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March 02, 2006
Happy Anniversary?
Two years ago today, Simi voters overwhelmingly approved Measure C4, a $145 million bond issues designed to:
Increase and improve classroom space
Modernize campuses
provide needed technology to schools and classrooms
As well as a litany of other things, such as weight rooms, high school tracks & seating and a performing arts auditorium at Santa Su High.
so.... How's it going?
Has classroom space been added to alleviate the extraordinary attendance at the high schools and middle schools?
How has your school been modernized? What actions have taken place on your campus?
What technology has been added to your campus?
How much has been spent yet?
How is the "independent citizens oversight committee" doing? Have you been to a meeting? Where can we find out more about this organization?
Is Simi Unified in Compliance with the law regarding bond management?
So happy anniversary Simi Valley! Should we roll out a birthday cake and celebrate the success of C4? Or should we be like others on birthdays, who get depressed when they have less money than they thought, and even less to show for it?
Your call.
Tim Keaney
Comments
I can only think of a couple of things going right in the public school system
Public education is free.
Public education provides a lot of jobs.
Public education takes all kids.
If I come up with anything else, I'll post it.
Jerre
Anne: Can you list ten things? I think we would all like to see your list.
Posted by: C Hamilton at March 3, 2006 08:21 AMAnn, Ann, Ann...
Here are my top ELEVEN (Set to the exciting music of the David Letterman orchestra)...
1. There are hundreds of thousands of dedicated teachers who teach for the love of kids, and who are passionate about education.
2. There are new school designs being introduced nationwide that are more conducive to new and innovative learning concepts.
3. Diane Ravitch's book "Left Back".
4. Taxpayers consistently vote for bond construction funds because they believe kids deservice modern and conducive learning environments.
5. Technology driven efficiencies and educational resources (such as classes in the visual arts, or computer networking being the new "trade" classes.
6. NCLB and increased state standards are shedding the light on institutional failures and raising standards.
7. Districts and teachers are cooperating on teacher performance models like Procomp in Denver.
8. Business and educational innovators, through The Teaching Commission promoting that the teaching profession get the respect and pay it deserves as a profession.
9. The rapid growth of the home school industry offering parents and their children the resources and rights to alternative and potentially more effective educational methods.
10. Successes like the Milwaukee Voucher program which is finally giving inner-city youth the chance for a great education and a way out of poverty.
11. Education Foundations across the Country are springing up to support education through grants, scholarships and other resources.
oh - and just for kicks - a 12th!
12. Termites in Simi Valley are well fed!
Ann - we're looking forward to your list. Make sure you run it by the Talking Points committee before posting!
Tim
#13 Arleigh Kidd has a job!
Posted by: C Hamilton at March 3, 2006 10:27 AMAnne,
Don't waste your breath. Tim, Chris and Jerre, are all failed, wanna be school board candidates, they believe the only way they can be elected is to constantly bash public education, kids and teachers, and then act like they have answers, which they don't. Anything positive does not exist to them in public education, (even though the positives are everywhere), as it does not help their future plans.
Chris,
What part of "Your fifteen minutes are up" did you not get?
Arleigh's back! Hey Arleigh, how about you giving us a list of 10 also!
Anne, I am an utter failure - Arleigh is correct. But please, don't let that deter you from giving us your list.
Smile, Arleigh! Life isn't all that bad, is it?
Arleigh has been holding his breath for quite a while hoping I would stop blogging about education.
What's the old saying, "those who can, do, those who can't, run the union?"
Ann, please don't make us wait a month for your next thought provoking entry.
Posted by: Tim Keaney at March 3, 2006 04:41 PMI'm very honored to be included on any list that has Tim Keaney and Chris Hamilton on it! I couldn't pick any better myself.
Posted by: Jerre Reimers at March 3, 2006 07:06 PM
NCLB Blog:
You are always looking at the negative of local education. How about you tell us ten things going right in our local schools. Try not to be sarcastic or to have an agenda, but rather stright out ten things.
Go!
Posted by: Anne at March 2, 2006 06:49 PM