Letter to the Editor: Success stories abound in Somerset-Berkley school district

As a candidate the re-election to the Somerset-Berkley Regional School Committee I have spoken of the many successes which have occurred during my eight years as chair of the regional school committee: establishing a new regional school district, constructing a new high school and establishing a strong collegial relationship with public officials in both Somerset and Berkley. I have also spoken of the many exciting new initiatives we are undertaking to serve all of our students -- those who are high achieving and those who are struggling.

I would prefer to continue with a positive message and ignore the negativity expressed by my opponent in recent Letters to the Editor which have appeared in two local newspapers.

Unfortunately, much of the criticism is directed less at me and more at our district administration, high school faculty and students.

Therefore, I must respond.

My opponent cites chronic absenteeism at our high school. At least three years ago, the Superintendent and School Committee worked with a committee of the high school faculty to substantially strengthen our attendance policy. The policy was adapted by the committee and absenteeism has been reduced very significantly. 

Ironically, my opponent has criticized our students' success on Advanced Placement exams. The results of those tests are posted annually on the website of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and are excellent by any measure. Last fall our high school was recognized by the College Board on the 2018 AP Honor Roll. This is a tribute to our students who enroll in these challenging courses in high numbers and the members of our high school faculty whose teaching makes this level of success by our students possible.

Our committee is criticized for our School Choice program. We offer School Choice positions only to about 15 incoming freshmen each year. We are convinced that we can accommodate that number of students annually without any additional faculty or other expense. We expect that the program will generate $490,000 in revenue in the next school year. A program which generates that level of revenue and encourages diversity in our student body at little to no additional expense is a clear win for everyone, including taxpayers.

My opponent suggests our "committee discourages competitive bidding on contracts, raising costs for taxpayers." Both our director of business and finance and our committee have scrupulously followed state procurement statues and regulations. Recently, when the procurement process resulted in only one bid on our bus transportation contract for both the Regional School District and the K-8 District, both committees worked together. We did not accept the bid until we had thoroughly investigated rates in surrounding districts and negotiated concessions with the high bidder resulting in savings from the original bid.

Finally, my opponent contends that "every year, the School Committee demands extra funding at special town meetings." That statement is objectively false. Never, in the eight years I have chaired the Regional School Committee, has the committee sought an increase in the assessment to either Somerset or Berkley at a special town meeting. Furthermore, our recently finalized budget proposal for the next school year will result in a decrease in Somerset's assessment by about 4.5 percent.

Over the last eight years, I have not been afraid to praise our successes or honestly acknowledge challenges that need to be addressed. I ask for the continued support of Somerset voters on Election Day, April 8.

Rick Peirce

Somerset