Fact and fiction …

A Spectrum, by MJ Lightsey

The Mat-Su Correspondence Study School (CSS) is an integral part of our family's life. I'm upset to see so many misused facts and misleading statements produced by school district officials regarding their CSS programs.

Fiction: (as reported) 200-300 students are responsible for the CSS budget shortfall.

Non-fiction: CSS is assisting 900 -1,000 individual, warm-bodied students in various programs this year.

Fiction: (as reported) "… The layoffs are not concentrated in one area or school …"

Non-fiction: School district officials have directed parents to call CSS for answers, but there is only one CSS office employee left after the layoff/shuffle notices. One employee is now expected to achieve a 500 percent performance level in addition to fielding these questions on the phone. This is deplorable, only serving to further obstruct program performance.

Fiction: (as reported) It is now necessary to charge new students a $250 per course fee.

Non-fiction: New CSS enrollments must be suspended, but only for Track II students. Adding new Track I students, for current Mat-Su School District students, does no financial harm. These students can move to Track II when enrollment reopens. A spring/summer enrollment would help to prevent or delay yearly Track II program suspension.

Fiction: (as reported) "… contrary to rumors in the community, the correspondence programs are not being entirely closed down, …"

Non-fiction: The "rumors in the community" concerning a charter school to replace CSS, were started by our politicians and school district officials.

The CSS Track II program was launched at the 11th hour, with false hopes of instantly bringing back 1,700 students. There are many alternative homeschooling options available in the Valley. I.D.E.A. (Galena School District) and Cyberlinks (Nenana School District) are the most noteworthy competition. These two programs account for the bulk of our "missing 1,700 students" (approximately 600 families to Galena and 500 students to Cyberlinks).

How did we lose 1,700 students in the first place? Which schools did they leave? Why did they leave? Aren't the bean counters concerned about this? (Hint: Cyberlinks and I.D.E.A. got a pleasant enrollment boost when Mat-Su School District closed an elementary school because of "not enough students.")

Historically, CSS enrollment has been between 450-550 students each year, which has increased this year. Track II is exactly the type of program that CSS has needed for a decade. A positive impact will be seen in two to three years. Why so long? I.D.E.A. requires parents to sign a two-year contract to protect their program profitability and stability. In contrast, Mat-Su School District has continually threatened the existence and quality of CSS programs to promote an appearance of instability. Some school district officials have even suggested that the CSS programs really didn't require certified educators.

Misleading statistics and rumors only serve to confuse the public as to the cost and value of each school program. To put this into perspective, we would need to see the statistics showing the net cost per student (after all overhead and all reimbursements) comparing CSS students to the district's traditional classroom students. It's funny that this particular statistic is one you never hear.

If the school district can provide a stable CSS Track II program, it would encourage all Mat-Su homeschooling parents to support our own school district. If not, then my children will be leaving, too.

MJ Lightsey is a Wasilla

resident.