tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post6075942960138659259..comments2023-09-29T06:32:16.005-04:00Comments on My School Committee Blog: Very Brief Meeting UpdateCatherine A. Sandersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03523667921190365891noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-40318418506551221372009-12-10T09:26:31.487-05:002009-12-10T09:26:31.487-05:00And how do we even know that any override money wo...And how do we even know that any override money would go toward "holding on to the weakening regular education program?" Seriously. How do we know that our kids won't still be in three study halls and classes with 30 kids and the override money be spent instead on keeping the East Street alternative high school open, fund more hours for the Jones Library, increase funding for LSSE and the golf course, or buy new police cruisers? How can we find out what the override money will be spent on?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-54979733629536613712009-12-10T09:14:30.007-05:002009-12-10T09:14:30.007-05:00If you are a parent of a regular education student...If you are a parent of a regular education student you would have to be a saint to watch without any reaction the constant erosion of regular education, as special education takes up a bigger percentage of the budget. Then to be asked to support a tax increase just to hold onto the weakened regular education program?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-90506281407359787782009-12-09T14:25:55.027-05:002009-12-09T14:25:55.027-05:00Yes, we are faced with losing 20% of the staff and...Yes, we are faced with losing 20% of the staff and of course it is difficult for all concerned. If the staff is really concerned for the kids and for their colleagues who might be losing their jobs, perhaps they might consider reducing their raises? How many positions would it save if all staff capped their raises (COLA and STEP combined) to 2%? In this economy, I would be happy to be getting 2%!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-37736763028840220642009-12-09T13:12:50.663-05:002009-12-09T13:12:50.663-05:00SPED requirements and its funding structure means ...SPED requirements and its funding structure means that budgets cuts almost always come at the expense of 'regular' education, which has been reduced year after year after year. Perhaps - rather than asking for a private school-type experience (and you have absolutely no idea how far off we are from that!) - it's just that families with kids who do not require special services are tired of quietly taking all the hits and are starting to demand a decent education for their kids. They have a right to that.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-52837139243172744982009-12-09T13:05:58.205-05:002009-12-09T13:05:58.205-05:00I stand corrected about my comment about turning A...I stand corrected about my comment about turning ARHS into private school (however I have heard that comment multiple times from multiple sources) I do however feel that there is a backlash and the cuts are disproportionately coming on the backs of the SPED and population that may not be AP bound. students whose parents may not feel enfranchised to speak up. As a public school it is the mandate to educate all. I agree that the cuts are real and we need to come together but feel fingers are being pointed at cutting anything that does not influence the top tier student particularly as many of the ELL and SPED families are not speaking up and advocating as they might not know how. We seem to hear again and again from many of the same people. As an optimist I want to believe that no matter who we are, how gifted or academically challenged our kids are we all want whats best for our children. I have faith that the administrative team will look to the big picture and not just if our child will be happy with more music etc. I do not unfortunately think the SC is as impartial.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-30539802175167059872009-12-09T12:42:16.161-05:002009-12-09T12:42:16.161-05:00anon 12:29: "minority of families who want to...anon 12:29: "minority of families who want to turn ARMS and ARHS into private schools"<br /><br />just because parents are expecting their school to live up to the standard it claims it has does not mean we want it to become a private school. What I read in this blog are families who want Amherst schools to learn from other public schools and to stop trying to re-invent the wheel.<br /><br />the budget cuts are real. if we are to address them and not harm our kids, we need to stop infighting and instead, start from a place of common ground. SC members could take the lead here.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-82324466574100772612009-12-09T12:29:30.337-05:002009-12-09T12:29:30.337-05:00If you read the Gazette today you will see just ho...If you read the Gazette today you will see just how horrible these cuts are.....losing 14.5 positions in the MS alone is a big deal. I too applaud Mike Hayes for working through a terrible situation but this is a huge cut (around 20% of the staff) I would like to see how the SPED kids will be served with the bulk of the cuts coming in that area...just because this does not impact the vocal minority of families who want to turn ARMS and ARHS into private schools....it is not minimal in any way and I certiainly hope our elected SC members understand that. It may be inevitable but it is not minimal. And how in the world can there be conversation about adding things like AP in light of these cuts....irresponsible. I also think having a consultant meeting to ask how things can be improved in the MS meeting with parents one day and then cuts coming the next is absurd. In all places there are good and bad teachers but how can we possibly ask these hard working folks to do any more ....and continue to do it with a smile?