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By Abi Wood
On May 7 the Board of Education held a Budget Hearing Presentation. This is the link to the presentation: http://www.galwaycsd.org/files/1319941/budget%20hearing%20presentation%20050712.pptm
One of the first points of the presentation was looking at the school’s “report card.” Looking at these numbers, although slightly confusing at first, can give you the real picture. With all but the sixth grade ELA test scores falling over the last four school years and similar figures in multiple subjects, the school can be graded academically. Looking for perfect scores is unrealistic, even aiming for an A is. But it is all too easy to compare previous figures with the most recent. And frankly, Galway isn’t on par. Our school is already failing to uphold the standards it has set for itself and the education of our students is getting progressively worse. Even the graduation rate has fallen over the past four years. Some may argue that a 2% decrease in the graduation rate is minimal, but when you consider the graduating class sizes which averages around 92, 2% is at least two students.
Some of our most successful programs, such as Spanish which boasts a 100% pass rate on the Regents (although that test was cut from the state budget starting this year), are being significantly cut this year. The school cannot afford to lose more of its teachers or programs.
Jeremy Kitchen, a junior at Galway High School, said, “What we need matters more than what they want (lower taxes).”
An anonymous community member added, “The Board and GTA pretend to ‘meet the individual needs of all students’ and create a ‘culture of excellence.’ This budget – and the mentality required to make it a reality – prove that in the Galway School District, low taxes and high teacher salaries are more important that students’ success.”
What are your views on the report card and the district?
anonymous • May 11, 2012 at 6:09 pm
The budget that will be put forth to vote for GCSD fails the students and community on many levels. It is yet another stop-gap measure to placate the public until next May. Where is the long-term planning for the district? Where is the message that these students are valuable enough to put forth a budget allowing bigger and better educational opportunities? Why are we being told how wonderful it is that we were able to “save” some of the classes? Many members of the public voiced their opinion that they are willing to pay higher taxes for a higher quality education for the children of Galway. Many rising seniors are turning to community college to be able to take the classes that will allow them to be competitive when they are ready to apply to college – those students seem to be better at long-range planning for their future than the BOE and superintendent.
Public schools are supposed to educate the children – sports are extras, extra-curriculars are extras, and although extras do provide wonderful opportunities to students, they should not be included in a budget which cuts into the academic offerings.
How ironic that Ballston Spa Ranked on U.S. News’ Best High Schools List. “Nationally, the school was ranked as 1,151st, or in the top 5%, of 22,000 high schools across the country, and was awarded the silver award for both student success and the school’s focus on college and career readiness. In 2010 and 2011, Ballston Spa High School was ranked by both Newsweek and The Washington Post respectively, and is now recognized by U.S. News for the first time this year based on student achievement results from the ELA and Math State assessments and the Advanced Placement (AP) examinations.”
Here in Galway, our test scores are declining, strongest students leaving for private school or homeschooling, and our children are being left in the dust. Certainly we won’t be winning any silver award for student success and the district focus on college and career readiness. Quite the opposite – it’s shameful.