School Choice in Gardner on downward trend

School Choice in Gardner on downward trend District losing more students than it is currently taking in

School Choice 2008: 240 students in, 105 students out 2014: 140 students in, 189 students out GARDNER - Gardner is sending more of its students to other school districts than in years past due to a regression in School Choice trends. The School Committee re­viewed a report written by Gardner Public Schools Business Administrator Christopher Casa­vant that outlined the statistics for School Choice students in the district since fiscal 2006. From fiscal 2006 through fiscal 2013, the district received more students from other towns than the number of Gardner students who left the district. This changed over the last two years, and in fiscal 2015, 189 students enrolled outside the district vs. 140 students coming into the district from other communities, a deficit of 49 students. “Gardner at one time attracted more than what came out of the district. This sheds light on some of the things that we need to do to try and improve. The past few years have seen a sharp decline,” said School Committee member James Boone. Fiscal 2008 was the height of Gardner taking in more students than sending students away, as the city received 240 students from other districts and sent away 105 of its students, a net gain of 135 students. The state allows families to send their children to school districts outside of their city or town as a way to provide them an alternative option, particularly if it is not feasible for them to move into the district where they wish to send their child. Mr. Casavant wrote in his report that one point of having School Choice in the state is the “notion that a student’s ability to switch among school districts will promote better schools and education programs.” He also cited that about 1.5 percent of public school students across the state attended schools outside their district during the 2014-2015 school year. After acquiring approval from the school districts involved, the sending district (where the student lives) pays the tuition for the student to attend the receiving district. The tuition comes from the sending district’s state aid. For fiscal 2015, which covered the 2014-2015 school year, Gardner paid $1,026,722 to send 189 students to other districts and received 140 students, whose respective districts paid $773,133 to attend school in Gardner. In 2014-2015, 60 students were sent to the Ashburnham-Westminster district, 36 were sent to Narragansett, and 22 were sent to Quabbin. Among the students coming to Gardner, 50 came from Narragansett, 42 came from Winchendon, and 23 came from Fitchburg. A small group of students from Gardner went to farther-away districts such as Ayer-Shirley, North Middlesex, Lunenburg and Littleton. “It’s also interesting to see where students are going to and where they are coming from,” said Mayor Mark Hawke, who is also the school board chairman. In another matter, the School Committee said goodbye to three of its members, as new members will be sworn in on Jan. 4 with the other elected city officials after the city election took place in November. Mr. Boone is leaving the School Committee after being elected to the City Council, while Jennifer LaRoche and Carol Bailey did not seek re-election. “Thank you for your service to the School Committee. We will be needing you because we will need community support (for the schools),” said Mr. Hawke. Ms. LaRoche said the experience on the committee was interesting and exciting, adding that she will remain active with the schools as she has a son in the district. Ms. Bailey reflected on her time as a committee member, citing the success of the alternative high school the Gardner Academy of Learning and Technology as a highlight. “Every year those stories when they graduate are just amazing,” she said. Additionally, Gardner resident Helen Lepkowski has decided to not seek re-election as a representative for the city on the Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School Committee. She served for 22 years in that position. In a letter to Mr. Hawke informing him of her decision, she wrote that it was “an honor and a privilege” to serve on the committee. The School Committee and City Council will host a joint meeting on Jan. 19 at 6:30 p.m. to appoint two residents to fill the seats left by Mr. Boone and Ms. Lepkowski. Any resident who wishes to be considered for either position must submit a letter of interest, including qualifications to the School Committee and City Council, to the city clerk’s office by Jan. 14 at 10 a.m.