At the beginning of a new year people usually sit down and evaluate the actions of the previous year and see what can be changed for the better. Whether its losing weight, exercising more, concentrating on business, or connecting with old friends a resolution is developed and decided upon. Unfortunately in a majority of the cases the resolution vanishes into thin air within a matter of months or even weeks.
The DPS board should consider the same routine. Sit down and look upon the last year (or in their case years) and see what could be changed or improved. However based on past experience this could be a hard task for them. Honesty has never been a strong point with the board. In light of this I had some associates “suggest” some resolutions for the board to embrace.
Board Members should submit to a “test” in order to remain on the board. This would consist of a simple cognitive ability evaluation. Can you stay awake for a whole meeting? Do you understand what is going on? A simple ink blot test would do. We just need something to assure the citizens that rubber stamping zombies have not replaced the board members but that they can still think and reason.
Board members should make a pact to ask questions about proposals and really review financial data. So often they pass resolutions without knowing the financial impact or at worst don’t know how to read financial reports. They simply allow the staff to present overviews without specifics. The result of this is an out of control spending splurge. Where are the tea party people when you need them?
Board Members Need to get a handle on the actions of the administrative services division. Of all the divisions this is the life blood area. Instruction cannot function without the funds to drive the programs. Over the last few years this business area has been allowed to fester into a quagmire of conflicting reports and unanswered questions. Lifes Little Lesson: Its About The Money Stupid! Check the increases in all aspects of the school operations. The areas that previously were under control are now spinning up like the national debt. Check it out.
For God’s sake stop reading the handbook at meetings! Self explanatory.
Make the superintendent speak for the district. Never before have we ever seen a superintendent throw so many people into the fire rather then take the heat for a decision. Time to errrrrr “man up”? Be a leader. Leaders don’t hind behind walls, they stand out front.
Just a few suggestions. Perhaps they may consider them, perhaps not. Either way I would imagine they would be forgotten within a few weeks anyway.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
On The Mark
This letter was published in the county newspaper but never made it into the Register/Bee (wonder why). It was sent to me by a frustrated teacher. It really says it all.
Daily I am struck by the changing nature of education. Perhaps this is too lenient a description, however.Lest I be too bold, the mutation of our educational system from Jekyll to Hyde has created a marked dissonance between administrators and teachers and - to quote Herbert George Wells - our history and now our future become "more a race between education and catastrophe."
My reflections are not intended to create a comparative and contrastive framework between the educational methodologies of yesteryear and modern instructional approaches.Rather, they are intended to provide simple truths based upon basic human interaction and the apparent lack of quality leadership within the Danville city school system.To be fair, such a bleak outlook is not applicable to all schools and administrations.Indeed, many schools are forward thinking and relatively free of the moral and mental lassitude which now slowly envelops many others.
Thus, my comments are directed at those who would stunt the natural progress of academia through soul-crushing micromanagement, needless bureaucracy, and a lack of imagination.
Simple Truth Number 1: Micromanagement creates an environment devoid of trust and enthusiasm.Pointless policies, arbitrary preconditions, inane interpretations of existing protocol, and the mandatory approval of illogical rules and regulations are the trimmings and trappings of a magic show designed to deceive and manipulate, not foster an atmosphere of mutual respect.It is chicanery at its best, and smacks of insecurity.To borrow a phrase from Ross Perot, "the giant sucking sound" heard throughout the local streets is the power of the teacher being slowly extracted from the classroom.
Simple Truth Number 2: Administrators should support teachers and listen to the voices of experience.Unable to fathom the concepts of flexibility and compromise, many so-called leaders would adopt the E.B. White "It's broccoli, dear," "I say it's spinach, and I say the hell with it" approach.Any leader worth her or his salt will surely understand that teachers enable learning and facilitate growth, and thus the most humble opinion of the teacher should account for some iota of importance.Yes, the sarcasm is palpable and intentional.Most of the changes instituted within schools, however, are one-sided and neither broccoli nor spinach. Rather, they are lacking in nutrition and fortified with high fructose corn syrup.
