I see that Pleasant Valley is back in the news. The Singer Family Scholarship has been abolished. It appears that the school board is dragging its feet to determine the reason for this.

What has happened in the past 5-6 years?

1. The district has had quite a few superintendents.

2. “Schoology” is no longer used, despite the enthusiasm for this program. It turned out to be cost prohibitive. Did that come as a surprise?

3. The investigation of two administrators by a Monroe County grand jury.

4, A number of building administrators leaving the district for “greener pastures.”

5. A mass exodus of quality teachers leaving the district, either retiring or resigning.

6. Students going to either cyber school or charter schools.

7. The cost to renovate some buildings now number in the millions of dollars. These projects should have been done years ago. The longer one waits, the costlier it will be.

8. The huge increase of teacher “busy work,” including online “district training” which has nothing to do with actual teaching.

The one constant factor during this time is the school board. It makes one wonder,

Richard Ochs

Walnutport