Should the Auburn School Committee and district employees be models for our children? According to the district’s mission statement, Auburn is “working collaboratively so that all students learn and succeed in a changing world.”

Are the school leaders fulfilling this mission?

Are the members modeling good citizenship and respect for our children? 

If the current iPad debate is any indication, they are failing their mission.

David Das, School Committee chairman, told the Sun Journal that MaineCare reimbursement money was used to purchase 100 iPads in the spring. He was very forthcoming in explaining this funding over the course of four emails to a member of Auburn Citizens for Responsible Education. 

That was later denied by Tom Morrill, retiring Auburn school superintendent, stating that MaineCare was not used. 

Why was Mr. Das given incorrect funding information?

The lack of communication between the school administration and committee chairman is startling. If they are not on the same page, how will the parents and citizens of Auburn stay informed?

Are those funding inconsistencies smoke and mirrors or very poor communication?

Is this an example of “working collaboratively” that the children should emulate?

We have been met, at each point of this iPad debate, with conflicting information and a pretense of interest. At School Committee meetings, many parents and citizens approached the board with their concerns, and time and time again these concerns were dismissed. Why? Are they afraid of or incapable of having an honest debate?

It is this conflicting information and disrespect from committee members and employees that discourages parents and the community from becoming involved.  Where is the collaboration with the community? Where is the communication between employees and administration? 

At one School Committee meeting, a parent expressed concerns about cyber bullies and Internet safety. This was met by School Committee member Tom Kendall with contempt and disrespect toward this parent. Apparently, Internet safety is not on his radar. How can we, as parents, trust a School Committee that ridicules the legitimate concerns of parents?

Have the School Committee and superintendent considered other programs with proven success? Apparently not.

Auburn Citizens for Responsible Education has submitted other possibilities with proven success. These include the praising effort, Handwriting Without Tears, and the community mentoring. Additionally, the Headsprout program, currently used at East Auburn Elementary, has a proven 100 percent success rate at improving reading proficiency, according to new school Superintendent Katy Grondin. Why not fund these programs?

At the June 15 School Committee meeting, an iPad initiative update was presented.  It was announced that the initial purchase of 285 iPads increased to 409. It was at this meeting that data was to be presented but, instead, quotes from students and teachers were provided as evidence. This was not the data that was promised.

The fact is, no data exists for iPad technology enhancing reading and mathematical comprehension. As a result, Mr. Morrill readily acknowledges this as a reason for lack of grant funding.  “It’s hard to sell wishes” to those who authorize grants, Morrill said. Is it, however, acceptable to sell wishes to Auburn citizens? 

Many parents are concerned with the effects of screen time for their children. No individual associated with this initiative has addressed the medical concerns that have been published regarding increased screen time in young children. These include aggressive behavior, sexual misbehavior, poor educational performance, lack of attention span, diabetes and eye strain. Why?

The fact remains that this program was pushed through despite public concern regarding this untested technology.

These inconsistencies indicate a stunning lack of accountability to the community, and a cavalier attitude regarding our children’s future.

Does anyone find it peculiar that the so-called “key” to improving student achievement, the iPads, would be left without a firm funding base?

In the School Committee chairman’s own words, Mr. Das stated, “The next School Committee will have to decide on the future of the program … it will have to address future funding sources.”

If our children’s improved educational performance is so important to this School Committee and superintendent, how does that make sense? Is this the model of programmatic research and financial responsibility we want our children to emulate?

Citizens and parents want leaders who are role models for their children. We want honest and correct information and clear communication among all levels of the school district. We want the assurance that our concerns are being addressed and that we are an integral part of these changes.

We don’t want to be sold “wishes” any more than the grant writers do. Our children deserve to have their education built on a solid foundation, not wishes. 

We hold our children to high standards, why not hold our school leaders to those same standards? We need new people with fresh ideas on the School Committee.

Stella Gammaitoni is co-founder of Auburn Citizens for Responsible Education.