Simple Truth Number 3: Erratic, unreliable, and unpredictable administrators create chaos.Faced with difficult disciplinary decisions, the fickle administrator will say one thing and do another.Announcements and emails have become the new standards, as administrators raise high the preferred anonymity of the intercom and the protective screen of the computer.Far away from the maddening crowd, our fearless leaders search for loopholes within their own regulations, changing them to suit the needs of the student, parent, and themselves.Instead of resolutely meting out punishment, the procedure-obsessed pencil pushers refer the offender to the teacher yet shy away from the responsibility of supporting the corrective measures taken.Indeed, teachers are held accountable for behavioral problems, informed that poor classroom management is to blame for disruptive deeds, and ultimately bear the burden of proof.More disturbing, however, is the frequency with which administrators have adopted bullying tactics to strong-arm teachers and students into compliance with new systems of governance.Abhorrent as this may sound, it should come as no surprise that timidity, a lack of self-confidence, and a woeful absence of courage breed such contemptuous practices.Simple
Truth Number 4: Classrooms have become parental theaters.Whereas parents should be involved and provide guidance for their child, doing so at the expense of the child's education is unacceptable.Administrators all too often kowtow to parents for fear of repercussions from immediate supervisors and, at the end of the day, divest teachers of any vestiges of authority.Some parents understand that their voices often carry more (financial?) weight than the teacher, and are able to coerce and manipulate to ensure that educational advancement depends more on identity rather than ability.Imagine, if you will, a place where men and women hide behind curtains, employing smoke and mirrors to deter those children seeking courage, hearts, and brains, yet welcome the voices of the parents who demand social promotion and hurl threats and insults at teachers who are left defenseless in the wake of administrative desertion.Fascinating.
Simple Truth Number 5: Students ultimately suffer more than anyone.Timothy Leary's words are possibly more poignant now than during the 1960s and 1970s, as his chilling message seductively encourages students to "Turn on, tune in, drop out."Children are being left behind, and standardized testing has become the crutch of the inept or unwilling.Critical thinking and conceptual analysis have been replaced by memorization and intellectual apathy, and students superficially tune in and profoundly drop out, instead plugging in to a vapid electronic world.The stark truth is that students learn at different rates, and have varied intellectual capabilities.Administrators and overzealous bureaucrats understand only quotas and statistics, however, and erroneously assume that if one closely adheres to prescribed agendas, then prescribed results will materialize.In a word: failure.Such a gross underestimation of both teacher and student performance underscores the uncertainty surrounding the future of education within our community.And so the question is posed, "What happens next?"Often, simple answers are found within simple truths.My observations are certainly not applicable to everyone, but those who most vociferously deny their validity might do well to revisit his or her beliefs and leadership skills.The final analysis reveals an educational apparatus occasionally offering glimpses of hope, but ultimately beset by an over-extension of authority, a paucity of academic freedom, and mind-numbing parochialism.An atmosphere of low morale, fear, and bitterness hangs over Danville city schools, and the self-centered, egotistical, and cowardly manner in which administrators govern is deplorable.Perchance the assertion of educational philosopher Robert Maynard Hutchins is correct, that "we do not know what education could do for us, because we have never tried it."
Tom Efersun
Danville
Daily I am struck by the changing nature of education. Perhaps this is too lenient a description, however.Lest I be too bold, the mutation of our educational system from Jekyll to Hyde has created a marked dissonance between administrators and teachers and - to quote Herbert George Wells - our history and now our future become "more a race between education and catastrophe."
My reflections are not intended to create a comparative and contrastive framework between the educational methodologies of yesteryear and modern instructional approaches.Rather, they are intended to provide simple truths based upon basic human interaction and the apparent lack of quality leadership within the Danville city school system.To be fair, such a bleak outlook is not applicable to all schools and administrations.Indeed, many schools are forward thinking and relatively free of the moral and mental lassitude which now slowly envelops many others.
Thus, my comments are directed at those who would stunt the natural progress of academia through soul-crushing micromanagement, needless bureaucracy, and a lack of imagination.
Simple Truth Number 1: Micromanagement creates an environment devoid of trust and enthusiasm.Pointless policies, arbitrary preconditions, inane interpretations of existing protocol, and the mandatory approval of illogical rules and regulations are the trimmings and trappings of a magic show designed to deceive and manipulate, not foster an atmosphere of mutual respect.It is chicanery at its best, and smacks of insecurity.To borrow a phrase from Ross Perot, "the giant sucking sound" heard throughout the local streets is the power of the teacher being slowly extracted from the classroom.
