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Woof
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Jeanne Fabrikant
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Feb 29, 2004 15:20 PST
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Looks like Thetford Academy will continue to be the private and designated
secondary school of Thetford. The Secondary School Options Committee did not
knowif the costs would be any different if Thetford Academy became a public
school so there appears to be no advantage in changing TA's status. Thetford's
taxpayers remain s.o.l. when it comes to TA's expansion plans.
1. In light of declining enrollment, does it make fiscal sense to proceed with
a major facilities expansion?
2. The TA master facilities plan will be submitted at the June meeting of the
Trustees. They have resolved to "communicate with its consitutents about
planning for capital improvements." This and a School Board "agreement with TA
allowing for community review" doesn't exactly give the community any decision
making power. Would the trustees be willing to submit their plans and proposed
financing through the School District to a voter referendum?
3. Despite the 22% increase in the Development office budget and the trustees
"hopes" for more successful campaigns, how much money can they expect to raise
from private sources? Thousands, millions?
4. TA concedes that most of the funding will come from tuition. The SSOC study
doesn't appear to address the income status of Thetford residents and their
ability to pay higher tition costs. What is to prevent the trustees from voting
to accept the master plan without futher reference to the town?
The July 1, '04 deadline of the TA resolution not to incur bonded debt, is fast
approaching. Two budget defeats, extensive debate, a 26 page report and the tail
still wags the dog.
Jeanne Fabrikant
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