News KC closing half its schools--wow - Page 3

oldandslow · 03-11-2010, 05:38 AM

This may need to go into DC...

still, I think this is an amazing and disturbing thing to happen.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/03/11/mis...html?hpt=T1CNN) -- The superintendent calls it the "Right-Size" plan," but many Kansas City, Missouri, residents say it's plain wrong.

Superintendent John Covington called for the closing or consolidation of almost half of the city's public schools. A divided Kansas City school board voted Wednesday to approve the downsizing.

A packed room of people watched the board make its historic move after weeks of debate and years of declining enrollment. Some parents voiced their anger, while some students cried.

"I have an 8-year-old and a 6-year-old that will be going to school with 12th graders. I find that very inappropriate. I don't feel my children will be safe," Deneicia Williams told CNN affiliate KSHB-TV.

"I feel like I have nothing, I have no high school legacy. I feel like I have nothing, nothing to go back to," said Prince Jones, a senior, who will be part of the final graduating class at Westport High School.

Covington proposed the "Right-Size" plan arguing that the financial future of the entire school district was at stake. The plan shutters 28 of Kansas City's 61 public schools, cuts 700 jobs and saves $50 million to help reduce a burgeoning deficit.

Some called Kansas City's measures draconian but school districts across America, hit hard by budget cuts, have been struggling to make ends meet.

They have had to make tough choices between closures, program cuts, bus route cancellations and layoffs of teachers and staff. Schools in at least 17 states have opted for four-day weeks.

Covington said the closures were the first phase of "right-sizing" a district where enrollments have plummeted from over 35,000 in the 1999-2000 school year to about 17,000 in 2009-10.

"Closing schools is hard - and it is tough on the community," Covington said recently in remarks posted on the superintendent's Web site.

"Closing schools and making the remaining schools much stronger academically is unquestionably the right thing to do for kids," he said. "Keeping all of the schools open with too few children in them is draining the resources we need to improve the education of all students."

But four of the nine board members disagreed with Covington.

"I deserve the right to make a rational decision based on facts, and we were never given facts about student achievement," Cokethea Hill, who voted against the closings, told KHSB.

Some members of the public showed up Wednesday to air their last-minute appeals.

"What I'm asking you today to do is to give our children justice," said Ron Hunt, a community activist.

Others worried that school closures would lead to deterioration of communities and drive residents out of the district.

"The blighting of the urban core is scandalous and shameful," said Sharon Sanders Brooks.

Covington is slated to discuss the school closings at a news conference Thursday morning.

pikesome · 03-11-2010, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewPhin

I'm a teacher, and I agree to some extend. However, when those schools showed zero results after having far, far, far more money spent (and squandered) in that district as outlined in the article I posted... it's hard to feel a lot of sympathy for the morons running the place. Unfortunately, the teachers, taxpayers, and students are the one being punished... not those actually culpable.

There's some culpability in there.

Mr. Kotter · 03-11-2010, 09:42 AM

It's hard to believe it could get any worse. So why not?

DJ's left nut · 03-11-2010, 09:44 AM

It comes back to fear of failure and the 'no child left behind' attitudes.

Look - some people are just going to fail. They'll fail no matter how much effort you throw at them.

Let 'em. Let 'em bust out and die in a damn gutter. If they don't want to take responsibility for themselves and their own advancement, leave them behind and focus on those that are still trying.

There are legitimate borderline cases that end up fallilng the wrong way because we're wasting time and resources on lost causes. There are a lot of kids in the KC School District that want to succeed but are getting lost in the wash because we're pissing away effort on these kids that do nothing but distract and disrupt.

We oughta treat education like a battlefield hospital. If somebody's holding his guts in his hands, just move along - there's no saving that one. Focus on the guy with a wound in his vitals that could actually be saved.

It's harsh, but it's life. It's not like these kids that we drag kicking and screaming through an 'education' are going to amount to anything even after school. If you don't want to succeed, you won't. They're not going to suddenly become doctors because we handed them a fake HS diploma.

Focus on the winnable fights. We've spent too long letting the dregs of society drag down those with legitimate aspirations for themselves.

