"If you think education is expensive, try ignorance."

- Derek Bok (former President, Harvard University)

That the current budget "crisis" that our District (and most districts) face will inevitably result in massive and painful cuts goes without saying.
As has been eloquently (and accurately) detailed in the Budget Forums over the course of the past three budget cycles virtually all of the "fat" that could be cut - has been cut. Without significant changes in burdensome unfunded mandates or a major change in state reimbursement formulas closing the budget gap comes down to only three alternatives (or a combination of the three).

1. Additional cuts, on top of those already imposed, which will affect the quality of our children's education
2. Increase revenues
3. Increase taxes

The long term "fix" simply MUST be a major overhaul of the entire structure currently in place wherein the Legislature and SED mandate state-wide costly programs but fail to fund them thus placing the financial burden on local taxpayers.
The problem is further compounded by the numerous inequities present in the property tax based and school budget voting process.
That the process is "broken" beyond repair seems more obvious every day.
While from the point of view of pure "democracy"  it would be a wonderful thing if the electorate voted directly on the imposition of every tax, the simple fact of the matter is that we get to vote on no other.
Over the years all types of "band aids" have been applied in an attempt to "fix" the unfix-able.
STAR, 100% assessment, community budget forums, and "budget think tanks" (where a small number of people, many with their own "agendas" manage to unduly influence the process) have all proven incapable of averting the current crisis most districts in the state find themselves in.
Scrapping the current system and replacing it with an alternative method of funding public education, while a laudable and necessary goal, isn't likely to occur anytime soon. Nor will it change the fact that providing our kids with a truly "world class" educational system simply isn't "cheap" and will have to be funded.

One need only look at the overwhelming preponderance of the evidence which demonstrates beyond question that we are failing miserably as a state and a nation by comparison to the rest of the world (including many countries we would otherwise consider "under developed".)

While the reasons for our shameful performance on the world educational stage are many and varied there can be no question that closing schools, cutting teaching staffs, and increasing class sizes simply in the interest of limiting tax increases to an arbitrary percentage (as opposed to an educationally sound reason) contributes mightily.

Based on preliminary estimates, closing one elementary school (read "Clarksville") and terminating ~40 teachers will result in class sizes increasing from ~22 (which is also the state-wide average) to 28-30.

While it's fashionable in some circles these days to argue the "run it like a business" and "what harm can a couple more kids in each class do" ask any elementary teacher you respect or anyone who has spent time in a classroom what effect the addition of just one or two kids can have.

Some point to "research" which purports to refute the obvious negative (and life-long) effect such a massive increase in class size will have on YOUR CHILD.

As most thinking individuals are painfully aware one can produce "research" that supports any given point of view. Are eggs and butter good for you (this week, not happy with the resulting "research"? - wait a week).

This is not to disparage or paint with a broad brush ALL "research" - certainly much (maybe even "most") is conducted by intellectually honest researchers interested only in finding the truth and coming to the task with no predetermined "agenda". Unfortunately, such is not always the case and much of the "research" currently being bandied about to support the "class size doesn't matter" argument is indeed promulgated by those with an "agenda".

While the following article is written by an individual who comes to the discussion with an "agenda" of her own her conclusions are well documented and provided here in an attempt to foster the discussion and allow each of us to decide if perhaps Derek Bok had a point.
The link is here

New Developments

Much has been happening and we apologize for not posting more frequently but will attempt to pick up the pace over the coming days.
We will highlight the recent "issues" which have come to light here and address each in a separate posting.
In addition, there have been a number of "comments" submitted and encourage you to add your thoughts - both in response to the original posts and to the comments.
The main items to date are:

