Letter: Jim Curtin Announces Candidacy

(Editor's note: The following is a candidacy announcement submitted to Windham Patch. If you'd like to reach out to us and announce your candidacy, submit a letter and photo to Local Editor Michael Ryan at michael.ryan@patch.com)

Hi – My name is Jim Curtin and I am respectfully announcing that I am a candidate for the Windham School Board.

My goal is to run a no-frills campaign – no campaign signs on the road, no holding campaign signs at the dump and street corners and no campaign signs or volunteers at the polls on Election Day. I will run a zero $$0.00$$ dollar budgeted campaign. 

With this letter, I intend to detail the current issues, as well as my current beliefs and opinions on these issues, such as overcrowding, bullying, etc. 

On Election Day, I will cast my ballot, and then continue with my work & home commitments. 

About myself and my family:  I have been married for 17+ years.  My wife and I have two children, both of whom are enrolled in the Windham School System.  I am employed by a specialty gas company as a Senior Manager / Field Service Engineer (travelling to various customer locations) for the past 16 years. 

I am very happy with my kid’s respective schools, their teachers, and their education. If I wasn’t comfortable with the Windham Public Schools – I wouldn’t have relocated back to my hometown where I attended grades 1-8 at Golden Brook School and Center School before moving on to Pinkerton Academy.

Military:  I served nine years – active duty - in the US Navy as a Missile Technician – onboard a “Boomer” submarine making seven strategic deterrent patrols during the Cold War and First Gulf War.  My technical knowledge came into play during the dismantling & decommissioning of ballistic missiles and their components at Polaris Missile Facility Atlantic (Charleston, SC), during the START Treaties with the U.S.S.R.

Additionally, I served three years as a U.S. Naval Reservist for a P-3 Orion Air Squadron located at the Brunswick Naval Air Station, Brunswick, ME. Another assignment was at the Navy Special Warfare Unit, which supported Seal Team 4 at Roosevelt Roads Naval Base, in Puerto Rico.  My final navy reserve duty and military service was at Naval Submarine Base New London at the Basic Enlisted Submarine School for enlisted sailors. The school is an introduction to the basic theory, construction and operation of nuclear powered submarines. The course includes instruction on shipboard organization, submarine safety and escape procedures. The Navy operates four high risk trainers at New London that sub school classes attend - Fire Fighting - Damage Control - Submarine Escape - Ship Control. 

College:  I earned my Bachelors of Science Degree in Workforce Education, Training, and Development from Southern Illinois University at night and weekends while on military active duty taking advantage of the GI Bill - Tuition Assistance. 

The impact of my military background and education has been a priceless benefit for my family and my career. 

Education experience:  My first job after leaving the Military was as a Middle School At-Risk teacher for two schools in Berkeley County, South Carolina. Essentially, I was Mr. Kotter. I taught and wrote the curriculum for a JTPA grant geared towards at-risk middle school students incorporating math and reading skills in a vocational curriculum.

Yes, I have work-life experience in a public school system, as a school teacher. 

After the birth of my first child, my wife and I decided to return to Windham, NH to raise our family.  Since returning to town, I have kept myself involved with the community in many different areas:

• Coach/Volunteer/Support for Windham Baseball/Softball Association 
• Coach/Volunteer/Support for Windham Lacrosse Association 
• Coach/Volunteer/Support for Windham Soccer Association 
• Coach/Volunteer/Support for Windham Youth Basketball
• Volunteer/Support for Windham Wolverines Youth Football Team 

Other community positions & activities included: 

• Windham Fire Department: On-call firefighter / EMT (paid position)
• Southeastern NH HAZMAT Response Team (paid position)
• Windham Fire Association Vice-President
• Cub Scout Pack 263, Windham, NH – Pack Committee Chairman & Den Leader
• St. Matthew’s Church, Windham, NH – Religious Education Teacher
• United States Flag-Bearer for American Legion Post 109, Windham, NH – Memorial Day Parade 

Although I am proud of my achievements & accomplishments to date, my background, education, military and professional experiences do not make me an expert, best candidate, or even qualify me to be a good steward of your child’s education. The job of the actual education of the students belongs to the parents, teachers, principals & Superintendent & their respective staff. 

If elected, I will support the mission of School Administrative Unit #28, for the town of Windham, NH, while respecting the will of the voters and the taxpayers of this community. 

One of my goals as a candidate is to increase voting attendance. I might be a familiar face, because I was raised in Windham, as well as years of being involved in the community in other areas besides politics. Many voters have become disengaged from the local government process and have lost faith in the system for one reason or another. I don’t shy away from holding people accountable, including myself. I encourage ALL residents to exercise their right to vote. I have the utmost respect for citizens that make the time to vote in Local-State-National Elections – I haven’t missed an election since turning 18. 

My position regarding issues facing the SAU District #28 and the town of Windham: 

Facility Master Plan – The School Facilities Master Plan for our town reviews where we are now, as well as where we are going.  Although I agree with portions of this Plan, there are several items that I am questioning. 

