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A blog by Managing Editor James Jordan about the newspaper. So far it's mostly about city commission, but I hope to delve into other local issues.
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About Me
- Traveler Editor
- I have been at the Traveler for 4 years. I have been in the newspaper business longer than that. I came here from South Carolina. Apart from that, I am an unapologetic Jesus Freak. I am not, however, Republican.
43 comments:
can't be on the blog tonight but please ask what 5% the schools should but..5% teachers (5% more kids in each class), 5 % sports, 5 % utilities, 5 percent insurance, 5 percent salaries. If she 5 percent of the programs, 5 percent of at-risk? When her son gets to school does she want him to be educated by people barely above the poverty line and dealing with 5 percent less of everything. Would she like to live on a teacher's salary with kids?
That is such a narrow and uninformed view. I can't wait to hear how she responds. I'm so sick of the fear mongering by the schools.
"That is such a narrow and uninformed view"
And you are informed by....? You know how school budgets work? If you know so much to judge the first post as uninformed, do tell what the answer is.
The personal piggy bank that the legislators have at their disposal (the Kansas taxpayer) is strapped. With such a significant loss of jobs, how do you expect even fewer wage earners to keep ponying up to support already bloated budgets? Why not just go back to budgets from 5 years ago that were already bloated then? Surely they would work now? It is a good guide to go by anyway. The notion that teachers are barely above the poverty line is preposterous. They average more than the median household income of the people who are paying their wages....even more when you consider that they don't work a full year.
If you are worried about how to pay the teachers use the money that they are taking from the taxpayers to build a new stadium. If it went up for a vote this year instead of when it did...it wouldn't have passed. New stadium? Bummer.....
Kasha's interview was excellent and I hope you do more of them in the future.
One thing that has always amazed me about Kansas is how we always bleed tax money to other states.
Ex. I Know of people who register their vehicles, boats etc. in Oklahoma because it is cheaper.
I can't vouch for Missouri, Nebraska, or Colorado but the personal property is cheaper in most of the other states! However,
they do have larger populations.
Wichita is still the largest City in Kansas.
One person I know went to Newkirk and registered his boat. The Clerk at Newkirk said Oklahoma didn't care if Kansas wanted to give them their tax money.
Now if you consider that the majority of the population is in the eastern third of the state and much of it is close to the state borders. It seems that even at cheaper rates the State would recover some of that tax money.
For you Appleby lovers you need to read Tuesdays Jubak Journal
he was stating that some 20,000
retail resturants would likely close due to the economic downturn.
The Parent company of Applebys was one of those listed as most likely to close some of their locations.
Might have been 20,001!
JJ,
That was an excellent blog..."kasha kelley live"
I honestly did enjoy reading it. Wish I could've been online at the time.
Thanks
There is one other side to the tax issue that perplexes me and maybe someone can explain on this blog. Kansas doesn't seem to be business friendly IMHO. There are businesses that operate in Kansas and pay taxes in other states.
One that comes to mind is HNB.
Why are they chartered in Blackwell Oklahoma?
It has to be about taxes doesn't it?
The poster talking about tagging vehicles in Oklahoma may be on to something. I know this happens and I wonder if it wouldn't if our taxes were cheaper. It would be interesting to see how the math would add up.
I showed my house to a lady from Arkansas recently. She asked me why the taxes and water bills were so high in this town. I didn't know how to answer that one.
My highest water bill in Branson was $21.00. taxes on my 2003 van were $87.00 and my car tags were $27.00. and sewer was $4.11 a month.
You're in Kansas Totos. Not enough tourism bringing in extra revenue. No big showey place like Branson to bring in funds, so they gotta tax the heck out of us. Face it, they're is not too many exciting places in Kansas to attract a lot of tourism.
For the water bills? Plain and pure greed!
Excellent interview with Kasha, jj. Was unable to be online, but enjoyed reading text. Keep up the good work of keeping us informed. Hopefully soon, can get streaming video & replay of these.
Kasha is good, sensible, & caring. IMO. Hope she can stay in Topeka a long time.
_______________
D.Q.
