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St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Lee Enterprises

Tuesday, March 17, 2009 8:51 PM CDT
OUR VIEW: School districts struggle to make ends meet

By the JG/T-C Editorial Board
editorial@jg-tc.com

If Illinois school districts were children, the state government could aptly be labeled a deadbeat parent.

It’s no secret that the state often runs late on its payments to entities ranging from health care facilities to county governments to public universities. But local school districts are left blowing in the wind as the state falls further and further behind in its aid payments this year. Surely most school administrators would give Illinois an “F” in this subject.

The Mattoon district faces a possible budget shortfall of more than $1.6 million. School board members last week approved up to $6 million in tax anticipation warrants, allowing district administrators to borrow money based on future property tax revenue. The move would help the district fill in the gaps in its budget if state funding payments continue to be tardy.

As it is, 14 of the 33 teachers who plan to retire this year will not be replaced. This will help Mattoon schools in their quest to stay in the black for the budget year.

It’s state reimbursements that largely are causing the problem. The state’s financial wounds also are hurting schools at the local level, with fund payments lagging. As of the end of the month, the state will owe the Mattoon district, for example, more than $1.07 million for some services. The state is more than two months late on payments, and law only specifies that the reimbursements must be made, not when they have to be made, according to Mattoon Assistant Superintendent of Business Tom Sherman.

This is the second time in less than nine months that Mattoon school leaders have resorted to tax anticipation warrants. Less than expected was needed last fall, and it was paid back in two months, but officials said they hope to not use the most recent warrants, even though they expect to.

In Charleston, the school board agreed to not replace six retiring teachers and eliminate an elementary school gifted program as officials try to save money. With several potential financial problems in sight, Superintendent Jim Littleford told board members that reductions in the next year’s budget are vital.

The root of the problem is slightly different in Charleston, with the district’s property tax revenue expected to be flat, in addition to a likely stagnant level of state aid.

Everyone knows that the economy is tough, and that makes state revenues shaky, in addition to unsettling the foundation of many other taxing bodies. With this trickle-down effect, the potential for damage increases as this snowball grows and gathers speed as it rolls downhill.

It’s long past time for the state of Illinois to balance its checkbook and get its finances in order. Schools cannot be expected to offer a quality education to youngsters when basic financial needs are not met. State lawmakers have quite a burden before them, but it is one that must be shouldered and carried as efficiently and promptly as possible.

The state can hardly shake a finger at taxpayers and other revenue sources for tardiness when it, too, is falling short of its obligations. Education is too important a cornerstone in our society’s foundation to be allowed to crumble.

The day that the state gets its act together and keep its promises to our schools cannot come too soon.

— JG/T-C Editorial Board

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attainedage wrote on Mar 17, 2009 10:47 PM:

" Just three years ago, about the time Hall was in full swing on the school board and just after building two new elementary schools the community insisted they didnt want at any price, CUSD#2 had over $25-million in cold hard cash.

Shortly thereafter, Hall left the school board and moved over to the City Council to do all he can to drain the coffers there. I cant wait till April 7th!

If "education is too important a cornerstone in our societys foundation to be allowed to crumble", why do we continue to elect profligates to squander our school treasury? "

Mike P wrote on Mar 18, 2009 9:31 AM:

" It would help out a great deal, if the boards, knew which end was up, before they even try to make them meet.

Its time most of these tax bodies pretended they existed in the real world. If you want somethng extravagant, and its not a real urgent or dire emergency, you cut spending to save up to get it. How many people can take out millions in bonds for pet projects, tell the folks who pay them, how much of a raise they will be taking, and not do large portions of their assigned responsibilities?

Given their failing curriculum, is cutting teachers part of the plan in addressing that? Perhaps we need to get some professional type phd folks to do a study, of why when people on a board say they are broke and can't do this or that, they are at the same time planning new responsibilities to take on, borrowing millions of dollars, and pleading hardship and economic growth in the exact same breath.

They want to spend somewhere between 1 and somewhat more than 1 milllion dollars, to tear down armstrong, and rebuild it for their transportation department of 30+ leased buses. They could have rocked one of the lots they cleared, bought one, or come up with something else and cheaper. What is with them and money pits? This deal and the mall makeover is six of one, half a dozen of the other, but neither should be taxpayer funded on the front end or the back end, or anywhere in between. "

techman wrote on Mar 18, 2009 11:41 PM:

" It is time for this state to start consolidating the 900 school districts down to a reasonable number. County wide school districts would save considerable money even in counties such as ours. Understandably everyone wants a school close to home, but it is becoming financially unfeasable.
Any such proposals from Springfield will get the teacher unions enraged and start trying to scare parents, but think about the millions of dollars that could be saved from the elimination of duplicate services. "

just watching wrote on Mar 19, 2009 8:49 AM:

" Build some more new schools!!!! "

jrussell wrote on Mar 19, 2009 12:20 PM:

" perhaps they need to quit fixing things that already work, what is so wrong with using chalkboards like they used to, no remote control? "

Tom Andres wrote on Mar 20, 2009 9:47 AM:

" I'm all in favor of replacing chalk boards with PowerPoint if that facilitates the learning process; however, let's not forget that us old folks who didn't have calculators in the classroom, who memorized multiplication tables, who hand-calculated square roots and did long division, who memorized the Gettysburg Address, also invented super computers, sent astronauts to the moon, brought them home safely, increased average life spans by half a generation in just the last 40 years, invented radial tires and disc brakes and vehicles that earn 5 stars in crash tests, etc, etc.

I will admit, though, that in the old days, we never had an opportunity to learn how to put a condom on a cucumber in health class and that we never benefitted from knowing that there are a minimum of four or five gender choices or that it was oh-so-wrong to recite the Pledge of Allegiance Under God but that its OK to scrxw like a mink and have one abortion after another with no consequence at all. All this in the name of public education. "

Harry Potter wrote on Mar 21, 2009 6:30 AM:

" Tom Andres wrote on Mar 20, 2009 9:47 AM:

" I'm all in favor of replacing chalk boards with PowerPoint...

Only because you seem to delight in pointing out the errors of others on this site, let me tell you that they aren't referred to as power point Tom, the term used for this technology is smart boards. Glad to have been of help. "

pj1983 wrote on Mar 21, 2009 8:35 AM:

" jrussell:chalk boards are bad for 2 reasons...some people are allergic to chalk dust, and most classrooms have computers in them and computers + chalk dust filled air = computers that don't work. that being said, why not switch to white boards instead?

tom andres: have you talked to anyone who has taken a health class in high school lately? granted, i had mine just over 5 years ago but i'm betting that's more recent than your last health class. i know we didn't do the cucumber thing, nor did we discuss gender "choices" or abortion. it's all neat and tidy to blame the downfall of society on public schools instead of taking responsibilty for it ourselves. "

Rohn Gordon wrote on Mar 21, 2009 8:36 AM:

" Very well said Tom.
They use this stuff in the classroom to teach "faster". Well I and I am sure most in here has learned faster is not always the best. When I was in school if you even thought of using a calculator you would have got swats (cheated) LOL. Now kids are only allowed to use a calculator. Kids now a days are dummied down in the name of speed. If a teacher makes them use a calculator, the teacher does not have to teach the student how to FIND the answer. Someone ask a high school child how many square foot is on the floor of a 12' x 12' room without using a calculator. Our children are NOT being taught the main ingredient to survive in the world ("common sense"). Our schools are teaching book smarts only. "

name_hidden_to_protect_the_innocent wrote on Mar 21, 2009 12:43 PM:

" What school is teaching kids how to put condoms on cucumbers? "

jrussell wrote on Mar 21, 2009 12:58 PM:

" Tom Andres wrote on Mar 20, 2009 9:47 AM:

" I'm all in favor of replacing chalk boards with PowerPoint if that facilitates the learning process; however, let's not forget that us old folks who didn't have calculators in the classroom, who memorized multiplication tables, who hand-calculated square roots and did long division, who memorized the Gettysburg Address, also invented super computers, sent astronauts to the moon, brought them home safely, increased average life spans by half a generation in just the last 40 years, invented radial tires and disc brakes and vehicles that earn 5 stars in crash tests, etc, etc.

