Richard Kaye, West Windsor
Many words in the past months have denigrated the school system with a personal/ destructive agenda. Let me correct the misinformation.
1. District standards have not lowered. SAT scores continue at 600 to 603 on average, at least 100 points above the state average, and comparable to similar top districts in New Jersey.
2. Increased options for enriched offerings shows more students enrolled in honors and AP classes.
3. The administration of standardized tests, including PAARC, is required by the State of New Jersey. When our students take the SAT and AP Tests, which are national standards, they do exceptionally well.
4. Prudent financial decisions produce a triple A bond rating, and below state average per pupil cost. A smaller township commercial/industrial base increases the tax burden on homeowners.
5. A district of 10,000 students and 241 non-tenured and 665 tenured professional staff requires our number of supervisors and administrators. Compared to other similar districts, our staff has a much higher caseload. New tenure laws require more observations and conferences.
6. Space constraints and damage from two hurricanes left the former board office inadequate. Student growth required more classrooms. The new facility provides 20 classrooms for instruction, space for professional development, no need for a referendum because no money was borrowed, and no additional cost to taxpayers. This was reported at board and PTA meetings and in the newspapers.
7. As an educational leader, Dr. Aderhold brought the issue of unnecessary harmful stress to the public discussion. Counselors and staff in genera all create a positive learning environment. When more than 120 students, grades 6-12, are in need of extensive out-of-school human services support because of social and emotional issues, it is time to engage everyone in such a discussion. This continuing conversation is a moral/ethical imperative to better support our children as healthy learners.
8. Change is never easy and some folks fight it because it is not their position. Decisions about program are developed with full staff input, with action plans implemented after a superintendent’s recommendation is voted upon by the school board. Individual staff members implement the program, but may not ignore or refuse to follow the approved curriculum.
One change I concur with was music in the elementary schools. Staff can no longer tell a youngster after 10 weeks of participation that they may not perform because they are not good enough. Not everyone takes private lessons and music should be for everyone in elementary school. At high school, it is reasonable to audition for performance groups. Some teachers may not have liked that change, but it was the right thing to do.
9. You may have seen a visual with numbers regarding resignations. What the printed portion did not include, was what is noted on personnel agendas at every public meeting: “resignation for purposes of retirement” which is the majority of cases. Some folks move away for personal reasons. A small number represent individuals the district does not ask to return. That is a difficult decision, but after close supervision and many opportunities to show growth, it is the right decision to make on behalf of our children. Finally, a very few decide that our district is not right for them, because of the high standards we require of all staff.
Above are some of the issues that have been carefully crafted to create a negative impression of our school district. I believe public schools thrive with a robust two-way conversation, agenda-free and based in fact. As a member of the Board of Education, I will listen carefully, require verifiable data before making any decision, and decide based upon what is best for each child, using my professional expertise as a seasoned educator.
Finally, I am sure you agree with me, that our responsibility is to develop and support the Whole Child in Every Child.
Richard A. Kaye
West Windsor
The writer is a candidate for West Windsor-Plaimsboror Board of Education.