Is KS so in the red, that we have to hi jack trucks passing through for'low tire pressure', and then... this no-left lane travel fee coming up soon. Take out the 4-lane highways then.
Kansas is becoming, a jacked-up state.
I am one of about 10 democrats in all of Cowley County, and I don't usually agree with Kasha, but I have to give her credit for being quite intellegent, caring, and it is obvious she is trying to do a good job for Cowley County.
That said if Kasha ends up sending her kid to public school I will eat a bug.
Well as a teacher of 15 years I can tell you that I do NOT get my summers off as you say. I teach summer school for 4 weeks and then spend 2 or 3 weeks at "required" conferences or classes to keep up my certification. Then it is time to get my classroom ready for the next school year. I spend on average about 40 hours a week the three weeks before school just getting ready. They week school does start I am there day and night. Don't tell me I get summers off because I beg to differ...just ask my family!
I don't think people realize that a teachers job is now mostly year round. What , teachers now average about 2 or 3 weeks of time off now?
@April 25, 2009 11:55 AM
"That said if Kasha ends up sending her kid to public school I will eat a bug."
Would you like salt & pepper or steak sauce with your bug?
Just a bit of humor here,:) but, seriously I think she will. But, given the way the School system is going downhill, if she does send her child to private school, I wouldn't blame her. I would go private if I was able. Goodness, hardly any of the upper level politicians send theirs to public. Even the one's who fight vouchers with a vengeance. Why? Because they want the best for their children.
I teach and i resent that you want the best and would not send your child to me if you could avoid it!! Why, if you pay more you would get better?? I hope you get your head out of the sand and appreciate exactly what caring teachers you have in this town.
I have no control over budgets, I have no control over my salary. I get paid what someone deems I am worth. I do my best, all the time for your children. I do not earn the wages of a football player or pro baseball player. Yet, what I do for your child will make an infinite difference in tomorrow
Kasha said in a newspaper article that cutting 5 percent from the budget was reasonable...her words. I too would like to know what she thinks we should do without. It means many changes in the education of the children across Kansas. What gets cut?
Do you realize that you will pay $6.5 million plus for a football stadium? We play maybe 7 games a year...do the math and tell me that is worth more than any teacher in this town. We are also adding classrooms for at risk kids but at risk funding is being cut. It will impact this community.
I wonder if Kasha can tell us if these budget cuts for the eduction will lead to volchurs and more kkids being hoe schooled?
Im the last several years they have grown and have made leagues for sports such as basketball, soccer,swimming,debate tems and I believe the state will recognize their credit for high school diploma in the State of Kansas after being tested, how does Kassha feel about home schooling and volchurs
I teach and i resent that you want the best and would not send your child to me if you could avoid it!! Why, if you pay more you would get better?? I hope you get your head out of the sand and appreciate exactly what caring teachers you have in this town.
They don't care like they use to in the 60's and 70's. Hell they they do not even communicate with parents the way they use to , now instead of talking to stuents and parents all they do is call the ?resource officer (ACPD) tp be interigated.
I too would like to know what she thinks we should do without. It means many changes in the education of the children across Kansas. What gets cut?
How about keeping the kids in school more days instead of hours, like on inservice days have them read or do a report why you guys get caught up on grades. All we had was a chritmas break and the teachers stayed caught up on grades then so did student (ie Less summer schoo; kids)!!!,
do the math and tell me that is worth more than any teacher in this town. We are also adding classrooms for at risk kids but at risk funding is being cut. It will impact this community
You havee a valid point there sports do add somthing to education some but there are lot of non student/athelete's who have great team work skills and leadership qualities that they say sports give some students and playing or looking at the odds for us to produce a mega proffessional athelete is very verey very slim and even slimmer to have them come back a make a big contribution to the town or school!!!.
To the last poster...in the 60's home life was much different than it is today. Communication with parents was easier. They wanted to know what was going on in school and had time to deal with it. They also responded to phone calls and notes. That is sadly not always the case today.
I agree the stress on parents today is over the top but as a teacher I deal with parents on drugs, homeless kids, abused kids and kids with so much emotional baggage. Parents don't show up for school programs, conferences or sometimes to even take their child home.
