVEN NEWMARKET) have better scores than ORSD. What is the tax rate in Newmarket? What is the cost per student? Just saying...but people in my opinion are upset because the cost is very high but the quality of the education is the same or worse than other districts on widely used measurable parameters.
Just sayin'
Leadership is needed in the district. A Dr. Richard type is what is needed www.timrichard.net
ReplyDeleteI have been accussed of shamelessly promoting him, but I amd rather, trying to point out that there are other young dynamic leaders out there. He is nto the only one, there are others too. It is time to move forward together and find a new leader.
The problem with using test scores as the comparative meaasure of a school district's excellence as promoted by durham resident is that most people do not understand how adequate yearly progress is determined. In simple terms, AYP is determined by the percentage of cohort groups who make percentage gains based on the previous year's results. So when a school like Newmarket starts out with 50% of its population as proficient or proficient with distinction it is far easier to make AYP because you have a larger group of students that need improvement. OR on the other hand has in excess if 85% of its students at the proficient or proficient with distinction levels making it far more difficult to show adequate yearly progress based on the sheer lack of students needing to improve. The state itself admits that eventually every school in the state will be a school in need of improvement because you can't change the bell curve. So in short, Newmarket doesn't have better scores. They simply have more students that need to improve. One final point - keep in mind that AYP can be determined by any single cohort defined by the state. So the score of one single student in any one school can result in AYP not being met for that cohort. So before you go slamming the students and staff of the district get your facts straight. Just sayin....
ReplyDeleteDonald,
ReplyDeleteYou have made your point over and over and over again. Please stop. We get it.
For those that dislike the blog so much, why do you read & why do you post? Why don’t you take your own advice and just ‘move’ along? Seriously, there is a time & place for actual discussion and debate. Electronically is convenient for many. This blog makes every attempt [that I can see] to provide an avenue of expression for all viewpoints.
ReplyDeleteJust because another doesn’t agree with you, that does not make their opinion any less valid or any less deserving of legitimate conversation.
Every school district has differences, concerns, strengths, and weaknesses. Personally, I’d rather live somewhere that has a mix of viewpoints than live in a district that has “Stepford Wives” qualities. Participation from many reduces the possibility of stagnation of ideas.