13and3 · 03-11-2010, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewPhin

I'm a teacher, and I agree to some extend. However, when those schools showed zero results after having far, far, far more money spent (and squandered) in that district as outlined in the article I posted... it's hard to feel a lot of sympathy for the morons running the place. Unfortunately, the teachers, taxpayers, and students are the one being punished... not those actually culpable.

I agree, funding may not be a cure all, but with its absence problems will only get worse. My wife and I were both products of the KCMO magnet theme. I graduated in 94 and she graduated in 96. We both greatly benefited form the magnet themes. She went to Southeast's health and information magnet, and in result has a job as medical transcriptionist. I attended Southwest Science Math Magnet, and developed excellent analytical and mathematical skills which helped me attain an associate's degree in Industrial Electrical Technology, an A.A.S. in engineering, an electrical apprenticeship with a local union, and a master electrical license. I don't think the districts integration policy made a damn bit of difference in the quality of education that was to be administered. The race of my class mates made about as much difference as the race of my teachers. The real loss I believe was these programs that peeked the interest of at least some of the students of the district and allowed us to develop skills to have a chance in life.

NewChief · 03-11-2010, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pikesome

There's some culpability in there.

You're right. But ineffective/bad teachers are, ultimately, the responsibility of the administration.

**Mr. Flopnuts** · 03-11-2010, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stinger

Biggest scam ever..............

No. The BIGGEST scam ever is the one that put the whole country in this mess.

**Donger** · 03-11-2010, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewPhin

I'm a teacher, and I agree to some extend.

**Mr. Flopnuts** · 03-11-2010, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donger

Busted.

pikesome · 03-11-2010, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewPhin

You're right. But ineffective/bad teachers are, ultimately, the responsibility of the administration.

If hiring/firing/promoting worked the way it should I'd agree.

NewChief · 03-11-2010, 09:53 AM

OMG LOOK! THe TEACHER MADE A TYPO! OR MAYBE HE"S SO STUPID THAT HE THINKS THAT"S HOW U SPELL EXTENT.

LOOK HE"S USING QUOTATION MARKS WHEN HE SHOULD USE APOSTROPHES, TO.

**Mr. Flopnuts** · 03-11-2010, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewPhin

OMG LOOK! THe TEACHER MADE A TYPO! OR MAYBE HE"S SO STUPID THAT HE THINKS THAT"S HOW U SPELL EXTENT.

LOOK HE"S USING QUOTATION MARKS WHEN HE SHOULD USE APOSTROPHES, TO.

Just messin with you bro.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 03-11-2010, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BIG_DADDY

Yea, it's them damn right wingers.

From an argumentative standpoint, you ****ing reerun.

Jesus, learn to read.

**Donger** · 03-11-2010, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewPhin

OMG LOOK! THe TEACHER MADE A TYPO! OR MAYBE HE"S SO STUPID THAT HE THINKS THAT"S HOW U SPELL EXTENT.

LOOK HE"S USING QUOTATION MARKS WHEN HE SHOULD USE APOSTROPHES, TO.

"Too."

Chief Chief · 03-11-2010, 10:00 AM

Blame the board of education members and, in some cases, the previous superintendents for failing to change the district's course from this failure.

Fish · 03-11-2010, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garcia Bronco

Is it true that most of these schools are half full?

Yeah...

Quote:

enrollments have plummeted from over 35,000 in the 1999-2000 school year to about 17,000 in 2009-10.

