Luxury buses or improved academic program?

One of the questions that I have been facing recently from students and some of their parents as well revolves around "Why can't we ride to our games more often on luxury buses more often? Some of the other teams do and they arrive at games more rested."

There are several good and easy answers to this question. Most importantly, the rental of a motor coach is a one-time expense that benefits a very limited number of students. Once the $1,000 - 2,000 expense for that bus is paid, the money is gone. Our highest priority here is our core academic mission, and that money can be used to buy new books or technology for classrooms that will benefit many students for years to come. That money can be used to send a faculty member to a workshop from which he or she will bring back ideas that can strengthen a broad aspect of our curriculum. Take 15 or 20 of luxury bus trips per year, and that same money pays the salary and benefits of an additional teacher and coach.

But even if we were a very wealthy school and had lots of extra cash available, I would still limit the use of luxury buses unless truly necessary. One of the most important skills that we can impart on our students is the difference between "needs" versus "wants". Our students will be much better prepared for success beyond Winchendon if they can make thoughtful decisions about discretionary expenditures. Athletic teams and student groups have been traveling by school buses and activity vans for generations, and they (we!) have lived through the experience.

The reason that I publicly discuss this issue and my apparent frugality is that I think that these issues are important and represent great learning moments for all of us. So, when we have decisions to make like this, I encourage discussion about them. We will evaluate most if not all spending decisions on the basis of 1)how much of the Winchendon School community will directly benefit from the expenditure and 2)how long the benefit will endure. This approach is especially important at times like these but is also the basis of sound practice at all times. I hope that you share this view.

Please don't hesitate to ask if you have questions about this or any other decision that is being made about our school. Generally we all learn something from those questions.