Fallsnewspress.com - Letter: Says clarification needed on figures

As a member of the Cuyahoga Falls Board of Education, I would like to respond to the Letter to the Editor titled "Defends reconfiguration proposal" (Feb. 15 Falls News-Press, Page 9). Clarification is needed regarding the percentage of open-enrolled students attending Silver Lake Elementary. Currently, 253 students attend Silver Lake, and 62 students are "intra" district open-enrolled, meaning these students are residents of the Cuyahoga Falls City School District, not from cities outside our district. "Inter" district open enrollment consists of 57 students from other districts outside Cuyahoga Falls. Therefore, the "inter" district open enrollment at Silver Lake is 23 percent, not 47 percent as claimed by the author.

An easy way to remember the difference between the two is: you travel on an intra-state highway between cities in the same state and travel on an inter-state highway when traveling a highway between cities in different states.

The Silver Lake Elementary's afternoon kindergarten does have a class size of 15, but the author failed to mention that the ratio of students to teachers, by my calculations, ranges from 20.9 at Preston Elementary School to 25.7 at Roberts Middle School. Bolich Middle School is at 21.03, Silver Lake is at 21.08 and Lincoln Elementary is at 23.1. Class size/ratios overall appear to be pretty balanced and never will all class sizes be perfectly balanced due to the fluctuation of our communities' populations.

The entire district and our communities face "burdensome expenses," not just one school. Going forward, tough decisions will need to be made by all, but these decisions need to be weighed with correct information.

Curt Grimes

Silver Lake

6.	Posted by Dr.Love February 24, 2009
	Calm down Jenna. You are at Falls News Press dot com. One of the amazing things about the United States of America is that we all have freedom of speech. You've been posting here yet no one is calling it Jenna.com or Spamilton.com. Who's got the vendetta? Kellie who has written very plainly where our money goes, or you who keep wanting to shut her up? Why aren't you answering the questions posed? I'm curious what do you think about about a kid having learning problems in a class of 27 when he could be in a class of 17? And some else asked if you like spending local dollars on Akron kids?

5.	Posted by Lori February 23, 2009
	Jenna, Wow, looks like someone hit a nerve. Maybe you should re-read my comments. I did not bully anyone, nor do I have a vendetta, as you say. I'm pretty sure I can say the same for Molly, from what I have read. And I am curious, why when Kelly posts facts is it considered trying to own this site, a vendetta, or a bully pulpit, but when Mr. Grimes or anyone else for that matter comments you say nothing. Why do you automatically assume that his 'corrections' are the truth? Methinks you and spamilton are the ones who have issues with people who don't agree with you. Personally, I would like to know the facts, and if that means Kellie has to be on here everyday to make sure people get that information, then hurray for her, and us too. Which leads back to the original point of why we will be voting for Kellie again this fall. Let's hear it for conscience, transparency, and accountability!

3.	Posted by Kellie Patterson February 23, 2009
	Silver Lake is 47% open enrolled students no matter how you try to break it down. Its district population CANNOT support itself. Curt forgot to tell you that those open enrolled CF kids at SL still cost thousands more per pupil than they do at their home school. He also misled you on average class sizes. SL avg class size is 20, the lowest in the entire district. Lincoln is 23. While this doesn't appear on the face to be that dramatic, you must realize these are averages. Lincoln has class rooms with 27 pupils. Couple that with building test scores and it is plain to see the advantage we afford these chosen few. Who is it again that has the lowest class sizes, the most money spent and scores excellent on the district report card? For those of you not paying attention, that would be Silver Lake. And never say never."never will all class sizes be perfectly balanced due to the fluctuation of our communities' populations." Our class sizes wouldn't be low in one building and so high in another if we were grade level configured. They would all be at 20 pupils per class. And cost less. You can't have parity in class size when you have 13 kindergarteners at one building and 25 at another. And please quote me correctly, I said the "OVERLY burdonsome expenses" in SL should not be the tax payers in Cuyahoga Falls problem.

2.	Posted by rwblack February 22, 2009
	Mr. Grimes, Thank you for clarifying the numbers in regards to the open enrollment numbers at Silver Lake and within the Cuyahoga Falls School system. Being that I am relatively new to Cuyahoga Falls, I am mostly concerned with overall fiscal responsibility of all of our governmental bodies. The financial landscape within this country is changing drastically and our government will have to change with it. Taxpayers today can no longer shoulder the increasing tax burden, especially those workers who have been laid off and might have to accept work for less than what they were making. This is without factoring in a possible period of deflation this will result in less business revenue and lower salaries " thus lower taxes being paid. Since this district has not made the coveted excellent rating. What I ask of this school board is - instead of attacking a member they might disagree with - what progressive, forward-thinking plans are you bringing to the table? From talking to some people who are actively involved in the school system or PTA, I have heard rumblings of new tax levies. Yet, instead of any cost cutting measures being implemented before asking for more money, this school district continues to spend like there is no end to the money rolling in. In my job, I have to show results to keep it. The problem with governmental bodies is they don't have to show results so much and that breeds complacency and laziness. Instead of choosing sides. I would call on all of the people of the Falls School District, no matter where they live, to get involved for the greater good and health of this district. It would be better for home values, something I am selfishly interested in. Another reason is, from where I am viewing, it doesn't look like ANY of these board members are qualified to run this district without some serious help and oversight. Thank you, Rick Black

1.	Posted by sphamilton01 February 22, 2009
	Curt, Thanks for your letter helping shed light onto the numbers. I am sure that you will gain the disdain of the small handful of people who support the other board member (who is in the minority) because your information doesn't match their agenda. I am also confident that the truth will get out to the public about the entire landscape of what our schools face and it is not about one school but about all of the children across the entire district. Making responsible choices in this difficult environment will generate frustration but those choices still need to be made and I believe that the majority of our current board is well-equipped to make them. Thank you for your service as a board member. You joined the board during difficult times and had to help navigate through those times. I feel confident that you will help us over the next few years as we deal with an economy that makes us have to make difficult choices. I hope that you choose to run for re-election and will definitely support you in that quest. Keep up the good work!