Simple Truth Number 2: Administrators should support teachers and listen to the voices of experience.Unable to fathom the concepts of flexibility and compromise, many so-called leaders would adopt the E.B. White "It's broccoli, dear," "I say it's spinach, and I say the hell with it" approach.Any leader worth her or his salt will surely understand that teachers enable learning and facilitate growth, and thus the most humble opinion of the teacher should account for some iota of importance.Yes, the sarcasm is palpable and intentional.Most of the changes instituted within schools, however, are one-sided and neither broccoli nor spinach. Rather, they are lacking in nutrition and fortified with high fructose corn syrup.
Simple Truth Number 3: Erratic, unreliable, and unpredictable administrators create chaos.Faced with difficult disciplinary decisions, the fickle administrator will say one thing and do another.Announcements and emails have become the new standards, as administrators raise high the preferred anonymity of the intercom and the protective screen of the computer.Far away from the maddening crowd, our fearless leaders search for loopholes within their own regulations, changing them to suit the needs of the student, parent, and themselves.Instead of resolutely meting out punishment, the procedure-obsessed pencil pushers refer the offender to the teacher yet shy away from the responsibility of supporting the corrective measures taken.Indeed, teachers are held accountable for behavioral problems, informed that poor classroom management is to blame for disruptive deeds, and ultimately bear the burden of proof.More disturbing, however, is the frequency with which administrators have adopted bullying tactics to strong-arm teachers and students into compliance with new systems of governance.Abhorrent as this may sound, it should come as no surprise that timidity, a lack of self-confidence, and a woeful absence of courage breed such contemptuous practices.Simple
Truth Number 4: Classrooms have become parental theaters.Whereas parents should be involved and provide guidance for their child, doing so at the expense of the child's education is unacceptable.Administrators all too often kowtow to parents for fear of repercussions from immediate supervisors and, at the end of the day, divest teachers of any vestiges of authority.Some parents understand that their voices often carry more (financial?) weight than the teacher, and are able to coerce and manipulate to ensure that educational advancement depends more on identity rather than ability.Imagine, if you will, a place where men and women hide behind curtains, employing smoke and mirrors to deter those children seeking courage, hearts, and brains, yet welcome the voices of the parents who demand social promotion and hurl threats and insults at teachers who are left defenseless in the wake of administrative desertion.Fascinating.
Simple Truth Number 5: Students ultimately suffer more than anyone.Timothy Leary's words are possibly more poignant now than during the 1960s and 1970s, as his chilling message seductively encourages students to "Turn on, tune in, drop out."Children are being left behind, and standardized testing has become the crutch of the inept or unwilling.Critical thinking and conceptual analysis have been replaced by memorization and intellectual apathy, and students superficially tune in and profoundly drop out, instead plugging in to a vapid electronic world.The stark truth is that students learn at different rates, and have varied intellectual capabilities.Administrators and overzealous bureaucrats understand only quotas and statistics, however, and erroneously assume that if one closely adheres to prescribed agendas, then prescribed results will materialize.In a word: failure.Such a gross underestimation of both teacher and student performance underscores the uncertainty surrounding the future of education within our community.And so the question is posed, "What happens next?"Often, simple answers are found within simple truths.My observations are certainly not applicable to everyone, but those who most vociferously deny their validity might do well to revisit his or her beliefs and leadership skills.The final analysis reveals an educational apparatus occasionally offering glimpses of hope, but ultimately beset by an over-extension of authority, a paucity of academic freedom, and mind-numbing parochialism.An atmosphere of low morale, fear, and bitterness hangs over Danville city schools, and the self-centered, egotistical, and cowardly manner in which administrators govern is deplorable.Perchance the assertion of educational philosopher Robert Maynard Hutchins is correct, that "we do not know what education could do for us, because we have never tried it."
Tom Efersun
Danville
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Stuck in Gear
Recently the citizens of Danville were encouraged to read “Switch” to find out how to reinvent the city. The purpose was to set Danville on a new direction that would move it away from a strictly manufacturing economy to a mixture of high tech/renewable energy/ information based structure that would increase the job market. In addition it was the belief that this “switch” would radically change the future of Danville and set it on the path to prosperity.
