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| Post Number: 61
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busybee 
Group: Members
Posts: 2510
Joined: May 2004
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Posted on: Aug. 24 2007,8:54 am |
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| Quote | | I want the best for them and for every kid in town. Eliminating educational programs is not the answer. |
Here's what I see, people take for granted that the best is what the district tells is the best. The fact is, "the best" is only another trend in describing what should be the best PHILOSOPHY used in educating students. The key words are "trend" and "should be," that does automatically mean the current system is working out to be the best benefit to students. As in the past, when some public schools decide to take a different approach in their philosophy of education (some are already doing that now) compared to the current trend, and it works, others will begin to follow.
Maybe it's my degree in education, public school teaching experiences and having 4 children that causes me to question the current trend and desire to see improvements made where progress is lacking.
I agree that putting money into our public schools is beneficial to students, however the all or nothing approach doesn't sit well with me. Neither does needing the money just to keep what we have. It's not that simple and as far as I am concerned, a school district that isn't willing or interested in prioritizing or challenging their current philosophy in order to improve their approach to education and student progress, is a district that is not searching for ways to provide a better education for the students they serve. It's a district that's following a trend, not one that's addressing the issues.
It amazes me when people sit up and take notice breifly to the fact that many of the students graduating are lacking in education, but when faced with cutting a sport or an elective, they can ramble on about the benefits of having those opportunities for students. What about the opportunity for every student to graduate with the core educational skills they need to be productive citizens of society? It seems to me the reason this isn't happening is because some in the district & some people of the community buy into blaming parents for how they parent, kids for being kids and NCLB. IMHO, this type of thinking is unacceptable excuses.
There are reasons why more students experience the greatest amount of academic growth in the elementary grades. There are reasons why after elementary school the academic growth of students begin to decline and the gap between those who "get it" and those who don't increases. To me, those are the most important issues, the issues that deserve the most attention and the most funding.
There are choices. Choices our district could choose and choices our community could be a part of that would be more beneficial to the students here. That's the attitude we need here in Albert Lea for those who want to place value in education as proof of a growing community. Being like everyone else isn't growth. Keeping things the same isn't growth.
As Jim mentioned, there is something to be said for what we want students to have and what students need to have. There is a difference.
Priorities should be placed on what students need to have first. For example, there is a need for students to improve in math and reading skills, especially in high school. I would much rather vote for a referendum that is prioritized, where the district takes the leadership role in academic achievement. Something like, "We might have to make some cuts in other "want" areas, but the students are going to benefit overall if we use this amount on improving those areas of "need."
When it comes to our community of students and their education, we should settle for nothing but the best effort towards improving the NEEDS of their education.
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| Post Number: 62
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Liberal
Group: Moderator
Posts: 11451
Joined: Aug. 2003
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Posted on: Aug. 24 2007,10:10 am |
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I'm undecided on this, but leaning towards no.
I'd be much more likely to vote yes if the school board would televise their meetings. We already have the equipment in City Hall and like the County Board the only reason they aren't televised is because they don't want the public seeing them rubber-stamp everything administration brings them.
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The people are masters of both Congress and courts, not to overthrow the Constitution, but to overthrow the men who pervert it!
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| Post Number: 63
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Whiskero
Group: Members
Posts: 1195
Joined: Mar. 2005
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Posted on: Aug. 24 2007,10:35 am |
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What bothers me is some people are thinking that if this referendum passes, the quality of education will stay the same and/or be better.
I don't believe it is the teachers fault, but has anybody had a senior write a sentence for you? The spelling and grammar is terrible! And God Forbid if they had to count money back to you from a cash register! Some have a hard time adding on a calculator even.
I don't know what is really going to help this situation, but obviously, the new school didn't.
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| Post Number: 64
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TameThaTane
Group: Members
Posts: 6300
Joined: May 2005
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Posted on: Aug. 24 2007,6:11 pm |
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This quote from Jimenez...
| Quote | | I personally do not have a problem putting my hard earned money into education. |
Really...is that true? I think you DO have a problem!
