Opinion

Letter: Ipswich culture in danger


Published: April 28, 2008

To the editor:

The public school system is at a critical moment of its development. The public will decide the future of free education and the importance it will have in the growth and development of our communities. Schools are not a place to house children for the day. They are public institutions that ensure the quality of life and the future of growth and prosperity in our communities. The public will either support strong communities or rely on familiar and comfortable excuses. The public money invested in the education of a young child is public money saved on social programs for young adults who the system has failed by not providing them the knowledge of opportunities that a good education can yield.

As a teacher in the Ipswich public school system, I see what is at stake in our district if we do not "Turn the Tide" and vote for an override. I have taught in a variety of school settings ranging from a nonprofit private school, a public charter school and an urban public school. These experiences I value for many reasons, one of them being the perspective it gives me to appreciate the culture that is the foundation for excellence in the Ipswich schools. The impact of the massive cuts will destroy the unique culture of this district.

If the public votes no on the override, the teachers left in the buildings will teach their very best with fewer supplies, larger class sizes and less support. I know the Ipswich teachers will rise to this challenge and deliver the very best education they can. That will only happen for a year, maybe two. The Ipswich teachers are a rare bunch of folks. We are categorized by the Department of Education standards as having 100 percent of our staff pursue and achieve "highly qualified" status, and yet statistically we are the lowest-paid teachers in the region. The veteran teachers that built this culture will be retiring, and our pay scale is not competitive enough to attract highly qualified and innovative teachers. The culture that keeps current teachers in the district will die.

We are not in Ipswich for the money; we are here for the unique culture, and that culture is in immediate danger. The culture in this district is the true item on the chopping block, yet won't be found written on any budget list. It is inherent in the daily functions of the Ipswich district. It is a culture that is continually recognized locally and nationally for its sports, arts, technology and academic achievement. The culture is apparent in the school parking lots filled with teachers' cars, each morning and afternoon, hours before and after the bell. You will see this culture in the summer, as well, when the schools are full of teachers taking classes, meeting with grade level teams and developing innovative curriculum. The teachers are here for the culture, a culture that has been chipped away at for years and will not survive if these proposed cuts happen.

I understand that a yes vote on the override is a difficult decision during these times of economic crisis. As a Beverly resident, on June 5, I am voting yes, to raise my taxes to support my community. In addition, in the past month, as a choice parent, I have donated to the Ipswich Turn the Tide campaign and the Ipswich Public Schools the equivalent amount of a yearly tax increase for a resident of Ipswich. We are the public, and we must vote to ensure the well-being of each and every community through properly funding our future, the public school system.

KERRY ZAGARELLA

Beverly