Correcting Inaccuracies

My name is Aaron, vice-chair of the Croydon School Board, writing in response to the recent article regarding the Croydon School budget decision currently making waves. There were several inaccuracies in this article, which some parents have been spreading both locally and in various news outlets.

The school board is proposing major changes to our educational model in order to meet a highly reduced budget forced through by local taxpayers, but lower cost does not necessarily mean lower quality. In fact, it might prove to be better.

In K-4, we would not be laying off all teachers. We currently have 2 teachers and 2 assistants. Under the new model, we would retain 1 teacher and bring in 3 instructors hired by Prenda, whom the NH Department of Education currently has a contract with. They use a mastery approach that is self-paced but also incorporates group activities and project-based learning that better emulates the real-world.

In grades 5-12, choice is not being eliminated, but expanded. Instead of choosing between a handful of failing public schools, parents would be able to choose between 40+ different types of curricula to find the one that best matches their child's learning style. Instruction would be provided by certified teachers at fully accredited schools. Although these schools would be online, the actual learning would happen in a physical location along with other children and facilitated by an in-person coach. The in-person experience (used in addition to the online curriculum) would be provided by Kai Learning, who recently signed a contract with the NH Department of Education.

Local private schools such as Newport Montessori and Mount Royal would still be fully covered by the $9,000 tuition cap.

Regarding Newport High School, it's worth mentioning they are one of the worst rated schools in the entire state (see NH Dept of Education data and US News and World Report). We reached out to the Newport Superintendent about negotiating better rates, to which he expressed complete unwillingness to negotiate. Other local schools are not much better on performance, with the exception of Sunapee, which is very selective with which of our students they accept.

Regarding welding and other trade programs, this would still be available to children and could be provided under the $9,000 tuition cap. This is offered by the Sugar River Valley Regional Technical Center, not Newport High.

Finally, since online tools are being employed in this model, it's worth noting that screen time would be limited to 30 minutes for K-2, 90 minutes for grades 3-4, and 2-3 hours for grades 5-12. This is not "COVID-style" remote learning with 6+ hours of screen time every day.

The school board has not "magically found a way" to do what we've been doing, but for half the price, as suggested by some of our local parents. We have spent countless hours researching options, meeting with various educational providers, and poring through financial models. We have not found a way to do what we've been doing because what we've been doing provides a poor education to our children at a price that is unacceptable to taxpayers.

The model we have come up with is well-researched, already being successfully used elsewhere, and would allow all our children to have 100% custom-tailored educational experiences, while still maintaining socialization and enrichment. Paying $23,000 per child for a poor education is unacceptable, and more money is not always the solution. It's time we make use of current innovations in education and deliver what our children truly deserve.

Don’t undo Croydon vote

The following Letter to the Editor appeared in the Union Leader  

Don’t undo Croydon vote

To the Editor: As the May 7th Croydon budget do-over vote approaches, it is important for residents to understand what is at stake and how to make their wishes count. Two bits of misinformation have come out lately that must be addressed so that people can make informed choices.

One writer suggests that raising the budget from $800,000 to $1,700,000 will cost a typical homeowner between $100 and $200 per year. This is far lower than reality. On a $300,000 home, the increase is over $2,100 per year.

Another writer suggests that all voters, regardless of their position on the increase, should attend the meeting to make their voices heard. This is a trick. This meeting does not operate in the usual manner, where the majority of votes wins. Since this is a do-over meeting, no vote may take place unless 283 or more voters attend. Attending the meeting to vote against the increase actually helps to pass the increase by helping to reach quorum. Don’t fall for it.

If you support the tax increase, attend the meeting and vote yes. If you oppose the increase, do not attend the meeting at all. In either case, understand the consequences of this vote — the tax increase is much higher than advertised.

JIM PESCHKE

Croydon

It's a Spending Problem

 

Information about Micro Schools

This link will take you to information about micro schools.   Click here. 

Make an informed decision.  This is a David and Goliath moment,  possibly a life changing moment for education in America.   In America?  Yes, look how much money and time the NH NEA and NH AFT are putting into supporting the 1.75 million budget on May 7th. 

Stay home or do not pull a ballot on May 7th.  

