Current Events in Goffstown School District
This month, the School Board was pleased to learn that Goffstown High School received notification that the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) Commission on Public Secondary Schools has continued the School's accreditation. Accreditation is very important for our High School because students graduating from accredited schools have greater opportunities for college entrance than those from non-accredited schools. To maintain accreditation, schools must meet certain standards and guidelines at outlined by NEASC.
Specifically, the Commission commended GHS for its emphasis on writing throughout all disciplines, the inquiry and problem solving exhibited by the Science department, the school's practice of sustained silent reading during study halls, and the steps taken to minimize the impact of budget cuts on teaching and student learning. The Commission was particularly pleased to note our student's successes on the NECAP reading, writing and math.
However, the Commission did likewise take the opportunity to remind us that they need to be informed of any "substantive changes." This term includes but is not limited to elimination of fine arts and student activities, diminished maintenance of facilities, significantly decreased funding, cuts in staffing of administrators, teachers, guidance counselors, or support staff, and decreases in student services. These are all very real concerns for our District as we work through the present budget climate.
At our last meeting, the Board also did a preliminary review of our Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) matrix which is overseen by a Town-wide committee in an effort to predict and plan for major expenditures. Over the last several years, many major projects on the matrix have been delayed and we are therefore starting to see multiple repairs or replacements needing to be planned in the same year. These include items such as roofs, flooring and replacing aged oil tanks to name a few. It is with great care, concern and conservatism that we prepare this timetable. Final decisions on the CIP matrix will be made at our next meeting.
The School Board was also recently informed that all administrators in the Goffstown School District have voluntarily given up any salary increase for the 2011-2012 school year. In addition, the Board, along with the Dunbarton and New Boston Boards, has finalized contract negotiations with the Administration at the SAU. Among the contract details, it is noteworthy to recognize that all 5 SAU administrator's whose contracts were renewed, 2 of which have continuing contracts, voluntarily gave up raises.
The Goffstown School Board meets regularly on the first and third Monday of the month at 7 PM in the GHS Media Center. Members of the public are welcome and encouraged to attend.