While it may look like they are guest starring on an episode of "Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader?" (hint: the answer is no), members of the Orange County Board of Education will actually be holding the second of their "community listening sessions" at HES this evening at 7:00 pm.
Just like on that popular show, tonight the Board will be asked a number of seemingly simple questions but, try as they might, will be unable to provide answers.
After spending last Thursday evening trying unsuccessfully to convince CES parents and staff to support the merger being forced upon them by the Board, attention will now turn to parents and staff at HES.
After listening to CES parents speak out against the merger for over two hours without hearing anything about a "plan B" from the Board, I was reminded of an old George Will line about the three biggest lies in the world. One of which is, "I am from the government and I'm here to help you." For some reason I always thought the government (especially local government) was supposed to represent the people and not dictate to them.
While I think the Board was genuinely surprised by the overwhelmingly negative reaction Dennis Whitling's "Big Plan" received at CES, there should be no delusions about what to expect tonight. I will be attending this meeting, and I have personally invited a few people from last Thursday's meeting to attend as well. It should be an interesting show.
While the plot may look familiar, it should at least be better than an Ugly Betty rerun.
What: Orange County Board of Education "Listening Session" on CES/HES Merger
When: Thursday, September 13, 2007 @ 7:00pm
Where: Hillsborough Elementary School
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
9 comments:
"While it may look like they are guest starring on an episode of "Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader?" (hint: the answer is no"
Is this type comment REALLY necessary? I understand your frustration but, as I have stated before, the name calling, insults, etc. you are hurling towards the board only make YOU look bad, not the board. It is tough to sympathize and support people who act this way. I know what you are thinking...What about how the board is acting? It doesn't matter what they do. This behavior is reflecting negatively on you and your supporters. PLEASE stick to the facts and maybe I can support your cause.
Dear first poster 9/13 11:03. Please find a dollar and go buy a sense of humor. If you are affluent, get a personality while you are there.
Oh, that's right. Both of those are FREE!!!!
To the anonymous 9/13/07 at 11:03:
Concerning your question if that comment is necessary, I think it is YES. The Board is making THE BOARD look bad. Their plan is to eliminate HES after the current school year. Maybe you like your child to be shuffled off to another school. Maybe you like the bonds that your child has created with teachers, friends and parents. I know that most kids will be traumatized to leave their beloved school. Also, our wonderful teachers' careers are on the line.
If we sound like we are mad, it's probably because we are. Taking a stand is important.
Concerning your comment that our insults is making us look bad, I have a gentle question: What damage is that going to cause? The Board's majority has it in their cross hairs to eliminate the school. What worse could happen? If they eliminate all Orange County Schools? Liz would like that, I imagine.
I was told last week by a parent that her kid did not go to HES because they could not afford the tuition. Why are these lies being passed out? Again, another feeble attempt to discredit our school.
After tonight's meeting I was so ashamed of our Board. The CES folks are being dumped on much worse than HES. They are told that the merger is good for them because of SES.
My teeth almost fell out when Lizzy told everyone that she was concerned about our kids test scores. She was more worried about having such a small level of minorities at one school and such a large level of minorities at another. Uh, Liz, Race is not the same as SES. I thought that at Harvard she would have learned that being Black doesn't means you are poor and being white means you are wealthy.
Did you guy read the editorial in the Durham paper yesterday?
Children are not "tramatized" by changing schools. This has happened many times and children adapt much more easily than their parents.
Teachers' careers are not on the line. Each teacher who wants to teach in Orange County will still be teaching in Orange County. Some leave each year anyway. One reason some will leave this year is because they are sick and tired of the DRAMA - from the school board and from some parents. Teaching is a demanding profession - at every school. When you add the additional uproar that has gone on at HES in the past few years - renovations, administrative changes, the media/school board uproar, etc. - it is amazing that more have not left for other schools already!
How exactly has the "DRAMA" affected teachers? It isn't like parents are arguing in the hallways.
Teachers are staying b/c they love the school, the year round calendar and the children. I understand that the leadership changing has been uncertain, but I have heard nothing except rave reviews over Mrs. Horner. I think we're through the worst of the storm. It's going to be a great year.
"Children are not 'tramatized' by changing schools. This has happened many times and children adapt much more easily than their parents." --Umm, not sure what you are talking about. Structure and stability are two key facets that every child needs.
"Teachers' careers are not on the line."--THEY ARE ON THE LINE. Sure, they will have a position in Orange County Schools, but they will be the low ones on the totem pole at any of the schools. Frustration will conquer all.
Post a Comment