Please see below an email from a very concerned community member and please attend tonight's board meeting to help out!
> Hello All,
>
> You are receiving this email because you have been involved either
> with our family or in drama in some way. Today I learned that the
> principal of Oyster River High School has proposed a budget for
> next year which eliminates the 60% drama teaching position,
> currently held by Meredith Freeman-Caple. The proposed budget cuts
> will be presented at tomorrow evening's school board meeting. I
> plan to attend the meeting in order to express my support of
> maintaining Meredith Caple's position. I am writing to you in
> hopes that you too feel that eliminating Meredith's position is NOT
> in the best interest of ORHS, the community, or our children.
>
>
> The thing about eliminating Ms. Freeman-Caple's position is that it
> effectively eliminates the ORHS drama program entirely. Meredith
> not only teaches the drama classes at ORHS, but she also directs
> the fall play, the One Act play, coordinated the highly acclaimed
> Murder Mystery fundraising dinner last year, and coordinated the
> regional One Act play festival which ORHS hosted last spring.
> While Meredith was hired as a 60% paid position, the district has
> had the benefit of Meredith's husband and son, both of whom have
> donated hundreds of hours of their time and passion for the
> theater. Additionally, Dr. Mary McCrae, clinical psychologist and
> personal friend of Scott and Meredith, has provided countless hours
> helping the casts develop their characters and speech patterns (the
> last two plays included mentally ill and mentally handicapped
> characters).
>
>
> While we realize that budgets need to be cut in tough economic
> times, those cuts should be made in a manner that has the least
> negative impact on our children. We do not feel that cutting Ms.
> Freeman-Caple's position meets that objective. Having a quality
> drama program by funding a 60% position makes it highly cost
> effective and alternative approaches, such as the use of current
> English teachers to build a program, will not likely yield
> something nearing the quality that we have now.
>
>
> Please, please, please
>
> Attend the school board meeting at ORHS tomorrow night, Wednesday,
> December 3rd, at 7pm
>
>
> If you cannot attend the meeting, please do one of the following.
>
>
> 1. Send an email to the school board, letting them know that ORHS
> needs to keep Meredith Caple orcsdsb@orcsd.org
>
>
> 2. Call the superintendent's office and leave a message asking them
> to please keep Meredith Caple 868-5100 ext 20
>
>
> 3. Tell as many people as possible about this and ask them to do
> the same...PLEASE!!
>
>
>
>
>
> Thank you everyone!
The Theater Arts teacher’s position is one of many that is up for elimination in an effort to maintain the budget. It’s NOT a personal issue toward this instructor. The school board has standards, and this teacher is not meeting them. Her classes average 6 students when the school board minimum for the high school level is 10. She affects less than 10% of the student body. Cuts are being made across the district, and her position is one of many. There was drama instruction at the high school before she got there, even if it wasn’t a formal theater arts program, and the school will continue to produce plays.
ReplyDeleteI’ve heard through the Rumor Mill (insert eye roll here) that Mrs. Caple took down her principal with her when she was eliminated from the last school in which she taught. She's on a warpath again. Her husband has sent out an email inviting all of the parents of her students to join the fray to keep her on board. It’s never fun to have to cut out positions, but people have to understand that it’s a Budget matter, not a personal one. The school board is looking to cut Positions, not particular People. The tax payers must insist that the school board continue to uphold their own standards.
I attended the recent school board meeting where nearly a hundred people crowded into the conference room to show their support for one of their teachers who appears to be facing the chopping block in the proposed 2009-2010 budget. I was incredibly impressed that the comments were, to a person, the most eloquent, thoughtful and heartfelt expressions of what this teacher brings to Oyster River. A couple board members acknowledged this positive outpouring of support. (There were many, many more who were not able to speak due to time constraints.) It therefore struck me as odd when the principal of the school got up to speak, she not only did not acknowledge the comments of her students and their parents, she actually seemed hostile toward the situation.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't sure I trusted my own senses, having sat in that room for several hours, so I watched the board meeting again at home when it was re-broadcast. I sympathize with anyone who is forced to make budget cuts...it just ain't easy. But rather than simply acknowledge that a hundred or more parents and students just showed a huge expression of support for one of her teachers, she disregarded all of them and even seemed to dig in her heels to defend her decision, rather than defend the needs of her community.
There was a discussion of the apparently low numbers of participants in these classes. I have to agree that if there is not sufficient interest in a program of study, one should look at whether or not that program deserves to be cut. But that is clearly not the case here. The Board clarified that at least 1/3 of this teacher's contract involves directing plays and after-school curriculum. Now, it's been a long, long time since I did a high school play, but as I remember, you can't create a stage production without involving a LOT of people. Certainly it takes more than the 6 that the anonymous blogger stated. I would hope the Board takes that 1/3 of participants into their consideration.