• Dates, times, and location of the District Budget and BOE meetings have been finalized and are available here: District web site - budget calendar (Scroll down to current/future dates. Note change in location to BCMS. Note also that YOUR participation is CRITICAL!!!
• Results of the recent Community Survey sponsored by the BCTA are available and will be published and discussed in an upcoming post on this blog.
• The Community Meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 17 at the Clarksville Community Church, 1997 Delaware Turnpike. Directions here   PLEASE ATTEND!!!
• An online "petition" for demonstrating your support of saving Clarksville Elementary has been established by concerned parents and is available here  PLEASE consider adding your signature and including a comment (if you are so inclined, not required). Be aware that some folks have been put off by the "request to donate" that pops up after you sign the petition. Know that a "donation" IS NOT REQUIRED in order for your signature to be recorded. The "donation" (should you elect to contribute) DOES NOT go to the parents who initiated the petition but rather to the owners of the site to offset costs associated with provided the "free" petition site.
• Transcripts and video of the recent Feb 7 Community Budget Forum are available on the District Website here  Unfortunately, the "technology" wasn't quite up to the task as you will see. The video portion sputtered frequently in the beginning and was turned off. There are also numerous points at which the webinar simply freezes and audio is interupted - it's not your computer or internet connection.

Handwriting on the Wall?

We had all good intentions of addressing one or two of the items mentioned yesterday as issues about which community folks had expressed concern.
Unfortunately, life got in the way as they say, in the form of tonights second (and final?) Community Budget Forum.
First, to those who attended (either in person or on line) and on behalf of all those concerned, "THANK YOU" for doing so - your (our) voice being heard by those who will make the final decisions is critical.
For those who were unable to attend, we wish we could report better news, and perhaps others will have come away with a more positive impression, but mine is anything but positive.
Indeed, while no firm announcement or commitment was made regarding Clarksville, it most certainly did feel like the "handwriting is on the wall".
For those interested in the details, the transcript and recorded webinar should be available on the district website within the next couple days.
By way of a brief recap though, the forum began with an overview of where the proposed budget stands at this very preliminary point in the process and, as in past years and to no one's surprise the picture isn't a pretty one.
Simply put, with increased costs in mandated programs, general "cost of living" increases which affect the district as they affect each of us, increases in payroll, insurance, and pension contributions, the budget will increase as it has every year. The budget increase, combined with significant cuts in state funding and a general unwillingness on the part of all of us as taxpayers to accept the never ending tax increases creates the situation we find ourselves in each year at this time.
The "situation", or "gap", or "deficit" - call it what you will, is somewhere in the neighborhood of $5 million and one way or another that gap will have to be closed. Cutting costs or raising revenue (higher tax increases) really are the only alternatives.
While each of us probably has our own ideas on how to solve the problem, what it comes down to is priorities - what is important and what really matters to us.
For some, taxes are all that matters - ANY increase is unacceptable. Others are willing to accept a 2 or 3 or 5% increase and the cuts in programs and services that would be necessary to achieve such a level. Still others would argue for and support whatever level would be required so as to prevent any further cuts to programs that have already arguably been "cut to the bone".
That further cuts will undoubtedly have to be made to arrive somewhere near that middle group if the budget is to garner enough support to pass goes without saying.
Where those cuts will be made though is the question - what really matters to us?
Quite honestly, I don't envy those having to make the decisions one bit.
None of this changes the fact though that closing Clarksville ought NOT be THE prime candidate for solving the budget woes of the district (even if it would). Especially when it appears that even if closure of one elementary school can be justified, Clarksville is the only school under consideration.
A number of people spoke up at the forum and voiced some excellent points - kudos to you for doing so, keep up the good work and hopefully others will follow in your footsteps both at future meetings and by continued email contact with the BOA.
Unfortunately a significant portion of the time allotted was taken up discussing the proposal to "put a computer in every kids hand" which you've probably heard discussed.
While a laudable goal, it appeared to many in attendance to be simply beyond the pale that an equal amount of time was spent discussing the expenditure of (at least) $8 million (over 5 years) when at the same time considering having to close Clarksville in order to save a purported five hundred thousand ("or so").
Priorities and what really matters?
In short, while "officially" nothing has been decided - it does indeed seem that the handwriting is on the wall and it's going to take a concerted effort by all those concerned to right the ship.
PLEASE....GET INVOLVED!!!!
Attend the BOA Meeting - Wednesday, 2/9/11
Make your feelings known.