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-38581706458607038632009-12-09T11:55:26.102-05:002009-12-09T11:55:26.102-05:00The high school administration is proposing enormo...The high school administration is proposing enormous cuts both in programs and in staffing, including administration. They already cut one assistant principal last year. Now they are proposing cutting 1.0 again (not clear how it will be parceled out). Our principal already works harder than anyone should be expected to work. <br /><br />These cuts are very real. With the programs we are losing, I don't know if we are still a comprehensive high school or not. Changing the mission of a school is a big deal. All of this is a big deal. Anyone who attempts to downplay the impact of these cuts simply doesn't appreciate the situation. It is very distressing-- for teachers, for administrators, and for families who will be affected.Nina Kochhttp://www.arps.org/users/hs/kochn/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-38591539823708866732009-12-09T11:49:12.411-05:002009-12-09T11:49:12.411-05:00To ANon 11:37Am- Watch out- expect to get flamed! ...To ANon 11:37Am- Watch out- expect to get flamed! I expect that the prohibition against texting is like the ban on chewing gum when I was in school-it was enforced but we did it anyway.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-84026994391398004002009-12-09T11:37:31.174-05:002009-12-09T11:37:31.174-05:00Surprising to hear people upset with the idea of m...Surprising to hear people upset with the idea of more study halls. When these kids get to college they will spend a lot more time studying than they will in class. That's what a study hall is. It also helps to defer from the biggest issue students have with high school, the amount of homework. A study hall during their school day helps to provide a quiet, focused place to study.<br /><br />To the rumor mongers who state that ARHS study halls allow texting. That is a lie. Cell phones are not allowed to be seen during the school day.<br /><br />Obviously, this was a parent writing in about that. How about you taking the cell phone away from you kid while s/he is at school. Then no one at school will have to waste her time policing your kid's texting.<br /><br />The teachers and administrators didn't buy these kids all of these electronic devices. I believe you did, Mommy. Why don't you crack the whip on your kid first buy insisting these devices cannot be brought to school.<br /><br />The school rule is that if we see a cell phone out in school, we confiscate it. I don't imagine parents will have a hard time as we confiscate several hundred phones every day of the week. <br /><br />Some of your child's behaviors are also your responsibility. Maybe it's time to stop blaming the teachers just because the school district is in a tight spot.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-59446204626294626192009-12-09T10:24:57.851-05:002009-12-09T10:24:57.851-05:00Catherine,
I couldn't agree more that Mike Ha...Catherine,<br /><br />I couldn't agree more that Mike Hayes did a tremendous job working through the MS budget cuts. While teachers will feel the strain of increased class size at the middle school, the structure of the school was maintained. This should be applauded.Cathy Cnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-42167428582102034742009-12-09T10:05:12.709-05:002009-12-09T10:05:12.709-05:00It's great to hear that Mike Hayes is making s...It's great to hear that Mike Hayes is making such wise decisions given that the MS budget is more limited than the HS budget.<br /><br />As a community member, how do we get a feel for whether the proposed cuts to the HS are the best they could possibly come up with or just a scare tactic? I'm a little skeptical when I hear gloom and doom scenarios.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-74564695656953309832009-12-09T08:15:56.753-05:002009-12-09T08:15:56.753-05:00I think the high school administration may need he...I think the high school administration may need help in finding potential cuts. Some principals find it difficult to suggest proposals that might result in conflicts with their staff. Afterall when all is done, they still work together.<br /><br />No suggestions about re-looking at electives? No administrative cuts? We need to help the high school find the areas that can be eliminated before we go to over 30 kids in a class and a study hall for each (crazy) tri-mester. Makes me think about how many study halls would there be if there were only 2 semesters?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-68060450830031827942009-12-09T07:17:41.715-05:002009-12-09T07:17:41.715-05:00I certainly hope the plan is to consolidate the 2 ...I certainly hope the plan is to consolidate the 2 alternative high schools in one building and not to consolidate the programs - the 2 programs serve two entirely different categories of kids and in my mind should not be combined. To combine them in one program would be a disservice to all the kids in both programs.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6270815429299703055.post-34827164358399656002009-12-09T06:16:25.109-05:002009-12-09T06:16:25.109-05:00Thank goodness the administration has finally been...Thank goodness the administration has finally been willing to look at the alternative high schools. They serve together, what, 40 kids? When the "regular high school" kids are facing 30+ kids in a class, it really isn't possible to justify two separate schools for 40 kids. Good work administration! Now let's work on getting back to a semester system.Fed Up Parentnoreply@blogger.com