This is for CJ and those who think working in District 150 should be a picnic and the school board doesn't seem to do anything right. I agree with some commenter's that if the funds you get are limited, then what you can do is limited and I agree the 45 minute cut isn't going to deprive the area of any brain surgeons or rocket scientists. One blogger even advocates packing up and leaving town because the schools are unfixable. Folks, we have always had problems in the schools and always will. I agree that we don't need all the superintendents we have where one would do. So if we gave them the pink slip, we would save what 200 grand? That's a nice sum but in the scheme of things, nothing really.
I also agree and would bet that the parents that show up to bitch about everything the school board and administration does, doesn't bother to vote for these people and are probably the same ones who just can't find the time to volunteer or show up to a concert at their kids school. When I was President of the Manual Boosters, we were lucky to get 6 parents to show and man the concessions or help with a school dance but by God if this board does something they don't like, then they show for the meeting in masses.
I'm looking forward to maybe CJ and some of those highly critical of our schools to run for those unpaid boards seats when they come up. You, know, I don't agree with everything the board does but it would be good if some of these knowing all people would come up with a solution.
Anyway, this little video kind of tells what the teachers, those who work with the kids, those who have the degrees, have to face everyday and it is not because of the school board, it is because of what the government, be it state or federal, mandates that they do what they do. That is truly where the problem lies, lack of proper state funding and government regulations that can not be applied. Like "No Kid Left Behind" crap. Dream it up, then don't fund it. The Bush Administration.
Private schools in this area aren't always the best choice either. They have money problems too but they have one thing that District 150 doesn't have; They have parent involvement. I guess if you are spending a nice chunk of change for your kid to go to school, you tend to show up at the school. Too bad this can't be force on parents in District 150.
4 comments:
I have to admit that I just got my bitch on about the administration today on my blog. If they would treat the community like they have a say and like it is our schools, I think people wouldn't get as pissed as we do. We are tired of the "we are all knowing and you can bend over and shut up" attitude the administration has. The school board needs to grow a pair and do what is best for the children instead of what is best for the administration.
Parents need to be involved. In my oldest son's class, we are consistantly the only parents who show up for open houses and school functions. Granted he only has about 10 kids in his class but it just shows that some parents don't place importance on school. This attitude is what has allowed the adminstration to run amuck in my opinion.
Fixing this isn't going to happen over night. Be part of the solution because bitching only goes so far. It is sure is fun though. :)
EB ol girl: I just read your blog. I feel your pain. The School Board we have right now thinks they are high and mighty. At least 2 of them do. Those 2 have no business on the board what so ever.
EDITED: I removed my little inside story that leads me to truly believe why I have such disdain for 2 of the members.
That's why I wonder with all the bitching some bloggers do, and a few of them (nameless for now) complain and complain about the District so I would expect to see a better choice of candidates for these seats when they open up. I have never seen so many people who find fault and offer their opinion (which is OK) but no one steps up to the plate. There HAS to be smarter people out there then some of the idiots we have on this board now. Or at least someone who can't be bought by an administrator for and egg salad sandwich.
Will you marry me? Oh wait...my current husband might be a bit pissed about that.
Your perspective is spot on, though. Contrary to popular belief, a school board does not function the same as, say, the board of directors of a company. And superintendents are not CEO's or CFO's.
But everyone has their own battle to fight. I'm grateful for parents who have perspective.
For many of the parents to prepare their kids for school, I say what parents?
It is the schools responsibility to make kids act like human beings ONCE they enter school property. Instead, I see many teachers feeling sorry for these underprivilged kids and rather than gaining respect from the kids , like teaching what self discipline is, (same as they get later on from the gang leaders) they try to become buddies with them.
Kids respect gang leaders because kids are looking for leaders they can respect even if it on the wrong side of the law.
The I'm your buddy system only works maybe through the third grade. Then the kids figure out who the weak teachers are and the whole system becomes an easy mark and that is when the real testing begins. No paper and pencil testing but the kid testing the teacher and the system to see if the kid can get away with the same things they get away with OFF the school grounds.
And why do more people not run for the school board positions? Five years of hard labor if your doing the job right with no pay and endless criticism. 2nd term adds up to 10 years of your life. Read my comments and blogs. The whole public school system is run like the early 1900's when the school ran the kids, not vice-versa.
I do know something about teaching schools. I taught for 5 years and I left when the kids and some parents started running the administration.
The Boys and Girls Club is entering it's second year of closure. Why, weak leadership and a busy board claiming the gangs took the Grinnel location over so the board closed it. Not for lack of money as the board claims. That's one thing Leslie does well -fundraising.
Hmmmmmmm
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