One major part of this change would involve radically changing the direction of the mindset of the citizens of Danville which is a challenging task. A subsection of this would be to radically change the educational system in the city. This change alone would be a challenge due to the current direction of the school system.
The DPS system unfortunately is stuck in reverse and can’t seem to move forward. Like a bad transmission it requires a major overhaul and rebuilding of the major parts of the system. As in a rebuilding of a transmission you have to discard the old broken parts and introduce new updated ones to the system. In most cases the main control systems need replacement. In the case of DPS the leadership needs replacement.
In order for DPS to be in synch with the reinventing of the city a new mind set is needed, No longer can they look at themselves as a group just “getting by” but as an integral part of the repackaging of the city.
Danville needs a school system that is open, honest, and willing to change. That is not true now. The system is bogged down with old ideas, lack of accountability, finger pointing leadership, and a board that operates like a McDonalds (We want it OUR way). As a result the students get cheated, the teachers get cheated, and the city gets cheated.
Until the city government realizes DPS is part of the problem and not part of the solution they will never “switch” to a new economy.
Like that broken transmission it needs to be rebuilt and the old ideas, leadership, and board hauled away to the nearest junk yard. Such “recycling” will provide a decent smooth ride the children of Danville.
One major part of this change would involve radically changing the direction of the mindset of the citizens of Danville which is a challenging task. A subsection of this would be to radically change the educational system in the city. This change alone would be a challenge due to the current direction of the school system.
The DPS system unfortunately is stuck in reverse and can’t seem to move forward. Like a bad transmission it requires a major overhaul and rebuilding of the major parts of the system. As in a rebuilding of a transmission you have to discard the old broken parts and introduce new updated ones to the system. In most cases the main control systems need replacement. In the case of DPS the leadership needs replacement.
In order for DPS to be in synch with the reinventing of the city a new mind set is needed, No longer can they look at themselves as a group just “getting by” but as an integral part of the repackaging of the city.
Danville needs a school system that is open, honest, and willing to change. That is not true now. The system is bogged down with old ideas, lack of accountability, finger pointing leadership, and a board that operates like a McDonalds (We want it OUR way). As a result the students get cheated, the teachers get cheated, and the city gets cheated.
Until the city government realizes DPS is part of the problem and not part of the solution they will never “switch” to a new economy.
Like that broken transmission it needs to be rebuilt and the old ideas, leadership, and board hauled away to the nearest junk yard. Such “recycling” will provide a decent smooth ride the children of Danville.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Convocation Chaos
While flipping through the tv channels I happened upon the Diane and Sue Show on the local government channel. This particular fabrication….errr….episode was about the convocation that is held at the beginning of each year.
For those who do not know what a DPS convocation consists of just imagine a mega church service without the collection plate (that has already been passed around the city council). All employees are required to attend this Amway style meeting to hear the latest indoctrination by the wizard behind the curtain. All the bright and shiny faces attend clutching their “bible” (DPS employee manual). Their eager eyes look longing towards the stage as they await the words of the “chosen”.
This year the meeting topped all the previous ones. Not only would the captive audience be mesmerized by the words of the exalted leaders but a new twist was added. In addition they would be showered with the words of two success stories in the form of two graduates of Danville Public Schools. So who would these honored quests be? Out of all the many graduates which ones would be chosen?
In a page right out of Saturday Night Live the special quests were a school board member and the son of a school board member! How self serving can one organization become? How many times can they pat themselves on the back? It must be a real strain getting your arm in a position like that. How condescending can one organization get?
Thousands of graduates with much more meaningful success stories could have been chosen but they resort to their own little clique. But should we expect any less?
The tenor of their “party” was diminished somewhat with news from the state that the eternally troubled alternative school (what are they calling it now?) had failed so miserably that it is in trouble of being taken over by the state. Despite numerous revivals, changes in administrations, restructuring of classes, changes in focus, it still is what it has always been, a miserable failure. So what to do next? I’m sure their will be another name change. This is what they usually do to try to reinvent a school. A rose by any other name….. Isn’t the definition of insanity doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different outcome? If that was true the school should be a mental hospital or did they already try that route?