In the first part titled “Background” section, overcrowding is discussed as an issue.  While the number of students has grown, the growth in town peaks next year and then actually gradually begins to drop off from the peak, according to the current enrollment data available.  Also, the original Facility Master Plan calls for the remodel/renovation of the Middle School, to accommodate grades 5-6 (middle school concept.) and 7-8 (junior high concept).  This concept will work fine with our current enrollment numbers.  A brand-new building for this purpose does not appear to be currently justified. The Windham Middle School building, which is approximately 25 years old, can certainly be reconstructed for our needs.

A 100-year old building would be obsolete; a 20+ year old building can be cost-effectively adapted to our current needs.  (It’s difficult to sell the voters on the plan after changing the plan before the ink dries. The voters will decide their direction in March.) 

Portables – I support the initial facility master plan. I will vote “Yes” for portables at Windham Middle School, not as a band-aid, but as a solution. Better logistics may solve some concerns as well. New kindergarten will free up trailers at Golden Brook School and Windham High School will be at only 70% capacity next year.

The Windham High School needs to bear some of the burden of classroom sizes and overcrowding concerns at Grades 1-8. The voters will decide direction on this issue in March. 

Overcrowding – Not sure it is a priority or politics if the school administration is not willing to move 8th grade to the WHS.  Is it a bubble or growth? Windham has been growing for last 30 years – now it’s a self-proclaimed educational crisis? Many opinions run amuck.  From the latest data, it appears to be a peak in growth, with a gradual decline following. 

Can we really afford to build a new school every 20 years or every bubble/peak? A PowerPoint slide at deliberative session showed GBS-WCS-WMS at better than 150+% capacities, but all classroom sizes are within state standards and the Town/ State Fire Department are not knocking on the SAU door with safety or compliance concerns. 

Classroom Size – Once again - Not sure it is a priority or politics if not willing to move 8th grade to WHS.  Classroom sizes in Windham are consistently below 25 students for Grades 1&2, and are consistently below 30 for grades 3-8 which meet the criteria of NHDOE Rule Ed. 306.17(STAR project study). Windham has maintained these classroom sizes since the inception of the study in 2001. Windham is not #1 in the State, but I didn’t know we were in a competition.

Towns like Harrisville, Freedom, Unity, Warren, Errol, Marlow, Pittsburg, Stark and many other small towns are ranked in the upper echelon of the lower classroom sizes out of 155 school districts in NH. I recommend moving to Harrisville, NH if you want less than a 15:1 classroom size for your child.  How about a private school, if you want these types of educational ratios?   Keep in mind – many Windham classrooms have an employed teacher/instructional aid (66 totals between GBS-WCS-WMS) and a supportive PTA volunteer base which cuts that ratio in half.

 Many classrooms in the State of New Hampshire do not have an aid or volunteer support from their SAU and the community. Also, classroom size is a philosophy, for every study that determines it makes a difference in a student’s ability to learn, there is another study claiming it doesn’t matter. The STAR Project study is not an apple to apples comparison of Windham average classroom sizes with the 150+ less populated towns in Rural New Hampshire which sways the NHDOE average classroom to utopian sizes of below 20. 

The only people not complaining about “overcrowding” and “classroom sizes” are the students themselves as mentioned by a substitute teacher at deliberative session. I agree - the teachers do a great job in Grades K-8 managing our student’s education in lean economic times and doing their best with the tools and space available within the means of the taxpayer.( www.education.nh.gov/data/documents/ave_district10_11.pdf ) 

Engineering Study – I will vote “NO” on any engineering study for a project/plan not approved by the electorate at this time. Historically in Windham – Engineering studies have been inaccurate/false and didn’t have a happy ending costing the taxpayer more in the end.  Also, if the Engineering Firm has a financial stake in the construction of a new building, which way do you think that the study is likely to be slanted? 

We NEED these types of decisions made with the best interests of our town FIRST.  There may be a better system to achieve our goals (i.e. Request for Proposal’s, Request for Quote’s from more than the same sources).   If we have a competitive bid system for these major projects, upgrades or renovations, we will have more options to choose from. As mentioned in an earlier paragraph, I support the initial facility plan of remodeling WMS to a two house model with a 5&6 Middle School concepts and 6&8 with a Jr. High School concept. The engineering study is for a new 5-6-7-8 - Middle and/or Jr. High School – Your guess is as good as mine. 

SAU Withdrawal – I support Windham withdrawal from the SAU #28. Keep in mind – There is a tax impact to this decision. Please read SAU Withdrawal Study on www.windhamsd.org website for details. The warrant also requires 60% to pass, so the more voters in attendance on Election Day - the better. 

