Last week, the Assembly voted to increase our funding for next year by $500,000. The vote to do so, while close, illustrates a general confidence in the district to use our funds wisely. I am appreciative of Mayor Navarre’s lead on this increase and to the Assembly for their support. Prior to the vote I shared some information about the district including the good news that our graduation rate is inching up. This important measure of our district is for many, what defines us. I know that all of our borough’s residents expect our students to complete high school. There is also an expectation that the district will recognize the changing needs of our students and in turn, refine its practices to help them earn their diplomas. The need to improve our practices is on-going and was heightened when the legislature created a more favorable set of rules for the establishment and funding of charter schools. My take from these changes is that there is a growing desire to do away with some of the old of public education and embrace alternatives to the norm.
I sense that some are drawn to alternatives without fully vetting or understanding the consequence of the promoted change. There is however, little doubt that public schools must continue to look for innovative ways to educate our students. I am afraid that if we do not explore and then when appropriate, adopt such changes, we will be forced to do more with less. The expectation that this year’s 700 kindergarten students will graduate in 2026 is dependent on this.
Change to improve
Last week, the Assembly voted to increase our funding for next year by $500,000. The vote to do so, while close, illustrates a general confidence in the district to use our funds wisely. I am appreciative of Mayor Navarre’s lead on this increase and to the Assembly for their support. Prior to the vote I shared some information about the district including the good news that our graduation rate is inching up. This important measure of our district is for many, what defines us. I know that all of our borough’s residents expect our students to complete high school. There is also an expectation that the district will recognize the changing needs of our students and in turn, refine its practices to help them earn their diplomas. The need to improve our practices is on-going and was heightened when the legislature created a more favorable set of rules for the establishment and funding of charter schools. My take from these changes is that there is a growing desire to do away with some of the old of public education and embrace alternatives to the norm.
I sense that some are drawn to alternatives without fully vetting or understanding the consequence of the promoted change. There is however, little doubt that public schools must continue to look for innovative ways to educate our students. I am afraid that if we do not explore and then when appropriate, adopt such changes, we will be forced to do more with less. The expectation that this year’s 700 kindergarten students will graduate in 2026 is dependent on this.