I don't have children in the Theater Arts program, so I can't speak personally about this particular teacher. But it doesn't take a clinical psychologist (I even think there was one there testifying for the teacher) to see that yes, this is certainly a budget issue, but this decision maker clearly seems to have a grudge against this teacher.
I hope at some point I am able to meet this inspiration that is working with our students.
Because .2 of the position's .6 salary is for the drama club and the play, they should be averaged in to her class numbers. If that were to e done, they would be comfortably over the 10 student average (although that is an arbitrary standard, and exceptions can and should be made when a teacher is obviously doing so much good).
ReplyDeleteWhile I do have respect for Laura Rogers, I was disappointed by her presentation the other night. As the second anonymous commenter noted, it's a serious slight to not acknowledge the 40 or so students from your school who took the time to come to the meeting, especially those who spoke. Cold shoulder...
As for you, Anonymous #1, her classes averaged 6 students in the FIRST year she taught. This was no doubt in part due to errors in the guide of studies which certainly lead some students to believe that they could not take the class when they really could. While it is still short of 10, Mrs. Caple's classes have grown to 8 or 9. Additionally, your evidence-lacking estimation about the "percent" of the student body reached is ridiculous. Certainly more than 60 or 70 students have met Mrs. Caple, been in one of the plays or in the drama club, or attended one of the plays. Even so, that's a random statistic that was obviously pulled out of...moving on.
Before Mrs. Caple got here, there was a fall drama but was directed by an English teacher and was generally regarded as "crap", no offense to the director. There was no drama instruction as part of the curriculum. The school will continue to produce plays, but with much less interest, attendance, and extracurricular education. Additionally, any "drama" class not taught by an accredited drama teacher will not live up to the standards set but the NH department of ed.
Furthermore, your rumor is false. You are stating that this proposed cut is not a personal issue, then trying to spin it back on Mrs. Caple by stating that SHE turned it in to a personal issue at her last school, and you imply that she will do it again. A low blow indeed, Anonymous. Also, how is Mr. Caple's obvious reaction to look out for his wife, and education in the craft that he loves a "warpath?" Damn right he's sticking up for her, if not for the sake of the income. Would you expect him to sit idly by? From the amount of time he's donated to the school's drama program, expecting him to sit by would be a serious break of character.
The school board should of course be held to its standards: protecting the district mission statement, which is "working together to engage EVERY learner."
That means a diverse course of student, including drama.
"Working together to engage every learner" should be changed to "working together to engage every athlete" or
ReplyDelete"Working together to engage some learners... as long as the learners are in classes with more than 9 students" or
"Working together to save money" or
"Working together to engage only those who are coded" or
"Working together to engage learners who are not drama students" or
"Not working together...screw the learners"
The Drama Teacher position was created under a model used by other high school drama programs. The Drama Teacher would be compensated for the equivalent of three courses per semester. This person would teach two classes per semester and be paid for the equivalent of one class period for the responsibilities of producing and directing the fall play and the one act play competition as well as producing the spring musical. This "third class of students" involves a group of approximately 60 students. I find it interesting that "Anonymous" would marginalize a group that large. By this standard, all sports teams would be eliminated. There are many high school activities which involve groups of under 10% of the student population. Maybe "Anonymous" should read the district mission statement of "striving to engage all learners."
ReplyDeleteMany communities consider chorus & band “after school activities.” ORHS is fortunate enough to schedule them during the school day. The fact that the fall play, one act play, drama club, & spring musical happen after the final school bell rings does not make them less deserving of the same level of respect & consideration. It is simply impossible to schedule these activities during the school day without considerably limiting the number of students who are able to participate. How exactly is chorus and band more important than drama? The number of hours spent in the fall play, one act play, drama club, & spring musical activities far exceeds the 50 minute class periods during the school day. The level of time required to direct these activities cannot possibly be compared to advising the Student Senate, being a Class Advisor, or other after school activities. Drama is in a unique position. The director must read volumes of plays before selecting material, coordinate and schedule parent volunteers, prepare advertising materials, spend endless hours searching for the necessary props, furniture, costumes, and set pieces. And then there is the actual audition and rehearsal process. The continual comparison to much less time/labor intensive advisor positions at the school is an insult to the level of commitment & time that goes into producing a show. It is far beyond the time required to produce a band or choral concert. And yet because band and chorus occur before the final bell for the school day rings, the numbers of students participating in the chorus and band classes are considered when evaluating the value of the music program. This inequity is unfair.
The two traditional Drama classes have an average of 8.5% for this year, not the 6% quoted by "Anonymous." And class sizes of less than ten students are allowed with the approval of the principal and superintendent. The designated third class worth of students was made up of 29 students for the fall semester and for simplicity (since auditions for this year's one act play and musical have not yet occurred) I will say 29 students for the winter semester. When averaging the numbers in the two classroom courses with the students involved with productions (the so called third class), the class average becomes 15.3%. The high school principal stated that this position would not have been recommended for elimination if the average were above 15%. This is on tape from the 12/3/08 School Board Meeting.
