Tag: education

CCBOE Gettin’ Stimulated

Posted by Eric – October 4, 2009

IN OTHER BUSINESS TODAY (FRIDAY), THE BOARD VOTED TO AMEND THE 2009-2010 WORKING BUDGET TO REFLECT A 3.3 MILLION DOLLAR CUT TO THE STATE S.E.E.K. FUNDING, WHICH WILL BE REPLACED WITH AMERICAN RECOVERY AND REINVESTMENT ACT FUNDS. SUPERINTENDENT BRADY LINK AND ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT RIM WATSON TOLD THE BOARD THE CHANGE IN FUNDING WOULD NOT ALTER ANY PROGRAMS PLANNED FOR STUDENTS.

The Board of Education is feeling stimulated. Have you received your stimulus yet? What this story tells me is that the BoE will be in-debted to Obama for about $3 Million. I would be suspicious of any lesson plans that leave blanks for “praise Obama” sessions. It would have been better to cut whatever was lost when the state removed that S.E.E.K. money and do without. Speaking of doing without… it doesn’t mean taking food from the mouths of babes.

When teachers crank up the computer lab’s air conditioning at Central Elementary School, someone must plop a bucket in the hallway to catch the condensation water that starts falling from the gaping hole in the ceiling.At nearby Fannie Bush Elementary School, dozens of desks are pushed together in classrooms nearly 20 percent smaller than recommended. The 275 students share one set of boys and girls bathrooms. Some classes are held out back in rotting, wind-rattled trailers.

It is unacceptable that some students must go to school in sub-standard conditions. However, we should ask why can’t those school districts afford to build new schools sooner.

Bluegrass Politics

Meanwhile, thousands of children started classes this fall at crumbling, cramped schools. This comes 20 years after the state Supreme Court ruled in a landmark school-funding decision that “students must be given equal educational opportunities, regardless of economic status or place of residence.”

The new Christian County Middle School is expected to cost $22 Million. For that, the new school will have every technological advantage possible. Lesser school districts simply aren’t able to build such a monstrosity. I believe the attitude of equal experiences for everyone bankrupts smaller districts that can’t afford the gadgetry of larger districts. Remove the requirement to be equal and districts might build schools without Internet (SHOCKER!!), but they might have better success focusing on their reading, writing, and ‘rithmetic.

Closing the Gap

Posted by Eric – March 15, 2009

A user called “Informed” on Hoptownhall made a comment that I simply must react to. I don’t post this in the thread itself because I would prefer more knowledgable people debate this in the main thread. Anything I say here is more like a shout from the peanut gallery. From previous posts Informed is obviously an administrator from the Board of Education and most often tows the party line regarding board policy.

beanie wrote:
if this model is being used to bridge the gap for all types of students falling behind, then it should not be titled or lead people to believe that it is geared towards just “African American” students. i think that is the problem many of us have with it…it is discriminatory in addressing only the shortcomings and needs of one group while ignoring the need for structure/help for students that are underachieving- of all type.

Informed wrote:
Actually, the district is following a state and national mandate to address the achievement gaps that exist and are identified by “No Child Left Behind” data. If the district does not address the specific gaps – they are out of compliance. The specific gaps in Christian County are Afican American students and Students with Disabilities. The document referred to on this site has two sections – 1. Strategies to address the African American achievement gap and 2. Strategies to address the Students with Disabilities achievement gap. The district is not being discriminatory in addressing the shortcomings of these two students groups – the district is following the law established by NCLB and the federal government.

By law, the district must address the needs of these students in the GAP and try to meet their needs. Be informed before you post on this site.


“The district is not being discriminatory in addressing the shortcomings of these two students groups -”

Given that I am uninformed about the details of NCLB. My impression based on the chatter I read from others is that NCLB is designed to improve the scores of the lowest performing students. So that all students demographic groups, in theory, will reach a designated level of proficiency. Notice that due to Federal and State law the schools are in the business of educating a demographic not students. If your not in this blessed group of needy individuals then your just SOL. From my personal experience as a product of the public school system I know there is a vast group of C-level and B-level students that simply slide through high school with no effort at all. The classroom level teachers typically give copious amounts of extra credit.

“Be informed before you post on this site.”

Simply obnoxious behavior.