Sunday
September 7, 2008

Staff Development Monday Dates
(Late Start– Class Begins @ 9:10am)

Message From Mr. Fisher

All of you are aware of the budget crisis facing schools in California, and you have likely read editorials which challenge the severity of this issue.    

As your principal, what I do know is that I have given pink slips, lay-off notices, and letters of reassignment to 35 Poway High teachers in virtually every content area. What this means is that many of these teachers who we know and trust will not return to Poway High, and others are likely to leave the profession. I also know that we can prepare for increased class sizes, and reductions in coaching positions, athletic transportation, counseling services, our Student Assistance Services program, the performing arts – the list goes on and on.  

I have joined my high school principal colleagues in advocating the reduction in virtually all budgets, programs, and services that will allow us to keep staff, especially our teachers.   Over the years, I have taken special pride in our hiring practices, bringing the most talented people to this school to work with your children.   Once talented people are lost, they rarely return.   Thus, I support doing whatever we need to do to keep the people at PHS who teach, counsel, coach, and motivate your children.   When I know exactly what our needs are going to be, I will aggressively approach our parents, business partners, and community in requesting specific support.

There is a long list of complaints about the inadequate support education receives, like the fact that California is 47 th among all states in per pupil spending, or that we receive $2,000 per pupil less than the national average.  For right now you can support your kids by making your politicians at the state level aware that you are dissatisfied with the situation, and then join me and our staff in making next school year an excellent one for every one of your children.   It will take a great deal of effort, support, and determination to give them the education they deserve, an undertaking which we are prepared to tackle.

Sincerely,
Scott Fisher
Principal