Response to Durham Resident

Below is a response to our last post regarding the statistics from a Durham resident.


I am writing to respond to three claims that Roger Speidel made in his Dec. 21 Community Commentary: that education in New Hampshire is mediocre (in fact that we rank 28th nationally); that Oyster River schools themselves are underperforming; and that for all this, taxpayers pay far more than is reasonable.

Fortunately, we have comparative data from the widely-respected National Assessment of Educational Progress to assess achievement state-by-state. New Hampshire consistently places among the top five states in the country in reading and math, sometimes as high as third. In fact, New England is hardly the "boondocks," as Speidel claims — according to this national assessment, we lead the country. 

So, how does Oyster River rank within a high performing state? Extremely well. If we look at the 2010 NECAP scores, the mandated test of state standards, we rank very near the top at the high school level.

A key measure on this test is the percentage of students scoring proficient or better. The results indicate that Hanover High School scored highest, with Oyster River only slightly behind. The rates for HHS were 82% reading, 67% writing, 66% math; for Oyster River 81% reading; 67% writing; 64% math. All other comparable high schools (including Bow, Souhegan, Portsmouth, Goffstown, Conval, Hopkinton, and Plymouth) performed less well. 

On the issue of cost, there is no question that it is high. But rather than making apples-and-oranges comparisons with Finland, it makes sense to ask how we compare with comparable districts in New Hampshire in per- pupil expenditures. Here the picture is mixed. We spend about as much as Hanover and Plymouth, less than Souhegan and North Hampton, more than Bow and Hopkinton. To make another comparison, Oyster River costs match the average for Vermont school districts. In my view, we are reasonably in line with comparable districts. 

All of this does not mean that we should be complacent or that we shouldn't look for prudent economies. But I hope we can proceed without the unfair denigration of our excellent schools. 

Thomas Newkirk
Durham

Community Commentary from Durham Resident

The below commentary is from Durham resident Roger Speidel looking into ORCSD costs and enrollments comparing them to other district within New Hampshire as well as other states.  This letter was also published in Foster's today as well.  The authors of the blog make no endorsement of the following.  We wish to publish all information that is submitted regardless of viewpoint.

In the past 10 years, the Oyster River School System has spent $48 million above the New Hampshire state average in per pupil cost per year. This overspending has cost each taxpayer in the Oyster River School District an average of $9,706. That's almost $1,000 per year. This is serious money. It's not the $150 cut to the school budget some of you wanted restored and are more than willing to pay.

The $48 million are the wasted dollars spent by the previous school boards as the Oyster River enrollment was declining by 300 students during the past 10 years. The present board is attempting to rectify this mishandling of taxpayer money, and all some of you want to do is squawk, without any specifics, about cuts "being bad."

Finland, the number 1 nation in world education spends $7,829 per student per year. How do they do it? Their classes are between 20 and 30 students each with all levels in the same class and the bright students teach the not-so-bright. What a great concept.

The Bow School System sends 80% of its seniors to 4-year colleges and they eliminated 11 teaching positions because of declining enrollment.

The number 3 ranked high school in America has a teacher/student ratio of 1 teacher to 23.7 students and it sends 95% of its seniors on to 4-year colleges.

The number 4 ranked high school in America has a teacher/student ratio of 1 teacher to 28 students and it sends 91% of its seniors on to 4 year colleges. And 20% of its students do not speak English in their homes.

Oyster River's 70% pales in comparison and it hasn't improved one single percent, even with a teacher/student ratio of 1 teacher to 11.6 students and all the money and additional teachers that have been poured into this school system in the past 10 years.

We do a lot of back-patting here, but in truth we're tucked way up in the boondocks of New England, in a state ranked 28th in the nation in education. That's in the bottom half, and we don't even know what it's like to compete with the big boys.

The average cost per pupil per year of the two nationally ranked high schools mentioned above is $11,580. Oyster River's cost is $15,510 per pupil and it can't come close to those nationally ranked schools that spend almost 1/3 less. For example, the college readiness index for the two schools cited is 100 (the highest rating). The college readiness index for Oyster River is 22.9. And do you realize there are 66 classes at Oyster River High School with fewer than 20 students and 12 of them have less than 10. No public school system can afford that!

The number 1 county in the state ranked first in the nation in education maintains the following class sizes in its high schools — 29 in English and 33 in all other subjects.

These are facts. By any sense of judgment, Oyster River is overpriced and overstaffed. The schools I've cited exemplify fiscal integrity combined with educational excellence. A good school system blends these two things in the best way to serve the students and the taxpayers with equal consideration.

And to sharpen that point, the 2011 New Hampshire "Schools of Excellence" provide educational excellence to their students for an average of $449 per pupil per year less than the state average. If Oyster River could operate at a cost equal to the 2011 "Schools of Excellence" in our own State, in the past 10 years it would have saved the Oyster River taxpayers $56,980,000.

The present School Board is attempting to bring fiscal sanity, for the first time in 10 years, to the Oyster River School System. And all some of you vocal citizens have to offer is, "cuts are bad." No statistics to back up your statements. No facts coming from you. Do some research before you rant and waste the School Board's time.

And, by the way, Dover is projected to gain 400 students in the next six years. Give that some thought when you are told that all of New England is losing enrollment.

