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VOTE NO ON PROP RT
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This Fiscal Conservative Offers a Word on Prop RT
Vote NO April 7 on Prop RT. To the Taxpayers and Voters of St. Charles County, I have been following school finances closely for ten years. I am a fiscal conservative and want to lay out my concerns with Prop RT: 1. I am OPPOSED to Prop RT as it will cause significant reductions in local property tax revenue for local school districts (and other taxing districts) without any offsetting alternative tax increases. The Senior Citizen Property Tax Freeze previously enacted c
Francis Howell Forward
Mar 83 min read
Prop RT Means Cuts to Emergency and Disability Services, Schools, and Libraries
When the voters of St. Charles County consider Prop RT this April, they should know the stakes. If passed, Prop RT would heavily defund critical services, from fire and EMS to disability supports, schools, and libraries. Across St. Charles County, the first year losses from Prop RT are projected at $52 million, with long term impacts expected to be far more severe and far-reaching. What Prop RT Means for Emergency and Disability Services Prop RT proposes budget cuts that wo
Francis Howell Forward
Mar 73 min read
Trust, Freedom, and Empowerment
Author: Beth Abraham, parent of two FHH grads A solid school district is built on the foundation of trust, freedom, and empowerment of its members. Essential partners in public education include students, parents, teachers, administrators, and taxpayers. Each must have mutual trust, freedom, and empowerment for the school district to achieve its educational, financial, and developmental goals. Trust: Parents are trusted to know their students’ educational and emotional needs
Francis Howell Forward
Feb 92 min read
Francis Howell Forward Calls on FHSD and St. Charles County to Address a Pattern of Racial Incidents
Contact: FrancisHowellForward@gmail.com FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 1, 2025 Francis Howell Forward condemns the graffiti recently...
Francis Howell Forward
Oct 1, 20252 min read
Francis Howell Forward Calls on FHSD to Address a Pattern of Racial Incidents
We call on Francis Howell leaders to not only address this incident but to address their larger culture and climate and to prepare students for interactions in a diverse world.
Francis Howell Forward
Sep 26, 20251 min read
The Search: How FHSD Paid $250K for Almost-Superintendent Mike Dominguez Not to Take the Job (Superintendent Debacle, Part II)
Post I regarding the #DominguezDebacle offered important context surrounding board dynamics leading up to Dr. Dominguez’s hire. In Post II, we examine the search itself. After FHSD’s well-liked and respected superintendent, Dr. Ken Roumpos, unexpectedly announced his resignation a year early in December 2024, the school board was faced with two paths: (1) appoint an interim and launch a thorough search (a process that can often take up to a year (2) fast-track the selection
Francis Howell Forward
Aug 22, 20255 min read
The Backstory: How Francis Howell Ended Up Paying a Quarter-Million for a Failed Hire (Superintendent Debacle, Part I)
Under the FHSD5, the district soon saw a steep increase in turnover of staffing and administration, including the highly competent superintendent—Dr. Ken Roumpos—who resigned a year before the end of his contract.
Francis Howell Forward
Aug 13, 20252 min read
Time to See FHSD Students Winning Again
This year’s school board candidates were remarkably transparent, and FHSD voters responded in kind. We cast our ballots with our eyes wide open—and left no question. We want better for our students. Our community is ready to invest in students again—to prioritize learning, restore trust in quality education, and refocus on the programs and resources that give every child a chance to thrive. To those who are disappointed by this outcome, we’ve been in your shoes before. Please
Francis Howell Forward
Apr 9, 20251 min read
Noise
Last week, while canvassing, one of our leaders had an interesting conversation with one of our neighbors. When asked about their support...
Francis Howell Forward
Apr 5, 20252 min read
Everything there is to know about FHSD's financial history...
For years, stakeholders have had their eye on the financial management of the district. As always, there is some truth in both perspectives.
Francis Howell Forward
Mar 26, 20254 min read
Randy Cook's ALARMIST Leadership Style
Director Randy Cook’s motto seems to be, “Act first, reason later.”
Francis Howell Forward
Mar 12, 20252 min read
What about the state audit?
The costly state audit of the Francis Howell School District largely confirmed the district’s 2020 internal audit. That earlier review identified key missteps, particularly regarding excess expenditures on the new Francis Howell North High School project. It’s important to note that as soon as the district’s own report was in, corrective action began. The state audit provided additional scrutiny, but its hefty price tag feels unnecessary given the district’s active response
Francis Howell Forward
Feb 27, 20252 min read
2024 Holiday/Holy Day Message
FHForward wishes healing and goodwill to everyone in our community, no matter their political leanings. From Hanukkah to Christmas,...
Francis Howell Forward
Dec 26, 20241 min read
FHSD Stakeholders: Opponents or Neighbors?
Francis Howell Forward believes in civil dialogue and in learning from multiple perspectives. In the past, our meetings have always been...
Francis Howell Forward
Aug 27, 20241 min read
Open letter regarding recent events in FHSD
From: Francis Howell Forward To: Board of Directors, Superintendent of the Francis Howell School District CC: Jennifer Jolls, Chief...
Francis Howell Forward
Aug 23, 20242 min read
Here we go again...Policy Update
The FHSD 5’s fixation on culture war topics continues as the district faces soaring staff turn over and an operating fund balance...
Francis Howell Forward
Aug 15, 20242 min read
Board of Ed. Overreach Continues in Francis Howell
Now the BOE is suggesting over a dozen changes to policy and regulation to expand the authority of the FHSD5.
Francis Howell Forward
Jun 18, 20242 min read
Winning
No one is “winning.” We are failing to ask some of the most important questions of all: How do we break the cycle of partisan culture wars?
Francis Howell Forward
Apr 4, 20243 min read
Kids or No Kids: School Board Elections Hit Your Bottom Line
Amy Latta for Francis Howell Forward amy@amylatta.com Whether or not you have kids in your local school district, the April 2nd school board election hits you where it likely matters most: your money. In fact, every $1 spent on school funding, yields approximately $20 in increased property values . That’s because a key predictor of an area’s property values is what incoming families want for their kids’ education. Since 71% of families choose their local school district o
Francis Howell Forward
Mar 28, 20243 min read
The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), FHSD, and Elective Classes
The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), FHSD, and Elective Classes We are hearing a lot from the FHSD5 and our opposing candidates this...
Francis Howell Forward
Mar 20, 20242 min read
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