If you do not believe me than call the district office and ask about the percentage of kids that are homeless in OUR district. Please sit in a classroom and you will understand that we as teachers are doing all we can to help educate productive future citizens.
The kids today are not like the students of the past. They want to learn, they want to do better but many are just needing a good meal, a hug, a safe place to sleep, clothes that fit and parents that are not beating them, cussing at them, using drugs, etc. Some need medical or dental attention. Learning is not a priority...survival is.
There are still kids from homes with parents (both single parents and traditional homes) that give them the security we think all kids have. The difference is that those homes are fewer than they were 10 years ago much less than back in the 60's which is now 40 years ago.
Please don't criticize until you walk a mile in my shoes. You may also remember that schools "in the good old days" started later in the calendar year, ended earlier...we have more days to teach than 40 or 50 years ago and much more to teach. Think of the changes in just the past few years...add the changes in technology, the world, the politics, the communication, etc.
now instead of talking to stuents and parents all they do is call the ?resource officer (ACPD) tp be interigated.
>>>
I hope you are not really a teacher.
Communication with parents was easier. They wanted to know what was going on in school and had time to deal with it. They also responded to phone calls and notes. That is sadly not always the case today.
Most of the parents want to communicate with the distict and the staff but not with a resource officer (ACPD). And I know you all have been limited by regulations from government but there still lacks avoid of efferts on some teachers part from prejudgement of the studnts home life and other hear say about the students personal life, which I would say makes it harder but just that more important to reach out to parents of students no matter what!!!!
Parents don't show up for school programs, conferences or sometimes to even take their child home
And I suppose you have all the time schedules and work responsibikities on your PD !?
Please sit in a classroom and you will understand that we as teachers are doing all we can to help educate productive future citizens.
And i have sat in the ckass rooms and walked the halls watching my student and others and staff so i got my share, watching teachers assit students who DO NOT need as much help to understand than those who DO need help, but I understand the importance of keeping some or those who comprehend grades up for testing for the State Report and Stimulus moneies, but their others who could be more helpful future citizens that won't help that report. I HAVE BEEN THERE
The kids today are not like the students of the past
Did not think God was making them aby different!!!!
You may also remember that schools "in the good old days" started later in the calendar year, ended earlier
I started school every tear the first week of September and finished in late May, and only got part of thanksgiving and christmas off due taking part in sports. Only difference was I did noy get a spring break until college or three day weekends for teachers to get caught because they knew the ONLY way to keep studentd on track wass to keep up with test grase and assignments so they could lets is know dat by day if we were FAILING
Been THERE
Anonymous said...
now instead of talking to stuents and parents all they do is call the ?resource officer (ACPD) tp be interigated.
>>>
I hope you are not really a teacher.
April 26, 2009 9:58 PM
Nope not a teacher !!!! Just a PARENT that does type well
Type well? Please, do go back and reread your post.
School is not a priority but many other things are. We had a school program recently and 5 students attended...notes went out, bulletins went out but no one came. I understand that parents work but I also understand that there is a need to show young students the importance of education. They learn that when parents attend their programs and if they can not attend they find another parent, grandparent or friend to get them to the event. They don't let the kid just stay home.
Parent teacher conferences are impossible to get parents to attend. They are scheduled at the parents convenience...day or night so work schedules can be considered. The excuse of "I don't have time" is used over and over. If you don't have 15 minutes to attend and visit about your child's progress what do you have time for? Even a 15 minute phone call might work.
If you started school the first week of Sept then you start at least two weeks after the current schedule.
Education today addresses many more needs than it did 40 years ago. We educate all children including those with distinct learning disabilities and handicaps. The financial resources to meet those needs are extensive but necessary. We offer more meals than lunch. We have after school programs to assist kids that might not have other places to go. School is now required and almost half attend school before that in pre-K classes.
I am sorry that you have such a poor relationship with the schools but please take time to visit extensively with more teachers and administrators. We are not the enemy and want to make education a priority again for our students. Students and parents need to take pride in what is learned and not in beating up the system. Teachers are not the enemy. Ignorance is.