WHS Athletic Complex – Windham taxpayers paid $50M+ for a new high school with just the bare minimum in athletics. I support the initial facilities master plan which has a plan for athletic upgrades at WHS to include a track and a turf football field with lights and bleachers. Voters are still angry about what $50M paid for at WHS, which makes a new school for grades 7 - 8 or is 6-7-8, or is it 5-6-7-8 on London Bridge Road a tough sell, based on past history. I envision another Windham High School construction argument on the horizon, (A vs. B. vs. C) because so many have their individual plan already to a project not been approved by the voters. There is no plan for LBR Middle School, but the Master Facility Plan Committee has/had a plan for a two house concept at Windham Middle School. (5&6 Middle School Concept and 7&8 Jr. High School Concept) 

8th Grade to Windham High School – What is the priority? Overcrowding – Classroom Size – WHS accreditation. Are there no students from the WHS Class of 2012 going to college in 2013, because of WHS accreditation?  My most recent data is that, just in the class of 2012 (as of Feb. 1st), 54% of OUR FIRST GRADUATING CLASS are ALREADY ACCEPTED TO COLLEGE!!!

NO Accreditation needed, AND the school year is not even over yet!!! Moving the 8th Grade to Windham High School would my “band aid” solution to make elbow room as voters determine the direction of initial or new Master Facility Plan. The Windham High School needs to bear some of the burden of classroom sizes and overcrowding concerns at Grades 1-8. 

Bullying –  

1. First - Implement school uniforms (Grade K-12).  Proven method of reducing bullying.  Students dress up for their education, NOT to impress their peer groups or friends.
2. Second - Prohibit social media on the school campus to include I-Phones-Droids-Texting.
3. Students can express their individualism in their behavior, work ethic, school spirit, and studies while on the Windham school campus.
4. Third - Look into Modification of traditional School Bus Service.  There has to be a more cost-effective way to provide this service AS NEEDED.  (Over $1 Million Dollars/year). A disproportionately large amount of bullying does take place on the buses. Absolutely nothing educational takes place on the bus. 

Teacher Contract – The School Board and Windham Teachers Union agreed to resume negotiations and have an agreement in place and present to the voters in 2013.The parties assured the voters that they would maintain a mutual goal of continuing to provide quality education to the students in Windham. Both parities respectfully submitted a statement to the community in good faith. Teaching in Windham is as stable work environment. I would argue it is a more stable work environment than most jobs held by our Windham voters in the private sector. The Windham Teachers Union reneged on this mutual agreement by making an amendment to Warrant Article #6 (Operating Budget) by adding $563,000.00 for Step Raises circumventing the negotiation process of their contract with SAU#28. It was unexpected 11th hour move by Teachers Union against the SAU and the voters. I recommend to the voters of Windham to cast a vote of “NO” on Warrant Article # 6 in March 2012 election. 

Warrant Article # 6 (Operating Budget) – I am traditionally a rubber stamp “Yes” on a School Operating Budget, but I am “NO” for the above reason regarding Teacher’s Union Amendment to the School Operating Budget for an additional $563,000.00 to cover raises not yet negotiated.

The plan as agreed upon in a Windham Independent announcement from School Board and teacher’s Union was to finalize an agreement and have ready for voters in 2013. The Teacher Union should know best of all the need for an approved School Operating Budget, but I in good faith can not support the School Operating Budget with this amendment in place on Warrant Article # 6. 

NECAP Test Scores – Implement an accountability system for NECAP test scores for the individual students. My recommendation is to make the NECAP testing worth (at least) one major test grade for each student - holding them accountable for their performance on the test.  

Just watch as the test scores increase dramatically, when the student understands that the test score counts against their GPA, and not just against the teachers and the administrations. Our students have the capability to achieve high test scores. 

IB Curriculum at Windham High School – I can not and will not compromise on my opinion of IB Curriculum. I am absolutely 100% against IB Curriculum. If for some reason it is introduced into our schools – Windham, New Hampshire will be in my rear view mirror. 

We determine our direction, not some organization from outside the borders of the United States of America. In the spirit of full disclosure as a Candidate for School Board: I will cast my vote as follows:

1. Warrant Article # 2 –(Engineering Study) – I will cast a “ NO” vote
2. Warrant Article # 3 – (Portables at WMS) – I will cast a “YES” vote
3. Warrant Article # 4 – (School Maintenance Fund) – I will cast a “YES” vote
4. Warrant Article # 5 – (SAU Withdrawal) – I will cast a “Yes” vote
5. Warrant Article # 6 – (School Operating Budget w/ Teacher’s Union Amendment) – I will cast a “NO” vote. 

Hopefully I have conveyed a clear message of my background, opinions, beliefs, view points and ideas to prospective Windham voters. The above platform of my positions doesn’t necessarily reflect the opinion of my family and friends.

If you approve – please vote for me – if you don’t approve - please vote against me.

If I am elected – I will do my best to execute the will of the people in our school system, no matter if I agree or disagree... If I am not elected – I will happily stay home with my family; continue to be involved in the community through my children, and watch Bruins - Red Sox – Boston College games with my son instead of going to a school board meeting.  At the end of the day – The voters hold the cards – Elected officials, SAU, and teachers need to do their best with the cards dealt on Election Day. Many Americans in Windham, the State of New Hampshire, and the United States are learning to do more with less, especially at home and in the workplace.  Thank you for your time reading this. 

I am Jim Curtin – I am running for Windham School Board – and I approve this message.