I will admit, though, that in the old days, we never had an opportunity to learn how to put a condom on a cucumber in health class and that we never benefitted from knowing that there are a minimum of four or five gender choices or that it was oh-so-wrong to recite the Pledge of Allegiance Under God but that its OK to scrxw like a mink and have one abortion after another with no consequence at all. All this in the name of public education. "

...Totally agree TOM, we are in tight times right now and we should be logical about things though, why spend a ton on these super boards with remote controls that move around and stuff when just as easily we could use the old materilas available and learn just the same, I just think in the current times money needs to be prioritized "

jrussell wrote on Mar 21, 2009 1:00 PM:

" pj1983 wrote on Mar 21, 2009 8:35 AM:

" jrussell:chalk boards are bad for 2 reasons...some people are allergic to chalk dust, and most classrooms have computers in them and computers + chalk dust filled air = computers that don't work. that being said, why not switch to white boards instead?

tom andres: have you talked to anyone who has taken a health class in high school lately? granted, i had mine just over 5 years ago but i'm betting that's more recent than your last health class. i know we didn't do the cucumber thing, nor did we discuss gender "choices" or abortion. it's all neat and tidy to blame the downfall of society on public schools instead of taking responsibilty for it ourselves. "

..Most schools have computer labs now though, I understand the allergies but what about the white boards being replaced, it just seems a bit odd when we could use the money for failing schools instead of on ones that are fine and a bit outdated "

jrussell wrote on Mar 21, 2009 1:05 PM:

" Rohn Gordon wrote on Mar 21, 2009 8:36 AM:

" Very well said Tom.

..I see the point but some kids go without while others go with fancy equipment, we don't need over coddling and fancy equipment to teach students, we need good teachers who are practical and focused along with decent curriculum, high school to me is all botched up, in Charleston...at least while I was there I remember one poster on the wall for homecoming, ONE POSTER, school spirit doesn't even exist anymore and that is the first issue, once again I don't mean coddle everbody but I mean get everybody involved and happy to be coming to school, when I was there they ran people off instead of trying to keep them there "

Harry Potter wrote on Mar 21, 2009 1:06 PM:

" Our children are NOT being taught the main ingredient to survive in the world ("common sense"). Our schools are teaching book smarts only. "

Oh really, tell us more, Rohn.

Sorry, I just couldn't help myself. "

Sister Rose wrote on Mar 21, 2009 1:31 PM:

" We need to be sure that every voter in Mattoon knows that Rick Hall was the president of the school board that spent all our money in the school dist. and that he intends to do the same in the city. He has cost the tax payers here in Mattoon alot in tax dollars every year and it will never go away. He has single handedly put the biggest hardship on the voters in this city. And his friend Bob Becker will do the same thing if he is elected as he and Rick Hall are close friends and are hiding it from the voters. Rosa Binum "

Harry Potter wrote on Mar 21, 2009 1:49 PM:

" Sister Rose wrote on Mar 21, 2009 1:31 PM:

" We need to be sure that every voter in Mattoon knows that Rick Hall was the president of the school board that spent all our money in the school dist. and that he intends to do the same in the city.

If that's the message you want to get out, keep posting it on this site. Threads like this one don't last long, so you might have to put in on non relevant threads too, but that's OK.

Most other posts wind up taking a lot of twists and turns away from the original topic.

It's important that Hall be exposed for the big spender he is. I was surprised that he was elected to the council in the first place, considering his actions on the school board.

In reality, I suspect his election was orchestrated by a certain local business man to do his bidding. I could be wrong, but it looks that way to me, and I suspect more than a few others see it this way.

Anyway, keep putting the word out, Sister Rose, you have a large audience on this site. "

medic57 wrote on Mar 21, 2009 4:16 PM:

" pj1983 Wrote: That being said, why not switch to white boards instead?

Yeah, so the kids could damage their lungs with Dry Erase Markers wich are filled with Toluene, or get high from hufffing them. Anyone remember the old duplicator machines and how those tests smelled?

pj1983 wrote: Chalk boards are bad for 2 reasons...some people are allergic to chalk dust, and most classrooms have computers in them and computers + chalk dust filled air = computers that don't work.

Chalk dust filled air? If they are teaching that in High School Computer Tech Classes, they better get some new teachers. It would take probably a million chalkboards to affect 1 computer, not even sure that many would do it, you ever work on a computer from Vesuvius? I have. And I have had yet to see or hear of 1 child missing school because of chalk dust.

pj1983 wrote: Have you talked to anyone who has taken a health class in high school lately? granted, i had mine just over 5 years ago but i'm betting that's more recent than your last health class. i know we didn't do the cucumber thing, nor did we discuss gender "choices" or abortion.

Yet, and the number of unwed mothers under 40 having babies is at an all time high. "

medic57 wrote on Mar 21, 2009 4:19 PM:

" Someone ask a high school child how many square foot is on the floor of a 12' x 12' room without using a calculator.

Better yet, Go to Hardees (or McDonalds) have your bill be $1.67. Give them $2.02.

Might as well tell them to keep the change. "

medic57 wrote on Mar 21, 2009 4:23 PM:

" In reality, I suspect his election was orchestrated by a certain local business man to do his bidding.