Cathy Peschke 

Good Luck on May 7th - Enjoy the nice weather at home

Good luck to all sides on the 7th. 

The total number of BALLOTS must reach 283 for the vote to be legal. 

Those in favor of the 1.7 million budget need your ‘no’ vote to make their ‘yes’ votes count. 

So the ONLY way to vote against the $900,000 increase is to NOT cast a vote on May 7th. 

Please don't let intimidation be a factor in voting on Saturday, it will only encourage more of it in the future. It is your money, it is not greedy to want to keep your own money and expect the school district to be more fiscally responsible with taxpayer dollars. 

Cathy Peschke 

“• As society rapidly changes, individuals will have to be able to function comfortably in a world that is always in flux. Knowledge will continue to increase at a dizzying rate. This means that a content-based curriculum, with a set body of information to be imparted to students, is entirely inappropriate as a means of preparing children for their adult roles.” 
― John Taylor Gatto, Dumbing Us Down: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling

Correcting Some "Facts" Again

Jim's responses in red to Chris  Prost's Letter to the Editor.  

Second chance for Croydon voters

I’m a Croydon resident and I’ve read bold claims about what has happened here. Over 100 registered voters of our town have petitioned the school board to hold a special school district meeting to reconsider the massive budget cut that was passed. We’ve been called “sore losers” and “crybabies” by some who claim this is part of an illegal plot to change the vote. In fact, we have followed the processes in RSA 197 to petition for this meeting.

Nobody that I’m aware of claimed the do-over vote, or the methods used to obtain it, were illegal.

Only 34 voters participated in the budget vote at the original school district meeting.

According to historical records, this turnout was typical, not low as often claimed.

 We’ve been told that those who didn’t show up that day brought this budget cut upon themselves. They weren’t engaged, and now they have to face the consequences.

Apparently not, since you’ve managed to obtain a re-vote.

The special school district meeting is a new opportunity for the town’s residents to weigh in. Per the RSA, we need 50% of registered voters to participate, and that’s a good thing. It will provide a truer picture of the townspeople’s thoughts on this budget that will dramatically alter education in our town.

Insincere, to put it mildly.  This meeting isn’t about finding out what townspeople think.  It’s about trying to overturn the March 12^th vote.

Would this revote have happened if the same 34 people voted against the budget cut?  Would you have collected 100+ signatures for a do-over vote just to “provide a truer picture of the townspeople’s thoughts”?

Opponents attempting to express their thoughts at board meetings since the town hall were berated, ridiculed, and often silenced by the same people who organized the petition.  That doesn’t sound like they want to know what others think.

However, many who favor the budget cut have decided not to attend the meeting and are telling other residents to stay home — including in letters printed in the Valley News. These are some of the same people who say residents brought this on themselves by not showing up to the first meeting.

The two meetings operate under different rules, and for good reason.  You know this, but would like to trick opponents into helping you reach the quorum of 283 attendees necessary for any vote to take place.

There is no reason for any opponent of the 113% budget increase to attend the meeting.  The way to vote “no” is to stay home.

You can’t have it both ways. Being engaged means voicing your opinion when the opportunity arises. I’m asking all Croydon residents to attend the special school district meeting at 9 a.m. on May 7 at Camp Coniston to make their voices heard.

And I’m asking all Croydon residents who don’t want a $900,000 increase in their property taxes to stay home.  If you attend and plan to vote “no”, you will inadvertently help to pass the tax increase by bringing attendance closer to the needed quorum.

Attending the meeting helps pass the tax increase, no matter how you vote!  They’re trying to trick you.

These people don’t care what you think.  They just want you to show up so they can reach the quorum.

The best way to defeat the tax hike is to STAY HOME on May 7^th.

“I don’t think we’ll get rid of schools any time soon, certainly not in my lifetime, but if we’re going to change what’s rapidly becoming a disaster of ignorance, we need to realize that the institution “schools” very well, but it does not “educate”; that’s inherent in the design of the thing. It’s not the fault of bad teachers or too little money spent. It’s just impossible for education and schooling to be the same thing.” 
― John Taylor Gatto

Stop the Bullying

I really hope someone records the voter intimidation that is happening around town. The best way to counter the bullying is to not show up. If the other side has a valid case people will show up, without the bullying.   Caving to the bullying will only encourage more of this behavior in the future. 