@April 27, 2009 8:55 AM
You might as well be talking to the wind when you adress that anonymous poster.
I do see both point of views though. I had a situation when my daughter was in elementry school. The counselor implied my child acted like an abused child. Now, I was not the perfect parent, but she was never mistreated, abused or neglected. Once, things were figured out though, she got the proper help she needed.
@April 26, 2009 10:25 PM
Maybe you should start speaking to the educators instead of getting on here and throwing out accusations. You're there. Why not strike up a conversation with a few of these educators about what you are observing? You might just make a difference to a child!
Teachers are not the enemy.
>>>>>>>>>>>
Good Point! But I must say there are plenty of examples where the educational system doesn't relate to everyday living.
How many times have you seen indivdiuals that don't know how to count back change? How many know how to balance their check book?
Do they realize that math and geometry are skills that relate to jobs like welding and carpentry?
It seems all too often that education is so generalized that it doesn't prepare individuals for a place or purpose in society!
Some of the best teachers I ever had went beyound the text books and related the information in a more realistic manor. They challenged the indivdual in ways as to help them identify their interest and talents.
If you so design a system to turn out like individuals that is most likey what you will achieve both for teachers and students!
Tell that to the State Assessment requirements that mandate life for education at all levels. It just isn't like we can teach science...not tested not taught.
How about cutting the budget for the English as a second language program.
If they can't speak English, what the hell are they doing here?
In my day if a kid didn't speak English, which was rare indeed, then he or she LEARNED as they went along. The rest of the kids weren't punished for it.
No child left behind is a dismal failure as well. When I was a kid, if you screwed around and failed, you got held back. Then the second time around you didn't screw around so much.
instead of getting on here and throwing out accusations. You're there. Why not strike up a conversation with a few of these educators about what you are observing?
Well the thing is in this town it seems to me unless you throw out accusations and not make thme to personal the conversation is boring and non productive. And a lot of people believe that our first line of diffence to the local administration and then the state board is the front line people or to say it better the teacher. They know what is workimg and how fast the teachings are being absorbed by the students, but it seems at the top of the teacher list is what does the contract say we are responsible for in the class.
We had a school program recently and 5 students attended...notes went out, bulletins went out but no one came.
Just maybe you have not explained how important the program is or maybe that parent did not participate in a program when they went to school so the program has no importance to them and they reflect that it is not that important to their student.
Just maybe that might be it!! See how you address things I may have been off a couple of weeks but that was not the point, hours should not determine the school years but actual DAYS!!
Communication with parents was easier. They wanted to know what was going on in school and had time to deal with it
I do not think communication is the problem but access and time, if you really want to Do Not leave school when the last bell rings but stay the extra hour and invite students to come in and address their problem, and when they miss the bus ride home and someone has to come pick them up meet them at the curb instead of waiting in your class room, just a suggestion. I know if I had to or someone in the familey had to pick the student up after school I woul;d ask what is going on and return call to teacher in a faster manner.
Good Point! But I must say there are plenty of examples where the educational system doesn't relate to everyday living.
Very good point, we are not teaching them for the job market that will be ther for them. And waal street is not it, soon it will be more blue collar jobs as we try to get the economy going again, hec let those other folks build the computers and let us concentrate on how to use them better!!!!
I will end it like this there is a battle going on with our education system and we need good, commited, instructors, teeling those who try to regulate from behind the administration door what we need to when the battle. FLASH the teachers are the front line but you know I very seldom see them at the Board meetings mmmm wouder why. Don't be there puppet, be the front line for the student!!!
BYE BYE out of here you all think i am blaming you personally
Very good point, we are not teaching them for the job market that will be ther for them. And waal street is not it, soon it will be more blue collar jobs as we try to get the economy going again, hec let those other folks build the computers and let us concentrate on how to use them better!!!!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Well first I don't blame you!
Second, I'd like to think everyone was capable of Blue Collar jobs but they aren't and never will be no matter how far you "dumb them down".
