[CCHS] Parents Assn meeting

[Art Dulong]

Dear parents,
	I have attached a letter to all. For those who can not open such
attachments it is pasted below. 

Arthur Dulong
Principal, Concord-Carlisle HS
adulong at colonial.net
(978) 318 - 1417  x106




CCHS is at a crossroads this spring. For decades the school has provided
extraordinary programs and opportunities to students. The quality of our
graduates speaks volumes about the effectiveness of the programs. This has
been possible for several reasons. First, the students who attend CCHS are
wonderful young people who come from homes where they are loved and
nurtured. They come to us with a thirst for knowledge and a desire to be
successful. Second, the teachers who work at CCHS are intelligent,
sensitive, and caring professionals who inspire students to explore, to
create, and to excel. Third, the community as a whole has valued education
and has manifested that value with appropriate funding. The quality of the
youth we see is not changing and will not change, because the community
and family structure are essentially sound. The quality of the
professional staff will not diminish because those who are here are
completely committed and we are still attracting the best candidates to
fill openings. The reference to the crossroads is that the appropriate
funding may be in jeopardy even thought the community value for education
may not change.

This spring voters will debate the merits of appropriately funding the
education system and CCHS in particular. Just this week I saw a Journal
letter reference to a “bloated” budget. The budget problems are not the
result of bloating. In fact, we have been cutting each year I have been
here. I cannot speak to before that time. The budget problems are directly
related to massive reductions in state transportation support, state
special education support, and Chapter 70, general education support. What
has not been reduced has been level funded in the face of escalating
costs. 

There are no new programs. The few course additions or changes are either
grant funded or at the expense of another course. Secretarial, custodial,
and maintenance staff have been reduced. Supplies, materials, and textbook
accounts have been reduced more than 20%. This year's reductions, without
appropriate support from the community, will include administrators,
teachers, and programs. Some of the programs are encompassed within the
school day. Most of the programs are after school co-curricular and
sports. No question, the essential richness of the CCHS education is at
stake. I ask, no plead, that the citizens become familiar with the issues.
Attend Monday’s Parent Association meeting. Brenda Finn and I are
scheduled to be there to discuss and clarify the budget.


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