| Subject: Re: Non-resident students in Dracut |
Author:
Dennis
|
[
Next Thread |
Previous Thread |
Next Message |
Previous Message
]
Date Posted: 07:23:18 01/15/04 Thu
In reply to:
Rick
's message, "Non-resident students in Dracut" on 15:03:03 01/14/04 Wed
A similar situation came up while I served on the School Committee. At the time, Dr. Daoulas was not terribly excited about the fact that some of our students came from across the state line and from the city. It was as if each student was a unit of revenue -- the more the merrier! Of course we as taxpayers thought differently. Although, at the time, the School Committee expressed a policy directive that we shouldn't accept non-resident students, we didn't do what Chelmsford just did, which was to put its money where its mouth is. So to that extent, I think they are to be congratulated.
On the other hand, in this day and age, family situations can be complicated. Dual custody, grandparents stepping in as parents, etc. can all complicate the question, "Where does the child live?"
Also, and this is not to disagree with what Chelsmford did. It's the fair thing to do, having everybody play by the same set of rules. But that $35,000 savings is non-existent, at least in the short run. It's the old "average cost fallacy." Sure, there are lots of costs assosiated with a school system with several thousand students, but many costs are fixed, and sunk, and spread out over the student population. The direct/incremental/marginal cost savings will be minimal.
Does removing five students -- spread out over grades and schools -- do any of the following?
Reduce capital costs for buildings already built?
Reduce the superintendent's salary? Or reduce his/her staff and costs?
Reduce the requirement for building maintenance and cleaning?
Drop any buses off any routes?
Reduce the number of principals and assistant principals?
Does it even effect the teaching staff? Do you staff a classroom with 22 students differently than a classroom with 21 students?
Will there be some direct savings for textbooks and other individual supply itmes? Yes, if you believe the procurement system is that precise. Unless there is some SPED requirement for transportation or tuition, the savings per student (in the short term) is more like in the hundreds than what is implied in the quote, which is $7,000 per student.
[
Next Thread |
Previous Thread |
Next Message |
Previous Message
]
| |
Feedback: 