Cathy Peschke

Much Needed Budget Adjustment

 This letter (italicized for clarity) from Delia Leslie appeared in the Concord Monitor on 5/3. My comments in red.

Jim Peschke 

As a Croydon student, I think this new school budget is insane. It isn’t enough to provide a beneficial learning environment,

Newport Montessori and Mount Royal Academy might disagree.

keep a public school operating,

That is a reflection of public school inefficiency, not need.

or pay for other schools’ tuition. The school board has suggested “micro schools,” small groups of students monitored by a guide while taking courses online. The COVID-19 lockdowns and closings of schools in 2020 proved that this wouldn’t work well.

Invalid comparison. Microschools are on-site, in-person learning aided by the Internet. COVID lockdowns were remote learning. Big difference.

Most students just can’t learn like that,

Why not? If true, this should be addressed, as it is a failing of education.

and others who can, don’t enjoy it at all.

Going to school isn’t a particularly enjoyable experience for many students.

Part of being on the school board is making decisions in students’ best interests.

A bigger part is making decisions in the townspeople’s best interests.

Responsibility for the welfare of minors rests with their parents. Lower taxes empower parents to serve their children better.

This obviously doesn’t benefit students. The budget-cut and school closing would only benefit the Free State project’s goal of minimizing government.

The board had nothing to do with the decision to amend the budget. This is classic “shooting the messenger”. The board made many attempts to obtain public input on how to address the amended budget, but the angry mob would have none of it.

The board’s role is to make the best of the available budget. They did the best they could, with no help from people upset with the situation.

Decreasing education is a step in that direction.

This change does not “decrease” education. It only decreases the cost.

Students today will be running the country in a few decades; how can we be expected to do that if we’re uneducated and inexperienced?

The real leaders of tomorrow aren’t making excuses. They are busily building themselves up to become great people. They aren’t waiting for someone else to do it for them.

This issue affects everyone, so everyone should know about it. Education is one of the most valuable resources and should be provided for everyone in a way that helps students learn and understand. The school board needs to do what is best for students instead of focusing on personal gains.

In what way did the school board “focus on personal gains”? The board implored the public for input as to how to best operate, and was met with jeers, rude interruptions, and demands for targeted members to step down. What more could they have done?

Since they failed to do that, there is another town meeting.

No. There is another town meeting because some residents are unwilling to accept the legal and binding vote that occurred on March 12th. The board’s actions had nothing to do with the citizen petition for the do-over meeting.

Saturday, May 7th a meeting will be held at Camp Coniston at 9 a.m. If 283 Croydon citizens (50%t of registered voters) come and re-vote, this unrealistic budget could be changed.

Which is why people should skip the May 7th meeting and leave the amended budget intact.

“School is a twelve-year jail sentence where bad habits are the only curriculum truly learned. I teach school and win awards doing it. I should know.” 
― John Taylor Gatto, Dumbing Us Down: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling

Effort and Greed

I have been amazed at how much time, effort, and money the Stand Up For Croydon Students crowd has  put into trying to pilfer more money from their neighbors though higher taxation.    Can you imagine if such effort went into helping the school board reach that $800,000 budget?    

$22,000 per student is greedy. 

$10,000 per student is generous. 

If you agree with the $800,000 budget, stay home May 7.  

Cathy Peschke 

“Independent study, community service, adventures and experience, large doses of privacy and solitude, a thousand different apprenticeships — the one-day variety or longer — these are all powerful, cheap, and effective ways to start a real reform of schooling. But no large-scale reform is ever going to work to repair our damaged children and our damaged society until we force open the idea of “school” to include family as the main engine of education. If we use schooling to break children away from parents — and make no mistake, that has been the central function of schools since John Cotton announced it as the purpose of the Bay Colony schools in 1650 and Horace Mann announced it as the purpose of Massachusetts schools in 1850 — we’re going to continue to have the horror show we have right now.” 
― John Taylor Gatto, Dumbing Us Down: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling