|
|
Post by admin on May 9, 2007 18:29:37 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by andrewd on May 10, 2007 13:56:31 GMT -5
Anyone who was at that meeting knows that this was another in a long line of issues that the board has been faced with, which we struggle to find the best solution for, and in the end, there is no way for us to come up with an answer that doesn't affect anyone, so we try to work out a solution that will cause the least amount of "damage".
I realize that people are upset. I realize that people do not support our decisions as a board. I realize that peoples lives have been severely effected by the decisions we have made.
What I hope others realize is that we struggle with each and every one of these decisions, to the point where we don't all agree on what the correct course of action is, but we all make our decisions based on what we feel is best for the students of our schools first, and the taxpayers of our town second.
Personally, I am keeping a diligent watch on the lottery money that the state recently received from an unclaimed prize ($10.8 million). This money, if distributed amongst the schools in the state that are below the T&E box, could help us a great deal, perhaps even to recover from some of the changes we have had to make recently, but nothing is guaranteed.
I guess I just wanted to let everyone know that despite the fact that we sit up at the front of the room, and we seemingly pass down some harsh decisions, they are never done without a great deal of research, discussion, research, discussion, and more research and discussion.
You have heard it from just about all of the BOE members, we are sometimes physically ill with the choices we have had to make, but in order to keep the doors open to our schools and still provide the best we are able to provide with the cards we are dealt from the state, we have to make these tough choices.
All we can do is continue to fight and pray that Trenton will get their act together, stop dragging their feet, and fix something that should never have been allowed to become broken.
|
|
|
|
Post by jaun of you now on May 10, 2007 14:10:35 GMT -5
keeping a diligent watch . is the last word a I would use for our board of education. A sorry mess, more money less services accept in Spanish, and tied incapable hands. Just petition to become an ABBOTT and stop wineing. This new superintendent, zero accomplishments, accept being elected to the school board in Howell again. Her first year here, twice more taxes, ongoing lower scoring. A helpless poor choice. |
|
|
|
Post by richardkelsey on May 10, 2007 15:32:46 GMT -5
Okay -- I read the article. After working through all the clap-trap about ahh moments and helping kids learn -- you get tot he crux of the complaint. I have worked her for 32 years, and the nerve of these people to make me do something I don't " want" to do. So much for helping those kids with the ahh moments. Look -- the only reason this person was not eliminated -- likely -- is because she had 32 years in the game. Working isn't about just doing what one "wants" to do -- it is about doing what is best for the school, and the kids. Some other young, eager, intelligent teacher -- at a much greater value and a much greater passion can probably do that job much better -- except that the School had to find a place to put someone with 32 years experience -- someone who doesn't want to do it. That's the travesty of the story. I wouldn't want a disgruntled, selfish person, looking to backslide out on a pension to take over my first-grader's class against her will either. Unfortunately -- I'll bet you a million dollars the school had no option to dump the teacher for a better option. This is what 32 years of working in an industry that does not have accountability does to people. It creates a sense of entitlement. The job of the public schools is -- as stewards of the public dollars -- to teach our children, and to do so in a way that creates the best value, at the lowest cost. The schools are there for the kids. They are not there for the wants of teachers. The whole system is broken. This woman should not have been kept -- and she should not be teaching a first grade class -- nor should the school be looking to find money to put her back where she "wants" to be. The system should be looking to deliver the best education in each class -- for each student, at the lowest cost. Wow -- just Wow. |
|
|
|
Post by Guest on May 10, 2007 20:03:06 GMT -5
Since the teachers union for years has backed the democrats that run this state, it's hard to conjure up sympathy for them now.
Welcome to the real world - well, partially. Many of us don't have choices of what jobs we hold, either. Now, if only there could be co-pays and something less than full medical coverage, we could fully welcome teachers into the real world. What, they don't want that?
And if someone cannot impart their talents and enthusiasm to the same or similar audience - the schoolchildren - in a different role, then perhaps it's time to rethink whether they should even be there in the first place.
|
|
|
|
Post by andrewd on May 11, 2007 21:08:57 GMT -5
keeping a diligent watch . is the last word a I would use for our board of education. A sorry mess, more money less services accept in Spanish, and tied incapable hands. Just petition to become an ABBOTT and stop wineing. This new superintendent, zero accomplishments, accept being elected to the school board in Howell again. Her first year here, twice more taxes, ongoing lower scoring. A helpless poor choice. Well, "jaun of you now" (wanted to make sure I copied it just as you typed it), I certainly hope to see you at one of our upcoming Board of Ed meetings (we have one Monday night in fact, 7pm at the Park Avenue School Library). You apparently have some problems with the current board, and I can only assume you have complaints because you have ideas that would work far better than the ones we have come up with. We are always open to ideas, so please, come on down and share some of your thoughts with us. Look forward to seeing you soon. |
|