Probably Mr. Freeze, oops, sorry, Dr. Freeemeier, he likes TIF money. "

medic57 wrote on Mar 21, 2009 6:10 PM:

" we don't need over coddling and fancy equipment to teach students,

You're right, but only if we don't want our students to compete in todays world. "

Rohn Gordon wrote on Mar 21, 2009 8:07 PM:

" You know Harry I think you are right about both, Hall and his election was orchestrated by a certain local business man to do his bidding. "

pj1983 wrote on Mar 22, 2009 7:10 AM:

" you're right, jrussell. most schools do have computer labs now, but they also usually still have at least one computer in the classroom for the teachers use.

as for calculator use....have you SEEN some of the math they have to do now days? when i was in 8th grade (1997) my mom said i was doing the kind of stuff they used to do in high school. and she graduated in 1977! i would LOVE to see some of you people try to do some of the math they're doing now in calculus and algebra II either with OR without a calculator. i'll bet most adults around wouldn't even know where to begin. "

name_hidden_to_protect_the_innocent wrote on Mar 22, 2009 8:56 AM:

" PJ, you're correct. My daughter is doing fractions already in second grade (she is on 3rd grade math though), something I didn't start until 7th grade. "

Rohn Gordon wrote on Mar 22, 2009 9:19 AM:

" Thats right PJ they are teaching kids at to fast of speed. Kids are taught stuff they should learn in College, if it is needed in the Field they choose. They are not retaining it, ( book smarts ) they are only doing it real fast. to get to the next part. And people are allergic to lots of stuff. Tell them to stop banging out the erasers in the class room will stop room full of chalk dust. The chalk dust statement was so funny it was not even funny. You need to stop watching what they do on cartoons. I am guessing that TAZ the Tasmanian Devil might be able to write on a chalk board fast enough to fill a room with chalk dust. LMAO
Medic are you saying teachers can not teach well enough on a chalk board for our kids to compete?? Medic that Hardees example was even better than the one I used. Good job, and you are correct. With the kids made to use a calculator and computer they can not hardly do anything in their heads. Most people in or society are workers, workers that are told what to do and how to do it. Calculus for example will never be used by over 80% of people. If they need it to go into a certain Field fine teach it then. Our schools waist to much time hurrying to teach things not needed by common people. "

medic57 wrote on Mar 22, 2009 9:30 AM:

" pj1983 wrote:

I would LOVE to see some of you people try to do some of the math they're doing now in calculus and algebra II either with OR without a calculator. i'll bet most adults around wouldn't even know where to begin.

Yet, in the days of Mercury, Gemini and Appolo the did all of their Calculus and Trig with Slide Rules. "

Mike P wrote on Mar 22, 2009 9:30 AM:

" The L machine and others are benovolent benefactors, they just want the area their monopolies or various businesses are stationed, the way they think it should be in a few specific areas, and keep things the way they like it. I can't believe buying an election to get some murals, or other inside under the table deals, would still be suspected of happening in Omega land.

One has to question their motives, on many directions they chose. Its like they want this area bottom heavy, wage wise. People with limited means, are less likely to circumvent their monopolies. If you don't make decentmoney, not as likely to go out of town to shop or conduct business. Nust be their plan for shopping local. They fail to realize if this area looked more at good job creation, all the stuff they are tax subsidizing and sustainable growth, would follow right behind it. Much of development around Champaign or other places, could have gone here if they cleared a path for it to be more cost effective to not be near as confined or constrained, like they often are in bigger towns.

How are our businesses even to compete, if sales tax is close to what Champaign and others now charge? If there was a good sustainable wage base here, and cost of living was cheaper as it should be, in a smaller comminity, they would have to sift through the list of people and things, wanting a non subsidized piece of this market. Prime development areas wouldn't need TIF, and it could do its job downtown, if they used it properly. Until they get a big draw development, that brings consumers to downtown, and complimentary business builds around it, it will fare the same or worse than the charleston square has. Duplication, and office space is not proper use of the tool.

Over use and improper inclusion, makes TIF moot to use at all. The whole point, is to encourage specific growth, in an area that has potential but not bridged the gap to reaching it, over a long term. All but downtown, and even several portions of its inclusions, do not fit the intent of properly utilizing TIF.

Prior to this economic decline, was peak, and this area failed to see any sustainable growth, because of leaders lack of proper priorities and using sound fundamentals as their compass for navigating decisions.

Its a pickle, really we need sucessfull business and development folks, with a track record of effective decision making leading, now more than ever. Find one here, that isn't tied to, or indebted to, benevolent benefactors. Even the hired manager, evidently fell in line, and failed to solve any issues the position was created for. If anything, many of them are worse, than before the switch. Almost makes you wonder if applicants for some positions, weren't courted or screened by non serving silent city partners. "

Harry Potter wrote on Mar 22, 2009 10:03 AM:

" Medic, if you're going to be giving out advice about inhalant abuse, you might want to get familiar with the proper terminology.

Huffing refer to taking substances (usually those containing volatile gasses) through the mouth and into the lungs.

Kids don't huff markers, they sniff them.

And beside why would kids take chances in stealing them at school to use, when they have dozens of products right in their own home to get "high" on?

When It come to inhalant abuse, a few markers at school is the least of our problems. "

ed miller wrote on Mar 22, 2009 10:09 AM:

" Why do we keep needing to consolidate schools to save money? When I was younger, we had neighborhood schools, usually within walking distance, and we paid for those just fine. Every small town around had their own school system as well. What suddenly changed to make that too expensive?

Instead of cutting teachers or closing schools, why don't we consolidate superintendents? Does each podunk school system really need someone making six figures to oversee the day to day operations? "

3 Green wrote on Mar 22, 2009 10:38 AM:

" pj - I graduated from HS in the mid 80s...and my kids might be starting some math conecepts a year or two earlier...BUT the concepts are still the same. We need to quit making excuses for kids. A big part of the issue re: kids using calculators is that they become far too dependent on them far too early. Not to mention that as a whole the work ethic of kids today pales in comparison with what is used to be. Ask some good HS math teachers what kinds of looks they get when they ask kids to work through a math problem on their own as opposed to using a calculator. I don't have an issue with kids using calculators...but I think they first need to understand the fundamentals of how to solve problems. More parents need to send their children to school ready to learn..and not complain when our teachers hold them accountable. Our society and parents today are more to blame for our kids lagging behind the rest of the world than our system is. Admittedly there is plenty wrong with the system too...NCLB and tenure policies for example. But it all starts at home... "

jrussell wrote on Mar 22, 2009 1:56 PM:

" Harry Potter wrote on Mar 21, 2009 1:06 PM:

" Our children are NOT being taught the main ingredient to survive in the world ("common sense"). Our schools are teaching book smarts only. "

Oh really, tell us more, Rohn.

Sorry, I just couldn't help myself. "

...I agree totally, without street smarts our book smarts are worthless because we don't know how to apply them to the world around us "

jrussell wrote on Mar 22, 2009 2:00 PM:

" medic57 wrote on Mar 21, 2009 6:10 PM:

" we don't need over coddling and fancy equipment to teach students,

You're right, but only if we don't want our students to compete in todays world. "

..describe todays world MEDIC lol, we are probably the most advanced nation, I think the competition is limited, it isn't really about whether they learn stuff on a chalkboard or on the freakin window it is about what they are learning, I agree we need to teach more common sense too, I understand the allergy issues and all that but if I can have a cell phone that can do all the things that it does do then we can have an affordable means of teaching our children without poisoning them with crap "

jrussell wrote on Mar 22, 2009 2:01 PM:

" Harry Potter wrote on Mar 22, 2009 10:03 AM:

" Medic, if you're going to be giving out advice about inhalant abuse, you might want to get familiar with the proper terminology.

Huffing refer to taking substances (usually those containing volatile gasses) through the mouth and into the lungs.

Kids don't huff markers, they sniff them.

And beside why would kids take chances in stealing them at school to use, when they have dozens of products right in their own home to get "high" on?

