OK, I did it.
I was doing my part to aid the local economy and I ended up walking out with an Emptyprize in the bag with my Sam Adams.
I wasn't disappointed.
It's nice to see they have their priorities straight -- we're in the midst of budget discussions, debates over public safety buildings, and an election without candidates -- yet the Emptyprize managed to find space on page one, above the fold, for a hard-hitting story on .... dog parks ... in Mashpee!! (I will admit to drinking while reading the paper --- if somebody in Falmouth will admit to drinking when they write it !)
There was the beginning of a story on the School Budget which allegedly was continued on page 3 (but was actually was continued on page 10 --- after the Mashpee Dog Park issue had been fully explored in the earlier pages). There was nothing new -- still no teachers contract, still no word on Community School financial statements. I wonder what the budget gap would look like if the Community School paid their utility bills for the pool?
It's interesting that the Falmouth Public Schools' advertisement soliciting School Choice students from Sandwich got better placement than the continuation of the school budget story. It was a good ad -- hello, free market economy.
The Police blotter had an interesting entry -- it seems one of the picketers at the Forestdale School called the Police to complain that a passerby had "yelled at her". So, how's that public support working out for you? I still haven't seen any heart-warming stories of parents joining the picket line, or delivering hot tea and scones to protesters.
Maybe that's why they're now scheduled to reduce their picket lines to two mornings a week? (I hope that notice wasn't copied on a school machine!)
The Editorial Page had the standard letter from a student supporting his teachers' quest for a contract (apparently regardless of WHAT they wanted in the contract). The amusing part was his comment about teachers coming to work, not knowing if they would have a job the next day because they didn't have a contract. The reality is: teachers don't get fired because they don't have a contract. Teachers are rarely even fired for being incompetent. Teachers usually only get fired when the Town can't pay them -- which is what will happen if the schools can't control operating costs.
The letter talked about cancelled field trips and activities, but also raised a far more serious issue of teachers not writing student recommendations. He expressed concern about not getting into programs because of missing teacher recommendations. I would hope he will specify exactly WHO refused to write a recommendation ... that would make an interesting response the next time a union leader climbs up on her soap box and talks about enduring her $70,000 job, prep periods, time off for union business, medical/dental benefits, 184 day work year, 3 PM dismissal, etc. --- for "the good of the children"...
19 comments:
The Truth Maker would ask Brother Bob. The soap box discussion once again brings into focas the lack of reality when it comes to issues surrounding the present school budget. Why are not more questions being asked of the School committee, by the parents of the children presently attending our district? Never mind the members of the school committee themselves?
Who is paying for the school pool??
Who is paying for the community school??
Why are children being led to believe that this issue of no contract is on the side of the school committee and not the union???
How does one speak about not liking bus fees, but that is better then laying off teachers or disbanding programs???
Why not address what has been allowed to transpire in regards to many of the programs we all fought to impliment here in Sandwich over the past several years and are now
being replaced for another agenda driven purpose. Here we go with another start up cost, over and above where money allready has been expanded in the past years to impliment programs that actually work.
We need to be asking, where is the Sandwich School district heading??
Another year long uncertanity without any contract for the teachers,children leaving every day, more homes going up for sale every day, Taxes keep going up each year, as our tax base decreases, More money given out to special interest studies that our BOS leadership ignores for his own platform and sound bites.Less security, for the common folks from breakins, drugs and alcohol related events.
The lack of common sense decisions
by the present leadership of the BOS.
The complete lack of any leadership for Economic Development here in Sandwich, the list is a never ending soap box questions and here we sit wondering when it will turn around ??
We have land that could be developed and sold, but once again those in power are waiting another 5 years to decide when the time is right and get it done, so that we the taxpayers can realize some relief before we all decide to uproot and move to another town.
Many will be forced to do just that if we do not get people in place that actually are looking out for the towns interest, rather then there own
That's funny about the "Emptyprize" I would agree that with so much going on in this town that newspaper covers some of the issues but never really digs in deep. There is a chance to really improve readership if there was less fluffy stuff. In response to the teachers again, I would say it's time to "squeeze the fat" out of this budget. Off the top of my head I would say after I see all the teachers parading to the microphone at the SC meetings lately with their "I've been here 25 years, I've been a teachers here for 20 years", etc. I thought to myself, "they should all be the first to go". Their salaries are what is killing the budget. Get rid of them and bring in some fresh, new teachers who have learned different techniques and more modern set of skills. Anyone who's been at the same job for all that time cannot possibly breath new life into a classroom no matter how many half day "enrichments" they receive. I know this could never possibly happen. But I can dream about it. The lifelong teachers will continue to unethusiastically teach my kids, teaching the same old way, the same old lessons, passing out and correcting the same old tests, the same old way. Ho hum. average education at it's best.
Amen Brother Bob!