Welcome to YOUR BlogSpot to Save Clarksville Elementary

As we all know, the future of Clarksville Elementary School has, over the last couple months, been placed very much in doubt.
Closing our school as a means of offsetting budget deficits is a topic that has been put forth over the years but never reached the level of possibility that exists today as a result of the "recommendations" of the recently empaneled "think tank".
While a final decision regarding the closure of CES has not yet been made (according to district officials) the potential impact of closing our school, especially on the kids, rises to the level of devastating in the minds of many.
That information regarding the topic has been subject to drastic changes over very short time periods and is frequently available on the "rumor mill" long before being officially acknowledged by the district, has only fueled the flames of mistrust.
That many of the most ardent proponents of closure are individuals who have demonstrated histories of an "agenda" other than the "budget" is a fact not lost on those who have witnessed the "snob zoning" treatment Clarksville has been subject to over the years.
 During the course of the debate to date, many "straw man" arguments have been put forth by those attempting to justify the closing. "Declining enrollment" and "small(er) class sizes" at CES compared to other district schools is one voiced often by proponents attempting to justify their positions.
There could be no more specious an argument when one  considers the fact that student population at any given school is totally a function of how the district designs the individual "zones" for each school. When the current "districting" includes transporting a child that lives 1.2 miles from CES, more than 6 miles to attend Eagle, is it any wonder parents are enraged and class sizes are reduced?
As the title says, this blog is designed to be YOUR forum. We will be publishing "topics" - items and issues of concern throughout the process in an effort to stimulate discussion and reach a consensus as to the best plan of action to reach our goal of assuring CES remains the treasure it is today.
What can you do to help?
First of all, join the blog so your voice can be heard and add your comments.
Secondly, invite your friends, your children's friends' parents, your neighbors, anyone interested in helping to Save Our School to join the blog and contribute.
Finally, if you have a "topic" which you would like to see addressed compose an article and submit via email to SaveClarksvilleElementary@gmail.com and we will publish it, unedited (subject to the comments below).
"Topics" included herein will be dictated by concerns voiced by parents, students, teachers, and taxpayers. A partial list of those items that have been brought to our attention thus far includes:

• the "survey" recently sponsored by and conducted on behalf of the BCTA,
• the process by which the potential closure of CES came to be a very real possibility,
• the "rift" which has developed between various parties in the Clarksville PTA regarding their representation of the Clarksville community,
• how might we, as a united group, deal with the situation should the BOE decide to include closure in the upcoming budget?

While we make no secret of the fact that we come to this mission with a clear agenda (to prevent the closure of CES) it is our hope and intention that the discourse remain civil, open, honest, and professional.
Both the "comments" and any "topic articles" will be reviewed prior to publishing and profanity, personal attacks, etc., edited or removed.
While the best case scenario would be for the district officials to reach a decision to NOT CLOSE CES, the possibility that they will vote to close is still, at this point in time, very real. We must be prepared to deal with that possibility and must do everything we can in the interim to influence the decision and make known our desires.
It is imperative that our voices be heard. To that end we encourage you in the strongest possible terms to attend both the second (and final) Community Budget Forum (2/7/11 7pm, BCMS LMC) and the BOE meeting (2/9/11 7pm, 90 Adams).
Thanks in advance for your help and let's get started.
First invite your friends to join the blog by sending them the URL - saveCES.blogspot.com
Next, add your comments, suggestions, requests by clicking the "comments" link directly below and to the right. A new window will open where you will be able to log in and post your comments. The comment will not appear immediately but will as soon as it is reviewed by a moderator.