When It come to inhalant abuse, a few markers at school is the least of our problems. "

...if elementary students are doing this then we have serious problems besides money to figure out "

The Curious wrote on Mar 22, 2009 2:19 PM:

The Curious wrote on Mar 22, 2009 2:20 PM:

" How about having the air ducts cleaned, and smoke detectors at the door so that anyone who smoked cannot come in and pollute the air with their clothes? These are much higher on the list of irritants than your silly chalk dust, what a farce! "

medic57 wrote on Mar 22, 2009 4:51 PM:

" HP

Sniffing, Huffing, the outcome is the same.

jrussell wrote: If elementary students are doing this then we have serious problems besides money to figure out.

They don't start doing it on purpose, they get one sniff and think, wow, that was neat, same as we did with the duplicator machine tests in the 60's and 70's. It's accidental.

jrussell wrote: We are probably the most advanced nation.

That's why almost everything we use and buy comes from overseas, that includes NASA'S purchases. Did you know, that Silicon Valley is now mostely a junkyard. We are the most powerful and advanced countyr when it comes to the military. We probably have more Nuclear Warheads than every other county combined and our Rocket capabilities came from the Germans, and, if you call with a tech question about your computer, no matter which brand you have, the call WILL go out of this country.

But the chalk dust in the puters did make me laugh really good. Don't know a lot about puters do you? "

medic57 wrote on Mar 22, 2009 4:53 PM:

" Sorry jrussell:

The last comment was for pj1983. "

Harry Potter wrote on Mar 22, 2009 6:03 PM:

" Does each podunk school system really need someone making six figures to oversee the day to day operations? "

Actually most of the Superintendents in the "podunk" districts serve double duty, ed. Many act as both Suprt. and principal, and some have teaching assignments. Many of them fill in as subs in order to save their districts money.

The problem is not with superintendents but with districts like Mattoon which seem to think the need 3 or 4 assistant superintendents. "

Tom Andres wrote on Mar 22, 2009 6:06 PM:

" Harry, going back to your post on Friday at 6:30 AM, why do you think I meant to say smart boards? Do you assume that because I'm now officially a senior citizen that I'm all of a sudden not up to speed in the latest technology and terminology? Good grief, Harry, your age bias is showing, and its really making you sound like a lame brain.

pj (from Friday at 8:35 AM), you seem to parse words on my comments regarding condoms, gender options, and unwed pregnancy and abortion. Surely you got the point didnt you? Allow me to clarify my long-held position on classroom teaching in America. It has to be one of our nations most difficult jobs. Actually, I do not blame the downfall of society on public schools. I never have. You have to look no further than liberal axe-grinding school boards and uninvolved liberal parents to find the problems with public schools. How can anyone expect a teacher to actually teach if most of their working day is consumed by discipline problems and bureaucratic nonsense (such as having to deal with all kinds of social ills in an academic setting))?

pj, I am a product of public education in the 50s and 60s. As a parent, Ive seen public education evolve since then. Simply put, you havent. Thats OK. Its understandable that you just dont get it. "

Harry Potter wrote on Mar 22, 2009 6:18 PM:

" Sniffing, Huffing, the outcome is the same.

Actually not, one destroys the brain while the other destroys the lungs. Slight difference, medic. Most kids stop before it kills them, but the damage is usually permanent.

Judging from your comments, I have to wonder if you have ever actually talked to anyone who has abused inhalants? "

3 Green wrote on Mar 22, 2009 6:26 PM:

" "Calculus for example will never be used by over 80% of people. If they need it to go into a certain Field fine teach it then. Our schools waist to much time hurrying to teach things not needed by common people. "

Calculus is an elective at the HS level... The majority of kids wishing to continue their education beyond HS will more than likely opt to take it depending on what major they are leaning towards... Chances are the kid that can't make proper change at Hardees is not likely to be in calculus... "

pj1983 wrote on Mar 22, 2009 6:29 PM:

" i know enough about computers, medic. i know it would take a LOT of chalk dust to really affect a computer. i know this because my computers at work are just fine and they bathe in book dust everyday. as for the markers, they make unscented ones that you can't get high off of.

rohn, don't even get me started on retention...all i have to say is let's hope you're not trying to set the example. "

medic57 wrote on Mar 22, 2009 6:37 PM:

" And to think we thought we were teachers pet when we got to bang erasers together. We never thought the teachers were really trying to kill us. "

Rotty wrote on Mar 22, 2009 7:38 PM:

" Thanks alot "No Child Left Behind" act.
[Gag!] "

medic57 wrote on Mar 22, 2009 7:42 PM:

" pj1983 wrote: I know enough about computers, medic. i know it would take a LOT of chalk dust to really affect a computer.

Yet you said this.

computers + chalk dust filled air = computers that don't work.

Chalk dust is not a reason to do anything.

If you really want to get a grip on technology vs the old ways, then I suggest you watch the movie Apollo 13. All they used in those days were Chalkboards, Slide Rules and Duct Tape. And they were probably the smartest men on the planet. Of course they did have computers too, they were about the same power as an 80286, maybe. No Windows, DOS, Unix or Linux (which is really just Unix with a (GUI) They probably used CP|M. Computers, gotta love em. At least until Skynet comes around. Oops, sorry, Skynet is already here.

Skynet is a family of military satellites, now operated by Paradigm Secure Communications on behalf of the UK Ministry of Defence, which provide strategic communication services to the three branches of the British Armed Forces and to NATO forces engaged on coalition tasks.

:) :) "

medic57 wrote on Mar 22, 2009 8:02 PM:

" Calculus for example will never be used by over 80% of people.

Probably closer to 98%. Calculus is mostley used in Engineering, Space Travel and 1 or 2 other fields. Most full college professors never took it either. Just not needed.

As Judge Shmells said in Caddyshack

Well, the world needs ditchdiggers too. "

Harry Potter wrote on Mar 22, 2009 8:54 PM:

jrussell wrote on Mar 23, 2009 12:18 AM:

" The Curious wrote on Mar 22, 2009 2:19 PM:

" pj1983 wrote on Mar 21, 2009 8:35 AM:
" jrussell:chalk boards are bad for 2 reasons...some people are allergic to chalk dust, and most classrooms have computers in them and computers + chalk dust filled air = computers that don't work. that being said, why not switch to white boards instead?

HA! More people are allergic to the chemicals used for cleaning the floors and the perfumes the teachers wear LOL!
Are those things ever addressed? Nope! "

...good point...at lake land they are just now getting to the asbestos in the ceiling "

jrussell wrote on Mar 23, 2009 12:22 AM:

" medic57 wrote on Mar 22, 2009 4:51 PM:

" HP

Sniffing, Huffing, the outcome is the same.

jrussell wrote: If elementary students are doing this then we have serious problems besides money to figure out.

They don't start doing it on purpose, they get one sniff and think, wow, that was neat, same as we did with the duplicator machine tests in the 60's and 70's. It's accidental.

jrussell wrote: We are probably the most advanced nation.

That's why almost everything we use and buy comes from overseas, that includes NASA'S purchases. Did you know, that Silicon Valley is now mostely a junkyard. We are the most powerful and advanced countyr when it comes to the military. We probably have more Nuclear Warheads than every other county combined and our Rocket capabilities came from the Germans, and, if you call with a tech question about your computer, no matter which brand you have, the call WILL go out of this country.

