[Mjhsteam] Not enough info given by Superintendent for meaningfulparent response

[McGuire, Michelle K]

Karen,
 
Extremely well put. What is crucial here is that the education and life experiences being provided to our children in the MSD be as high-quality and rigorous as possible. In the current economic climate, this will take considerable (and perhaps new-found) study, accountability, commitment, and creativity on the part of our district's teachers, administrators, staff, students, and parents. But, given the fact that we are a community built on a strong foundation of learning (i.e., the U of I), I can't imagine that this isn't possible.
 
Shelley McGuire (mom of Keith, Grace, and Emily)
 
P Please don't print this e-mail unless you really need to. 
=========================
Michelle (Shelley) McGuire, PhD
Associate Professor, Human Nutrition
School of Molecular Biosciences
Washington State University
Pullman, WA 99164

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From: mjhsteam-bounces at lists.fsr.com on behalf of Humes, Karen
Sent: Wed 4/1/2009 10:32 PM
To: Bob and Lisa Morris; Moscow Junior High School
Subject: [Mjhsteam] Not enough info given by Superintendent for meaningfulparent response


Lisa and all,

I do not usually do a reply all on such a large list, but perhaps others will want to join me in this response to the MSD Superintendent's "request for input" on the looming budget cuts.
 
Please put down my response this way:
There is not enough information on the form provided by the Superintendent for a parent to give thoughtful and meaningful input to this process.  
 
We all make financial decisions about reducing our spending based on the impacts of the cuts relative to the potential savings involved.  The form sent out gives neither of these for any of the 8 options.   For example, parents do not know what type of services are provided in the overtime accrued by district staff, what the potential savings would be from cutting it, or what the impacts are of not providing whatever services are provided via overtime.  The same could be said of the other 7 options.   
 
If the Superintendent is serious about wanting parent feedback (this form suggests she is not) - more info will have to be provided on relative cost savings vs. impacts for the eight options.
 
To you Lisa -THANK YOU for taking the time to collate these responses.  I know from experience that it is rather thankless to spend volunteer time on something that is not well-conceived by the professional administrator in charge - especially when that administrator is paid in excess of $100K/yr.  
 
For the sake of both our kids and our many terrific MSD teachers and staff, I hope parents will hold the district adminstration to a higher standard than is being demonstrated here.
 
Karen Humes

________________________________

From: mjhsteam-bounces at lists.fsr.com on behalf of Bob and Lisa Morris
Sent: Fri 3/27/2009 2:36 PM
To: Moscow Junior High School
Subject: [Mjhsteam] request for input from the superintendent
  

Dear MJHS parents,
 
Candis Donicht, our superintendent, is requesting input from parents concerning how best to make to upcoming budget reductions.  I've attached a form that she has sent to solicit your input.  Please fill out the form electronically and return it to me by Friday April 3.  I'll disassociate the information from your email.
 
Thanks for your response,
Lisa Morris
MJHS parent group
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