I haven’t had an open thread for a while. What’s on your mind? Leave a piece of it here.
66 thoughts on “Open Soapbox”
Jon – I have it in a .pdf file. If you e-mail me at dianevespa@yahoo.com, I’ll send it to you.
My two cents’ worth–I would miss Kcdad’s comments and criticisms. Personally, I have learned much from his posts and am glad that he forces us to fine tune our own stands on the issues.
Thanks, Diane. I just started reading it (and couldn’t help but notice the typo in the first paragraph “continue” instead of “continued” – the kind spell check doesn’t catch). I was at the committee of the whole meeting today and Hinton gave the impression that, while there was a master plan, they produced it because they had to show something, given the operating deficits they were running, but had no intention of following it. Now, with the latest financial crisis, they can no longer delay doing something. Rather than present a whole plan, he (including Wolfmeyer) is trying to do this every painful step at a time.
1. We need to spend less (everyone agrees)
2. Therefore we need to close a high school (Parker, in particular, disagrees)
3. We need to close Woodruff (Stowell, for example, disagrees)
4. We are going to close more schools in the future (unidentified)
5. We are going to open a charter Math and Science School, maybe a vocation based high school – we are committed to spending every bit of the PBC monies
What other alternatives have been looked at by Hinton before deciding to close/repurpose Woodruff? Sounds like none, financially speaking, at least not yet (though more details been requested by the board). Hinton acknowledges that close to 80% of the savings of closing Woodruff comes from staff reductions. If so, why not reduce staff (especially admin) without closing a high school (at least until you’ve formed and plan to follow a comprehensive plan)?
There were several of us there that noticed those things, as well. We also noticed that some of the enrollment numbers he gave for WHS and PHS were erroneous. Both high schools start the school year with well more than 1000 students. By the end of the school year those numbers are reduced due to transfers to out-of-district schools, expulsions, and dropouts/moving.
He really doesn’t have a plan to follow and it appears that he hopes the school board will allow him to do what he wants without having a solid plan. Maybe he would like us to rename the district Hinton Public Schools (notice my sarcastic voice here). He is all about the primary schools but really has no working knowledge of the high schools or middle schools.
I have several notes from tonight that I need to go over again.
kcdad kind of grows on you after awhile – kind of like unwanted hair. 😉
from time to time you have to shave it off – lest it become too unruly
Jon, if you read any 150 documents, you will notice errors. I found over 100 in the Manual restructuring plan. After tonight’s BOE meeting, I am more hopeful than I’ve been for awhile. At least, board members are starting to see the flaws in the current proposal. At least two believe that it is a very bad idea to turn a high school into a primary school. Martha stated she doesn’t think a high school should be closed. Jim believes that a vocational school should be housed at Manual. That’s only one step away from “my” plan. I believe Manual should be repurposed into the alternative/vocational/non-traditional school–three schools under one roof. Also, Jim stated that 150 can’t afford the birth through graduation concept–at least, the years not mandated and paid for by the state. Laura wanted to know how the plan will lend itself to raising the AYP. As long as the ACT test is part of the NCLB test, the AYP will never be raised appreciably–I hope sooner or later everyone faces that reality.
P.S.–Jon, where were you “hiding” in plain sight at the meeting?
I sat in the back, against the curtain. I haven’t been able to go to a meeting where people can address the board, so I don’t know who is who yet (and I haven’t been to Godfather’s yet either).
There will be a meeting at Godfather’s at 6 p.m. Sunday and the District Watch group and the union will be picketing Monday night. All who care about the decisions 150 will be making are certainly invited.
Thank you BAM, Karrie, Sharon and even you, Diane.
I AM a teacher. It is essential that we as adults evaluate more critically what we hear, see, read and think… I intentionally challenge long standing beliefs and encourage people to turn their beliefs into thoughts.
“with the primary intent of provoking other users into an emotional or disciplinary response ”
C.J., THAT is not my intent. I believe, as Upton Sinclair wrote: “It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his job depends upon him NOT understanding it.” Extend that thought out to more than one’s job (one’s comfortable lifestyle, for example) and you will see why I am … uh… “unwanted hair”.
Which Godfather’s?
kc–
It is the one on Sheridan.
kcdad: I agree. And beliefs need to be turned into action. I really think that you would enjoy The Anatomy of Peace by the Arbinger Institute. This book deals with the very concepts you are encouraging others to explore.