But the chalk dust in the puters did make me laugh really good. Don't know a lot about puters do you?

..accident or on purpose I don't care because they are supposed to be supervised at all times, if my kid is sniffing markers at school and actually getting away with it then we have an issue of neglect, rather we are the most advanced nation or not is still irrelevant, if the teacher is a good teacher he or she can teach the students on a piece of poster board...who cares...it is about the way they are taught and what they are taught, fancy gadgets will not make a child pay attention anymore if miss makes me snore is teaching the lesson "

jrussell wrote on Mar 23, 2009 12:25 AM:

" medic57 wrote on Mar 22, 2009 6:37 PM:

" And to think we thought we were teachers pet when we got to bang erasers together. We never thought the teachers were really trying to kill us. "

...man there are plenty of allergens floating around in the wind, it still doesn't take fancy gadgets to teach, what about the old overhead projectors, they worked, did we need ones that come down out of the ceiling with remotes and all that, yeah they are nice but couldn't the money have been used more appropriately at the current time? "

Rohn Gordon wrote on Mar 23, 2009 8:13 AM:

" NJ again you make a way out in left field statement. >"..accident or on purpose I don't care because they are supposed to be supervised at all times, if my kid is sniffing markers at school and actually getting away with it then we have an issue of neglect,"
---------------------------------
Are you honestly mentally challenged??
1st a teacher ONLY has 2 eyes, is supposed to be teaching NOT baby setting.
2nd I do not care who you are, you can NOT watch what a child is doing at all times, even if it is one child not 20 or so.
I highly doubt any teacher is allowing it to happen after it is caught, that would be closer to your neglect.
PJ I am guessing that you are the only one with retention troubles. If you do not know what is called book smarts there is something wrong. Book smarts is fully retention problems. You show me someone that is truly book smart and I will show you someone that will more than likely be helpless in the real world.
So lets get serious here.
Medic I see why, but you waisted your time trying to show you know all about these old computers. If you did great, but everyone could also think, wow Medic can search the net.
Welcome back Rotty, how was the mini vacation?? "

HeinekenMan wrote on Mar 23, 2009 8:41 AM:

" Try moving to the Sunshine State, where one school district is planning to fire more than 900 teachers to deal with a budget shortfall that is well over $100 million. And the state is already ranked near the bottom in education because it spends less per student than almost every other state in the country.

The problem is three-fold for most school districts: 1) Costs are rising; 2) There's wasteful spending; and 3) Nobody thought to save back in the boom years.

Money goes into reserves for a reason, but the American way is to spend every dime. "

Rohn Gordon wrote on Mar 23, 2009 10:38 AM:

" I agree HM. Those are the same reasons most of us do not have a bigger savings account also. "

Becky wrote on Mar 23, 2009 11:54 AM:

" Rohn Gordon wrote on Mar 21, 2009 8:36 AM:

" Very well said Tom.
They use this stuff in the classroom to teach "faster

I think you might be on to something here Rohn. Your entire post made sense to me. I've been asking for YEARS what teachers/schools needed to improve education. All they would say is money. They got it. Our kids still aren't learning. We need to go back to the BASICS with rote teachings. Our young today could NOT figure out the floor area you gave. They can NOT give change if the cash machine breaks down. It' all to get them to learn faster instead of smarter....GOOD CALL! "

medic57 wrote on Mar 23, 2009 12:02 PM:

" Sorry Rohn, that wasn't from Net searching, it was from working on computers since 1988, probably about the time ole pj was in Pj's. Didn't have my 1st calculator until tech school in 88.

HeinekenMan

Florida could easily fund every school they had if they would do one simple thing.

There is no state income tax in Florida. I imagine 2% would do just fine, if, it all went to the schools.

Remember the Illinois Lottery? "

Rohn Gordon wrote on Mar 23, 2009 2:34 PM:

" Medic Thanks for the reply. I had no doubt, just said what lots might have thought is all.
Becky I just wish our children was in school to learn more. To learn more would be slower. So that wont happen. Its a shame is my feelings. The kids today would not make it if they stepped back just 20 years, or less. Sure we have more technology today. But that is also taking away from our brain usage need, and that in the long run does not make us smarter at all. "

Rotty wrote on Mar 23, 2009 3:11 PM:

" Rohn, check towards the bottom, here.

http://tinyurl.com/dlh4on

Thanks "

Rotty wrote on Mar 23, 2009 3:32 PM:

" Rohn, if you're still having problems "saving articles", see if this is helpful.

Opera - Click Bookmarks/Bookmark Page
Internet Explorer - Click Favorites/Add To Favorites
Mozilla Firefox - Click Bookmarks/Bookmark This Page

You will need to have already made a Folder under your "Favorites/Bookmarks", & also of course be on the web page you're trying to "save".

Hope this helps, otherwise, please disregard.
Thanks.
Sorry for being off topic.
:-) "

Harry Potter wrote on Mar 23, 2009 4:52 PM:

" A big problem with our schools is that too many parents have abdicated their responsibility. They have turned over to the schools such things as teaching their kids about drugs, life skills and just about everything else that young people need to know for a healthy life.

On an earlier post, Tom A tried to say it's the liberal parents fault. I would challenge that and say just as many conservative folks are guilty. It's not a liberal/conservative issue, as he tries to make it out to be.

I would like to have a dollar for everytime I've heard a parent say "that's your job" when asked to get involved with their child's education.

Some parents think it's the chools job to raise their kids. Notice that I said some parents. Those kids that have involved parents seem to do quite well.

Another problem is class room size. I don't care how good a teacher is, 27 to 30 students is too many for one teacher.

The administrative office in Mattoon, which I agree is full of dead wood and fat, is not the problem either.

Having been in the education field for many years, I feel comfortable that my comments have some validity. "

medic57 wrote on Mar 23, 2009 5:02 PM:

" The kids today would not make it if they stepped back just 20 years, or less.

That's for sure, they would go running home to mommy if the coach said a bad word in football practice, as happened in Mattoon a few years ago. Don't remember coaches Sink or Wyman I guess.

As far as Smartboards go, I know Stew Stras High Has them and I'm told they are very nice, of course, they also can't sit in part of their gym because the bleachers will colapse, sooo, their waiting on state funding to build a new gym. I wonder if they'll keep that one up as well? "

Rohn Gordon wrote on Mar 23, 2009 5:37 PM:

" Yes Harry they do have plenty of validity.
But I would also think that you would have a opinion of weather you feel our kids are being pushed to hard to fast?? "

Rohn Gordon wrote on Mar 23, 2009 5:43 PM:

" Rotty dumb ol me finally got it THANX. "

BlackBart wrote on Mar 23, 2009 5:51 PM:

" Our school district had 25 million dollars in reserves back in 2000 and now we are in trouble ??? Who would be the cause of this fiasco OH!!! Don't tell me that Our incumbent city council member Rick Hall did this to the voters of Mattoon and is wanting a chance to break the city now?? HA I think we need to send him a loud and clear message that we don't want anymore of his Great ideas. "

Rohn Gordon wrote on Mar 23, 2009 7:26 PM:

" Just another little waist is like sending a boy to some dunk contest. Sure it might be fun for him, but way UN NEEDED and will probably gain nothing at all. It is little things like this that add up in the long run. They need to combine some sporting events, like all girls basket ball play same place each night. If they do it that way for the boys also they end up saving twice as much. Not one in Charleston (Fresh-Soph) and one in Champaign (Varsity) for example. They pay for 2 bus drivers and fuel for 2 buses. Combining into 1 saves money. Yes they would not get to set 1 to a seat, but will save. Little things like this is what they should be doing. "

ed miller wrote on Mar 23, 2009 8:20 PM:

" medic57 wrote on Mar 23, 2009 5:02 PM:
" The kids today would not make it if they stepped back just 20 years, or less."

