Letter to the Patrons of the White River Valley School District

Tuesday, May 6th will be a pivotal day in the history of our school district. You, as voters, will guide the decisions that need to be made regarding our school district's lay-out, our programs for students, and the directions that our Board of Education will need to take in order for our district to stay open and financially solvent. These schools are your schools, and you are being given an opportunity to make a direct statement about the present configuration. The first and only public question on the ballot will be the school funding referendum.

Over the course of the last four months, I have had the privilege of meeting and speaking directly to many of the over four thousand registered voters in our school district. We've held public meetings and forums; we've had impromptu meetings and meals with patrons; we've walked door-to-door; and we've put in many hours trying to educate the patrons. School funding is complicated and confusing. I would like to thank those who have had great relevant discussions regarding the health of our school district. I would also like to thank the many pro-public education folks who have put in many hours working with me. No doubt about it, people in this part of Greene County take great pride in their schools. To those who oppose our viewpoint, while I disagree with your twisting of the numbers, I do thank you for being able to have civil discussions regarding our issues.

You learn a great deal about communities and about the problems of communities when you take the time to listen. There are many good solid folks still upset about the 1991 consolidation. I can't imagine what it will be like if we have to merge again, especially with the intense rivalries on both sides of us, and the knowledge that none of our communities are likely to get much representation or input. Local control is a huge issue in this election. There are also many folks upset about inequities between spending in the past between our elementary schools. All I can say is that a School Board is only as good as the information they receive from the superintendent. I wasn't here at the time and neither were a couple of the current Board Members. We have published a tremendous list of building needs at all three schools. Tuesday is an opportunity for everyone to come together in support of our future! A YES vote victory will give the means to solidify the district for years to come despite what happens at the state level. This is the epitome of Local Control.

I am proud of the work being done by our students and staff. We have two state-rated A elementary schools and an A rated school district. We are doing quality work, while cutting over 2.2 million dollars over the course of the last five years, $750,000 over the last twelve months. We are, however, at the point where we are taking away programs that are needed to make our kids competitive. We might be the only high school in Indiana without an honors program; other schools are 1:1 with technology--utilizing ipads or laptops to keep curriculum current and relevant; it is a question of cost. Good quality educational programming takes money...whether it's for vocational or for college bound. Operating three buildings takes money. (And bringing them all to Switz City will require another referendum because you can't build anything over 2 million dollars without a public vote.) Because of the lack of state support since 2008 and decreasing enrollment, money that should be used for repairs is going toward keeping us afloat. We simply cannot continue without local support.

Whether or not you agree or disagree, I ask you to vote on Tuesday, May 6th. The questions raised are way too important for you not to be involved in the process. Thank you for your consideration of a YES vote on May 6th.

Bob Hacker

Superintendent--White River Valley Schools