It is no surprise that the Pioneer Valley Regional School District is experiencing an array of challenges that are significantly impacting our students, teachers and its surrounding community. There are extreme concerns as the district is facing significant budget cuts, is in the midst of a superintendent search and continues to experience declining enrollment and more students opting out due to school choice.
The school committee is our governing board and is tasked with the responsibility to make decisions which directly impact the overall functioning of the schools and most importantly, the education being provided to our children. During the course of my attendance at the school committee meetings, I observe some members of the committee to have the lack of knowledge in governance of the board, lack of formal knowledge in education as it is outlined by the commonwealth and personal bias playing into decisions being made.
I am often leaving school committee meetings perplexed and disheartened that concrete solutions are not being provided to address the overwhelming concerns which impact our district, and that community members inquiries of the committee are not being acknowledged. At a time where solid decision-making is critical to improving the overall state of the district, I ask each committee member to take a moment and truly self-reflect, and ask themselves, what is their motive for being seated as a member of the school committee and what qualifications does each hold in order to be at that decision-making table.
As some election terms are nearing the end, and the thought of re-election may be in the minds of some, I ask that you consider if you are the most qualified to hold that position, and if not, allow those whose credentials, motives and knowledge to come to the table to ensure that our district is in the hands of those that can promote positive change, order and overall ensure that the educational future of our children will no longer be sacrificed.
Kristen Gonzalez
Northfield