Voters will decide which of two candidates should gain the open seat on the School Committee. The League of Women Voters of Andover/North Andover posed this question to the candidates: Who should define what a "quality education" means to Andover — the School Committee, teachers and administration, parents, taxpayers, or the state and federal government? How do you define a "quality education"?.
Greg Rigby
No one group is singly qualified to define a quality education, as each of these groups have differing but important points of view. Parents know what they want for their children and need to define what they want in a quality education. Those ideas are combined with the talents and knowledge of teachers and administrators who are charged with developing and implementing those curricula that meet the goals defined by the parents. The state and federal government must set basic standards to be met by the schools and those standards form the foundation on which to construct Andover's education system. Finally, the School Committee's role is to provide direction and oversight of the education process and to communicate the financial needs of the system to the taxpayers through a transparent and clear budget process.
I define a quality education as one that teaches children the basic learning skills of the English language, composition, mathematics, science and the arts and humanities. It necessarily requires a focus on good mental and physical health and results, by the end of the twelfth grade, in a well-rounded individual capable of meeting the demands of further education. It is our responsibility as a society to provide these skills to the next generation to ensure they are prepared for their future.
Dennis Forgue
All of us — parents, teachers, administration, School Committee, taxpayers, and the state and federal governments — are responsible for defining what a "quality education" means to Andover. A quality education means giving our students the tools to take on their responsibilities as citizens, whether by pursuing higher education, private employment or public service. We all have an important stake in this issue and should work together to define the meaning of a "quality education." There is no dispute that Andover provides a high quality education to its students. Our children benefit from varied educational experiences. We have strong academic and extracurricular activities. Our athletic programs are among the most successful in the state and a source of great community pride. Thanks in large part to the quality education Andover provides, our property values have remained strong despite significant downturns in neighboring communities.
An equally important question is: how do we ensure that Andover continues to provide a quality education? First, we must look to the teachers and administration to establish a strong, current, and innovative curriculum. Second, objective goals must be established and adjustments made based on measurable milestones. Third, parents and students should be an integral part of the process, and we should work together to accommodate state and federal mandates. Fourth, we must make a realistic assessment of the resources available to fund Andover's ambitious educational programs. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the School Committee to balance these interests to ensure that Andover continues to provide the highest quality education possible within the fiscal constraints of the town.
