Call For Thoughts

[Bill Call]

The Call For Questions post has evolved into a discussion of other school issues which is probably unfair to Christina McCallum. So I'll respond to posts over there over here. If you have questions you would like asked at the PTA's forum post them in Christina's post.

[Bill Call]

I just think we do not have endless resources, and we should stop wasting them on classes that amuse and entertain, but don't contribute to academic achievement when the rest of the world is concentrating on academics while our children fall behind.

We don't have endless resources but we do have the resources for an eight hour school day. In elementary schools the extra time could be used for a 45 minute lunch hour and 45 minutes for recess. The longer day might also be helpful for families with one parent or two parents who work all day.

The Tuesday School Board meeting was interesting.

Linda Bebe spent a few minutes talking about the new text book for the medical assistant class. She said the schools purchased the books (which were approved by the State Board of Education) only to find out a short time later that the State Board changed its mind and that the book that was approved was no longer approved so Lakewood would have to buy new books. A short lesson on how local schools can get jerked around by Columbus.

Some mention was made about the increasing enrollment in Lakewood Schools, a figure of about 6,000 students was mentioned. If those numbers hold then the Board might have to reconsider its decision to close Grant. Or better yet consider closing Grant and Lincoln and build a bigger central elementary school.

One employee spoke for a few minutes about the school choice program in Lakewood. If a school does not meet adequate yearly progress the students of that school have the right to move to a different school. 700 students had the right to do so but only about 20 made the choice. Another example of how a simple concept adds another layer of work to the local district. Someone has to send out the letters, track the responses and respond to the request etc.

I spoke for a few minutes with Bill Wagner who mentioned that Lakewood schools are ahead of the curve in technology and that there is some consideration of doing away with the traditional text books or at least limiting there use. It seems like a good idea to me.

I also spoke for a few minutes with Lakewood School Board Candidate "Woody" Calleri. He seemed like a well qualified, serious candidate.

Oh.. I also had some ice cream.

[Jim O'Bryan]

Bill

I has occurred to me that both the school board and city hall have lost there way when it
comes to this subject. Instead of looking at more and more cost cutting, something that
generally hurts the students most. Something everyone has done for over a decade, why
is it that no one is looking at revenue generating ideas?

My entire life I have seen people that spend their entire life saving pennies, and soon they
become so preoccupied with savings, that they forget how to make money. Likewise many
people that are great at making money have no idea how to save. After 10 years of saving
maybe we need to turn o some out of the box thinking.

FWIW

.

[Bill Call]

Bill

I has occurred to me that both the school board and city hall have lost there way when it
comes to this subject. Instead of looking at more and more cost cutting, something that
generally hurts the students most. Something everyone has done for over a decade, why
is it that no one is looking at revenue generating ideas?

You have touched the third rail!

There aren't a lot of revenue ideas for schools. About the only idea out there is to pass a levy, increase property taxes wait a few years, pass a levy etc. Most people know the answer but they don't know the solution. How do you raise revenue without raising taxes?

1. Encourage more development. There is a lot of potential if City officials are willing to take the risk and School Board members are willing to work with City officials. Since development in Northeast Ohio is a zero sum game if we want development here we have to fight for it and fight to see to it that the other guy doesn't get it. I don't see any reason the school board can't take a more active role in development. Why does a wealthy suburb like Rocky River get County development dollars and not Lakewood?

2. Schools as profit centers? Lakewood charter schools run by the Lakewood Board of Education? How about a new centrally located elementary school in a business/educational alliance with Beck Center, Library, YMCA and other organizations. Such a school with 700 or 800 students would be able to offer a lot of unique programming. It might attract new students to the district. Maybe the schools need a propaganda department.

3. Instead of Tri-C building new buildings in corn fields why not put pressure on them to locate classes in local communities. The schools could use the revenue and Tri-C could save a lot of money (not that they care about that). Speaking of pressure why can't our new County Executive throw some development dollars our way? There is money for Rocky River why not Lakewood?

There isn't going to be any more money from the State or Federal government and even if there were we wouldn't be getting any. In a couple of years Lakewood will be spending $13,000 per student. It seems like a lot of money to me.

[Stephen Eisel]

We don't have endless resources but we do have the resources for an eight hour school day. In elementary schools the extra time could be used for a 45 minute lunch hour and 45 minutes for recess. The longer day might also be helpful for families with one parent or two parents who work all day.

Yeppers!

[Bill Call]

Here is an issue for discussion: The eight hour day properly supervised and properly supported.

Is this the best issue you could come up with? Do you even know any teachers?

How about replacing sick days with a short and long term disability policy. Such a policy would protect school board employes from loss of income during an extended illness. If a school board employee misses a day or two here and there they could be given the option of making up that day's work on Saturday or over the summer months.

Yes, I do know some teachers.

Chicago is trying to add 90 minutes to the school day:

http://www.wbez.org/story/chicago-teach ... -day-91070