Dan Becker: a vision for what restructuring should accomplish

I think the vision statement is at best over simplifying the actual issues that the district is trying to address and resolve. The Board of Education must recognize that the community needs an actual long term plan. Not one that is put together year by year. Having said that, the plan does need to consider equity, excellence, and efficiency.

To begin with, equity of education has many different meanings to many different people. As the parent of a child who will be attending North High School in two years, I am concerned about the possibility of classes not being offered because of insufficient enrollment. However, I am hopeful that with the innovative academy program that will not be a concern. I put a priority on equality of education and feel we have not exhausted all the ideas to make sure that happens.

Excellence of education is also an ambiguous statement. Oshkosh has many excellent teachers. I know firsthand that excellent teachers can inspire students to do excellent work. Access to the latest technology, books, and equipment would be ideal. Realistically we need to be able to take what we have and make it work. This is currently being done by our excellent staff. I really don’t think the excellence of Oshkosh Schools is in question.

Efficiency is the crux of the issue. Can the district be run more efficiently? Yes it can. Does the idea of closing schools automatically make the district more efficient? No it doesn’t. To improve the efficiency of the district all areas need to addressed. The duplication of services and staff, efficient use of funds, implementation of technology, boundary changes, and the possible closing of buildings are all issues that need to be considered. While not my first choice, the closing of some buildings would seem to be inevitable.

The most important of the three is excellence. Without excellence, equity and efficiency have no meaning.