Evansville Observer: School Beat: Monroe: Frustration rules as 1.3 million in cuts considered

Tuesday, December 12, 2006

School Beat: Monroe: Frustration rules as 1.3 million in cuts considered

One frustrating meeting after another. Click on the post for the details.

4 comments:

Anonymous9:48 PM
It is a sad story. But what caught my attention the most in the thought of them cutting their alternative school. Is Jamie Gilespie not looking at making a alternative school for Evansville? I think I read that in the review. Let us not be fooled by the comment that was in the article in the review about E.H.S. getting a grant to research a program like that, and eventually have one. Its pretty clear these programs cost money, grants don't last forever. I think the school needs to look at other options besides a alternative school. Like hiring another E.B.D. teacher. The E.B.D. class at the h.s. is packed now. We have app. 10 more kids in that room, than other schools in the area that have around the same amount of students. This is a area that does have to be addressed , as the district grows and more students are in need of this service. One teacher can not do it all because its the students who end up being hurt by the shortage. By not having these programs it effects the graduation rates, that is very clear. I find it very hard to believe it would be cheaper to put in a whole new program, and have to rent space down town, hire more teachers. Why are they looking at moving a program like that down town to begin with, why seperate them from the rest of their peers?, thats a issue in of it self.. So here we go yet again the school wanting to spend money that is just not there.
They need to look at other solutions first..
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Anonymous7:56 AM
After reading both articles I was suprised at some of the cuts they are looking at. Not at all suprised by with their thoughts on cutting some of the sports programs, its to bad but can be done without. The Ag program, suprises me and I think they have the right thought, it is a farming community and that would not be the best place to start with cuts. I was surprised of the talk of the alternative school, what do they think they are going to do with these kids who are in this program if they cut it? That is just wrong, they put that program in place because there is a need for it, and now they might have to pull the rug out from under these kids, they need to think about that for a long time.
I think Evansville Administration should pay very close attention. Programs like the alternative school take money to run, money the school does not have. I only mention this because I know there is talk of one for the Evansville School district. If Monroe pulls that program, they will do more harm to the kids who need the extra help to begin with.
I only read about cutting teaching jobs of the programs that could be cut??? Once again no talk of cutting administrative positions, or did I miss something. Just talk of cutting the programs that effect the kids.
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Anonymous6:34 AM
I wanted to share a story with you as, we have all been delighted by many of yours. Mine is straight to real life, My son has been dropping some serious 'hints' ever since there was talk about there being a new ps3, how he 'needed' one and really wanted one for Christmas, and how much ' cooler' this was than the ps2 and how much more it could do, and of course finally how ' everyone' was getting one. The other night after listening to him make this pitch for the ps3 again for Christmas, I just said you know what ' Jimmy' they are very expensive, you have a perfect ps2, that works great not to mention all the games you have, we have a Christmas budget and I am sorry but there is no room in that budget for a ps3. I also explained that more than likely in a year, they will come down to a more reasonable price, but it was not going to happen this Christmas. ' Jimmy' looked at me and actually said ' Oh, come on dad you have credit cards, put it on that.' I very quickly informed ' Jimmy' that we only use our credit cards for emergancy's not for Christmas shopping, and we save all year for our Christmas budget, when we have extra money after bills and savings thats where we put it, cash only for Christmas. I also explained that when you put something on a credit card, you eventually have to pay it, and the longer you take to pay it, the more you are actually paying for the item you charged, not a good plan at all.

Made me think of the Evansville School Administration and their budget woes, for which I pay for as does everyone in this town. If something is not a dire need, don't do it. If you have extra money save it, this school has never had these programs like a 4k before, or a alternative school and we will survive without, just like my ' jimmy' will live without that ps3. Its really hard for me to preach to my kids the value of a dollar, and about saving money when it seems like besides home, the place he is most school is just itching to spend money they don't have, or put programs in place where they are placing bets on how much money they can get back per student???
To me thats almost like sending my water bill to my cable company , trying to delay the inevitable fact that it has to be paid at some point. I think the school needs to set a better example of how to manage money.
Just my thoughts.
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slammer2:21 PM
Randy (whoever you are) I want to buy you a beer, that is maybe the most perfect story, thank you.
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