[Winona Online Democracy] Craig, I agree with you 100% about the idea of public school choice or magnet schools.
I've been pushing for the idea of some kind of public school choice or magnet school or school within-a-school program for the last 5-6 years. You are right, one size does not fit all. Never has, never will. I've met with some support and some resistance. Mostly, I've been told to wait...and wait...and wait. There have been and are today School Board members and teachers who are also interested in the concept. Two vans of teachers and other District staff visited some of the Rochester public school choice schools about 3-4 (?) years ago. Unfortunately, not much has happened since. In the School Board's defense, they have been operating in a crisis or triage mode for the last couple of years. The continual (and purposeful) budget crunches haven't allowed them the time or "luxury" of discussing reform and what "could be." It must be maddening to spend all your time cutting instead of creating. Remember, there are some who purposefully want public schools to fail. It's not many and they rarely show their true colors. Unfortuntely, that small group of people have friends in high places, including St. Paul and Washington. Yes, we need school reform and innovation. But we also need to still support public education and fund it like we mean it. Those who know me, know I'm very interested in school reform. It's even gotten me in hot water more than once. Still, I strongly support our existing public schools. It does not have to be, nor should it ever be, an either-or choice. Dwayne Voegeli November 20, 2004 ----- >From: "Craig Brooks" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >To: "WOD" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Date: Sat, 20 Nov 2004 06:28:07 -0600 > >[Winona Online Democracy] > >http://www.twincities.com/mld/pioneerpress/10228829.htm > >This is a link to an article in the St. Paul paper about a magnet school >where parents are willing to drive long distances to get kids there. I >share this because I believe this is one aspect of the complex matter of >increasing community support of our public schools. As a past WAPS parent >(having lived in this great city for 26+ years) of five graduates, my >personal opinion is that this magnet school idea (that is the quality and >fit of the school with my child) is much more important than the proximity >or the idea of a neighborhood school. My oldest children started school in >the small town of Pine City, MN. When they were in about 2nd and 3rd grade >we moved to the Midway area of St. Paul. There was a school a few blocks >away but that one was for older kids so we had to go to one a few miles >away. Other than them getting to meet Hubert H Humphrey one night at that >school nothing was exciting or challenging them. We searched for >alternatives. The private school cost was out of our reach. We found out >about some exciting new magnet schools and tried to get into them. We >couldn't. We got desperate feeling like the kids were going to get really >far behind their potential. We got them into the St. Paul Open School and >had to deal with complicated transportation arrangements. When we moved >here we were more than happy with the public school available to us. Then, >as the other three kids entered school we discovered that one of them needed >something a little different. We appreciated being able to transfer her >from Jefferson to Goodview in order to get the individualized progress >allowed in that model. To do that, again we had to accommodate >transportation issues, day care issue, etc. >My point is that my personal experience is that the school's program was >much more important to us than it's location (within reason of course). >I suggest the word Magnet is a good one to consider -- we need to have ways >to draw families to the schools. Our schools are good, (Very Good). Choice >would make them better in terms of better meeting the diverse needs and >interests of our diverse population. Our elementary schools are different >anyway - in reality - they were 20 years ago when we moved our daughter from >Jefferson to Goodview. Why not focus those differences and shape them >around the needs and wishes of the customers. >I also believe this concept can be done within a large building for the >Middle School and High School. One size does not fit all. >By the way -- I believe it is a serious mistake to shape the schools around >"No Child Left Behind" arbitrary tests, criteria, etc. It will just drive >public schools to failure (which may be the intent). The powers that be in >Washington and St. Paul have good intentions but they do not know any better >and they are spending the maximum amount of money to create the worst >possible results. But I'll leave that topic for another time and place and >for people much more expert at the analysis. > >Craig Brooks > > >_______________________________________________ >This message was posted to Winona Online Democracy >All messages must be signed by the senders actual name. >No commercial solicitations are allowed on this list. >To manage your subscription or view the message archives, please visit >http://mapnp.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/winona >Any problems or suggestions can be directed to >mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] >If you want help on how to contact elected officials, go to the Contact page at > http://www.winonaonlinedemocracy.org > ------------ Dwayne Voegeli Winona County Commissioner (507) 453-9012 [EMAIL PROTECTED] 359 Pleasant Hill Dr. Winona, MN 55987 ------------ _______________________________________________ This message was posted to Winona Online Democracy All messages must be signed by the senders actual name. No commercial solicitations are allowed on this list. To manage your subscription or view the message archives, please visit http://mapnp.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/winona Any problems or suggestions can be directed to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] If you want help on how to contact elected officials, go to the Contact page at http://www.winonaonlinedemocracy.org