The same old same old in teaching and in our school cultures equals parents running screaming from the district and a district stuck in mediocrity regardless of any spin to the contrary. Years and years of inadequate budgets for our schools with three solid years of significant cuts to the school budget doesn't help either. I do wonder when if ever we will get answers about the Community School? Looks like that can is going to be kicked down the road indefinitely. Guess the school district doesn't know how to manage the school buildings after hours without them. Wish I got paid the salaries the school department managers do to figure this stuff out. Can't keep blaming the School Committee in my opinion. They aren't the ones on the job.
You missed the comment at the BOS meeting when one of them got excited about the idea of using funds from the sale of the Golden Triangle to fund construction of the second new fire station.
Wait a minute, ten years ago they were talking about using using that money to pay off Agilent/Oakcrest!
We saw how well that worked out!
1:51, I don't understand comment about not knowing how to run buildings without the Community School. I suspect what's really happening is that they are using building rental revenues again to prop up the Community School. Probably why nobody has seen any financial reports this year.
What about the "special"in education? Where is it? Our kids are qualifying as special education students and not receiving services. When they don't get services in elementary school, they go on to HS without services and become anxious and depressed.
Then they either shut down or start acting out. Teachers, administration throw up their arms in frustration and blame the child. The kid is usually thrown into the social/emotional program. Why are families choosing schools outside the district? Hmmmmm
Are you kidding? "Special" ed sucks up tons of $. Where are the "services" for G&T? Smart kids who actually know how to behave get no attention in big classes while low achievers & disruptive kids suck it up. Sped parents have their pac & that's great, but G&T parents don't speak up b/c god forbid anyone even SUGGEST sped is hoovering up more $ than taxpayers should have to give it. You won't hear anyone say that @a SC mtng but believe me lots of parents feel it.
Great comment. When we don't provide proper entitlement services our gifted kids pay the price. If Special Education teachers are given the support they need in the classroom, you will have your $$$$. I promise you! Don't blame the teachers, they want the support. Most of the support we are talking about is basic and standard in most school districts.
anon 12:41, I am so tired of hearing that rant. Anyone who believes that you can unequivocally state that G&T kids are "better behaved" needs a reality check. Yes, Special Ed does require more money than reg ed per pupil spending, but it's the law. The District would lose state funding if those services were not provided. The flip side is that all kids deserve more, not just your gifted and talented students. But first, G & T designation needs to be made by someone more qualified and unbiased than their proud parents. There are not nearly as many G&T students as some parents like to believe. But if you are the fortunate recipient of such a child, invest some of your own money into that child. I pay for my children's tutors, lessons, special interests, etc. I don't allow my kids to stand outside the local supermarket or Dunkin Donuts holding a can in their hand begging! This "it takes a village" mentality is for the birds. You are responsible for your child's opportunities. Don't buy a new SUV, the latest Northface Jacket, Uggs, or other nonsense that some Sandwich parents seem to deem "necessary". There's only so much money in the budget, special ed is the law. Instead of griping about lack of services for your G&T child, be grateful that his/her future is so much brighter than that of the special ed child. They are the fortunate ones -- invest in your child and for the love of all that's good, be grateful!
The Truth maker would applaud Mrs Beasely comments, for it is up to the parents of any child to assure that there child receives the best education they can get. To be an advocate for your own child is to being a parent that cares.
It makes no differance if your child is gifted or not.
Here in Sandwich,over the years it has been a well established policy to place children in special needs programs that in some cases they did not need to be placed in.
The overall purpose for this was to claim more dollars from the chapter 70 program in reinbursment's
In some of those cases the money was diverted to other place's that did not benifit the special need child or the programs they were involved with.
In many of the cases those children would continue on the educational trail to High School and would have the special need tag continue, even though they may not be in need of any special educational programs.
One needs to see what percentage of our Sandwich children are Special needs when compared to other school districts to better evaluate this conditional course of action , some have found to be very lucrative for the financial operating of our district.
When a High School put in place only programs that those of high skills can acomplish, we leave the child behind that does in fact need extra tutoring.
Those children on the lowest steps of understanding and learning need to be given the same chances to learn, as the gifted child.
That is why it is critical to define the actual needs of each child, especially at the lower grade levels, because if we do not perform that evaluation correctly we only make it harder for the child and the learning process they must undergo as they advance in grades.
Parents must be in tuned with what there own child needs at all times and work towards a clear goal that provides the way forward in todays world.
I can still recall one of my sons telling me as he was receiving the Presidents Award for Scholastic achievment from Northeaston University
This son was an average student in High School and when he went to his guidance councilor to choose a college to go to, he was told that he should not bother. He was told that he did not have what it takes.
He never told us that, until the day he received a life long dream of graduating at the top of his college class in academic achievement. He knew that his parents would have been all over that councilor for even stated such a comment.
Today this son, is now the Senior Director of the Human Resource Department for the Cleveland Clinic with 7 hospitals under his leadership/
He was given a positive outlook by his parents and failure, no matter how difficult, is a challenge we all face to overcome.