There are a lot of 18 and 19 year old kids serving in some not so pleasant areas of the world who might disagree with that. "

Rotty wrote on Mar 23, 2009 9:03 PM:

" 10-4, Rohn. "

BlackBart wrote on Mar 23, 2009 9:33 PM:

" Today I ended up with 4 fliers from different candidates on my door and they were brought into our neighborhood by the fire dept. all at once. Becker,Gover,Helms and Rankins they are all supporting the fire dept. So it looks like the rest of the city will be left out if the 4 of them are voted in.Looks as if we better find out what they are up to and if there might be a different group who is not connected in some way to vote for.We need new sidewalks, streets,approaches to intersections on Dewitt ave. flood control on the south side and repair of some of the brick streets in town. We also need new sewer and water mains in town so I guess it will all have to wait so the fire dept can have what they want again.Sorry Mattoon !!! "

jrussell wrote on Mar 23, 2009 11:24 PM:

" Rohn Gordon wrote on Mar 23, 2009 8:13 AM:

" NJ again you make a way out in left field statement. >"..accident or on purpose I don't care because they are supposed to be supervised at all times, if my kid is sniffing markers at school and actually getting away with it then we have an issue of neglect,"
---------------------------------
Are you honestly mentally challenged??
1st a teacher ONLY has 2 eyes, is supposed to be teaching NOT baby setting.
2nd I do not care who you are, you can NOT watch what a child is doing at all times, even if it is one child not 20 or so.
I highly doubt any teacher is allowing it to happen after it is caught, that would be closer to your neglect.

...with all due respect I wasn't exactly one of th eones sniffing markers behind the teachers back lol, perhaps a teacher not knowing what is going on fits the scene of a typical 5th or 6th grade classroom but anything below that had better be supervised at all times because they are supposed to be, it isn't babysetting it is monitoring and that is their job, if a teacher takes her eyes off a class long enough for that to happen and din't put more eyes in her place then that is neglect "

jrussell wrote on Mar 23, 2009 11:29 PM:

" Harry Potter wrote on Mar 23, 2009 4:52 PM:

" A big problem with our schools is that too many parents have abdicated their responsibility. They have turned over to the schools such things as teaching their kids about drugs, life skills and just about everything else that young people need to know for a healthy life.

On an earlier post, Tom A tried to say it's the liberal parents fault. I would challenge that and say just as many conservative folks are guilty. It's not a liberal/conservative issue, as he tries to make it out to be.

...I agree Harry, in no way can you simply group this as a liberal related problem, I honestly, if I were to go out on a limb with this, would have to say it is probably more of a conservative problem because that side tends to be a little more money oriented and usually in all the wrong ways, but again that is going out on a limb because liberals can equally do the same, I also agree that parents need to take more responsibility, our teachers are paid to put math and what not in their heads the rest is up to us as parents, some parents think they can get off free by allowing the school to do all the work and it doesn't exactly work that way "

jrussell wrote on Mar 23, 2009 11:33 PM:

" Rohn Gordon wrote on Mar 23, 2009 5:37 PM:

" Yes Harry they do have plenty of validity.
But I would also think that you would have a opinion of weather you feel our kids are being pushed to hard to fast

...I have an opinion on it...I think high school students are getting pushed too hard too fast, when you think about they go to 7 or 8 classes a day almost back to back with a half an hour lunch in between, in college you can go all in one day or every other day or just 3 days of the week not to mention you can set breaks in between and you don't have to carry 7 or 8 books around at once, they do have lockers but fairly minimal time to run around the building between classes, on top of that the lessons are typically the same as the ones you learn for the 9 years before that whereas they should consist of more college oriented classes "

pj1983 wrote on Mar 24, 2009 12:06 AM:

" medic, the chalk dust vs computers line was what they fed us back in 1997 when they switched all our chalk boards to white boards. if it was true then, surely it's still true? (there was some sarcasm in there in case you missed it)

rohn, i'm not arguing your rentention comments, there are plenty of things kids today are lacking and common sense is one of them. that being said, i don't think you're the best example of how things should be done, what with all of your baby "setting" and "waisting" your time. apparently they used to spend all their time teaching you to do math by hand that they forgot to teach you basic English. "

medic57 wrote on Mar 24, 2009 12:15 AM:

" There are a lot of 18 and 19 year old kids serving in some not so pleasant areas of the world who might disagree with that.

That may be very true Ed (my stepson was in Iraq for a year) but the fact remains that students are cottled much more today than in my day, and yours, and you know it. When you went to High School Ed, what kind of car did you drive? "

Harry Potter wrote on Mar 24, 2009 8:24 AM:

" Each generation comes under criticism from the previous one. We criticise our youth just as our parents criticised us and our grandparents criticised our parents for their ways. I've read that the early Romans lamented the youth of the day too. These same kids that are getting beaten up on here are the leaders of tomorrow, and guess what, they will find fault with their kids too, and it won't be the end of the world.

The majority of kids today are involved with some sort of positive activities, from organized sports, band, schools clubs, theatrics, church youth programs and the list goes on and on.

And yes, they are learning in school along with all of this, despite all the obstacles we put in front of them as adults.

Just like most people are good, honest and fair, so are our our children.

I think that we forget that all too often. "

Mike P wrote on Mar 24, 2009 8:35 AM:

" Most any issue that is involved, is impacted in some form by the administration.

Where are the x number of not replaced teachers going to be missed at, or are they even? Are class sizes getting to high end numbers, not long after all the millions of dollars borrowed to build and improve facilities? The 20 plus million rainy day funds that they didn't want to commit instead of borrowing, eroded rather substancially.

The administration sets the curriculum, standards, guidelines, and rules for its operation. Its not working and broke or close to it. Until there is a bottom line, no kid advances grades, unless they have set levels of skills, NCLB or not, schools will leave kids graduated possibly but not well educated.

If we need to have more classes for specific remedial teaching, then they should be shifting non hackers as often as necessary. If a kid catches up, and feels like doing what it takes to go back to regular learning, with their peers, then make it possible. If they don't, low track needs to be more focused, and diciplined, or it undermines the chance of any of the participants progressing beyond it.

Several years ago, most higher learning, had to add low low track math, english, and science, to be able to accept some students and athletes. If high school should be conducted like college, by the time kids get there, they need to be at the learning level to utilize such a structure. Including the formula for recommended hours of study per hour of class, many subjects carry at the higher levels. Adjusting the program effectively, is conceivably a nearly 9 year process, K-8. If we need more of a learning academy, rather than a hope 60% graduate, and can function in society from 13 years in our system, it will be a progressive process that needs to be planed and implimented to be effective.

