Picture Rockwood is currently in phase three, which is the reporting phrase of the process. The facilitating team has narrowed down to two pictures which are the apple and the orange.

Shemain Kenney, Picture Rockwood co-chair said, “These options include a combination of actions to address its 6.6 million dollar deficit while still finding areas to enhance educational experiences for Rockwood students.”

Both pictures include an implementation of curriculum management plan, reduction in class sizes and an increase in salaries for administration and staff members.

The apple specifically includes free tuition for full day kindergarten and a tax rate increase and a bond issue which would not provide funding for preventative maintenance. Instead, the bond issue would be used for funding building maintenance and other proposed capital projects.

The orange increases tuition for full day kindergarten and an operating budget tax rate increase, however, funding for maintenance in not included in the budget.

Now, the facilitating team is seeking for opinions about each of the two pictures and which they believe would be best for Rockwood.

“It is critical to the success of the Picture Rockwood process that many community members’ voices are heard” Jen Thomas, Picture Rockwood co-chair said.

Community members can give their feedback through feedback forms and surveys which can be filled out online, or picked up in the office of any Rockwood school.

The Picture Rockwood facilitating team will make a recommendation to the Board of Education in January 2013.

For more information about Picture Rockwood, visit picturerockwood.org