from Frank Corden
My approach to governance comes directly from my experience in the private sector. Good performance and success in the market place warrant further investment not less. Over the years that Dr. Baran has led the Woodstock Public schools performance in fact improved. Last year, WPS was the best performing school district in Windham County as measured by performance and when compared to cost, easily the most effective and efficient. More bang for each dollar spent per student.
In business, you define the job you are trying to do and then commit the funds necessary to do it well. Unfortunately, in Woodstock as in many other towns, the community at large has failed to clearly define the job of education.
Is it strictly classroom instruction of the 3 R’s?
Where does funding infrastructure for science and technology education fall on the priority list?
What about other non-core areas such as music and physical education?
How about athletics, should they be part of the school budget?
What about academically oriented after school programs as mentioned above (History Day, Science Fair, Public Speaking etc.)?
Do after school buses and extra help sessions for struggling students belong in our priorities?
What about services for students with physical or learning disabilities?
Do we have as great a responsibility to support the full potential of gifted students compared to students with disabilities?
Each of these spending areas has it’s advocates. Read the rest of this entry »