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PARENT
INPUT As parents, we recognize
that the town and our schools are facing a severe revenue shortfall. As
parents, we are committed to keeping our vision of excellence for our
public schools even during the hard times. Because our educational system
has been built over years of dedicated effort, careful planning, and increased
efficiencies, we recognize any cut made in the school budget will hurt.
We ask that every effort is made, however, to minimize the impact on the
quality of the education we provide for our children. What follows are criteria/principles put forth by a group of elementary, middle and high school parents for your consideration as you prepare a recommended budget for our schools. They are in no particular order. Has every possible
alternative been explored before cutting teachers and programs that directly
benefit our children? Does it preserve decent class sizes? Does it preserve decent class sizes for the most vulnerable children (elementary school and special/innovative programs for older children)? Does it help reduce the imbalance between high class sizes and very low class sizes in specific programs at the high school? Will it maintain our ability to provide the same level of services in the core curriculum? Does it protect, as best it can, the diversity and comprehensive nature of the elementary, middle and high school curricula? Is it in keeping with the spirit of the system-wide goals? Does it affect the
least number of students possible? Does it have the shortest-term impact possible?(Can this easily be returned to the budget when revenues improve)? Has the impact on all grade levels been considered? Are cuts proportional throughout different sections of the budget?Acknowledging that good reasons may exist for disproportionate cuts, we would ask that an additional level of justification is provided. |
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