Third there's our unwillingness to compete through technology, innovation and advancement. That which takes us out of direct competition for the things that already exists.
Lastly, with the jobs goes the Blue Collars and the general rule of today is the Government will take care of me!
There is going to be a Butt Kicking and its going to be ours!
We are also training our competition and they want it worse!
2-3 weeks vacation as someone said is more than I get a year from my job.
What is the starting salary to teach here in AC? I was not aware we had some of them starving.
My observations from working in a classroom this year:
1. Many teachers do not have control of the classrooms because they have not made it clear what the expectations are and/or fail to follow through with them.
2. Most kids do not pay attention to the teachers when lessons are being taught.
3. Many kids would rather raise their hands and milk a teacher for the answer than to figure it out for themselves. Some of these such kids are on the "honor roll".
4. Many kids are passing assessment tests but are not learning the material and/or can not remember it the next year.
5. Students feel it is ok to raise their voices, talk back and argue with all adults in the school, especially their teachers.
6. Some kids do not feel a need to start, let along finish assignments given in the classroom. If the work is not done, they do not bother completing it at home. I've seen piles of work go home with notes to parents, only to come back incompleted.
and last but not least...
7. There are some teachers out there who are blessed with the ability to discipline and teach children without them being aware they are learning. They are creative, inventive and energetic in their teaching and make learning fun. These teachers do not have problems 1-6 listed above. My son had the pleasure of being taught by one of these last year. He threw a bloody fit one morning because I wouldn't let him go to school. He had a temp of 101. He came home everyday excited to tell me something new he had been told by "teach". I tell you what, teachers like these are blessings. Some of us can go through the motions, but others were just meant to teach. God bless them!
Anonymous said...
My observations from working in a classroom this year:
7. There are some teachers out there who are blessed with the ability to discipline and teach children without them being aware they are learning. They are creative, inventive and energetic in their teaching and make learning fun. These teachers do not have problems 1-6 listed above. My son had the pleasure of being taught by one of these last year. He threw a bloody fit one morning because I wouldn't let him go to school. He had a temp of 101. He came home everyday excited to tell me something new he had been told by "teach". I tell you what, teachers like these are blessings. Some of us can go through the motions, but others were just meant to teach. God bless them!
April 27, 2009 6:52 PM
Amen!!!! to that, some where maybe teachers likr those talked about in talking point #7 should do the training sessions for this disrict every summer. It would save us a lot of money. And instead of using government laptop computers at home for non-work related things they could be COMMUNICATING with those few select teachers to learn some new technics for the next day at school
Right On Poster
Amen!!!! to that, some where maybe teachers likr those talked about in talking point #7 should do the training sessions for this disrict every summer. It would save us a lot of money. And instead of using government laptop computers at home for non-work related things they could be COMMUNICATING with those few select teachers to learn some new technics for the next day at school
Right On Poster
April 27, 2009 10:50 PM
I agree. Those teachers are hard to find, but I have worked closely with one of them. She cares!
The pay schedule is on their website. I believe it starts around 33-35k/yr or so. Not poverty, if you're single. Throw a few kids in the mix, and you're doing ground beef, chicken, and leftovers 6-7 nights/week.
On the plus side, they do not get stuck paying out the wazoo for daycare.
Unless they have kids below school age and then they pay the same as everyone else or work the after school programs.
I agree. Those teachers are hard to find, but I have worked closely with one of them. She cares!
April 28, 2009 10:48 AM
One out of how many, yhat wont gey us up to 10% at any school!!!The pay schedule is on their website. I believe it starts around 33-35k/yr or so. Not poverty, if you're single. Throw a few kids in the mix, and you're doing ground beef, chicken, and leftovers 6-7 nights/week.
April 28, 2009 5:35 PM
Don't forget to count in spouses income and then see how many steaks and night outs they eat before you say barley feed the family. Not to many single yeachers here!!!
Unless they have kids below school age and then they pay the same as everyone else or work the after school programs
Ah, true.
I wonder if JJ sees this as a hot topic. From the number of responses I would for sure keep track of this for fyther disccussion!!!
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