in Lebanon

To the editor:

Education in Lebanon seems to be a very controversial subject these days. What with recall elections of school board members, attempts to oust the superintendent, the abysmal performance of high school students in math, etc. ad nauseam, there seems to be little to cheer about. When there is good news, it either receives little notice, or in the case of Sand Ridge Charter School, is twisted around to make it look like more bad news.

There has been a lot of misinformation floating around about Sand Ridge, and I think the public deserves to know the truth. There have been a few issues in the past with teacher certifications and minor paperwork omissions; those are past issues, not present. Classes are capped at only 18 students per class, with a full-time teacher and assistant in every full classroom, meaning students have much more personal assistance and instruction in every subject.

Sand Ridge is a public school, and therefore does not cost the family whose child is enrolled a dime. Sand Ridge operates at only 80 percent of the funding that the other schools in the district operate on. This means that for every $100 the state has allocated for a Sand Ridge student, the Lebanon School District actually profits by $20, because only $80 of that amount actually goes to Sand Ridge. Federal money is allocated for bus transportation for every student in the district, but Sand Ridge receives no bus services from the district, despite requests. The fact that Sand Ridge exists actually brings money into the school district, contrary to what the superintendent would like you to think.

Finally, Sand Ridge students have the most "seat time" of any school in Lebanon. Half days and early releases are virtually unknown. Instruction is based on the Core Knowledge curriculum, and is very comprehensive and rigorous. Instruction is tailored to the student, and is focused on the level of the individual student's ability and performance, rather than simply on what grade they happen to be in. Students at Sand Ridge are offered music and Spanish as part of the regular curriculum.

Sand Ridge was the only school in Lebanon that was awarded the designation of "Exceptional" by ODE last year. For parents who want a really quality education in Lebanon without paying private school prices, Sand Ridge is a real gem.

Kaynor Heineck

Lebanon