So the new year starts and the same old tired ideas are being recycled as a new step forward. Well guess what? Your can repackage crap and its still crap. Until the school board is replaced and the top administration replaced their will be no improvements. It is time the citizens in Danville said enough is enough. Cut off the head of the snake and let it whither and die. Replace it with a board and administration that are not out for themselves and know how to take responsibility. Then and only then can the employees of DPS attend a convocation that may have some real meaning.
For those who do not know what a DPS convocation consists of just imagine a mega church service without the collection plate (that has already been passed around the city council). All employees are required to attend this Amway style meeting to hear the latest indoctrination by the wizard behind the curtain. All the bright and shiny faces attend clutching their “bible” (DPS employee manual). Their eager eyes look longing towards the stage as they await the words of the “chosen”.
This year the meeting topped all the previous ones. Not only would the captive audience be mesmerized by the words of the exalted leaders but a new twist was added. In addition they would be showered with the words of two success stories in the form of two graduates of Danville Public Schools. So who would these honored quests be? Out of all the many graduates which ones would be chosen?
In a page right out of Saturday Night Live the special quests were a school board member and the son of a school board member! How self serving can one organization become? How many times can they pat themselves on the back? It must be a real strain getting your arm in a position like that. How condescending can one organization get?
Thousands of graduates with much more meaningful success stories could have been chosen but they resort to their own little clique. But should we expect any less?
The tenor of their “party” was diminished somewhat with news from the state that the eternally troubled alternative school (what are they calling it now?) had failed so miserably that it is in trouble of being taken over by the state. Despite numerous revivals, changes in administrations, restructuring of classes, changes in focus, it still is what it has always been, a miserable failure. So what to do next? I’m sure their will be another name change. This is what they usually do to try to reinvent a school. A rose by any other name….. Isn’t the definition of insanity doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different outcome? If that was true the school should be a mental hospital or did they already try that route?
So the new year starts and the same old tired ideas are being recycled as a new step forward. Well guess what? Your can repackage crap and its still crap. Until the school board is replaced and the top administration replaced their will be no improvements. It is time the citizens in Danville said enough is enough. Cut off the head of the snake and let it whither and die. Replace it with a board and administration that are not out for themselves and know how to take responsibility. Then and only then can the employees of DPS attend a convocation that may have some real meaning.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
A New School Year
As a new school year begins all eyes turn towards DPS and what bag of tricks they have up their sleeve this year. As a parent I look forward to what ludicrous and ridiculous polices, edicts, or decisions that would give Jay Leno enough material for a month. Life, liberty, and common sense are in jeopardy when the DPS administrators gather……
So where to begin? How about wasting money….again. Take a tour down Memorial Drive and look at the new Taj Mahal being built at the softball field at Langston. This building rivals any structure ever built on DPS property (I exclude Galileo, the most magnificent of all wasteful construction due to the fact it is NOT on DPS property, go figure that one.) An exterior of beautiful rock, central air conditioning, and architecturally exquisite design this building could be a model for future educational structures that could educate our children in pleasant surroundings. But wait, this isn’t a school, it’s a bathroom. Yes, a bathroom, locker room, and concessions stand for the softball field. All this at a field that is used perhaps two months a year. I imagine the teachers working in twenty plus year old trailers at Johnson are cringing a little. Who is in control here? Where are the priorities? Hello, anyone home?
To continue the march of the ignorant lets turn to parent conveniences. As a parent of a student starting a new school I looked for the bus schedules to find the stop nearest our home. After searching the newspaper for a schedule I contacted the school to find out when the schedules were going to be in the paper. I was informed the schedules have not been printed for several years. Here is how the conversation went:
Me: ”Why are they not printed anymore, is it a budget issue.”
School: “No, the paper printed them for free.”
Me: “So why are they not printed then?”
School: “Well the central office says it is a security issue.”
Me: “How is it a security issue?”
School: “ Err, well child molesters could see where the buses went and stopped and could
prey on the children.”
Me: “Geez, well could they not just follow the big yellow vehicle anyway.”
School: “ Well I guess they could ….but security is important.”