Roger Speidel
Durham 

Raising Cane Author to Visit ORHS

The Pressured Child:
How to Help your Child find Success in School and Life

Presented by:
Dr. Michael Thompson

Food Service Updates at ORCSD

The below article was sent to us from Al Howland (otherwise known to elementary school students as Captain Balance).  Enjoy!

Each morning during the school year, a frantic ritual occurs throughout the Oyster River School District. Parents rush to get their kids ready for school and must make a decision about school lunch. In the past, the choice came down to packing a healthy lunch or submitting your child to the dreaded mozzarella stick. Fortunately, the addition of new child nutrition director Andrea Tran has helped improve our options.

The first order of business was to get our kitchens cooking more meals from scratch. That may sound crazy, but counter to popular belief, many school districts lack fully functional kitchens and are forced to rely on highly processed frozen foods. New menu items at ORCSD include freshly prepared macaroni and cheese made with real cheese and milk sauce, shepherd's pie, and american chop suey. This year, they also prepared a traditional Thanksgiving meal, complete with roasted turkey and homemade stuffing.

Andrea has also gone beyond increasing the amount of cooking occurring and changed how the food is prepared. Box mixes are no longer used, and all rice dishes now incorporate basic brown rice. Some of the worst highly processed foods have been removed from the menu.

This includes both mozzarella sticks and french toast sticks from the elementary schools, and chicken patties from the middle school. In their place, more soup and sandwich combinations have been added. She has also addressed a major problem every parent rushing to get their kids on the bus has experienced. How do you get your child to eat a healthy breakfast before school?

Both elementary schools include a new $1.25 grab-and-go breakfast option. Gone are the days of half a plain bagel. Students are now offered a well rounded choice that includes 1/2 cup portion of fruit, 2 grains, and 2 oz of protein.

Also new this year is the appearance of Ms Vegetable. Each month, a seasonal vegetable is prepared in the kitchens and Andrea dons a wacky hat and apron and asks all elementary students to try a small sample. Student reaction is gauged and it is used to determined if the recipe can be added to the lunch menu. As a volunteer in the guise of Captain Balance, I have been able to help with this event at Moharimet and have marveled at the kids' reaction to one of the more difficult vegetables, brussels sprouts. Volunteers are encouraged to help with this monthly event and are rewarded with a wealth of insight about the food service.

While the above changes are encouraging to parents, the food service still faces a major hurdle. The department is supposed to be self supporting. That requires that meal revenues must cover food costs, wages and benefits, and equipment  maintenance. In order to achieve that goal, it is critical for parents to understand that menu choices are healthy and affordable.

Future inclusion of local farm fresh meats and vegetables will require increased participation in the lunch program. Andrea has developed a web page on the district web site http://www.orcsd.org that can be found under the department heading. She is actively seeking to improve communication and would welcome input. Please drop her an email and and share your thoughts. Finally, please dig through your cookbooks and send your favorite vegetable recipes to itworkedforpopeye@gmail.com.

Al Howland
Durham

Community Representation in Superintendent Search

Tonight the school board finalized the selection criteria for the community representatives of the superintendent screening committee. In addition to the two parents of currently enrolled students being selected by the four school PTOs, two community representatives will be selected from the pool of applicants via the following process:

• Each board member will individually review all the application letters and select one applicant.
• The selected applicants will be placed in a pool.
• Applicants will then be randomly drawn from the pool until the two community member positions are filled.

Any Oyster River residents interested in serving on the superintendent screening committee as either a parent representative or community representative should write a brief letter to the Oyster River Cooperative School Board detailing their interest, relevant qualifications, and whether they currently have a child enrolled at ORCSD.

Letters should be addressed to:

Oyster River Cooperative SAU #5
Attn: Wendy DiFruscio
36 Coe Drive
Durham, NH 03824

The screening committee will be established at the December 21, 2011 board meeting. The first screening committee meeting is scheduled for January 3, 2012. Community members should be prepared for a significant time commitment during the two weeks following the first meeting. The screening process is expected to be complete and resulting candidate presented to the school board on January 19, 2012.

Local Students in Nutcracker Performance

Featured in Fosters today, NorthEastern Ballet Theatre is producing 6 performances of Tchaikovsky's timeless ballet "The Nutcracker" over the next two weekends. With a cast of over 60 dancers, including a number of students from Oyster River schools, this is a holiday tradition you don't want to miss!

At Portsmouth Christian Academy
20 Seaborne Drive in Dover [MAP]

• Saturday, December 3rd — 2:00pm and 7:00pm
• Sunday, December 4th — 2:00pm

At Prospect Mountain High School
242 Suncook Valley Road in Alton [MAP]

• Saturday, December 10th — 2:00pm and 7:00pm
• Sunday, December 11th — 2:00pm

Tickets are available online at http://northeasternballettheatre.ticketleap.com/

Moharimet Silent Auction Tonight!

The 4th Annual Silent Auction and Holiday Party is happening tonight from 5:30pm to 8:30pm at Moharimet Elementary. Get all your shopping done in one place and help Moharimet while you do it!

The silent auction is THE biggest fundraiser for the Moharimet PTO and is always a fun event. In addition to lots of great items and experiences available to bid on, there will be live entertainment from Michael Trautman (at 7pm), free activities for kids, and plenty of baked goods.

When: Thursday, December 1 — 5:30pm - 8:30pm
Where: Moharimet Elementary School
Info: Moharimet PTO Website