Hebron Dollars & Sense

Issue #9: There is a lack of diligence considering alternative measures to achieve desired outcomes. This issue is a bit challenging. Obviously we hoped that desired outcomes would be presented in a more quantifiable manner. But apparently that is not how the Administration and the BOE choose to operate. From the BOE presentations, the public likely concludes that the desired outcome of all-day Kindergarten is “readiness” and the teaching of “literacy, math, science and social studies” because “the standards have changed dramatically for Kindergarten in just the last three years”. In fact the “number of standards required for mastery has increased exponentially” (All quotes are from the Superintendent.)

Issue #8: There is a constant shifting of reference points.  The BOE (with the exception of the two members who voted “No” on the budget) and the Administration seem to regularly shift reference points without providing clear explanation as to why one reference point is more relevant than another for the topic they’re discussing.

There should ALWAYS be justification for reference points, size of data set, type of data set, etc., as well as some clarification of any potential flaws in the statistical comparison being explained.

Issue #7: There is lack of consideration for all the motivations that make this program appear desirable. The BOE and the Administration state that the primary reason for implementing an all-day Kindergarten program is to better prepare students for the increased academic standards they will face as compared to students of the past. They should be commended for “taking the high road,” but in truth, don’t we need to consider that some of the parents might have other motivations for wanting all-day Kindergarten?

After 5 peaceful years, just when our trust was rebuilding, guess what happens?  The "Silver Era Scare Tactics" start up again!

Today, Elementary parents all received the following email from the school system:

Sent: Monday, February 8, 2010 1:30:37 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
Subject: Meeting tonight with the BOS/BOF

We were just notified that this evening's meeting may result in the BOS/BOF requesting the district revise our budget to 0%.  Community members, parents and staff are encouraged to come to the meeting to voice their thoughts.  The meeting will be held tonight, Monday, February 8th at 7:00 p.m. at the Douglas Library.  Thank you.

WRONG! This meeting was discussed verbally in advance and is clearly stated in the letters that went out to the BOE and RHAM Boards last week.  We posted those letters on Tuesday, February 2 on this site.  The Town posted notice of the meeting on Friday, February 5.

So imagine the attention-getting, but hoped for, panic with the opening line "we were just notified..."  At 1:30 p.m. on the day of the meeting, and at least a full week since the Board members (including the Superintendents in Marlborough and Andover) were notified?

What probably happened is that the D&S poll on Hebron residents wanting a 0% increase has grown to 109 out of 123 votes, or 88.6%.  If anything is driving the panicky email blasts, it's probably the research-driven analysis we're doing on the all-day versus half-day Kindergarten and its long-term effects and value.  And we haven't even "advertised" that the research is available!  It's spread by word of mouth!

Issue #6: There has been a misuse of commonly understood terminology. This becomes an issue during presentations when the audience hears a term such as “pilot” and thinks the board has implemented a process that is conventionally thought to have baselines, quantifiable measures, desired outcomes, checks, balances, and so, when in fact a “pilot” program practiced by the BOE bears little resemblance to such an undertaking.