Platt,
I was intending to let this go into the sunset, well .......
Platt:
I was very much involved not long ago in our local school system,
attending board meetings, PTA meetings, writing letters to the
editor, etc. in an effort to get a better accounting of the school
budget and expenditures. All I got for my efforts were accusations
of being a "terrorist" and threats against myself and family.
Mati:
Given your past postings I would guess that you were perhaps very narrow in
your criticisms of school primarily looking at the fiscal functions of
schools. This is extremely common phenomenon of critics of school who don't
know better. Such was the case of my father, which both of you seem to share
this trait. My question is did you offer any other real idea's other than
stop spending the money. As a former assistant principal I often had
students claim that they were pure victims in various verbal attacks. Often
I would ask them if I were to ask the other side what provoke the attacks
what would they say? There were kids would struggle to find an answer the
smart ones knew exactly what I was asking. Platt I sense a feeling of
victimization in your post. People feel when all you want to do is cut...
cut... cut... and offer no other solutions to the need to cut then they of
course feel you are attacking their children's education. But perhaps I am
misreading what happened, but then again if I were a betting man.......
Platt:
It seems when it comes to spending money, "Nothing is too good for our
children."Also, you don't want to mess with the teacher's union. They have a
directline to the state legislature. A mere citizen like me might is
ignored.
Mati: I am reminded of a recent posting of yours.
"Like Ian, Arlo revels in the evil world of personal attacks. The purpose:
to avoid debate by ridiculing, and ultimately destroying, your opponent."
It works both ways. I sense that you want to blame the teacher unions
hmmmmm.... the blame game has almost become a national sport. (By the way as
an administrator I am non union.) Again finding real solutions that make a
difference is key. This will require the greatest contributions of
intellect that we can muster. Also it must be a willingness to work
together. Your comment that "They (the union) have a directline to the
state legislature" is likely a gross misrepresentation of reality. Sure
they have large lobbyists, but that is how the political game is currently
played and you expected that they weren't going play not to win. The fact
is the educational problem is so complex that it is fair to say that a mere
citizen does need to invest a tremendous amount of effort to be educated. I
currently know of an elderly man who has over the past 3 years attended
meeting and started off on the same foot. I give him a lot of credit in
that he has worked really hard to learn and understand what the issues are
and not just spout off. Now he is able to be critical with ideas worth
considering. Sometimes it is the cheap shots of the less educated that
really turns people off. I am really interested in what ideas that you might
have.
Platt:
Having had this experience I hope perhaps you can understand why I ceased
"getting involved."
Mati:
One experience should not be a deterrence but rather a lesson to be learned.
I am sincerely hoping an "old dog can be taught new tricks". ;-)
Platt:
As for the rest, I bow to your superior knowledge of the trials and
tribulations of the public schools today. If the parents and "culture" are
the primary culprits of poor performance I don't see there's much that can
be done. But, I could be wrong.
Mati:
Plenty can be done but it takes thoughtful people willing to work together
for a common vision to make the difference. I wish you all the encouragement
and luck to get back in the ring. Remember Rocky Balboa!!!! ;-)
Mati
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