Time to invest in education In Dover

To the Editor:

We know good schools make good people. As Jamie Vollmer, 20-year education industry veteran, conveys in his book Schools Cannot Do It Alone, public schools are important to a community and its economy and overall health. Vollmer highlights that schools with higher spending on education spend less on crime management and less on healthcare.

Dover ranks pretty close to the bottom on dollars spent per student ($12,234) even our neighbors are spending considerably more: Rochester $13,600, Somersworth $15,300, Rollinsford $20,300, Oyster River $18,000, Newmarket $15,800 and Exeter $17,700.

SEED was formed to supplement the constrained school budget through private grants funded by donations. The non-profit has 54 business partners and more than 120+ individual donors committed to academic excellence. By emphasizing the teaching and learning of 21st century skills and preparing Dover students for post-secondary education and career challenges, SEED supports Dover teachers in their implementation of new tools, curriculum, and teaching techniques.

Though SEED never intended to take away district responsibilities, in eight short years, SEED has awarded more than $100,000 in grants and provided Dover’s inspired educators with the tools they need to implement innovative learning experiences, create new curriculum, access additional resources, attend educator development training, and purchase 21st century technology and classroom equipment. As a result, teachers introduced Next Generation Science Standards curriculum at the High School, literacy learning for grades K-4 and Jo Boaler’s Mindset Mathematics training at the middle school -- none of these would have ever made the lines of the school budget. More than 100 grant awards given across Dover public schools have been made possible by SEED funding.

As the Dover budget debate for 2020 develops, there is a push to expand the investment in education through an increase in spending. While SEED doesn’t seek to and can’t control classroom size, teacher salaries, or basic instruction, it can encourage academic distinction in Dover through donations and fundraising. Of course, our Board also hopes you will consider the significance of the Education Budget for our youth and our future.

On April 6, SEED will host its Encore for Education fundraiser in the new event room at Patty B’s in Dover. The evening will feature dueling pianos, food and drinks. All proceeds will be used to support future grant requests. By attending you are making it possible to bring new educational experiences to Dover students. To learn more about SEED, or to keep up with the awarded grants, initiatives and events, “Like” the group on Facebook and visit https://doverseed.org/

Angela Carter, SEED Board Member