If teachers regularly outlined their lesson plans, some could read ahead. When I was in school most of the text books, we skipped around and over completely at least 1/4 or more of the content. Rather than following it as a guide, teachers used it to suppliment the flow of their lesson plans progression. They worked together, or seemed to, in knowing where the next grade level would start, and what skills needed to be concentrated on to be ready to pick up and progress foreward. If the administration isn't setting a good standard, testing for it, and making communication and cooperation a function of the process, it is their fault, as they are supposed to be running the operation and adjusting things to fit needs and reality along the way. Long before several teachers are cut from schools, administrative salaries probably need scaled back.

If someone has the administrative sallaries, and other budget variables, before the election, it would be good to do a reminder of what went where, while taxes were raised max levy, expensive support system decisions were made, and math scores failed to meet minimums. "

Hahvahd wrote on Mar 24, 2009 9:12 AM:

" jrussell, I'm not sure you appreciate how difficult a teacher's job is when you accuse teachers of the younger grades of neglect if they take their eyes off the entire class for a minute.

In the Charleston schools, the class size has been inching up for years; with the recent decision not to fill the positions of 6 retiring teachers, elementary class sizes will routinely be 29 or 30 students, if not more. Adding to this challenge, a couple of years ago our district took the step of including special needs students in the "regular" classrooms. Since then, this has meant some teachers have had 2 - 4 students with autism in their classrooms, along with others with severe behavioral disorders, in their classrooms of 25 - 27 students. You're telling me that it's physically possible for a teacher to keep her eyes on the entire room while simultaneously working with a student struggling with a question from the math book, dealing with an autistic child who is humming and crawling under his desk, another student in meltdown because someone took the crayon she wanted to use, etc. etc. I bet you'd sing a different tune if you spent an entire day in the shoes of one of these teachers you malign.

The problem is only going to get worse with the district cutting its autism specialist, who was helping teachers (who have received very little special education training in earning their degrees) with issues related to inclusion, and now with exploding class sizes on top of this. And there's always the pressure to teach what students must know to pass the mandated standardized tests from No Child Left Behind. (Teachers HAVE to teach "faster" to cover the materials that will be included on these tests, BTW.)

Teachers need our support now more than ever, instead of young smart a55es accusing them of not doing their job. "

ed miller wrote on Mar 24, 2009 9:37 AM:

" medic57 wrote on Mar 24, 2009 12:15 AM:

" When you went to High School Ed, what kind of car did you drive? "

'68 Nova, but it was fast,lol. "

Rohn Gordon wrote on Mar 24, 2009 9:59 AM:

" LOL good point Ed, but I wonder how many of them still can not do the 12' x 12' room example I stated?? We of course was NOT referring to any one group of people. Most of us in here respect the job they are doing over there. But in return there has been a few of them that also showed that they do NOT have much common sense either.
PJ I guess if you must find something as petty as a couple words that say the same but spelled in the wrong form, then you do not have much.
NJ listen there is NO WAY ONE PERSON CAN WATCH A KID EVERY SECOND, and in a class room with well over a dozen kids its IMPOSSIBLE. Of course you had to make it look like I was saying if the teacher left the room, I was NOT saying that, of course if the teacher leaves the room someone else SHOULD take that spot before the teacher leaves room. Hey NJ you claim you never sniffed markers good for you, but I can go one better I have NEVER sniffed markers, glue, gas or any other things I can think of. I have not even ever sucked helium out of a balloon. "

medic57 wrote on Mar 24, 2009 10:05 AM:

" The 20 plus million rainy day funds that they didn't want to commit instead of borrowing, eroded rather substancially.

It eroded substantially after they spent about 10 million on Gyms for The Jr. High and High School, while they may have been needed, they didn't need to be so exstravagant. Also, take a look at the design of the 2 new shcools built, then drive past Tolono's new schools and tell me which one would be easier to add on to. "

Rohn Gordon wrote on Mar 24, 2009 2:13 PM:

" Medic I disagree about the gyms, the new one at the High School is so badly designed and thought out, last I knew there was not even a bleacher on both sides. It is empty and blaa.
Every thing about the new schools are just wrong. When you build a school that now makes it where 90% or more of the total student body must ride a bus, you are in the wrong location. I also agree the new schools look almost expandable. And I do not care what they say I still think they tore down the old schools so fast instead of selling them, so in 20 years while they are still being used, everyone would say " hey wait, I thought they was all so badly unrepairable and so unsafe how are they still being used??" "

medic57 wrote on Mar 24, 2009 3:26 PM:

" Rohn

Selling the old schools is the absolute worst thing any district can do. People, andbusinesses that buy them can't afford to sustain them. In the long run, the city, or school has to pay to tear them down, almost every single time. "

Rotty wrote on Mar 24, 2009 5:11 PM:

" Hahvahd, you made some great points.
Excellant post!

Excellant post, as well, HP! "

Hahvahd wrote on Mar 24, 2009 5:28 PM:

" Thanks, Rotty. I realize our teachers aren't perfect, but I think most who gripe about the jobs they do would be shocked to actually see the challenges they face every day. "

Rotty wrote on Mar 24, 2009 8:11 PM:

" Amen there, Hahvahd, & you're very welcome.
And when you said "the problem is only going to get worse with the district cutting its autism specialist, who was helping teachers", I think that will really deal a major blow to teachers & especially the children. "

medic57 wrote on Mar 24, 2009 8:43 PM:

" Rotty

The district may cut the Autism teacher out of the way, but they still have to educate him or her even if that means bussing them somewhere else. That's the law, it would be much cheaper to keep the teacher, especially, if they are helping train other teachers.
My ex-wife taught at the Illinois Center for Autism in Belleville when we lived there, she had a Masters in Special Ed and still couldn't handle Autistic Students. If Mattoon has such a teacher, they would be very foolish to let them go. "

Rohn Gordon wrote on Mar 24, 2009 9:44 PM:

" A normal teacher has enough on their hands, without the special needs kids included. I feel sorry for some of them. Of course they will cut the help out, thats the way it always happens. "

jrussell wrote on Mar 25, 2009 9:11 AM:

" Hahvahd wrote on Mar 24, 2009 9:12 AM:

" jrussell, I'm not sure you appreciate how difficult a teacher's job is when you accuse teachers of the younger grades of neglect if they take their eyes off the entire class for a minute.

...we are talking long enough to sniff markers lol, that isn't a quick glance away, granted if a kid knows how to do that they probably picked it up at home somehow or from a friend and maybe the parents are to blame a bit but c'mon, elementary students should not have the time alotted it would take to actually get high off of markers and besides the dry erase markers are non toxic anyway "

Harry Potter wrote on Mar 25, 2009 9:41 AM:

" A normal teacher has enough on their hands...

Would that be as opposed to an abnormal teacher?

Sorry Rohn, I know what you meant, but I just couldn't help myself... "

just watching wrote on Mar 25, 2009 9:44 AM:

" WOW sounds like jrussel got the belt used on him by "Havhad" "

Hahvahd wrote on Mar 25, 2009 12:14 PM:

" jrussell, you seem woefully unaware of children and classrooms. Things more severe than sniffing a marker can occur in the blink of an eye, and with the demands placed upon teachers it is impossible to prevent all of it from happening. Teachers don't have 30 pairs of eyes and hands, but that's what it would take to be 100% sure that no child could ever do anything in a classroom to harm himself/herself or others.

