vision2020
Re: If IT doesn't pass
Tim:
Actually the current proposal is to eliminate about 2.5 administrative positions (there are some part-time administrators, such as an elementary assistant prinicpal). That amounts to about 17% of the administrative positions, the same percentage by which teachers and other staff (secretaries, maintenance, bus drivers, etc) would be reduced if the current $2 million shortfall (compared to this year) remains.
Technology is not just a matter of knowing how to use a computer. A lot of students learn that at home (though not all by any means). Our curriculum-- that is, the daily instruction of children, is tied to computers in many ways. We don't play games on them or just browse the internet, teachers actually teach using technology--and that doesn't mean just computers either. The district is in the process of "aligning" its curriculum so that, for example, what is taught in 5th grade mathematics leads logically and seamlessly into what is taught in 6th grade mathematics. All of that effort will lead to better assessment tools of both students and teachers as well as, one hopes, to students being able to pass the high school exit exams that are currently being debated, assessed, and prepared.
In the short run technology investments can be minimized. Done to excess in the long run would perhaps at the peril of the instructional program and certainly to the children's detriment.
Mike Curley
On 2 Feb 02, at 16:10, Tim Lohrmann wrote:
Date forwarded: Sat, 2 Feb 2002 16:10:52 -0800 (PST)
Date sent: Sat, 2 Feb 2002 16:10:25 -0800 (PST)
From: Tim Lohrmann <timlohr@yahoo.com>
Subject: If IT doesn't pass
To:
Forwarded by:
Visionaries,
This post is speculative since there is
not a school levy scheduled yet, at least not to my
knowledge. If there is one held, it might very
well pass. So In case the levy is unsuccessful, I'll
share some thoughts.
The scenario we've been given(if the levy fails)
is
something like firing 30 teachers, closing a school,
etc. I noticed that only 2 administrators would
lose their jobs.
I realize that educators and many, many others
disagree with the politicians and will try to elect
new ones more sympathetic to expanded school funding
That's as it should be. But, at least until next
November, there seems to be little that
can be done about the politicos. Apparently something
has to be done about the local education budget much
sooner than that.
So, in view of the fact that teaching jobs are
almost impossible to find locally, wouldn't it make
more sense(in the spirit of solidarity) for the school
district employees to ask their union to look into an
across the board percentage temporary pay decrease as
opposed to firing this relatively large number of
teachers?
And by across the board, I mean administrators too.
It
would seem that many of the administrators are being
paid significantly more than the teachers who
actually interact with the students, and so might be
able to agree to a larger percentage pay decrease.
This is a terrible alternative I realize. I agree
that teachers have a very important career and
deserve to be paid more, not less. But if nothing else
can be done--at least in the short term--it seems this
bitter medicine would be preferable to the firing of
such a large number of individuals who would have
little prospect of finding comparable employment in
this area. Sure, this reduction wouldn't do much for
staff morale. But just think of the morale of those
teachers who lose their jobs completely?
Another cost reduction that seems possible is in the
area of technology. One of the justifications for
large expenditures on computers for the classroom is
that technology is rapidly advancing and children
must be able to use it or be unprepared upon
graduation. If it's true, as we all know it to be,
that computer technology is changing so rapidly, then
does it make much sense for us to be training students
on equipment and software that will undoubtedly be
obsolete by the time the student enters the job market
after graduation? Couldn't the school system offer
mandatory computer technology classes in the Junior
and Senior years of High School? This makes some sense
in that it would be offering instruction on equipment
that is likely to be in actual use when the student
graduates. Also, it would enable the school system to
save the money that is presently spent on computers,
software, and instruction to students in the lower
grades--students being trained on soon-to-be obsolete
hard and software. It also might free time up for the
younger students to spend their time learing basic
thinking skills and concepts.
Just some thoughts, TL
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