Misconceptions about public education
A two- part question and answer regarding an override

As part of an explanation about expenses and costs related to public education, Superintendent of School Michael Zapantis has submitted a two-part piece, which will be published in this issue of The Community Journal and will continue in next week's issue of The Journal.

The following bulleted items represent a brief overview of questions and answers raised by community members with respect to the school committees request for an operating override. A ballot vote is scheduled

for Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2007.

If you have additional questions please contact the superintendent of schools at (978) 827-1434 or e-mail: mzapantis@awrsd.org Why did you invest funds in the athletic field and track at

Oakmont? • Funded with recovered capital funds from Overlook Middle School Building Project. • Capital funds spent on needed capital projects. • Capital projects include those items valued at greater than $5,000 and are expected to last for more than one year. • Funds available one time only. • Use of these funds for this purpose supported by each town's Board of Selectmen. • Voters approved the use of the funds at ballot.

How are teachers qualified to teach?

• Must pass several state tests including special subject area test before allowed to teach. • State and federal law require teachers to be "highly qualified." • Teachers must have master's degree/graduate level courses within five years of teaching. • Teachers must be licensed every five years.

• Teachers must earn 150 hours of professional development

every five year to maintain licensure.

Why are co-curricular programs so important?

• A valuable component of a student's education. • Colleges grant financial aide are based on a students academics and co-curricular programs. • Co-Curricular programs drive students to achieve high academic standards.

• Students learn leadership skills, teams skills and responsibility.

Why Provide Bus Transportation?

• Regional transportation without a fee to parents that live beyond 1.5 miles from the school is required by statute. • The school district must provide a seat (regardless of whether students ride the bus) for every child that lives greater than 1.5 miles from the school they attend.