This document seeks to correct misinformation about the West Windsor school district and address issues that have been raised. It summarizes positive outcomes for the district, including SAT scores well above state averages, increased opportunities for honors/AP classes, prudent financial decisions maintaining high bond ratings and low per-pupil costs. It also explains the need for administrators and staff given the district's size, and defends building a new office to address space issues without tax increases. The document advocates for addressing student mental health and supports the superintendent's leadership in raising such issues. It characterizes some criticism as not being fact-based and stresses the board's commitment to students' well-being.

1. Truth and Civility–WhatVotersandDemocracyDependUpon
Many wordsin the past months have denigrated the school systemwithapersonal/destructive agenda.
Let me correct the misinformation.
1) Districtstandardshave not lowered. SATscorescontinue at600 to 603 on average, atleast100
pointsabove the state average,andcomparable tosimilartopdistrictsinNew Jersey.
2) Opportunitiesforstudentstohave enrichedofferingshasincreasedandmore studentsare
enrolledinhonorsandAP classes.
3) The administrationof standardized tests, includingPARCC,isrequiredbythe State of New
Jersey.Whenourstudentstake the SATand AP Tests,whichare national standards,they do
exceptionallywell.
4) Prudentfinancial decisionsproduce atriple A bondrating,andbelow state average perpupil
cost. A smallertownshipcommercial/industrial base increasesthe tax burden onhome owners.
5) A districtof 10,000 studentsand 241 non-tenuredand665 tenuredprofessional staff requires
our numberof supervisorsandadministrators.Compared toothersimilardistricts, ourstaff has
a much highercaseload. Newtenure laws require more observationsandconferences.
6) We builtanewBoard of EducationOffice because space constraintsand damage fromtwo
hurricanesleft the formerbuildinginadequate. Increasedstudentpopulationrequired more
classrooms. The newfacility provided 20classroomsforinstruction, space forprofessional
development,noneedfora referendum because nomoneywasborrowed,andnoadditional
cost to taxpayers. Thiswasall discussedatboardmeetings,reviewedatPTA meetingsand
reportedinthe newspapers.
7) As an educational leader, Dr.Aderholdbroughtthe issue of unnecessary harmfulstress tothe
publicdiscussion. Whenmore than120 students,grades6-12, are inneedof extensive out-of-
school humanservicessupportbecause of social andemotionalissues,itistime toengage
everyone insuchadiscussion.This continuingconversation isamoral/ethical imperativeto
bettersupportourchildrenashealthylearners.
8) Change isnevereasyand some folksfightitbecause itisnot theirposition.Decisionsabout
program are developedwith full staffinput,withactionplans implementedaftera
Superintendent’srecommendation isvoteduponbythe school board. Individualstaff members
implementthe program,butmaynot ignore or follow the approved curriculum. One change I
concur with wasmusicin the elementaryschools.Staff could nolongertell ayoungsterafter10
weeksof studythattheycouldnot performbecause theywere notgoodenough.Noteveryone
takesprivate lessons, musicshouldbe foreveryone inelementaryschool.At highschool,itis
reasonable toauditionforperformance groups. Some teachersmaynothave likedthatchange,
but itwas the rightthingto do.
9) You may have seenavisual withnumbersregardingresignations.Whatthe printedportion did
not include,waswhatis notedonpersonnel agendas ateverypublicmeeting:“resignationfor
purposes of retirement”whichisthe majorityof cases.Some folksmove awayforpersonal
reasons. A small numberrepresentindividualsthe districtsdoesnotaskto return. That isa
difficultdecision,butafterclose supervisionandmany opportunitiestoshow growth,itisthe
rightdecisiontomake on behalf of ourchildren.Finally,averyfew decidethatourdistrictisnot
rightfor them,because of the highstandardswe require of all staff.
Above are some of the issuesthathave beencarefullycraftedtocreate a negative impressionof our
school district. Ibelievepublicschoolsthrive witharobusttwo-wayconversation, agenda- freeand
basedinfact. Asa memberof the Board of Education,I will listencarefully,requireverifiabledata

2. before makinganydecision,and decide baseduponwhatisbestforeachchild,usingmyprofessional
expertiseasa seasonededucator.Finally,Iamsure youagree withme,that our responsibilityisto
develop andsupportthe Whole ChildinEveryChild.
RichardA. Kaye,candidate
WestWindsorB.O.E.