I was a member of the Stow-Munroe Falls School Board when Russ Jones was hired as superintendent. Early in his employ, we conducted a board retreat. The main focus of this retreat was to review and enhance the Strategic Five-Year Plan. To our surprise, one of Dr. Jones’ first presentations included a film expounding on the merits of the IB Programme (International Baccalaureate). We were puzzled that the newly hired superintendent, with little knowledge of the district and its finances, was proposing a new direction of instruction.

After a brief discussion of the IB Programme, the board members had several questions. First, would this curriculum be available to all students? Dr. Jones replied affirmatively. Second, what would he estimate initial costs to be? Jones replied that start-up costs would be about $20,000. Finally, at what level would this instruction begin? Jones stated that it would be initially offered at the high school level, and if funds became available, it would expand to lower levels.

The board felt that the costs incurred in implementing a new course of study were prohibitive. We also agreed that the district offered many advantages to gifted students (Advanced Placement and Honors courses, the OASIS program, etc.), and even though the superintendent maintained that the curriculum was suited to all students, further examination did not bear that out.

The board members cited these concerns and the matter was dismissed. Further research validated our position. For my remaining tenure on the board, IB was not a topic of discussion.

I was very concerned, therefore, that the IB Programme was being quietly implemented at Indian Trail Elementary, with little if any public discussion and no board vote. I wrote to the Stow Sentry in October 2010 expressing those concerns. Questions regarding the curriculum during board meetings have gone unanswered and controversy has continued to grow.

Contrary to the superintendent’s initial presentation, IB start-up costs are significant. In addition to application fees, teachers must be trained, with the costs of food, transportation, lodging and conferences included. Dr. Jones has publicly stated in a board meeting that these expenses would be covered utilizing ARRA (American Recovery & Reinvestment Act) and Title I funds. But, as many other area school districts understood, those funds could be used more prudently to maintain staff levels, improve student achievement and many other supportive measures. According to ARRA guidelines, “These funds should be invested in ways that do not result in unsustainable continuing commitments after the funding expires.” As a former board member, I continue to see no way this program can be sustained and expanded without additional funding from the community.

Unfortunately, the objections raised concerning IB have resulted because there has been no communication with the public. Costs have been understated/hidden and concerns have been ignored.

Keep in mind our biggest objection to the International Baccalaureate Progam(one section of which is referred to as “PYP” (Primary Years Program) is the high costs of bringing it into SMF Schools.  We cannot see blowing the many dollars for this program when we have to charge pay-to-play fees and can’t bus our highschoolers.

Here are some websites to visit to learn more about the costs to the taxpayers and some of the shady behaviors noticed at the Echo Hills meeting to explain I.B. to parents.

http://stow.patch.com/articles/ib-school-program-discussed-at-echo-hills

http://ibo.org/events/slcpyp12311/

http://www.ibo.org/iba/become/newprocess/documents/DPAug-SeptEng_001.pdf

John Eppolito

1:36am on Thursday, September 1, 2011

SCRG requested  detailed information on how much money was saved by the Superintendent.  We received the following chart indicating that $15,141,271.90 was cut from the budget since 2006.  The chart does not answer the question as we presented it.  We asked:  “Please list the names of persons reduced in the enclosed flyer as of February 17, 2011 and the individual savings to the district in salary and/or benefits which they would have received as board paid.”

In the district treasurer’s letter in response to the public information request it was stated:  “Our office researched district records and determined there are no records responsive to your request.”

Frankly, we are confused.  How can you save money but have no record of it?

We are still waiting on a study to show the results of the installation of the Honeywell heating equipment that is listed under “Honeywell Energy Savings Project”.  The chart shows that over half a million dollars was saved by using the equipment but we are unable to see any results of any study verifying that amount (or any amount for that matter).

There are other issues with the chart.  See if you can spot them.  Have fun!