03-11-2010, 05:38 AM
oldandslow Veteran Join Date: Apr 2004 Casino cash: $3713149	KC closing half its schools--wow This may need to go into DC... still, I think this is an amazing and disturbing thing to happen. http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/03/11/mis...html?hpt=T1CNN) -- The superintendent calls it the "Right-Size" plan," but many Kansas City, Missouri, residents say it's plain wrong. Superintendent John Covington called for the closing or consolidation of almost half of the city's public schools. A divided Kansas City school board voted Wednesday to approve the downsizing. A packed room of people watched the board make its historic move after weeks of debate and years of declining enrollment. Some parents voiced their anger, while some students cried. "I have an 8-year-old and a 6-year-old that will be going to school with 12th graders. I find that very inappropriate. I don't feel my children will be safe," Deneicia Williams told CNN affiliate KSHB-TV. "I feel like I have nothing, I have no high school legacy. I feel like I have nothing, nothing to go back to," said Prince Jones, a senior, who will be part of the final graduating class at Westport High School. Covington proposed the "Right-Size" plan arguing that the financial future of the entire school district was at stake. The plan shutters 28 of Kansas City's 61 public schools, cuts 700 jobs and saves $50 million to help reduce a burgeoning deficit. Some called Kansas City's measures draconian but school districts across America, hit hard by budget cuts, have been struggling to make ends meet. They have had to make tough choices between closures, program cuts, bus route cancellations and layoffs of teachers and staff. Schools in at least 17 states have opted for four-day weeks. Covington said the closures were the first phase of "right-sizing" a district where enrollments have plummeted from over 35,000 in the 1999-2000 school year to about 17,000 in 2009-10. "Closing schools is hard - and it is tough on the community," Covington said recently in remarks posted on the superintendent's Web site. "Closing schools and making the remaining schools much stronger academically is unquestionably the right thing to do for kids," he said. "Keeping all of the schools open with too few children in them is draining the resources we need to improve the education of all students." But four of the nine board members disagreed with Covington. "I deserve the right to make a rational decision based on facts, and we were never given facts about student achievement," Cokethea Hill, who voted against the closings, told KHSB. Some members of the public showed up Wednesday to air their last-minute appeals. "What I'm asking you today to do is to give our children justice," said Ron Hunt, a community activist. Others worried that school closures would lead to deterioration of communities and drive residents out of the district. "The blighting of the urban core is scandalous and shameful," said Sharon Sanders Brooks. Covington is slated to discuss the school closings at a news conference Thursday morning.
Posts: 4,622

03-11-2010, 09:42 AM	#32
Mr. Kotter Banned Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: In some's minds... Casino cash: $3184285	It's hard to believe it could get any worse. So why not?
Posts: 46,966

03-11-2010, 09:44 AM	#33
DJ's left nut Sauntering Vaguely Downwards Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Columbia, Mo Casino cash: $-940901	It comes back to fear of failure and the 'no child left behind' attitudes. Look - some people are just going to fail. They'll fail no matter how much effort you throw at them. Let 'em. Let 'em bust out and die in a damn gutter. If they don't want to take responsibility for themselves and their own advancement, leave them behind and focus on those that are still trying. There are legitimate borderline cases that end up fallilng the wrong way because we're wasting time and resources on lost causes. There are a lot of kids in the KC School District that want to succeed but are getting lost in the wash because we're pissing away effort on these kids that do nothing but distract and disrupt. We oughta treat education like a battlefield hospital. If somebody's holding his guts in his hands, just move along - there's no saving that one. Focus on the guy with a wound in his vitals that could actually be saved. It's harsh, but it's life. It's not like these kids that we drag kicking and screaming through an 'education' are going to amount to anything even after school. If you don't want to succeed, you won't. They're not going to suddenly become doctors because we handed them a fake HS diploma. Focus on the winnable fights. We've spent too long letting the dregs of society drag down those with legitimate aspirations for themselves. __________________ "If there's a god, he's laughing at us.....and our football team..." "When you look at something through rose colored glasses, all the red flags just look like flags."
Posts: 66,930

03-11-2010, 09:53 AM	#40
NewChief In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Fayetteville, AR Casino cash: $7060204	OMG LOOK! THe TEACHER MADE A TYPO! OR MAYBE HE"S SO STUPID THAT HE THINKS THAT"S HOW U SPELL EXTENT. LOOK HE"S USING QUOTATION MARKS WHEN HE SHOULD USE APOSTROPHES, TO. __________________ In this world of sin and sorrow there is always something to be thankful for; as for me, I rejoice that I am not a Republican. - H. L. Mencken
Posts: 21,845

03-11-2010, 10:00 AM	#44
Chief Chief Veteran Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Kansas City MO Casino cash: $10004900	Blame the board of education members and, in some cases, the previous superintendents for failing to change the district's course from this failure.
Posts: 3,072