Yes Mrs Beasley, it takes a whole lot of parents that care about there children in todays world to make a difference and we all need to be thankful that some really care, how there child is educated and given values to take into lifes challenges
G&T ? Apparently they weren't talking about gin and tonic!
In that case -- Time out!
I don't want to host what could easily turn into an anonymous screaming contest with the theme "My SPED kid deserves more money than your G&T kid" -- or "My G&T kid is better behaved than your SPED kid".
I tend to stifle a yawn when somebody starts talking about their "gifted and talented" child -- especially when I am watching the kid stick a pencil up his nose ("He's exploring!").
I also don't want to appear to support any argument that claims the District "makes money" by labeling kids as needing SPED services. Not true -- the State kicks in a little money for out of district tuition -- but there's no way the District "makes" anything. (The same can not be said for the cottage industry of advocates and outside agencies that have sprung up to "assist" SPED parents -- but that's another story.)
The only kids who lose under these scenarios are the 70% of kids in the middle who have to compete with 10% of the self-proclaimed "gifted" student' to get classroom attention and the funding left-over after mandated services are provided to the 20% of the designated SPED population.
Next question ...
All kids deserve to spend most of their lives from age 3-19 in school environments where they can learn how to succeed in life, where they feel safe, where each and every one of them is nurtured. Call that an education if you want, but more to the point we adults are the ones responsible for this.
Special Education is human progress. Many think we Americans have it right by insisting that all children are due an education. But I know many parents who don't feel that way. That's the way life is. Some people see the glass half empty, and some see it half full. In the me generation mentality, it sometimes seems like people pay little attention to the glass unless it is exclusively theirs.
I agree with a previous poster. In reality "It takes a village" is hog wash to a degree. More to the point is "we are a village." We are responsible for our schools and our children. You can blame parents, you can blame students, you can blame teachers, you can blame the law, you can blame whoever you want but if we build up one group by tearing down another, it seems we have a much harder chance of providing for all our children what Americans have aspired to provide for children.
The flaw is that caring, well trained, and fair people don't always get put in charge of our children's education or good policy is not always developed to make our schools function at their highest levels, insisting that all those people in charge of our children's education be 100% on top of things. We're limited in how to effect change when this happens. And we all know money doesn't fix everything.
I think that is why we have a local school board who should be representing the values of Sandwich as we operate our schools. Though experts have a place obviously in the discussion, the school committee is suppose to represent what we as a town want for our schools. They are the checks and balances for the people and children of this town. Frankly, with the parade of School Superintendents during the last decade, I can see it must be challenging for SC members. I wish the School Committee well as they meet the challenge.
Mrs. Beasley - I think I love you! Thank you for your comments which are more true than anyone in this town is willing to admit!
I few years back I and a few other parents spoke at a school committee meeting. One member picked her nails, another rested his head on the table, a third mouthed to me " who cares. I left feeling ignored and belittled for asking pertinent questions about my children's education. I emailed the chair who emailed me back a lengthy message. The most important thing he said was that once elected committee members could do anything they wanted and didn't have to listen to tax payer's. I emailed back that he had my vote before but not now. He wasn't voted back in. This is why parents don't speak up. No one listens and when they do, they don't care.
hey 12:13......try working for this town.
To comment on the parent who spoke at SC, that is why when we vote in NEW members this year it is so important to know what their real agendas are. We can't vote in people who have something other than the quality of education for our kids on their agenda.It shouldn't be about saving money, but making sure OUR money is well spent, and spent on improving our system. Unfortunately it does take money to make improvements. But if the improvements will move us forward and give our kids the best we can offer to get them what they need to be competitive in this changing world I'm all for it. Right now all but one of the SC members seem to be working in that direction, we need to keep that going with this next election. Of the 3 people I heard of who have pulled papers, I only know of one, and am not pleased. The other 2 will have to prove themselves to be without a private biased agenda. Otherwise I would suggest we keep pushing for someone to be a write-in. Someone NEW, not a blast from the past. Those days are gone.
I'm with you Always Watching. It is also about the fact, and it is a fact, that if this town is willing to let our schools fail, our town will not move forward. Competing interests is the phrase I hear but what kind of town are we. You are so right it is not just about saving money but how our money is being used. I would say there are those who see the financial salvation of the town rests in the schools going down. It is about the choices the town leaders make for the town as a whole regardless of the stupid divide that has existed for too many years. Who are we? I just hope it is not too late. There will be no economic development in a town that let's its schools, roads, public safety, human services, etc. go. All the pie in the sky about the golf course and PAYT won't matter a hill of beans.
I agree -- I've seen money wasted on some crazy things around here. I read earlier about the number of WEEKS of labor that the Town was putting into "manicuring" the trees and brush along Route 130. NOW they actually have a stump grinder grinding the stumps in the woods adjacent to the road!!
WTF?
Does the DPW have THAT much free time that they can waste on such nonsense??
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