[speedgibson] Speed Gibson: Schools First: What We're Up Against

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Posted by Speed Gibson:
Schools First: What We're Up Against
http://speedgibson.powerblogs.com/posts/1207626518.shtml


   Here's an innocent little item from tonight's District 281 School
   Board meeting under Adminstrative Matters:
   9.01  Request to Modify 2007-2008 School Calendar

   The administration recommends the following change to the 2007-2008
       school year calendar in order to accommodate the staff at Olson
       School to pack and return to Plymouth Middle School for the
       2008-2009 school year.
       Plymouth Middle School: No students on June 4, 2008 for 6th grade
       only at Olson School.

   This was approved. FYI, Olson School was closed but used this year to
   handle some or all of the 6th grade students of Plymouth Middle School
   for construction or other reasons.
   I asked a high ranking official about this in the hallway,
   specifically, why not just move the next day? Why short the students?
   Yes, I knew the answer and I eventually got that answer: the contract
   with Education Minnesota. But not until said official explained twice
   to me how little time is available at the end of the term; they have
   no choice! And the teachers have to do it, not the custodians. It was
   a bit of double talk that reminded me of U. S. Senator Hillary Clinton
   saying that (former) New York Governor Eliot Spritzer had no choice
   but to push for Drivers Licenses for illegal aliens when
   "comprehensive immigration reform" stalled in Congress.
   Most of us in the private sector have been through office moves or
   major disruptions from construction. What do we do? Nights and
   weekends. We arrange to still answer the telephones. We don't close
   the offices or stores to customers unless absolutely necessary.
   Not in public education. We tell the customers to go home. We close
   the building a day early. It's a small matter but it greatly
   illustrates what we're up against in trying to save once great public
   school districts like 281.
   ***
   I can't let it drop here. The District begs the community for
   volunteers, for time, and for money, to support education, and the
   community responds. The Board acknowledges thousands of dollars of
   donations every session and praises the time spent by the many
   volunteers at the schools and on various committees. But when it's
   time for the administration and/or staff to volunteer just a little
   extra, to quote Minnesota Senator Taryl Clark: "No, no, no!"