Me: “Yes but could a child molester just see where the buses are going anyway ?”
School: “ Yeah but it would not be printed.”
Me: “ So how do we find out the stops?”
School: “Call transportation services”
Me: “How many students ride buses?”
School: “About 4,000 I think.”
Me: “So 4,000 parents are to call transportation”
School: “Well….err…maybe. Some already know.”
Me: “Can you tell me where the closest stop is to my house?”
School: “Yes, I think …maybe….I’ll have to see.”
ME: “So how do you know I’m not a child molester?”
School: “Well…I…you see….well I really don’t but this is what we are supposed to do.”
Me: “Does this make any sense?”
School: “I really can’t answer that.”
The lemmings are running the district. If they all follow each other over the cliff I feel the intelligence level of the district may go up about fifty points.
So during the simmer the “dance of the lemons” took place. This is where administrators, teachers, etc are swapped among schools to move the incompetence around. Principals make quiet deals among each other in a “I’ll take yours if you take mine” scenario. Some teachers have been known to move around to five different schools in five years. So check your child’s teacher, have they been on the passport to incompetence? If so you are in for a rough year.
Finally, as a precaution be sure your child is in a school where the administrator has a clue what they are doing. Now I realize that knocks out a lot of schools but the administrator is the instructional leader of the school. Poor principal, poor instruction. It does not matter how good the teachers are, if they are hampered by a leader who should have been weeded out by Darwin then you are treading on educational thin ice.
Well there are always the private schools. Such a shame to have to say that in 2011 but it is a fact of life. Danville, wake up. Only the citizens can change this situation. Lets elect some school board members who have a clue about education or in fact a clue about anything besides their own egos. Will the last student leaving DPS please turn out the lights.
So where to begin? How about wasting money….again. Take a tour down Memorial Drive and look at the new Taj Mahal being built at the softball field at Langston. This building rivals any structure ever built on DPS property (I exclude Galileo, the most magnificent of all wasteful construction due to the fact it is NOT on DPS property, go figure that one.) An exterior of beautiful rock, central air conditioning, and architecturally exquisite design this building could be a model for future educational structures that could educate our children in pleasant surroundings. But wait, this isn’t a school, it’s a bathroom. Yes, a bathroom, locker room, and concessions stand for the softball field. All this at a field that is used perhaps two months a year. I imagine the teachers working in twenty plus year old trailers at Johnson are cringing a little. Who is in control here? Where are the priorities? Hello, anyone home?
To continue the march of the ignorant lets turn to parent conveniences. As a parent of a student starting a new school I looked for the bus schedules to find the stop nearest our home. After searching the newspaper for a schedule I contacted the school to find out when the schedules were going to be in the paper. I was informed the schedules have not been printed for several years. Here is how the conversation went:
Me: ”Why are they not printed anymore, is it a budget issue.”
School: “No, the paper printed them for free.”
Me: “So why are they not printed then?”
School: “Well the central office says it is a security issue.”
Me: “How is it a security issue?”
School: “ Err, well child molesters could see where the buses went and stopped and could
prey on the children.”
Me: “Geez, well could they not just follow the big yellow vehicle anyway.”
School: “ Well I guess they could ….but security is important.”
Me: “Yes but could a child molester just see where the buses are going anyway ?”
School: “ Yeah but it would not be printed.”
Me: “ So how do we find out the stops?”
School: “Call transportation services”
Me: “How many students ride buses?”
School: “About 4,000 I think.”
Me: “So 4,000 parents are to call transportation”
School: “Well….err…maybe. Some already know.”
Me: “Can you tell me where the closest stop is to my house?”
School: “Yes, I think …maybe….I’ll have to see.”
ME: “So how do you know I’m not a child molester?”
School: “Well…I…you see….well I really don’t but this is what we are supposed to do.”
Me: “Does this make any sense?”
School: “I really can’t answer that.”
The lemmings are running the district. If they all follow each other over the cliff I feel the intelligence level of the district may go up about fifty points.
So during the simmer the “dance of the lemons” took place. This is where administrators, teachers, etc are swapped among schools to move the incompetence around. Principals make quiet deals among each other in a “I’ll take yours if you take mine” scenario. Some teachers have been known to move around to five different schools in five years. So check your child’s teacher, have they been on the passport to incompetence? If so you are in for a rough year.
