Letters to the Editor, March 29, 2007

How important is

Primary Strings?
To the editor:
   
I should start by saying I am a strong believer in the importance of music in children’s education and agree with the research that correlates the positive effects of music education on academics. I grew up playing several instruments and was an active member of jazz and marching bands for many years.
   However, I do not think that the loss of Primary Strings in exchange for an additional period of core curriculum (more specifically, science) will be quite as detrimental to our children as some believe. One letter in March 22’s Hopewell Valley News challenged Judith A. Ferguson to "ask, and the children will tell you that the reduction in music education will affect their elementary experience adversely. "I asked the question of many parents and first-third-grade children (including my own) and many of them love general music but are happy to see Primary Strings eliminated. The children who truly have a desire to play the violin will be much better served in smaller group lessons before or after school than in a class where perhaps as many as half the children have no interest in being there.
   Another letter in support of Primary Strings states "how it has been an integral part of the HV curriculum for more than 25 years … How the fact that every child who graduates from our high school has the unique ability to play an instrument well and how impressed colleges are by that." While I do not have the statistics to prove my point, I would be shocked to discover that all of the children who were taught to play the violin in grades one-three continued their study of the instrument and could play it well by the time they graduated high school. Additionally, times have changed in 25 years. We now have a much-needed technology program, but it is yet another special that pulls the children away from the core curriculum. I believe it is much more balanced and fair to provide one period a week for the specials (music, art, technology, library).
   I sincerely hope parents realize that the administration and school board are making difficult decisions in the interests of our children’s education. Working under severe budgetary constraints is not easy and there will always be people who disagree with decisions made. However, it is critical that the budget passes in order to avoid potentially more devastating cuts.
   As the opponents of the busing cuts learned last year, voting no on the budget did not resolve the issue. The same applies here. Voting no on the budget in protest of the elimination of Primary Strings will not bring the program back. I will vote to pass the budget on April 17, regardless of the outcome of this contentious issue.
Kathy Coppins
Hopewell Township
An imperial superintendency
To the editor:
   
I fear we are creating — if we haven’t done so already — an imperial school superintendency.
   My November letter suggested the school board closely examine and reduce administrative costs during times of fiscal restraint and overburdening property taxes. At a board meeting last month, that plea was repeated.
   While fixed costs—be they energy bills, negotiated salary increments, or health care provisions—escalate, the school board should produce a plan that continues to focus directly on the student within that intimate learning experience with a teacher. The only administrative position eliminated so far is in technology for $90,000 plus $188,284 in outside consultants. Reductions have been reported for purchased professional services for engineering, architectural and planning. More can be done. Here are some concerns.
   The negotiated salary for the school superintendent for the next fiscal year (2007-2008) is $178,573 plus the usual expense items for convention-going as well as $5,000 per year for professional development.
   A matching tax-deferred annuity provision, however, has an additional contribution by the district of $9,600 per annum. One can remember a previous superintendent (who didn’t stay too long) being severely criticized for having demanded a benefit no one else had.
   Recently the current superintendent called for restructuring and "to decide which programs and services contribute significantly to the growing up of young people." Perhaps, an expression of committed leadership could be exhibited by returning to the table with this personal benefit exception.
   One does not anticipate that this would impose a hardship since it appears the superintendent is in the unique position of gaining remuneration consulting during the school year with other school districts as they select new superintendents as reported by the NJ Association of School Administrators.
   In December 2005, the board approved an administrative restructuring of the elementary schools. That move actually added a new administrative position, director of instruction, at the administrative building — with a six-figure salary. A staff development specialist position was to be abolished effective July 1, 2006.
   However, at that time the job description of the assistant superintendent of schools, second highest on the district payroll, made him responsible for the development and overall supervision of curriculum and instruction K-12.
   One can remember in the past when a different assistant superintendent also assumed the responsibilities of a departed chief school administrator and passed a tough school budget to boot. This is an administrative area where functions obviously must be prioritized and questions raised as to whether duties can be consolidated and personnel reduced.
   One also can remember when the public relations effort was focused for the most part on the verbal availability of the school superintendent. When it came time for the school budget proposal publication, it was accomplished with minimal temporary efforts. Reporters for our daily and weekly newspapers do an admirable job in reporting board actions and school events. While there are projections of the current full-time employee to also obtain grants for school efforts, this responsibility is more effectively being borne by both the education foundation and recreation foundation as well as by active parent support groups for athletics and music at the secondary level plus parent organizations at the elementary schools.
   Keeping class size small is important. The board has worked diligently to comply with that tenet. Can it explore ways to maximize exemplary teachers who are subject supervisors? To creatively utilize these fine teachers impacting both their colleagues and our students would be very significant.
   These observations are illustrative of the digging into administrative costs and overhead —personnel and otherwise—that has to be done. They do not reflect on the performance of personnel holding these positions.
   Yes, centralized administrators provide technical support and deal with the demands of the state. The test during difficult fiscal times, however, is how much is really vital—and, who may be able to pull a little more weight.
Norm Goldman
Hopewell Township
Violins vs. football
To the editor:
   