Martha: 150’s textbooks are more expensive because they have never been used before!
Jon – I have it in a .pdf file. If you e-mail me at dianevespa@yahoo.com, I’ll send it to you.
My two cents’ worth–I would miss Kcdad’s comments and criticisms. Personally, I have learned much from his posts and am glad that he forces us to fine tune our own stands on the issues.
Jon —
Click here.
Thanks, Diane. I just started reading it (and couldn’t help but notice the typo in the first paragraph “continue” instead of “continued” – the kind spell check doesn’t catch). I was at the committee of the whole meeting today and Hinton gave the impression that, while there was a master plan, they produced it because they had to show something, given the operating deficits they were running, but had no intention of following it. Now, with the latest financial crisis, they can no longer delay doing something. Rather than present a whole plan, he (including Wolfmeyer) is trying to do this every painful step at a time.
1. We need to spend less (everyone agrees)
2. Therefore we need to close a high school (Parker, in particular, disagrees)
3. We need to close Woodruff (Stowell, for example, disagrees)
4. We are going to close more schools in the future (unidentified)
5. We are going to open a charter Math and Science School, maybe a vocation based high school – we are committed to spending every bit of the PBC monies
What other alternatives have been looked at by Hinton before deciding to close/repurpose Woodruff? Sounds like none, financially speaking, at least not yet (though more details been requested by the board). Hinton acknowledges that close to 80% of the savings of closing Woodruff comes from staff reductions. If so, why not reduce staff (especially admin) without closing a high school (at least until you’ve formed and plan to follow a comprehensive plan)?
There were several of us there that noticed those things, as well. We also noticed that some of the enrollment numbers he gave for WHS and PHS were erroneous. Both high schools start the school year with well more than 1000 students. By the end of the school year those numbers are reduced due to transfers to out-of-district schools, expulsions, and dropouts/moving.
He really doesn’t have a plan to follow and it appears that he hopes the school board will allow him to do what he wants without having a solid plan. Maybe he would like us to rename the district Hinton Public Schools (notice my sarcastic voice here). He is all about the primary schools but really has no working knowledge of the high schools or middle schools.
I have several notes from tonight that I need to go over again.
kcdad kind of grows on you after awhile – kind of like unwanted hair. 😉
from time to time you have to shave it off – lest it become too unruly
Jon, if you read any 150 documents, you will notice errors. I found over 100 in the Manual restructuring plan. After tonight’s BOE meeting, I am more hopeful than I’ve been for awhile. At least, board members are starting to see the flaws in the current proposal. At least two believe that it is a very bad idea to turn a high school into a primary school. Martha stated she doesn’t think a high school should be closed. Jim believes that a vocational school should be housed at Manual. That’s only one step away from “my” plan. I believe Manual should be repurposed into the alternative/vocational/non-traditional school–three schools under one roof. Also, Jim stated that 150 can’t afford the birth through graduation concept–at least, the years not mandated and paid for by the state. Laura wanted to know how the plan will lend itself to raising the AYP. As long as the ACT test is part of the NCLB test, the AYP will never be raised appreciably–I hope sooner or later everyone faces that reality.
P.S.–Jon, where were you “hiding” in plain sight at the meeting?
I sat in the back, against the curtain. I haven’t been able to go to a meeting where people can address the board, so I don’t know who is who yet (and I haven’t been to Godfather’s yet either).
There will be a meeting at Godfather’s at 6 p.m. Sunday and the District Watch group and the union will be picketing Monday night. All who care about the decisions 150 will be making are certainly invited.
Thank you BAM, Karrie, Sharon and even you, Diane.
I AM a teacher. It is essential that we as adults evaluate more critically what we hear, see, read and think… I intentionally challenge long standing beliefs and encourage people to turn their beliefs into thoughts.
“with the primary intent of provoking other users into an emotional or disciplinary response ”
C.J., THAT is not my intent. I believe, as Upton Sinclair wrote: “It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his job depends upon him NOT understanding it.” Extend that thought out to more than one’s job (one’s comfortable lifestyle, for example) and you will see why I am … uh… “unwanted hair”.
Which Godfather’s?
kc–
It is the one on Sheridan.
kcdad: I agree. And beliefs need to be turned into action. I really think that you would enjoy The Anatomy of Peace by the Arbinger Institute. This book deals with the very concepts you are encouraging others to explore.
Martha: 150’s textbooks are more expensive because they have never been used before!