Michael Hoefer's Page

This year Article 7 is about the size of the school board.

Town "power" is based on a the number of students each town has in the school system. Swanzey has approximately 50% of the student population and therefore has about 50% of the vote. No matter number of reps, Swanzey has 50% of the vote.

Based on Surry's departure the board has been operating at 14 members which is outside of the RS's governing such matters which say Boards should operate with an odd number of members.

The School Boar… Continue

This post by Noble Prize winning economist Paul Krugman, suggests that spending is what is needed in times like these

"...slashing spending in a time of recession, often at the expense both of their most vulnerable constituents and of the nation’s economic future."

While he main point is targeted at the state level, it has some relevance for our situation as well.

Every year approximately one third of the School Board is up for Election. Having strong educational advocates on the school board is the #1 way we can influence change in the MRSD. Imagine the impact of electing six representives who understand and are willing to stand up for our kids and our schools.

In the weeks ahead we will being contacting folks that are up for reelection and being recruiting candidates who will improve the dire situation we currently find ourselves in.

Elections will be… Continue

From the Sentinel

“It’s a little funny, but as the economy gets worse and worse, we’re starting to feel better and better about the budget.

“We’re expecting the bids to be better than we would have seen,” Marinace said.

It's too bad the Monadnock Regional School Board has taken the prerogative of the voters away and will not let them vote on the needed major school improvement projects this yea… Continue

(A couple of years ago The Sentinel gave us permission to repost their articles for future reference)

Monadnock board trims budget proposal
By Anika Clark
Sentinel Staff
Published: Wednesday, December 17, 2008
SWANZEY CENTER — Up to $41 million in new construction and renovation projects for Monadnock Regional Middle/High School has been dropped to about $1 million.

At the same time, the school board has agreed to slash the proposed 2009-10 budget by more than $900,000.

The school board’s vot… Continue