As member of a 7-12 New Jersey school board, decades ago, we faced a similar impasse between school board and community. At the time, as a research scientist (now retired), I tried to distill down the fundamentals of the conflicting issues: providing quality education versus fiscal realities. In order to reach an equitable balance, I boiled it down to two simple but related questions, which I would like to share.
What business are you really in? And, are you clearly distinguishing between needs and wants?
Applied to the present Cape Henlopen School District situation, in my view, the fundamental business is basic education; providing the highest-quality instruction in the basics of intellectual development; communication skills in English, mathematics, history and science. This quality is not predicated on the facilities, but on the skills and dedication of the teaching staff, provided with the right tools to deliver it. Money is well spent on selecting and retaining the best teachers, with support from an administration focused on high academic achievement and meritocracy in the basics, rather than catering to the whims, fads and mediocrity of society.
I was disappointed to read the implicit threat: "The last thing we want to do is start placing modular classrooms in the lawn on Kings Highway, but that's the next step here." I cannot believe that all possible alternatives have been objectively explored. Quality education is not dependent on where it is taught, but on what is taught and by whom. The business of CHSD is education. CHSD does not need to be in the transportation business, e.g., a transportation facility. Contractors are available in the private sector at competitive rates on a pay-as-you go basis. Capital funding should go to classrooms rather than garages, plush offices and swimming pools.
CHSD also does not need to be in the recreation business, e.g., natatorium. Even though abandoned between the first and second rounds, that proposal effectively poisoned public opinion before the second vote. This leads to the second question: distinguishing between needs and wants. Classrooms are what was needed, and should be prioritized for capital expenditures. Modular offices for district staff in the high school parking lot may be preferable to modular classrooms in the lawn. A bus maintenance and parking facility, and a new district office with spacious offices for non-productive administrators are wants, not necessarily needs.
A spring referendum may be necessary, but it should be focused on needs, clearly explained and justified with accurate data. With state funding obviously at zero, CHSD would do well to explore all alternative paths to satisfy the needs of the district, and the willingness of the voters to pay for them, before veering off into the wants of the administration. Respectfully submitted for consideration and rebuttal.
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