A letter from Liz Gambino in last week’s Hopewell Valley News said the school board is considering eliminating the Primary Strings program from the school budget. This is the same budget that will contain funding for the football team that the district’s voters – by a two-to-one margin – told the board not to pay for. Apparently, someone on the school board thinks having the high school boys go out and bump heads on the football field should get a higher educational priority than teaching little children to play the violin. I have lived in Hopewell for 32 years, and I have never voted against a school budget, but I think it may be time to vote "no."
Skip Livingston
Hopewell Borough
Forces of change
To the editor:
   
Only a wet baby likes change. But change is being forced on the schools of Hopewell Valley. This will be either an opportunity for creative solutions to make an excellent educational program even better, or an environment of balkanization of competing elements, each demanding that this or that program remain as it was in the past.
   These challenging forces of change include: State of New Jersey laws and regulations aimed at reducing property taxes for a state where they are the highest in the nation (these worthy objectives have resulted in some severe unintended, bad for schools, consequences); laws and regulations which impose requirements on local schools with no or insufficient resources to carry them out; rejection by the voters of last year’s proposed school budget, and the subsequent reduction of a record setting over $2 million by the three municipal governing bodies; attitudes expressed by some among municipal government leadership that the schools are a competing interest to the concerns of the local governments. I might ask, ‘whose children attend these schools?’
   As a longtime resident of the Hopewell Valley, a senior citizen on fixed income, and a member of the local school board, and one whose own children have benefited by their experience in our public schools, I too am concerned about the preservation of the semi-rural nature of this beautiful Valley, the rising property tax crisis, and the positive influence that our excellent schools have continued to have on property values. It has been my observation that each member of the school board may view solutions to challenges differently, but all are committed to controlling the tax burden on our residents, and giving to each boy and girl the best opportunity to reach his or her potential in every possible way. A number of public budget meetings and informal "coffee klatches" have been ongoing in recent weeks, and adjustments in the proposed budget have occurred in response to many concerns expressed.
   On April 17 the voters have their say. My hope is that there will be a good voter turnout.
Carl Swanson
Hopewell Township
Open your ears!
To the editor:
   
I’m wondering if the school board and our elementary school principals really think that every child in the Hopewell Valley Regional School District wants to be a rocket scientist or the next corporate executive or CEO at a Fortune 500 company. Music is one of the oldest art forms and means of communication known to man. Imagine life without it. How about cutting a "deadwood" school administrative salary or two, and make my taxes a little more worthwhile.
Joseph D’Angelo
Titusville
Project Democracy
To the editor:
   
Teaching children the role of citizenship in a democracy is an important goal of all parents and educational institutions. Hopewell Valley continues to accomplish this goal with its program, Project Democracy. Project Democracy was designed to create a life long habit of voting by bringing the voting experience into our students’ world. By creating a question specific to their schools, students are able to vote on an issue that directly affects their environment.
   On April 17, each Hopewell Valley school will have a question that is specific to its student population. Student voting will be available at all polling locations throughout the Valley between the hours of 3 and 8 p.m. There will also be a community question available for nonpublic school students. This year’s questions include voting on school mascots, flags, cheers, naming halls, T-shirt designs and high school student parking requirements. If you would like to be involved with Project Democracy, please contact me at 737-0918. You can also visit www.hvrsd.k12.nj.us/district/projectdem for additional information and a list of each school’s question.
   It is the combination of classroom involvement, family participation and duplicating the voting experience that makes Project Democracy a powerful strategy for achieving long-term voting habits. Hopewell Valley parents have been instrumental in teaching our youth the importance of voting and how it is a responsibility of every citizen in a democracy. We encourage parents to continue the tradition of taking your child to the voting polls with you on April 17.
Kim Bruno, chairwoman
Project Democracy
Useful functions
To the editor:
   
