Thank you all who took the time to come out for Candidates Night last night! I hope those that don't know me got a chance to see the kinds of things I stand for and what I hope to do if I get the opportunity to serve you on the Board.
I did have one more comment that I didn't think of until later that I wanted to make clear to everyone. I am a supporter of the budget. A comment was made that a failed budget does not hurt the children - but it does. The program that I thought of last night was the late buses - because that was something that the HS students have been discussing themselves as something that they feel they need reinstated.
The second and larger example of a failed budget hurting the children - and I don't know why it escaped me last night - was the loss of aides in many of the classrooms. Classroom aides allow the teachers to do their jobs better. They allow the teachers to focus on one group of children while the aide keeps another group working. In a special education classroom they are invaluable. I don't think many realize how iimportant aides are to the classroom - and how little credit they receive. Jefferson School took a smart approach when the aides were cut and began pulling in student teachers when possible - which was a great idea - but unfortunately this is inconsistent and in limited supply.
So the next time someone tells you that a failed budget doesn't hurt the kids - think again - because every big line item cut from the budget is a big cut into the education we provide. And as I said more than once last night - we have one shot at giving our kids an excellent education - let's not blow it!
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Annette, last night you said you refuse to comment on anything unless you have all the information so why are you making statements about supporting the budget? I think you would be surprised if you experienced first hand just how the budget process works and how decisions are made. Don't assume everyone on the board is like you and base their decisions on research and facts. The school board is ultimately responsible for what's in the budget, how the dollars are spent, and what gets cut from the budget so it's the choices they've made that have hurt the children. You yourself questioned why the board would chose to spend money on an additional administrator and then look to save money by cutting curtesy busing. People need to think about that when they vote in the school elections. They also need to demand that the interests of the children come first and if that doesn't happen, make sure the board members responsible don't get reelected.
ReplyDeleteHere are questions that weren't asked that I hope you will answer: why are you running for the school board? What do you think of the sitting board members and are you friends with any of them? What groups are endorsing you? What do you think you can do differently than what the board is doing now? Will you continue your blog if elected?
ReplyDeleteI am running for the Board because I believe I can make a contribution. A few months ago when the whole DI thing came up - I started in on the "fight" - then decided it was a losing battle - and decided to concentrate on my own kids and let other people continue their fight. Someone who barely knew me commented to me that maybe I should think of all children in the district - not just my own. I took that comment seriously - and decided they were right. I have gone to bat so many times for my own children for various things in the school that I felt were wrong - I should put that same effort into all children in the district.
ReplyDeleteCurrent Board members - I am friendly with Greg Somjen just in the sense that I have been on the KickOff Classic Committee since my kids started playing travel 4 years ago. The other members I think kind of knew who I was before Monday - I had spoken in front of the Board a few times while this current board was sitting.
How I feel about the Current Board members - I really won't criticize anyone who puts in as much volunteer time as anyone on the Board does. Someone once made a comment to me that she doesn't criticize unless she is willing to do the work herself. I think they all try to do what they feel is best - the problem often comes in that there is no way to make everyone happy, so no matter what is done someone will still be complaining.
Endorsements - Heavens no! I haven't looked for anyone and I don't know of anyone chomping at the bit to endorse me!
What can I do different - I think sometimes you just need a fresh eye and perspective on things. I eluded to that a little at the debate on Monday - Dr Rossi came in with a fresh eye and caught something that no one else had noticed - that we could get funding from the state for busing if some routes, like the area around Nixon, were deemed as hazardous routes. What Dr Rossi caught that no one else did - was that we didn't need this to be a joint agreement between the town and the school - the road just needed to meet certain qualifications. I think after a few terms on the Board sometimes you lose that freshness that a new person can bring in - new ideas, new thinking, a new way of looking at topics.
Sure - I'll probably keep the blog up if I am elected. It is a great way to communicate - and lack of communication is a pet peeve of mine. As long as people are interested in what I'm writing : )
Can you clarify your comments concerning the "whole DI thing"? Was fighting DI something you saw as benefiting all children, or just your own? Do you think "all children" would be better off if DI was eliminated? Is this a topic you hope to bring back if elected?
ReplyDeleteI did a LOT of research on it when it came up in September. I don't think it is best for my children - and I was one of the parents there arguing it out. BUT - at the same time - all research I could find basically says that test scores are brought up by dropping ability grouping. Those children that are slightly to moderately below the proficient levels will bring their scores up - which in turn will increase funding to the school district. So I understand why a district would move to this method - and why a Board would approve it. Most of the community that was there arguing were the parents of those in the higher level classes - because it directly effected their children. Many parents that it also effected, possibly without them realizing it, is the parents of those that need extra assistance. So, although the most vocal parents were arguing with the change, for the majority of children - this system does work. So as much as I don't personally agree with it - as a Board member I would have to take a step back from those feelings and agree that from the Administrative point of view, I can understand why the decision was made. I am though concerned about how much money has been spent on training teachers to handle these classes. How they communicated it to the parents - that was definitely a poor decision - but that is a completely different discussion!
ReplyDeleteWhether it should be brought up again - I think this is something that absolutely has to be watched VERY closely to see the effects. We have to see one class go through this completely and compare their test scores to see if this is really making things better or worse - because I would think the response to this could be positive or negative depending on the teachers and students in the district - and that would be the current 8th grade class. So I'd like to see what their test scores are this year as compared to at the end of 7th grade.
why do you keep deleting my question regarding greg somjen? Please answer: whether or not you agree with his opinion that taxpayers who do not approve of the budget should find another place to live?
ReplyDeleteI don't keep deleting your question - this is the first time a question was asked in a respectful manner that doesn't assume there is something odd about an relationship I have with someone on the board.
ReplyDeleteI was not at the meeting so I have no way of knowing if the statement was taken out of context, but no I do not agree with the statement.
will you or have you addressed your disagreement with Greg?
ReplyDelete