If the referendum fails are you going to write the district a check?
There's nothing holding all you parents back from making the district "better" is there. Or is it, you won't put your money where your mouth is unless you can force everyone else to pay as well?
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My choice is what I choose to do,
And if I'm causing no harm, it shouldn't bother you.
Your choice is who you choose to be,
And if you're causin' no harm, then you're alright with me.
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| Post Number: 65
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JeffJimenez
Group: Members
Posts: 489
Joined: May 2006
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Posted on: Aug. 24 2007,9:33 pm |
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I will support our school system financially as long as I live in Albert Lea. PLAIN AND SIMPLE! I will continue to attend school board meetings and give our current administration support. Since I started posting on this forum, not once have I ever said I would not support District 241. That ain't no double talk pally!
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"We don't sell albums, we sell CD's".
Kevin Freeland, former President Musicland Group Inc.
(after Best Buy acquisition of Musicland Group)
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| Post Number: 66
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TameThaTane
Group: Members
Posts: 6300
Joined: May 2005
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Posted on: Aug. 24 2007,10:32 pm |
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Prove it. Show me the check..ANY CHECK you've written to the district. You haven't given them SQUAT and you know it. You're only interested in forcing me to give my money. NO ONE is stopping you do gooders from writing checks to the district. if you want to give, give till it hurts. Why do you need some referendum? Why didn't the district receive a check from all those that voted for the referendum when it failed?
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My choice is what I choose to do,
And if I'm causing no harm, it shouldn't bother you.
Your choice is who you choose to be,
And if you're causin' no harm, then you're alright with me.
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| Post Number: 67
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JeffJimenez
Group: Members
Posts: 489
Joined: May 2006
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Posted on: Aug. 24 2007,11:22 pm |
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Well, I am done here. I have made my position clear. I support education. I don't have to prove anything to you Tane. Since I have never seen you at a school board meeting, you have no cred with me. I am not forcing you to do anything. You have the right to vote no, which you will. But, I want to see you go after the county and the city when they raise your taxes and not let you decide. One more thing....I before E except after C!!
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"We don't sell albums, we sell CD's".
Kevin Freeland, former President Musicland Group Inc.
(after Best Buy acquisition of Musicland Group)
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| Post Number: 68
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TameThaTane
Group: Members
Posts: 6300
Joined: May 2005
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Posted on: Aug. 25 2007,12:12 am |
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Yep...just as I suspected. You haven't given them squat. This is about you forcing others to cough up their cash. No one is stopping you from writing the district a check except YOU.
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My choice is what I choose to do,
And if I'm causing no harm, it shouldn't bother you.
Your choice is who you choose to be,
And if you're causin' no harm, then you're alright with me.
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| Post Number: 69
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JeffJimenez
Group: Members
Posts: 489
Joined: May 2006
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Posted on: Aug. 25 2007,10:12 am |
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You need to move out of mommy's house and be an adult soon!
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"We don't sell albums, we sell CD's".
Kevin Freeland, former President Musicland Group Inc.
(after Best Buy acquisition of Musicland Group)
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| Post Number: 70
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Botto 82
Group: Members
Posts: 6293
Joined: Jan. 2005
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Posted on: Aug. 26 2007,11:27 am |
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| Quote (hockeyplayer @ Aug. 21 2007,10:23pm) | | We DID need a new High School. That old place was going on 100 years. |
It's this kind of unresearched and soft-headed thinking that put 241 in its current dilemma.
The oldest parts of CHS were built in the '30's, save the Lincoln Elementary addition, which was built in the 20's, I believe. The math/science/library wing was added in 1961, and the admin/shop/new gym section in 1968. Hardly a century old.
You would have far fewer budgetary concerns if you'd have hung on to your history, as opposed to embracing the Interstate Development mindset.
Clearly, 241 has itself to blame for its budgetary woes.
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Dear future generations: Please accept our apologies. We were rolling drunk on petroleum.
- Kurt Vonnegut
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