If things are still run the way they were when my 7th grader was in the lower grades, when the weather (rain, snow, or cold temps -- so we're talking about close to 50% of the school year here in central IL) dictates that the children have indoor recess after lunch, they return to their classrooms and 1 supervisor is in charge of maintaining order in 7 - 9 different classrooms. He/she circulates from room to room, but students are left alone for several minutes at a time. Financial limitations mean that the district can't afford to hire extra lunch supervisors, and teachers need that time away from the children to regroup so that they can focus on being effective teachers for the rest of the day.

That's why it's crucial for parents to do their jobs and send children to school who are respectful and capable of obeying the rules. Our schools should not be treated as daycare centers or teachers as babysitters. "

Hahvahd wrote on Mar 25, 2009 12:22 PM:

" Rotty, you're absolutely right -- it's the children who are going to suffer the most from all of the cutbacks, especially the average-to-above-average students who are well-behaved and are holding their own; they will be left to fend for themselves as teachers scramble to deal with behavioral issues and struggling learners and to supplement the gifted children with extra challenges. But where will the time and energy be found to help inspire the "ordinary" students to set extraordinary goals, to push themselves to reach their full potential? I see all groups of children suffering because our teachers aren't superhuman, and it would take that to be able to reach every single child in a diverse class of 30 students. I heard that they're even cutting down on the number of classroom aides at the same time class sizes are burgeoning. How long will it take teachers to burn out in these circumstances? And how difficult will it be to recruit top-quality teachers to our district in these circumstances. Again, our children lose. And when our children lose, we all lose. "

Rohn Gordon wrote on Mar 25, 2009 12:35 PM:

" Harry you silly goof. A abnormal teacher uses their feet. LMAO "

Equalizer wrote on Mar 25, 2009 1:47 PM:

" The Curious wrote on Mar 22, 2009 2:19 PM:
" pj1983 wrote on Mar 21, 2009 8:35 AM:
" jrussell:chalk boards are bad for 2 reasons...some people are allergic to chalk dust, and most classrooms have computers in them and computers + chalk dust filled air = computers that don't work. that being said, why not switch to white boards instead?

HA! More people are allergic to the chemicals used for cleaning the floors and the perfumes the teachers wear LOL!
Are those things ever addressed? Nope! "

The Curious wrote on Mar 22, 2009 2:20 PM:
" How about having the air ducts cleaned, and smoke detectors at the door so that anyone who smoked cannot come in and pollute the air with their clothes? These are much higher on the list of irritants than your silly chalk dust, what a farce! "

VERY GOOD, TRUE! "

BlackBart wrote on Mar 25, 2009 2:36 PM:

" " After chatting with Mr. Wartman last evening I Think the public should know that the Candidates who are being supported by the fire dept Becker, Gover,Helms and Rankin have told the fire dept to hold out on the Buy out the city has offered the fire dept and the public works dept.The city needs to let a few employees go so they can drop the payroll expenses and have came up with a way to let employees with enough time on the job to retire with an early out proposition which would eleviate the stress on the city. It looks as though about 14 employees from the 2 depts could take advantage of this which will cut a good chunk out of the budget. The fire dept employees have told the city we don,t want to do this until after the election and are going to cause the public works dept to miss out on this oppurtunity because they are so greedy and they think if they're 4 supporters get in that they won't have to change any thing in their dept. It is time that the voters knew just exactly what is taking place here in Mattoon. The fire dept. is holding the city hostage and needs to remember it's not always about them. Maybe it's time that Mattoon looked at the effingham fire dept.and looked into a full time squad with paid on call employees that can help with any thing major. Becker,Gover,Helms and Rankin need to wake up and look at what is best for mattoon and remember who owns this city. THE VOTERS!!! " "

Equalizer wrote on Mar 25, 2009 4:36 PM:

" BlackBart-
you make a lot of sense, Thank you! :) "

Rotty wrote on Mar 25, 2009 5:24 PM:

" Again I have to say, Hahvahd's posts are dead-on, right on target.

And now they're cutting down on the number of classroom aides?

GRRRR!
GOOD GRIEF!

("And when our children lose, we all lose.")

AMEN! "

caringmom wrote on Mar 27, 2009 10:06 AM:

" I don't understand why all the emphasis of education is put on the teachers and not the parents. The kids who don't care about school and don't do well in school are that way because their parents don't care. Yes, there may be some lazy, not so great teachers out there. I assure you though, there are way more lazy parents.

I've had enough children in this school district and seen enough to truly believe that. Most parents don't take time to study with their children, help them with homework, ask them what they are learning in school, or continue to educate them at home. My children care about their education because we as their parents care, and they do very well.

My daughter is in 3rd grade and HAS already learned her multiplication tables and long division. She can rattle off math answers on demand (I know because I quiz her often), explain how a stratosphere relates to weather or give you some insight on what she really thinks of John Wilkes Booth.

My point is this...every child has it in them. They just need someone to take the time to teach them.

As far as Mattoon schools, I give kudos to Williams Elementary and their staff. I have had nothing but wonderful experiences for my daughter and I think they are doing a great job!! "

Mike P wrote on Mar 27, 2009 1:07 PM:

" If more than 2 new faces land a seat, Wman, and several others will likely find their jobs less hospitable to their performances. Taking recomendations or scoops from imbeded GOB placements is going to change what in direction of this city? If the wrong 4 win, nothing new will come of changing any or every face at the table.

We should probably have 5 seats, and eliminate the mayor being a cop out tie breaker. Allowing two to to symboicly vote no, occasionally, on something that is going to pass, is counter productive to the process. Leave the mayor to moderate, or cut the position and let the administrator administrate city business, when and if we get one that feels compelled to tackle the job responsibly. "

Harry Potter wrote on Mar 27, 2009 1:19 PM:

" caringmom wrote on Mar 27, 2009 10:06 AM:

" I don't understand why all the emphasis of education is put on the teachers and not the parents.

Amen!

The teachers have been the whipping boy for far too long.

Not surprisingly, the kids who have involved parents seem to do well in school.

I doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that out. "

Tom Andres wrote on Mar 28, 2009 12:05 AM:

" Hahvahd says: when our children lose, we all lose.

So, I'm assuming you've told that to your O-man in Washington who is trying to mortgage our children's future, and their children, and their children ... "

Hahvahd wrote on Mar 28, 2009 12:50 PM:

" Tom Andres, I tihnk if there were a thread running about the weather, you'd find a reason to bring up and criticize Obama! Geez, give it a rest! Obama certainly has more in mind to help our children and to secure their futures, such as his plan to offer $4,000 in financial aid for college in return for 1 year's worth of community service, or in terms of ensuring they have health care, or in terms of not starting senseless wars than his predecessor, George "Every Child Left Behind" Bush ever did. Am I happy about the size of the deficit? No. But Bush dug this hole, created this mess, and left Obama with soaring deficits and a lot of expensive problems to solve. I didn't hear you complaining then. . . . "