DODGING THE ISSUE: RAYMOND OFFICIALS DUCK AND WEAVE

Raymond teachers and administrators are working hard to improve education
in their district. New classes for advanced students, some new curricula,
and students eager to learn sounds like a perfect formula for academic
success. Yet this recipe won't produce what everyone wants unless it
includes the best ingredients.

Much of what is being done in Raymond is on the right track. But some of it
is not. We have pointed out policies and attitudes that we thought were
counterproductive, and for this we have been lambasted by some who felt we
were unfairly critical.

In the column on the opposite page, the president and publicity coordinator
of the Raymond Educators Association accuse this newspaper of libel against
the Raymond schools. In an editorial on Monday, the lack of clarity in one
sentence made it look like 51 percent of all Raymond students had smoked
marijuana, when the number was 51 percent of Raymond High School students.
That was our fault.

The REA officers go on to say that 60 percent of Raymond students have
never used alcohol, and they accuse us of covering up this statistic. "Your
misrepresentation of this fact causes our students to question their value
and worth," they claim. Yet it is they who misrepresent. The executive
summary of the survey in question shows that 42 percent, not 60 percent, of
Raymond students reported never having had a drink.

They also accuse us of being unfair for not reporting that Raymond students
want to get good grades and get along with their parents. We reported both
findings.

Most of the positive survey findings mentioned on the opposite page are the
results of good parenting. Student attitudes toward school and alcohol,
tobacco and drug use come mostly from the home. But test scores are the
result of what happens inside the schools. Instead of engaging in a debate
about why Raymond's test scores are lower than state averages and why
Raymond students say they don't get a good education, the writers attempt
to deflect attention from educational achievement by pointing out how many
Raymond students don't smoke and misrepresenting how many don't drink.

In response to our editorial critical of some Raymond administrators,
Raymond school officials have pulled the schools out of the Newspapers in
Education program, which is sponsored by The Union Leader. This is a
program that uses newspapers as a teaching tool for students. We think this
reaction is another example of poor leadership decisions. In addition to
shooting the messenger, some in Raymond are willing to harm the students by
discarding a good educational program out of spite.

We applaud the leadership and especially the teachers in Raymond for what
they have done for the students. But we have criticized, and will continue
to criticize, when we see policies we think are heading in the wrong
direction. That doesn't mean we are out to get anyone. It just means we
disagree. And there is nothing wrong with publicly disagreeing with public
officials who run a taxpayer-funded service.