de-Regionalization Study Committee
February 7, 2008
I must say that while I am pleased by the open-ness of the Bridgewater de-Regionalization Study Committee, I am concerned by their lack of knowledge of so many areas critical to education and the operation of a school district.
One individual spoke of how if we became a choice district and took in 100 kids, we would realize a million dollars to the budget. I had to explain that we have been a School Choice District for the past couple of years, with 57 students enrolled this year. Further, normally the school receiving students gets up to $5000 per student for the students - not the $10,000 per student that he thought.
Another asked if we are going to consider a business-type person for our next Superintendent; specifically not someone with an education background. It was explained that while this is an interesting thought, we are bound by the DOE on this matter and must hire someone that has very specific credentials - education being one of them.
I understood that there would be a learning curve for the five individuals, and hope that the volunteers can devote the time and energy necessary to begin understanding all of the laws and guidelines that pertain to the operation of a school district. Because there are so many specific issues to understand, Mass General Laws [Chapter 71, Section 36A] require every new School Committee Member to attend classes. Perhaps these individuals should consider taking the classes so that they can better understand how schools are supposed to operate.
The group has a great amount of information to learn about school systems; and never mind being ready for May, I question if they could complete their task and goals by November.
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Joseph Gillis Jr.
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