Another point is that there are not "many" teacher positions at the high school which are being proposed for elimination, as stated by “Anonymous.” The only other teacher position threatened is one period of chemistry recommended for a cut because of shifts in class numbers. Thus that teacher position will be reduced, not eliminated.
Regarding the drama instruction prior to the creation of the Drama Teacher position... English teachers taught a theatre class in the English Department. This is what the high school principal proposes for next year. This is not a Drama Program. The current position is held by a conservatory trained, experienced, qualified, and state certified Drama Teacher. Drama Teacher training does not occur in the English Departments of colleges. Would we ask a teacher certified in Biology to teach Math simply because they took a couple of Math courses? Actually, the state would not even allow this.
Another important point is the fact that adding back the funds to keep the Drama Teacher position will not put the district over the 3% increase limit set by the School Board earlier in the fall. I based my calculation on the proposed budget total quoted by the superintendent and the Administrative Leadership Team on page six of the 12/3/08 Regular Agenda and Backup Materials. This amount is $37,632,154.
The calculation is…
$20,000 (the $26,000 position being eliminated minus the $6,000 added back to the budget to cover a stipend for an English teacher to direct the fall play & advise the Drama Club) divided by $37,632,154 which comes out to
.0005
Converting this to a percentage (move decimal to the right 2 places) it becomes .05%
This means that the impact of adding back the drama position is five one hundredths of one percent of the entire school budget.
So adding it to the 2.58% increase that has thus far been proposed by the Administrative Leadership Team, places the budget at 2.63% -- clearly below the goal of 3%
So basically, this is a NON-issue.
No other teacher will need to be cut or eliminated to keep the Drama Teacher position, while conforming with the School Board budget goal.
Bottom line: ORHS can keep this position & still conform to the 3% budget increase goal.
"Anonymous" might want to consider researching her/his facts more carefully and taking credit for negative statements. The Drama Teacher is not interested in “taking anyone down,” she simply wants to teach kids.
I apologize for not making myself clear. You absolutely misunderstood my point. My comments were to say that Drama should be considered at the same level as the Music Department. I in absolutely NO way meant to criticize or imply that the Music Teacher is not doing his job. My question is how can you possibly compare Senate Advisor or Class Advisor positions (as the high school principal has) with the jobs that the Drama AND Music Teacher do. I apologize if I was not clear on this point. I have kids who have been involved with the ORHS Music Program and I would not make that statement -- EVER.
ReplyDeleteI hope that this clears up my point. Thank you for your time.
And "Anonymous" needs to identify her/himself if s/he wants to be so bold. This is cowardly and immature.
I went back and reread (i.e., several times) what I had originally written. The danger of computers is that we sometimes hit send before we are really ready! I want to retract my statement of "It is far beyond the time required to produce a band or choral concert." "Anonymous" is absolutely correct that I have never produced a band or chorus concert. I was, however, a member of three choirs through all of college. I have nothing but respect for the work required to produce a band or chorus concert. My intent was not to minimize the importance of the Music Program, and certainly not to suggest a cut to the program! That program is thriving and in no danger of such a cut (I hope!). I merely wish to elevate the Drama Program to the same level of respect as the Music Program in the Oyster River Community. It is difficult to find programs with which to compare/align the Drama Program. Comparisons with sports are difficult because they are such different activities. I simply thought that the Music Program, while also under the Fine Arts Umbrella, would be an appropriate program to examine.
ReplyDeleteI do stand by my statement that I believe that it would be fair to consider the students in the after school Drama Activities as a class, as it was intended in the original proposal for the teacher position.
"Anonymous" apparently doesn't know me & realize that I was the co-founder of the OR PoPS organization. This is a booster club to support the Drama and Music Departments at ORHS. I realy do support Music & Drama.
Thank you for calling me on this. You were absolutely right and I humbly stand corrected.
I am observing that it is too late (i.e., at night) to attempt to think rationally. I realize that in my 2nd post, at the end I made reference to "Anonymous" being cowardly & immature. This reference was not to the Music Teacher. This reference was to the two posts prior to the Music Teacher that began at 11:23. They were from an anonymous writer who insulted the quality of ORHS theater productions. I'm trying to be clear, but even this night owl can't think clearly this late at night! I'll sign off before I offend anyone else!!
ReplyDeleteGood night all!
To the Anonymous poster that has put personal attacks/comments:
ReplyDeleteThis will NOT be tolerated. Your comments have been deleted permanently. You are most welcome to post things on topic but any inclusion of names in a derogatory way will NOT BE PERMITTED!