Carrick: We Need To Work Together To Restore Cranford School District

Editor's Note: This letter was written by Superintendent of Cranford Schools Gayle Carrick. It was sent via the school district's listserv to parents and staffers in town. It has not been edited.

Dear Cranford Families and Cranford Staff,

The 2009-2010 year has been a difficult one for all of us. Many members of this cozy little town called Cranford have been hard hit financially with job losses and continually growing expenses. The financial landscape of New Jersey has forcefully hit us all and yet the child-centered people of Cranford have continued to support our schools. For this, our board of education members, our teachers, staff and I wish to express deep gratitude on behalf of our most precious commodity, our children. 

What makes Cranford so incredibly special and unique are the people. The shops are charming, the restaurants not only serve delicious food but they also support our schools, and the residents are kind and considerate, all resulting in children that only Norman Rockwell could imagine. What makes Cranford so special is the outward caring, one household to another, one neighbor to another, one family to another, and the long existing positive relationship between the schools and the community. Generation after generation of families and teachers have been living and working side by side to build and grow what is Cranford.  

Today, we find ourselves in a financial climate that has and will continue to challenge us all, at least for a while. Yet, it is during those difficult times in life that we have the opportunity to show who we are. We all agree that New Jersey taxes and unemployment are making this state unaffordable. Our Governor has embarked on an effort to provide some much needed relief however, during this struggle I ask that we remember the value that teachers play in our society and the special role that Cranford teachers play in this little gem of a town. Our staff is wonderful, they care about our children, they are talented educators and they are each committed to Cranford School's. 

The abundance of anti-public education sentiments has significantly impacted our staff. The loss of 49 colleagues and the devastating reductions to our school budget have impacted a great school district prideful of its programs and its success shown one student at a time. As spring envelops us, let us look to the future with the knowledge that teaching is a noble profession and that parents are every child's first teacher. This is an essential partnership that we must preserve. If you doubt that, just look outside of Cranford to communities where such a partnership is not the case.   

During these difficult times, let us all work together to restore our strong school –community partnership and put ourselves back together. Let us work to support each other and continue to take great pride in our schools and in our community.  We are here to accomplish the same goal ~ that of providing all Cranford children with the finest education possible. Thank you all for taking a moment to read this communication.

Sincerely,

Dr. Gayle Carrick, Superintendent