[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 120 (Friday, September 11, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1698-E1699]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           PRINCIPAL BETSY DUMPH AND HUDSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BOB SCHAFFER

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 11, 1998

  Mr. BOB SCHAFFER of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, during the recent district 
work period, Principal Betsy Dumph opened the doors of Hudson 
Elementary School and shared her experience as the principal of this 
small town school.
  Hudson Elementary serves children from the area around Hudson, CO, 
including other smaller towns, family farms and ranches. This thriving, 
brightly decorated school shares some of the challenges of its urban 
counterparts and some distinctions, too.
  Principal Dumph has worked hard to assemble a strong staff of 
professional educators. Unfortunately, Colorado's tenure system has 
proven an obstacle to this effort. She told my

[[Page E1699]]

staff that it took three years to remove a particular teacher who 
routinely slept through classes. Fortunately, she was able to bring in 
many motivated teachers and aides who are as interesting in learning as 
they are in teaching.
  Special education has presented a tough challenge to Hudson 
Elementary. Principal Dumph is committed to the ideal of educating 
special needs children. Several people on staff are dedicated to just 
that. However, she recognizes the need for changes to the law. 
Currently the law does not allow principals to expel dangerous 
students. Hudson has already witnessed one tragic killing from a 
violent student who could not be expelled because of federal laws. Now 
he is receiving special care, but the price has been another's life. 
Additionally, the federal government has not paid its promised share 
for special education mandates. The money makes a big difference to a 
small farming town school.
  One of the greatest frustrations is that children are not coming to 
school prepared to learn. The simple things which teachers once could 
take for granted are not mastered before kindergarten today. Many 
children do not have the foundations for learning. They do not have a 
basic level of language or recognition of patterns. Teachers have to 
take several steps back before moving forward. Parental involvement 
before and during formal education is essential.
  In the face of these challenges, Hudson Elementary School continues 
to provide a good solid education to the kids of eastern Colorado. I 
would like to thank Principal Dumph for her time and her commitment to 
education.

                          ____________________