There are many things to consider. Here are a couple that come to mind:
- Expense. I really don't see how it could be less expensive in the long run: We will still maintain grades Pre K-8 in Newmarket, including the operation of two buildings and, at the very least, upgrades to the current Jr. Sr. High School building. Not to mention, the program outlined the other night by Principal Allen of Oyster River High School will not come cheap. As we discuss whether or not to authorize money for technology in our school, they already have it - and that means if we join them, we pay for it just like they do. They're also planning to head toward a 1:1 program (At a recent meeting Judy Ryan, a budget committee member expressed concerned that Newmarket parents can't afford that kind of expense. Guess what? They might not have a choice.) Granted, we won't have to pay for a new High School NOW, but what happens in 10 years or 20 years? What will construction costs be then? We need to consider the LONG TERM - something we as a town don't have a very strong track record of doing successfully.
- Control. Are we ready to give control of educating our kids to another town even if they have better test scores? My perception of Oyster River is that they are a forward thinking, high-achieving district. Even so, it's hard to imagine not having a vote on their board. Don't forget, decisions they make will impact our taxes. It's funny to me that some of the same people in our town who want to get the School Board under the thumb of the Town Council with the express purpose of controlling their spending (I'm talking about the Charter Commission) are willing to give that same control willingly to ORSD.
- Capacity. What happens if we exceed their capacity? If we partner with Oyster River, there is no doubt in my mind that more people will look to Newmarket as a place to live. A well-regarded High School is really the only thing missing in our town, and personally I think it will make us more desirable than many of our neighbors, including Durham. (I'll welcome the rise in my property value.) But if they tell us that the max number of students they can accept from Newmarket is 300 and we suddenly have 325 or 350, what then? What happens to the 25-50 kids who don't get in?
We need to stop looking for something to magically solve all of our problems. (Remember Hydra, anyone?) Oyster River might be a good option and it may prove to be the best option, but we have to keep asking these questions and we need answers before we can cast an informed vote.
The decisions we make about our school will impact Newmarket in the short and long term.
Like it or not, the children really are our future.
The decisions we make about our school will impact Newmarket in the short and long term.
Like it or not, the children really are our future.
well said, as usual, toni. the irony of some who are willing to jump into a literal "taxation without representation" situation isn't lost on me either.
ReplyDeletedo we have a number yet? as in: can we actually A/B the per-household cost of tuitioning vs refurb/build? i feel like it will help the discussion if we can point to black and white numbers and discuss what we actually *get* for our money.
Thanks Jon.
DeleteI haven't seen any numbers yet and I'm hoping Dr. Hayes will put something together before the deliberative session. Unfortunately, it will all be hypothetical, but at least it will be something.
Dr. Hayes and members of our school board and administration are meeting with ORSD tomorrow to talk more about what an agreement might look like between our districts. It will be interesting to hear what they have to say after that meeting.
It seems that many people in town are talking out of two sides of their mouths. In one breath "the building does not do the educating". I understand that sentiment. Yet, when it comes to teacher contracts and the fact that consistently our teachers salaries are 10-20% lower than neighboring towns, there is no support for our teachers. So, Which is it? It seems to me that people want to have their cake and eat it too! Not to mention, turning a blind eye to the fact that Everything that Toni has laid out could happen. So the Mantra is, " ORSD! ORSD!" but at what cost? This is not a 'sides' thing. It really comes down to what are the numbers and what makes the best sense for this town and community. For anyone to make a choice NOW before we have all the answers to all the questions is not thinking, in my opinion, critically.
ReplyDeleteExactly. Last night one of the budget committee members said that she thought ORSD will solve our town's financial concerns. Really? I was shocked. I'm not saying that OR is a bad option---truthfully, I've started to come around to the idea of sending my kids there. But to think it's the answer to our prayers is ridiculous.
DeleteIt will be expensive. And 10 years down the road, what will we have to show for it?
Didn't that Budget Committee Member also say that sending our High School Students to OR would not only solve our Financial problems but also our Cultural and political? I'd like to delve deeper in that line of thinking. Just curious.
ReplyDeleteShe did. I imagine that it would help our political climate to have ANY solution to the school because it has been such a divisive issue for so long and I guess that's what she meant. But I really don't know how OR will solve our cultural problems.
DeleteActually, I'm not really sure what our cultural problems are.