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Dr. David Hopson |
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November 13 , 2006 I hope everyone is able to reflect on his or her blessings as we celebrate Thanksgiving next week. Given the state of the world, the school shootings this fall, and the uncertainty inherent in lives that are ever-changing, it is important to remember the good things in life—family, friends, and community being just a few of those items. As I face the constant barrage of problems that arise in any school district—budgetary constraints, maintenance issues, MCAS performance and concerns from staff members, students, and parents being just a few examples—it is important to remember the positives. I continue to believe that Gateway has an abundance of these including a great staff, supportive parents, talented volunteers, positive students, stable communities, wonderful facilities, and a willingness to make student needs a priority. Taken together, these items far outweigh the negatives and provide assurances that the district will continue to evolve in a positive manner. As I reflect back on the past 12 months in terms of academic, athletic, extra-curricular, enhancement, and enrichment activities, I see a district that continues to try and foster growth in the whole child. I’m grateful that our communities support the whole child approach and I believe we see the results in terms of positive staff/student interactions, good citizenship (in the schools, in our many athletic endeavors, and in our student volunteer work), and in the well-balanced endeavors of our graduates. As we move forward with exploring an extended day/year option for our district, I’m hopeful that we’ll be looking at how we can add back or even extend options for our students that go beyond academics and address the many facets of being a productive and well-rounded citizen. With a newly elected governor and a fall campaign for state offices featuring campaign promises for additional support for public schools, I am hopeful that Gateway will see an increase in state aid for education. While we have certainly lost state aid as a result of a decrease in student numbers, this doesn’t tell the whole story. The amount of funding per student has also decreased and state support has become a smaller and smaller percentage of the district budget. We continue to move forward in meeting the needs of all students within the confines of MCAS testing, but the disparity between what the state says education should cost and the real cost of educating children continues to widen. With a district that historically spends less per child than many other regional districts, we are facing ever-increasing difficulties in meeting our students’ needs within the confines of a budget that is acceptable to our communities. I’ll take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported public education. I’d also ask that in addition to the items in your life that you’re thankful for, that you join me this Thanksgiving in being appreciative of the many positive items that we have in our district schools, the opportunities that lie before us, and the ability to live in such a wonderful area.
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