I am writing to support the letter of March 15 by Dick Estelow and Skip Johnson regarding the practical arts curriculum at HVCHS. If the so-called "outdated" auto shop is being put to such good use by students, learning about engines and automobiles, it is serving a very useful function. Not only is general technical literacy important, but students may find inspiration towards a career, whether it be as a service mechanic or an engineer. The exploration in the HVCHS shop can be followed up at a technical school or college where the specialized skills needed for that career are taught.
   Students find real-world applications of the physics, chemistry, and math they learn under the hood of a car. Learning how to apply logic to solve problems is another important life skill that can be exercised in the auto shop, as is learning how to use their hands with tools.
   Most of the points I have made have analogies with respect to the woodworking program. I hope that these programs will be allowed to continue to contribute to the growth of our young people.
Rob Flory
Hopewell
Vote of confidence
To the editor:
   
It’s Sunday night and I just finished watching Andy Rooney on 60 minutes. So I thought this might be a good time to insert a letter regarding the upcoming school budget.
   For the past several weeks I have heard a great deal of chatter regarding the school budget and the upcoming school elections. I think it’s great that we have several candidates running for school board with diverse opinions on how best to manage our children’s education. From busing to strings to the marching band; all are important issues that need to be resolved. Today, I’m writing about the school budget and why I am voting to pass it this year.
   It appears the budget will increase modestly by 2-3 percent. Considering the cost of inflation is in this range, this seems most fair to me. However, passing the school budget also delivers another strong message. It sends a clear message that we are supporting our teachers and administrators. I truly believe we have an excellent staff in Hopewell Valley. Time and time again, our teachers have demonstrated a strong commitment to educating our children and serving as role models. When I ask myself if our children are being taught well, have opportunities to grow, and fulfill their dreams, the answer is yes.
   So I am voting "yes" to pass the budget to tell our staff that they have performed well. Teaching children is not an easy task. Let’s give the staff a "vote of confidence" so the necessary resources are in tact and our teachers can continue to deliver an outstanding education that allows our students to be prepared for their next step in life.
   Join me in voting yes and send a message to our teachers.
Michael Bruno
Hopewell Township
OK with taxes
   The following was sent to school board members and Superintendent Judith A. Ferguson and submitted to the HVN for publication:
   
I am writing to you as suggested by the board representatives at the Stony Brook budget information session. I was shocked when my second-grader came home two weeks ago and announced that she might not have strings next year due to budgetary cuts. I thought she must have heard wrong, It wasn’t possible that the school district that was named to the American Music Conference’s list of the "Best 100 Communities for Music Education in America" just three short years ago (in 2004) (http://www.amc-music.org/musicmaking/schools/survey/communitieslist.htm) would abandon its primary strings program in the elementary schools. However, a little research, and participation in one of the board’s informational sessions, confirmed my daughter’s fears that she would either not have strings at all for the third grade, or she would have a limited class combined with her other musical instruction.
   Since finding this out, I have had several discussions with other parents who have done additional research as well. It now seems that the board is considering allowing parents to fund strings classes before or after school so as not to have any discontinuity in their children’s instruction. This, in my opinion, is just another example of a growing trend is our school district to cut funding for previously covered items and then ask the parents to fund that item privately if they still want it. It happened with busing (first courtesy and now hazardous) and this year’s budget proposes asking per child fees for participation in middle and high school activities. Now, we would be funding elementary strings as well. This takes advantage of the parents in this school district’s desire to provide the best, most well-rounded education for their children, and their financial means to do so. Our taxes in this Valley are substantial, and primarily go to funding the school system, and we are not only OK with that, most of us specifically chose to live here based on the reputation of that school district. If, however, those items that make this school community unique are taken away, or become additional items that we have to pay for, then how long will it be before we decide to living elsewhere and sending our children to private school would be equally equitable? The education and safety of our children must be the primary consideration of every school budget — and we should only go forward, never backwards (that is, improving, not deteriorating, our existing programs).
   I know that balancing the budget must be hard and frustrating, and that someone will always be unhappy with the result. As a career government employee, I understand better than most how compromise works. I commend you for your efforts. However, it doesn’t make sense to diminish a program you excel at, particularly at the level where you are cultivating a lifelong love and appreciation of music. I urge you to reconsider this part of the proposal. There are many parents willing to work with you to find another solution to the budgetary concerns. Just ask us.
Christine Schell
Hopewell Township