we need more activities to keep the young people off the streets.

Focus on systemic change, i.e., how public education operates. The U.S. Department of Education has said we must move away from “rules-based governance” (the old bureaucracy) and move toward “performance-based accountability”. The Brookings Institution has stated the power cords must be cut from schools. School Boards, district and state education officials set standards but they must play a less directive and more supportive role with local school administrators who must be properly prepared for their new roles.

Teachers are crucial for success. They are partners in this endeavor and not just employees. Establish a school bonus system whereby every employee (teachers, administrators, secretaries, maintenance workers, etc.) in the school could earn a bonus based on the school’s overall performance. This encourages a “team” mentality and helps to remove “dead wood”.

Eliminate line item budgets, permit surplus funds to be carried over to the next fiscal year, and authorize local administrators to shift approved funds as needed. This would result in less waste and more “bang for the buck”. It will “individualize” the school’s resources to meet unique needs.

The essence of administration is decision making and the mark of a professional is self-direction. More power must be placed in the local school buildings balanced by increased accountability. Recognizing educators as professionals with increased authority and bonuses will help to attract the “best and brightest”.

No Child Left Behind does not include all students. It completely ignores the “Rodney Dangerfields” of the student population who “get no respect”, the gifted and talented. Let’s develop all the talents of every student and make our battle cry, “Max every child”.

When computers were introduced in the late 40′s they performed small calculations using vacuum tubes. How they operated required large rooms, generated a lot of heat, and used tremendous amounts of power. There was little demand for this new invention. Today computers are still doing those small calculations but how they operate has changed to micro chips. Now the computer is indispensable. Education will always include math, reading, etc. but imagine what will happen if we change how education operates. Imagine if we made a systemic change.

The conversion of a defunct golf country club for residential use threatens to add to the burden of our schools to service more students, without any new school building construction required on the part of the contractor, at any level. Cheltenham Township is already one of the most heavily taxed municipalities in the Commonwealth, and its performance on standardized tests continues to fall (though still of considerable standing). As The American Prospect recently published in its pages, it is not unreasonable for municipal governments to require some civic effort on the part of contractors, who may be able to command higher prices from on-site day-care and elementary school facilities. It is time for municipal governments to develop and enforce social as well as construction contracts from those who pretend to do business for the public good.

As you know, it is time for ACTION…ALL ADULTS ACCOUNTABLE, ALL OF THE TIME, NO EXCUSES!!! Thank you for your continued commitment to the education of our children.