LETTER: Herald Needs To Correct Inaccuracies in Schools Story
Dear Editor:
The article entitled "Budget for School District Addresses Past Financial Deficiencies" by Robert Stewart that was in the April 18, 2014 issue of The Groton Herald contains a number of inaccurate statements. This concerns me very much as it leads people to think more negatively about the schools and doesn't paint a clear picture of what has been happening at the schools.
One paragraph states, "A total of eight teachers will be eliminated for fiscal 2015 with the bulk of them occurring at the elementary level". It goes on to say "two fifth grade teachers, one middle school teacher": fifth grade is part of the middle school so this statement should say three middle school teachers. This has more impact than two elementary teachers.
That same paragraph also says that for fiscal 2015 Elementary Foreign Language will be eliminated. This is wrong: that was eliminated 5 years ago when the schools couldn't get enough money.
That same paragraph also says that for fiscal 2015 Elementary Physical Education will be reduced from twice a week to once a week. This is also wrong. That change happened at least three years ago, again to try to cut the budget.
It is not acceptable for the paper to be including inaccurate facts in these articles about the schools (or the town) especially when it is so close to the time of town meeting and this may sway people's opinions. The Herald needs to correct these inaccuracies in this week's edition of the paper.
Respectfully,
Ginger Vollmar
490 Old Dunstable Rd.
Editor's Note. The story referred to in the letter "Budget for School District Addressed Past Financial Deficiencies" was based entirely on the document "Fiscal 2015 Budget Narrative" dated March 27, 2014 and prepared by the Groton-Dunstable Regional School District.
The list of teachers to be reduced in the fiscal 2015 budget is listed on page 6 of the narrative. It is true that the Fifth Grade is part of the middle school as a transitional grade.
On page 5 of the narrative under the section "Highlights of Reductions and Eliminations", one line states, "Elementary Foreign Language eliminated." This section also contains a statement, "Reduction in Elementary Physical Education from twice to once weekly."
