Posted by jon on June 13, 2007 at 16:45:36 (EST):
In Reply to: Re: Smaller schools posted by rwb on June 13, 2007 at 14:22:07 (EST):
: : : : : I just don't get it. Why are you parents bitching about school consolidation? Because when you were in school, your rivalry was Ktg. or FC. or whatever. Grow up for god's sake! Who cares about rivalries?? Get a backbone and some maturity level to you and accept change. The schools were just fine when they were combined, other than people complained about sports. Why don't the parents SHUT UP and GET OVER their high school rivalries? It's really pathetic!!!
: : : : No, you don't get it.
: : : : They had to deconsolidate because it was costing too much. The cost for bussing the students the additional distances was ridiculous, so much so it alone was reason enough to deconsolidate.
: : : : It had nothing to do with "rivalries", nor does it today.
: : : : That's just something the consolidation people want to say to try to negate the opinions anti-consolidation people.
: : : : The antis use facts, numbers and history.
: : : : The consols use tactics like saying it's all about rivalry, or how behind the times we are. When faced with facts they're like a deer in the headlights.
: : : : If you want to tell anybody to "shut up", how about the people who have been whining and moaning and whatever other tactics the can pull to get these schools consolidated. It's been proven. On paper and by failed attempt it has been shown to cost too much.
: : : : They need to "shut up" and "get over it".
: : : You're living in a hole if you don't think rivalries have anything to do with this. The signs supporting the incumbent in FC before the primary tells the tale. "If you want to keep your high school, vote for Solak". I bet the people who put up those signs weren't thinking about the dollar costs to the district when they put those signs up.
: : : Another....I read an obituary in the LT from an FC woman that indicated the highlight of her life was when FC beat Kittanning in some sports game.
: : : Okay, rivalries don't run deep in this area, huh? I guarantee it spills over into the politics of whether to consolidate or not.
: : I can't speak for everybody, but I know rivalry is not an issue for me, nor is it for the majority of the people I've spoke with about this issue. It's all about increased cost and increased taxes.
: : I actually think Solak would better serve the purpose by pushing the cost savings of the issue, rather than his "community schools" platform. Whatever though. He won. In fact he CRUSHED Nortroup.
: : I am not against consoilidation because of rivalries or community schools, but Solak does present numbers that back his stance. This is something the consolidation people don't and can't do.
: What's the old saying" numbers don't lie, people do". Well you can make numbers say what you want. As far as transportation, I am sure the "experts" could sit down and devise a system that would fit into the budget.If people are happy with what they have fine, if you as a parent feel your child could do better elsewhere then by all means make that move.This arguement will go on for years, hopefully someone can find something that will benefit the student and the taxpayer.
: My own opinion is that the kids are being cheated. I read where some kids are graduating with qpa's of 5.2, 4.8 etc yet these same kids have trouble passing the SAT's ( this isn't in our district) but it could be.We are dumbing the system down to make things look good but actually hurting the kids. This has nothing to do with big/small schools except bigger school smay offer more courses, maybe 5 math courses instead of 1 or 2.The people in this district can argue all the want and claim hollow victories when really the kids are losing out.
This won't be improved by building a new school.
If they are "dumbing down" 1 or 2 math courses (they already have more than this) there's no reason why they wouldn't "dumb down" 5.
As you said it's not a big/small school issue. It has to do with hiring qualified teachers and only advancing them in pay level when they exhibit improvement, not just because they've been there for a couple of years.