Empty Pockets… Providing Quality Educational Services in Difficult Financial Times

 

Coventry Public Schools, like all school systems in Connecticut, has an important mission with many tagged questions in these times.  How do we develop a competent educated citizenry with an intellectual, social, emotional, and physical skill set that will serve them well? How do we weather not only this economic crisis, but also build solid infrastructures that will be necessary in the future for our educational systems?  Will public schools end up serving the equivalent of educational peanuts?  How do we deliver quality educational services while reducing costs?

 

These are similar questions that educators across America and within our Connecticut communities are asking. 

 

The Coventry Public School system has a long history of being fiscally conservative. For many years, educational decisions have reflected the requirement of needing to provide educational programs while limiting the cost demands on the local taxpayers.  Coventry residents reflect the high priority of wanting educational services provided for at minimal cost. 

 

Within our current “choice” and “free market” environment, Coventry Public Schools must not use local budget reductions to eliminate all quality school programs.  Parents have a right to demand instructional and supplemental practices that are essential and beneficial to their youngsters.  In this time, if educational programs are not adequate or sufficient, parents may choose to have their students attend schools elsewhere.

 

How can we do more with less and provide continually refined programs on lower and lower budgets?

 

Our Board, staff and administration work tirelessly to redesign programs and redeploy staff in order to maximize student achievement and develop young people such that they might be competent and competitive in this very challenging environment.  We are further developing private pay options, staff schedule and role modifications, facility and maintenance restructuring, and an enhanced use of technology. 

 

In addition, we are implementing the alignment of high school and middle school schedules, redeploying staff, and collaborating with outside agencies.   This school district has received exceptional recognition for its curriculum “on a shoe string” development capabilities. Our public outreach and creative implementation of a professional learning community, without additional resources is noteworthy.

 

Public school systems, like Coventry’s, face huge compliance and legal mandates. These ever-increasing requirements demand a level of service never before experienced in our enterprise.   Your schools are committed to serving this community to the very best of their abilities.  Indeed, these financial times are trying for every sector.  The reduced resources and program reductions in schools will be noticed for sure.  Please know that we will make these reduction decisions in the interest of our students given the situation at hand.

 

Coventry Public Schools staff members continue to be a leading force in restructuring expenditures and modifying the ways in which we use resources.  We continuously seek to gain further efficiencies given the emptiness of the pockets.

 

Best regards,

Donna

 

PS – Do you have questions or comments for the Superintendent?  The spring sessions of Donuts with Donna are scheduled for Tuesday, April 28 from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. at the Nathan Hale Homestead on South Street and Tuesday, May 19 from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. at Coventry Pediatrics, 1683 Boston Turnpike.