I am Jim Elsesser your School Board Representative. I am running for another term. I have been a resident of Acworth most of my life (so far). I attended the Acworth School as a child, as did all 3 of my children, and although the school is different today, it is no less an asset that many families look to when deciding to come live in our community. It is part of what this town is all about. I have represented both Acworth and the District by serving on the School Board for 15 years. While on the Board, I have been on the Negotiation Team helping to negotiate fair salary and benefits to retain our talented staff as well as holding the line on things that would increase taxes beyond what we can tolerate. (I own 4 houses in the school district so when the taxes go up, it goes up times 4 for me!) I have served on the Facilities Committees with local contractors and began the insulated window program that continues today.
JIM ELSESSER – FOR SCHOOL BOARD
Do you feel that taxes are too high? Well I do too. The fact is most of the increases in our budgets we have no control over. The cost of heating oil and diesel fuel have been serious contributors as well as unfunded mandates from the State and Federal Government and the under-funding of Special Education. The tuition rate per student is high in Acworth because, although the cost to operate the School is in line with what we have spent before (plowing the parking lot, heating. cleaning and lights etc.) it is divided by fewer students. Back 10 years ago there were 60 kids, now there are 23. Why is this happening? I don’t think there is an easy or obvious answer. Maybe the cost of housing or lack of employment? This would be an important discussion to have and maybe we could find ways to increase the young family population in our town. Until then, we need a school and we need to find a way to continue funding it.
What does the future look like? I feel that Langdon and Acworth should team up to supply more of the services K-8 for ourselves and use some of the $800,000 in tuition we collectively pay to Alstead annually to achieve this. We are both small rural towns of similar design. We could split up the grades and educate ours kids at "home" and keep our young students closer to home. Or, Acworth School may be a candidate for a Charter School and could market the "special programs" we have to other families who are not as fortunate to live in such an environment. We have had the Turkey Feast and Project week as well as presenters and artisans, actors and poets, authors and illustrators that have come into the school to teach, perform and inspire. We are blessed here in Acworth.
I hope you will cast your vote for me as your Representative to the School Board for another 3-year term. Please call or email if you have any questions or want more information.
Thank you - Jim Elsesser
603-835-6485
jimelsesser@hotmail.com