Letter To The Editor
It’s a
new year but what a year last year was.
One year
ago, 1/16/11, I went to the Northwood School public hearing on its
budget. Arguably the worst public hearing anywhere, ever.
March
5th, an annual School District Meeting clearly pitting the town
against the school; the town won and I believe the students will
also. There was no teacher contract, no support staff contract sadly
either. NECAP scores came in telling us what we already knew. Our
school was in need of improvement, big time. There was another very
poor financial audit.
May, an
ill-conceived, expensive and poorly thought out plan to leave the
SAU, thankfully voted down.
June
30th, the end of the school year that overspent its budget illegally
without following laws and procedure. It was a year of angst and
rudeness that culminated three years of decline at Northwood School.
It’s a
new year and I hope for only the best for our school. On 1/12/12
there will be another public hearing on the Northwood School budget.
Instead of a $577,000 increase you will see a $309,000 decrease, a
swing of $886.000 in one year. Remarkable. I also believe that you
will see an improvement in the scores of our students because I know
that Mr. Hartford and crew have been working very hard.
How can
you help keep this trend going? Easy, just participate. Very bright
spotlights are what has changed things, on the budget and on the
poor performance. Be a spotlight. Come to the hearing on 1/12 at 7
pm in the school gym, the deliberative session in February, and vote
in March. Do your part, get involved and feel free to call me if you
want to talk, 942-5463. It’s a new year, let’s make it a good one
for Northwood.
Tim
Jandebeur
Northwood, NH
Letter To The Editor
As many
of you know, Kenny Witham suffered a small stroke and heart attack
while in the hospital to remove a cancerous growth. He is winning
the battle. After more than two months in Concord Hospital, and some
time in Peabody, he is now at NE Rehab at Pease.
There is
a very good chance that he will return home in two weeks. It has
been a long and difficult time, especially for his wife Donna.
For her,
I would like to thank everyone for their heartfelt support both in
well wishes and donations to the Witham Family Fund. The fund is at
the TD Bank and will continue to be open for very appreciated
donations through January.
Thank
you so much for your help.
The
Witham Family Fund
2012 Vintage Oval Racing @ Lake Shore Farm
The Northwood Crankpullers Snowmobile Club would like to remind
everyone of our Vintage Oval Race with a Dinner/Dance that evening
on Saturday, January 21st … Registration begins at 8am and Racing at
10am, so come join us as a spectator or in competition. Spectator
entrance fee of $7.00. Great Family fun and as usually our Food
trailer will be there. Social hour that evening will start at 6pm
with dinner at 7pm and dancing at 8pm. Tickets will be available at
the door. $10 for just the dance and $20 for the dinner & dance.
Rooms are also available at Lake Shore Farm Inn. Call to reserve.
Please visit our website
www.northwoodcrankpullers.com for more details and information
on these events. And as always we truly appreciate our landowners
and are always looking for new members. Let’s hope for lots of snow
between now and then.
The Joseph J Jeffrey VFW Post 7217 presented awards for the Patriots
Pen writing contest at the Northwood Elementary School. Representing
the VFW were Commander Shannan F Brown, far right and Adj Daniel
Barnhart, rear. Students participating in the essay contest from
left are: Cassandra Barnhart, Billie Pingree, Julie Sourvavong,
River Groves, Ryu Kondrup, Derek Steger, Elizabeth Bisson, Emily
Barnes and Joe Gutil. Cash awards were given to the top three
writers.
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