A month or so ago, I was appalled that the Board of Education didn't shut down the schools that it was considering because I bought the fact that there are too many classrooms in Minneapolis. But now I'm not so sure.
To my surprise (!) the report says that Southwest High School has 14 surplus classrooms. Trust me, there aren't 14 surplus rooms at the high school. We have teachers that don't have classrooms to call their own, and have to wheel carts around all day because they have to use the rooms that are "open" for that period only. A typical high school teacher teaches five hours a day, out of a day of six hours. Some teachers get their prep period off in their own room but many of us do not. For instance, on my hall: 118 is used for five periods but is empty sixth period - she preps in her room. 119 is my room - it is used for my five periods, and another teacher (who roams) is in there the other period, so I must go elsewhere. 120 is used five periods a day by one teacher, and another teacher (who also roams) is in there fourth period, so the teacher must plan elsewhere. 121, like 119 and 120, is used in the same manner. 123 is used five periods, but not during that teacher's first hour prep. Without offices to go to, having teachers roam around a school because they have no classroom says to me that there aren't any classrooms available. I can't tell you what a pain it is to have to go someplace to plan, when everything you have, including a computer and phone to use, is in a classroom that is unavailable to you without interrupting another class. To the teachers who have to roam, like I did (from building to building in 6 minutes at times), finding out that Southwest has 12 "surplus" rooms would really make them double over in laughter. I'm sure the main conference room for the school board, when not in session isn't used by secretaries or other office workers to do their jobs. Maybe it should be considered "surplus" space and rented out to take in more income. Bill "and don't tell me that there are 39 surplus rooms at Roosevelt either" Towne Southwest High School math teacher CARAG resident REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
