WPCNR MR. AND MRS. AND MS. WHITE PLAINS VOICE. March 3, 2005: A parent reacting to the Westchester Magazine ranking of White Plains High School as 36th in the county, has written this comment:

Maybe before the School Board decides to approve the 2005-06 School  budget they should take a look at this months "Westchester" magazine. It  ranks the area High Schools by various categories. WP overall ranked 36 out of 43. However,  in the per student expenditures area, WP placed 6th,  higher than the top two overall schools, Horace Greeley and Briarcliff. How is it that NewRochelle, with a larger student body, and just as diverse as our great city, spent 34% less per student yet achieved higher  average SAT scores by ~10%?. I know the Article states that WPHS has one  of the top science programs in the state, but how many students are truly  in this program, 5,10, 25,50,100,300 ?

 The community needs more answers before we go ahead approving this years  school budget. Please, we don't need to hear again about how the author  gathered the information incorrectly or how other areas differ concerning diversity. The school district has been given the money (6th place) to deal with this issue and the community has not been rewarded for it. Its  time that everyone in the school system be held more accountable. If we continue on this path, the situation will only get worse. Parents will start to look for other options on where they want to send their children thus leaving very few alternatives for a sinking ship. 

Lastly, I guess we all know now why the School Board wants to hire a  Public Relations company for $50,000! Your only fooling yourself and the  community by going in this direction. The time has come for ALL to take  responsiblity for their results not to hide them

White Plains Parent.