Road to academic excellence blocked by Sparta facilities

To the Editor: I am impressed with the many dedicated teachers and support staff in the School District. They have academically accomplished a great deal with the resources the district has provided. Currently Sparta spends about $1500 less per student that the NJ State average for K-12 districts. The good news is that in the last year and a half the School Board has increased funding and staffing to support a 5 year Curriculum Renewal Program to promote increased student academic achievement. Early results from curriculum program upgrades have been quite positive. For example, during the 2005-2006 school year, students in K-5 grades were introduced to a new mathematics program. The 2006 NJ ASK4 test scores have increased over 25% in the fourth grade students scoring in the advance proficient range. The biggest obstacle to the Curriculum Renewal Program is the inadequate old High School where there is a shortage of classrooms, science and computer labs. This restricts the number of Curriculum offerings that the school can provide. In addition, core facilities, including the auditorium, cafeteria, Library and physical education facilities were built for nearly 40 % fewer students than currently attend the High School. The School Library (Media Center) already very small and inadequate has been further reduced to provide for additional classrooms. The journey to Sparta academic excellence is aggressively underway. I ask your support to keep the progress going by supporting the School Referendum for a renovation and expansion of the High School. Sparta must have a 21st century high school facility in order to ensure the high quality education of our senior high students. Michael Schiavoni, 44 Cherokee Court, Sparta