After looking at the NYSTART scores (NY State Testing), all three elementary schools in Shalmont (Jefferson, Mariaville and Woestina) have very high achieving students. Their State Assessment scores in English/Math and 4th grade science average in the 90% (some are the 100%). These three elementary schools are academically successful and will hopefully continue to be.  

I have heard good things about both Jefferson and Woestina Elementary schools ... don't know anybody with children at Mariaville school.  

Obviously, it is better to have the smaller children in a smaller, more friendly environment  and as close to home as possible.  

If wish they could keep at least one of the two school buildings (Woestina or Mariaville) open and my preference would be for Woestina  -- as it is a newer building and it closure would not bode well for the Junction's revitalization plans.

why doesn't Mariaville establish their own 'school room'.....? if you want it small keep it.....but remember that it will cost to have all 'the extras'.....
that is how it's always been.....

Quoted from DemocraticVoiceOfReason

I have heard good things about both Jefferson and Woestina Elementary schools ... don't know anybody with children at Mariaville school.  

Obviously, it is better to have the smaller children in a smaller, more friendly environment  and as close to home as possible.  

If wish they could keep at least one of the two school buildings (Woestina or Mariaville) open and my preference would be for Woestina  -- as it is a newer building and it closure would not bode well for the Junction's revitalization plans.

since when is Jefferson "LARGE"

my experience with our youth is this

provide a challenge and they will kick your A$$   -  reflect back on your youth   - senior prank/skip day  - the shalmont xmas tree,   tires over the flag pole.....

parents -  they know how to wipe their A$$'s

land the helicopters and let them grow

Quoted from TippyCanoe

since when is Jefferson "LARGE"

my experience with our youth is this

provide a challenge and they will kick your A$$   -  reflect back on your youth   - senior prank/skip day  - the shalmont xmas tree,   tires over the flag pole.....

parents -  they know how to wipe their A$$'s

land the helicopters and let them grow

Jefferson school is larger than Woestina school  ... that is all I was saying.   And there is something to be said about having smaller elementary schools  IN the neighborhood where the children come from  IF POSSIBLE.

I wouldn't know anything about the Schalmont Christmas tree ... we had our own traditions and sources of fun at the high school that I attended.

Quoted from DemocraticVoiceOfReason

Jefferson school is larger than Woestina school  ... that is all I was saying.   And there is something to be said about having smaller elementary schools  IN the neighborhood where the children come from  IF POSSIBLE.

I wouldn't know anything about the Schalmont Christmas tree ... we had our own traditions and sources of fun at the high school that I attended.

oh - it was.... a tradition until.....   a tree from the entrance of a local cemetery was installed

Quoted from TippyCanoe

oh - it was.... a tradition until.....   a tree from the entrance of a local cemetery was installed

I guess the three most memorable events from my high school days were a particular football game in 1977,  Halloween 1976 and celebrating the "pope's birthday" in  1977.

Quoted from Kevin March

A.  Are you a resident of the Schalmont School District?

B.  When is the last time you visited either or both of the schools that are designated to possibly be closed?

C.  What effect would the closure of either of these schools have on you and/or your family (either in tax savings or the way that children in your family would be taught)?

D.  What issues are there with the schools that would lead to either their closing or keeping them open?

A Yes for 3 years now
B Was in Mariaville School last summer for our walk through for the fire dept
C My unborn children will not have the advantages that a very small school offers
D Both schools slated to be closed have been remodeled or rebuilt recently and we are still paying for them and I can almost guarantee that within 10 years we will need extra capacity that will require building yet another school that would be unnecessary by just keeping at least one of these 2 open.

I WILL be at that board meeting...I never involve myself in politics but this one I cannot stand by and watch as shalmont goes short sighted. Read the study; they only based it on less than 10 years of population data, its almost as stupid as global warming studies that exclude historical data.

I bought my house in mariaville less than three years ago with the intent that my new wife and I would raise our family here. The choice of mariaville had a lot to do with the school being right there. I come from an education family (mom was a teacher, sister is a teacher, uncle is a principal, cousins are teachers and school psychologists) education foundations start first at home then with elementary school. We know that small schools and class sizes make huge differences so why are we being cheap with our kids foundations for their future lives. A building with a shoddy foundation will not stand...

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since when is Jefferson "LARGE"

it isn't currently...but its about to absorb another 200 kids...then it will be very large for a semi rural district.

Quoted from 1140

I bought my house in mariaville less than three years ago with the intent that my new wife and I would raise our family here. The choice of mariaville had a lot to do with the school being right there. I come from an education family (mom was a teacher, sister is a teacher, uncle is a principal, cousins are teachers and school psychologists) education foundations start first at home then with elementary school. We know that small schools and class sizes make huge differences so why are we being cheap with our kids foundations for their future lives. A building with a shoddy foundation will not stand...

Doesn't it suck when YOUR child’s education is dependent on the vote of a School Board and the will of an entire community?  Only if there were a voucher system that would allow you to take your money out of the district and pay for the education YOU want for your child.  Chances are that over time a private school would open up in Mariaville when consumers like yourself and others begin creating a demand for the same educational environment you thought you were going to get in Mariaville School.  Maybe the families of Mariaville and the PTO can voluntarily contribute the funds necessary to keep the schools open.

It sucks when public school funding is so dependent on election cycles and federal funding, and state funding, and school boards.  Isn't it a great idea to give your money to the government, only for them to give it back with strings attached, if you even get it at all?

Quoted from CICERO

Doesn't it suck when YOUR child’s education is dependent on the vote of a School Board and the will of an entire community?  Only if there were a voucher system that would allow you to take your money out of the district and pay for the education YOU want for your child.  Chances are that over time a private school would open up in Mariaville when consumers like yourself and others begin creating a demand for the same educational environment you thought you were going to get in Mariaville School.  Maybe the families of Mariaville and the PTO can voluntarily contribute the funds necessary to keep the schools open.

It sucks when public school funding is so dependent on election cycles and federal funding, and state funding, and school boards.  Isn't it a great idea to give your money to the government, only for them to give it back with strings attached, if you even get it at all?

Problem with private school is the cost on top of still having to support the "public" school via the taxes. I wish I had more time to figure one thing out but alas I am at work supporting the system. (someone has to do it) It will save 800k a year they say on costs to close mariaville, how much does mariaville generate in school taxes vs what they use just like they do for federal in and out by state.

One other big question for you to wrap your head around when it comes to schools:
How do private schools charge 10k per pupil and survive and provide an equivalent or better education when our public schools charge the taxpayer double...

If you're paying 10K you're getting away cheap.

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One other big question for you to wrap your head around when it comes to schools:
How do private schools charge 10k per pupil and survive and provide an equivalent or better education when our public schools charge the taxpayer double...

ask the union stewards.....and the contract arbitors......and the politicos......and the banks......

Quoted from 1140

One other big question for you to wrap your head around when it comes to schools:
How do private schools charge 10k per pupil and survive and provide an equivalent or better education when our public schools charge the taxpayer double...

UNIONS!!!!!!!!!!

Quoted from bumblethru

UNIONS!!!!!!!!!!

maybe, but last I checked school administrators weren't. Teachers are underpaid in my opinion...however they should have to pay into their retirement like the rest of us

Shhh - Don't tell Ronny that