Finally, as a precaution be sure your child is in a school where the administrator has a clue what they are doing. Now I realize that knocks out a lot of schools but the administrator is the instructional leader of the school. Poor principal, poor instruction. It does not matter how good the teachers are, if they are hampered by a leader who should have been weeded out by Darwin then you are treading on educational thin ice.
Well there are always the private schools. Such a shame to have to say that in 2011 but it is a fact of life. Danville, wake up. Only the citizens can change this situation. Lets elect some school board members who have a clue about education or in fact a clue about anything besides their own egos. Will the last student leaving DPS please turn out the lights.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
DPS Yard Sale
In order to address the financial problems of DPS I suggest that the Concrete Queens and the worker bees get together and have a yard sale to raise some money. This way the board can get rid of old unused items and at the same time raise a little money.
A table could be set up labeled “Magnet Mess”. This would feature all the equipment that was purchased with magnet money that is no longer being used. Hmmm on second thought you may need eight to ten tables for all that crap. Since no one I believe is still using the magnet themes there should be a lot available. However a lot has already been torn out and thrown away since it was purchased through shady dealings from a northern Virginia company that had a special relationship with the former magnet mistress that the superintendent allowed to run rough shod over people and budgets. Wouldn’t that make interesting reading for someone to go back over the magnet budget and see just what happened to all the money. Eight million just doesn’t buy what it used to. Step right up, get your barely used Montessori furniture while it lasts! This table should sell well. Too bad they can’t sell all the ridiculous training that was paid for by the district.
Another table could feature slightly used administrators. There should be a lot to sell on it since I believe the average experience of an administrator in Danville is something like thirty minutes. In the last six years the district has gone through administrators like water. I believe the main criteria for hiring was that they be at least room temperature. And the board sees no problem? As Sarah Palin would say, “How’s that superintendent working out for ya?” Another one bit the dust again this week as an elementary principal was escorted out of the building after being given thirty minutes to gather her belongings and turn in her keys. I’m surprised they just didn’t create a central office position and move her there.
The next table would feature about fifty 800 lb bags of rubber mulch. That was another idea that worked out well. Go by any elementary school and see how well that idea worked.
The last table would feature new ideas, creative programs, fiscally responsible projects, strong leaders, and positive views. But wait, that’s right, this table is empty since such things don’t exist in DPS.
Bring your own bag, the superintendent will help you carry your purchases out to your car while telling you how good things are going. Errr, by the way, there is a no return policy.
A table could be set up labeled “Magnet Mess”. This would feature all the equipment that was purchased with magnet money that is no longer being used. Hmmm on second thought you may need eight to ten tables for all that crap. Since no one I believe is still using the magnet themes there should be a lot available. However a lot has already been torn out and thrown away since it was purchased through shady dealings from a northern Virginia company that had a special relationship with the former magnet mistress that the superintendent allowed to run rough shod over people and budgets. Wouldn’t that make interesting reading for someone to go back over the magnet budget and see just what happened to all the money. Eight million just doesn’t buy what it used to. Step right up, get your barely used Montessori furniture while it lasts! This table should sell well. Too bad they can’t sell all the ridiculous training that was paid for by the district.
Another table could feature slightly used administrators. There should be a lot to sell on it since I believe the average experience of an administrator in Danville is something like thirty minutes. In the last six years the district has gone through administrators like water. I believe the main criteria for hiring was that they be at least room temperature. And the board sees no problem? As Sarah Palin would say, “How’s that superintendent working out for ya?” Another one bit the dust again this week as an elementary principal was escorted out of the building after being given thirty minutes to gather her belongings and turn in her keys. I’m surprised they just didn’t create a central office position and move her there.
The next table would feature about fifty 800 lb bags of rubber mulch. That was another idea that worked out well. Go by any elementary school and see how well that idea worked.
The last table would feature new ideas, creative programs, fiscally responsible projects, strong leaders, and positive views. But wait, that’s right, this table is empty since such things don’t exist in DPS.
