RAYMOND – This year, the Raymond School District created a Family Engagement Action Team (FEAT). Parents, administration and staff were represented on this team. The goal of the team was to develop a plan to include three year goals with one year action items. Their work was designed to improve our family/parent engagement strategies with a focus on four specific types of involvement/engagement. The teams work was guided by the National Network of Partnership Schools at John Hopkins University. With their focus on parenting, volunteering, learning at home and decision making, they have developed a three year plan.
Recently, I was invited to participate in an evening of reviewing the plan and providing feedback insight as their team work continues. Six 3-year goals were established: 1. Establish a comprehensive volunteer program for all schools. 2. Foster a welcoming environment in each school. 3. Promote community and school collaboration. 4. Assist families with parenting and child-rearing skills, understanding child and adolescent development. 5. Decision-making: Encourage parents as participants in school decisions and develop parents as representatives. 6. Learning at home: Involve families with their children on homework and other curriculum-related activities and decisions.
The one year action items under these goals were discussed at length. Those present all agreed that although the plan as a whole seems pretty heavy, enthusiastic participation by volunteers and family members working together the goals of FEAT would be achieved and the children of Raymond would receive the benefits. One of my favorite items was to “Encourage youth volunteerism in the community”, possibly by establishing a “Community Service Credit” program to graduate. I would like to say “Thank You Very Much” to all the FEAT team members for volunteering their time to bring such an exciting plan forward. Thank you Dr. Richards, for inviting me to participate in the review.
On the state level, the line has been drawn in the sand. Which side of the battle of philosophies are you on? One side would have the state run up a tab, spending what they want, and then worry about where the money to pay for it is coming from. On the other side, there are us that are looking at the existing revenues and say we must live within our means, holding the line on spending.
If you remember several months ago, I spoke of a comment on the House floor by a Democrat Leader when he said, “It makes sense to know how much you’re spending before you decide how much money to raise”. I’m sure your family budget isn’t run that way and the state shouldn’t either. Do you fill your shopping cart to the brim, and then at the check-out counter, try to figure out how to pay for what’s in it? I don’t think so. It seems like these past few weeks, the conferees questions are not spend or cut, but rather spend at the Houses high level, or spend at the Senates much higher level. The Republican philosophy is that we should first see how much revenue we have, without inflating the figures, and then adjust our spending accordingly to live within our means. Yes, cuts would be needed, but many we can live without. In the three years since the Democrats have had control of the two chambers, they have already increased the General Fund by nearly 24%. Who’s going to pay for it? You and me, the tax payer.
Two great statements just came out of the Republican leadership offices. Senate Minority Leader Peter Bragdon said, “Taxing families and businesses looking to lower their monthly mortgage payments is a slap in the face to those trying to make it through these difficult economic times. Instead of taxing people who are trying to hold the line with their own expenses, Governor Lynch and the big spenders in the House and Senate should learn from these families and businesses by holding the line on government spending”.
He went on to say, “While New Hampshire citizens and businesses are cutting back their expenses, the Concord big spenders are proposing a 7% increase in spending. This ‘Do as I say, not as I do’ attitude has got to stop”. House Republican Leader Sherm Packard said, “Governor Lynch has proposed a new and devastating tax proposal for New Hampshire. At a time when most budgets around the country have seen a reduction in spending, this Governor and his spending-into-oblivion party are looking under every rock and behind every door to raise money, and now they want to tax people who need the money most, our homeowners who have worked and saved hard. I once again call on Governor Lynch to examine specific reductions offered by Republicans in the proposed budget to get our financial house back in order”. I couldn’t have said it better, with the current General Fund budget for FY 2008/09, as adjusted by actions of the Governor and the Legislature, is $3.107B.the proposed General Fund budget for FY 2010/11, including the Liquor Commission (which was in the 2008/09 budget, but was moved off budget for 2010/11) is $3.327B, a 7.1% increase. That increase in spending is crazy.
The river workshop, “Your Water, Your Wallet, Your Watershed” was a great success with about 70 people coming, spending the whole day discussing the Lamprey River’s regional water issues, improving communications among the towns of the watershed, and rediscovering and defining it’s regional heritage. I think the three main concerns that we spoke about the most were: Lack of communications between the towns at a regional level. The inconsistency of environmental rules and regulations from town to town. And the old adage of not in my town, not interested in adjoining communities. I was happy to see that nine Raymond residents came and spent the day. Thank you to all that came out, those that did the presentations, and to the organizers. I think this is a first big step in aligning the towns of the watershed.
Although it was rainy, the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life was a good success. Eight teams participated in the relay, raising $6,600. It’s a shame that the rain kept a lot of people away. The Knights of Columbus had their “steak sub”trailer there. During the last lap, closing the event, Raymond’s own, Bagpiper Tammy Pratt, played a variety of pieces, including “Amazing Grace”. Tammy lost her mother, to cancer, a few years ago. A big “Thank You” to all that helped to make this event a success. A special “Thank You and Well Done” goes to Deborah Moran who chaired the event.
(Editor’s Note: NH State Representative Mike Kappler can be reached at l.mikekappler@comcast.net)
