From the reporting by the Recorder this week, my count is 489 graduates from all the public high schools in Franklin County.

There are eight school districts with eight superintendents. I checked with the Springfield public schools. They reported the expected graduation of 1,000 with one superintendent. The ratio of graduates to superintendents in Franklin County is 61:1 and Springfield 1000:1.

There are 29 public schools in Franklin County (Rowe and Warwick are outliers in my count) and 63 in Springfield. Perhaps those charged with responsible spending of tax payer dollars can do those ratios.

Our schools chronically struggle to adequately pay teachers. When the budget squeeze occurs a part time janitor position is sacrificed and no one seems to be able to figure out why that’s not enough. We seem to find monies for top heavy superintendent and administrative positions. It’s difficult for me to see how that translates to quality education.

It’s time for us to take a more global view of controlling costs and redirecting resources that better serves our students and for us who foot the bill.

Leo Ojala

Shelburne

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