Bring your own bag, the superintendent will help you carry your purchases out to your car while telling you how good things are going. Errr, by the way, there is a no return policy.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
And the Merry Go Round Keeps Turning
Just when you think its safe to sit back the city drops a new bomb on us all. I am talking about the YMCA debacle. After weeks of anticipation and hype worthy of a carnival barker, the YMCA committee announced a new site in Danville near the white mill for a new Y. Heralding it as a renaissance for the downtown the required group of dignitaries and publicity prostitutes gathered under a tent and patted each other on the back for such a wonderful decision. Not only would the site revitalize the downtown it would be a nice addition to the white mill site to hopefully attract a new business to the building. All the players saw it as a good thing right?
No, that was not right. A few “movers and shakers” on the Y committee objected to the site from the beginning. They continued to throw monkey wrenches into the machine until it finally broke a gear and ground to a stop. With internal threats and “or else” conversation the committee revered itself and the project imploded. On the surface they claim “higher then expected construction costs” but what real reason lurked behind the surface……politics of course. Several influential members were pushing other sites that had high placed ambassadors.
The committee knew the asking price, they had estimates on site development so the cost should not have been a surprise to anyone. They also claimed that fundraising was not an issue either. So what changed? Nothing changed except that a few influential people got their way….again. All this happened at the expense of the residents of Danville and the surrounding areas.
The committee has been left red faced and shocked by the turn of events. The most shocking has been the general public’s condemnation of the committee’s decision to pull out. These elite individuals are so used to being worshipped that they cannot bear to hear that their reputations are being tarnished. But so goes things in Danville.
Keep swimming in the river kids…..the grown ups have taken their flotation devices and gone home.
On the school front the city council has again caved into the school board’s ridiculous budget without a whimper. After all the hand wringing by the concrete queens the budget not only was passed but increased by $600,000. While other departments suffered through state cuts and local cuts the school board whined its way to more money with threats of massive layoffs. One particular lie was their highly reported budget “cut” of reducing a principal position at Bonner. They claimed they made this gesture to show the public just how frugal they were being. Unfortunately it was all smoke and mirrors. Yes they cut the principal job, then turned around and gave that principal a newly created central office position at a higher salary AND hired another assistant principal for Bonner! Is this the new math they are talking about? If it is we don’t need it! This is just ANOTHER example of how the school board and administration of DPS pulls the wool over the eyes of the city council. Someone is asleep at the wheel. Wake up and see what is happening! Just more of the same…smoke and mirrors folks….smoke and mirrors.
No, that was not right. A few “movers and shakers” on the Y committee objected to the site from the beginning. They continued to throw monkey wrenches into the machine until it finally broke a gear and ground to a stop. With internal threats and “or else” conversation the committee revered itself and the project imploded. On the surface they claim “higher then expected construction costs” but what real reason lurked behind the surface……politics of course. Several influential members were pushing other sites that had high placed ambassadors.
The committee knew the asking price, they had estimates on site development so the cost should not have been a surprise to anyone. They also claimed that fundraising was not an issue either. So what changed? Nothing changed except that a few influential people got their way….again. All this happened at the expense of the residents of Danville and the surrounding areas.
The committee has been left red faced and shocked by the turn of events. The most shocking has been the general public’s condemnation of the committee’s decision to pull out. These elite individuals are so used to being worshipped that they cannot bear to hear that their reputations are being tarnished. But so goes things in Danville.
Keep swimming in the river kids…..the grown ups have taken their flotation devices and gone home.
On the school front the city council has again caved into the school board’s ridiculous budget without a whimper. After all the hand wringing by the concrete queens the budget not only was passed but increased by $600,000. While other departments suffered through state cuts and local cuts the school board whined its way to more money with threats of massive layoffs. One particular lie was their highly reported budget “cut” of reducing a principal position at Bonner. They claimed they made this gesture to show the public just how frugal they were being. Unfortunately it was all smoke and mirrors. Yes they cut the principal job, then turned around and gave that principal a newly created central office position at a higher salary AND hired another assistant principal for Bonner! Is this the new math they are talking about? If it is we don’t need it! This is just ANOTHER example of how the school board and administration of DPS pulls the wool over the eyes of the city council. Someone is asleep at the wheel. Wake up and see what is happening! Just more of the same…smoke and mirrors folks….smoke and mirrors.
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