Schools should hear town concerns

As a graduate in education from the University at Buffalo, I was very disappointed in the actions of the Amherst School Board superintendent and president in the recent Amherst Bee article regarding the reduction of nurse staffing hours for our private schools.

Throughout my education, I was always encouraged to challenge the status quo, analyze alternatives and express a recommendation as a solution. It seems to me that the two Town Board members at the last School Board meeting openly expressed their opinion in a public forum for all to review and critique.

I find unacceptable the School Board's comment "How unfortunate that the Amherst Town Board demonstrated a lack of understanding and respect toward another municipal body by taking these highly inappropriate actions." I suppose they would have preferred a closed-door, invitation only meeting. Their own board is working hard at transparency; maybe the School Board should take a lesson.

I think the School Board should be challenged more often. I would like to think that they would embrace and encourage any and all input regarding the school budget. I happen to believe that with a little ingenuity and hard work, they could find a way to fund the $70,000 needed out of the multimillion-dollar budget to keep nurse staffing levels at our private schools. Look at your own school tax bill and draw your own conclusion.
Tom Schratz
Kensington Avenue
Amherst