RE: Checks on School Spending

Mr. Parsons' "Checks on School Spending", represents more emotion than fact.  The elected board of trustees ultimately decide the budget and spending patterns of the school districts.  In a healthy environment, these decisions are made in a collaborative manner with the administration, staff and educational community.

Mr. Parsons links the amount of money to quality education.  It is interesting to note that some low wealth districts perform well academically, while some high wealth districts perform poorly.  Clearly, there are other factors such as leadership, community collaboration, and accountability that impact the quality of education as well.

Mr. Parsons is mistaken regarding the reasons why there may be fewer applicants for teaching positions versus administrative positions.  It is not salary or benifits that primarily drive the number of applicants for a particular position.  In fact, working conditions and respect tend to be motivating factors.  It is correct that it is very difficult to recruit and retain quality teachers and administrators in certain regions of the state.  There is a shortage of teachers and administrators that contribute to this factor.  This shortage has created in part, a human resources crisis that has yet to be fully realized from a state policy perspective.

Mr. Parsons' teaching environment is unacceptable.  A clean safe and confortable learning environment enhances quality education.  Mr. Parsons should not have to teach and his students should not have to learn in a poor learning environment.  This condition does not exist, however, due to a disparity of funds between the administration and staff.  It is simply an issue related to prioritization of resources.  Unfortunately, the condition of the learning environment receives a low priority.  If we are serious about quality education, this condition and practice needs to change.