I know that it is Friday and everyone is getting ready to enjoy their weekend, but can we get some feedback on how the board would prefer to proceed with a constructive way to communicate about the future of ECC?
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Matt Jones: Ms. Meyer: I would suggest coming to the next Board of Education meeting to hear a presentation about restructuring for next year.
Katie Ronk-Meyer: Will do! So to clarify & kind of sum up, the board will be making a vote on 1/12 concerning the future plans for ECC.
However, the board will not be providing any details of that plan to the public until the evening of the vote?
If I am misunderstanding, please advise.
Matt Jones: At the 1/12 Board meeting, there will be a presentation given to the public and staff on a strategic restructuring that could, if voted upon affirmatively, be implemented next school year.
************************************************ Members of the Public,
Good Friday afternoon. I appreciate everyone's interest and concern for the Early Childhood Center and the greater good of our entire District.
The Board of Education and Staff are diligently working toward a plan that we will recommend and vote on at the January 12, 2016, Board of Education meeting.
As you remember, last April despite a valiant effort, the voters did not accept a tax referendum increase.
We understand that and fully respect the decision by the voting public. We have made major transparent cuts the past few years which still allow us to provide an outstanding education for our children and a great extra-curricular program.
We have no intention of compromising those services. We are one of the few public district's that offer a full fledged Pre-K program.
Let me make one thing perfectly clear, that program will not be cut and will stay intact.
Due to declining enrollment and being good stewards of civil fiscal responsibility, we will be restructuring the location of the Early Childhood Center and many of our buildings.
This process will not cut programs and create a more effective, efficient operation of our school district.
This message will also be posted on XXXXXXXX, please sign up if you are not a member. I will continue to communicate with you between now and the Board of Education meeting and I believe you will be pleasantly surprised, always putting the best interest of our children first.
Respectfully,
Jim Greenwald Superintendent of Schools
Matt Jones: Thank you for this Mr Greenwald! We definitely do care about our students and our District as a whole for years to come!
Katie Ronk-Meyer: Thank you, Mr. Greenwald. It is nice to know that we all agree that ECC is wonderful and will stay intact.
Does the board plan on releasing any details of this plan before the January vote takes place?
Jim Greenwald: Yes Mr Jones that is why we take creative action that does not compromise the quality of education for our students. We are retaining and improving our program at ECC not abolishing it by any means.
Jim Greenwald: Katie let me say one of the biggest fears of the staff was a satellite program in various buildings. That will not take place.
Katie Ronk-Meyer: Wonderful news that ECC will stay intact.
How can we as parents, learn more about the future plans for ECC as they unfold?
Our goal is to keep communication lines open with board, and be knowledgeable before and after any vote takes place.
Brad Eavenson: All tough decisions Mr. Greenwald and I'm sure the administrative team is putting together a solid presentation for the Board to help them take the right path.
They physical plants are important but the programs inside are the main reasons schools exist.
If you can keep the program alive while saving money, it's a win/win. Good luck to all involved.
