| Board of Ed. |
Message from the BOE President . . .
December 2011
“All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.”
- George Orwell, English author
Traditions can be wonderful. They link us with our past; connect us with our community and provide a firm foundation to face the future. However, some traditions like New York State’s school aid distribution formula are seriously out of sync with the realities of the 21st century. To continue using a convoluted, arbitrary and antiquated process to deliver education funding simply makes no sense. The excuse that “we’ve always done it that way” is a feeble argument. New York has no shortage of new mandates, programs and laws that have a direct impact on our students and communities. Yet the basic idea of equal distribution across the state seems to elude our political establishment. School districts are under constant pressure to improve student performance. We wouldn’t have it any other way. Our dedicated teachers, staff and administrators are continually developing innovative curricula and looking for ways to enhance the educational experience of our children. We are not satisfied with the status quo. We always try to do better. We should expect no less from our elected and appointed officials.
In the coming months, we will be preparing the budget for next year. As always, we will carefully balance the needs of the district with the financial realities we all face. Our community has a tradition of supporting education. Families, friends and neighbors understand the importance of learning. From classic regents programs, vocational and shared programs to Advanced Placement and college credit courses, we strive to provide a challenging, supportive environment where our students can grow and reach their full potential. We are committed to preparing our children for the future. The passion to do one’s personal best cannot be mandated. It comes from the heart. It’s up to each of us to nurture that spark. We are all stewards of the future and stewardship is a tradition in which we can all take pride.
On behalf of the board, thank you for your support. We look forward to serving you as we move forward in the coming year.
Michael L. Collins, President
WCS Board of Education
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