03-30-2010, 08:31 AM
60 Administrators? For what?
School Board members are basically lower level politicians who don't have enough intelligence or guts to try for city council or other offices. They like their nice little fiefdoms that come with Board membership. They are rarely voted out because they 'fly under the radar'.
They approve programs which cost the city money, without thinking about if these programs are truly necessary, and what the alternatives would be to get the same result. They have a 'knee-jerk' reaction to any recommedations from administrators or outside organizations, because they either have no desire to do the homework, or prefer to pass the buck and not take responsibility. There may be grants for some programs, but the money doesn't last long and you are stuck with paying for the programs year after year. Then you have to hire people to keep finding money for these 'vital ' programs. In the meantime, the core programs for things like Reading, Math, Science, etc, are cut while 'diversity' programs are never cut or questioned as to why they really are necessary.
I recall some years ago when went with my brother to observed a Zion High School board meeting, and they voted to approve tearing up sidewalks and replacing them with ones which were six inches wider. Six Inches! The reason? Because an outside association recommended it. There was no real reason to tear up perfectly good sidewalks, but the Board said OK and used 'Life and Safety' Bonds to pay for it. This is typical of most school boards. They don't think, but simply slide along and cite 'experts', rather than use common sense and fiscal responsibility.
The schools are top-heavy with very well compensated administrators, and yet what do we get for the money? Are these just paper pushers or have they actually improved the schools? If not, how hard is it to get rid of them and get somebody else to take on the work? If they are under contract, who the hell negotiated these contracts where you can't get rid of them? If it was the Board's attorneys, then maybe the Board should find somebody who can actually be able to negotiate rather than give away the store.
If you want better schools, then you have to make big changes.
School Board members are basically lower level politicians who don't have enough intelligence or guts to try for city council or other offices. They like their nice little fiefdoms that come with Board membership. They are rarely voted out because they 'fly under the radar'.
They approve programs which cost the city money, without thinking about if these programs are truly necessary, and what the alternatives would be to get the same result. They have a 'knee-jerk' reaction to any recommedations from administrators or outside organizations, because they either have no desire to do the homework, or prefer to pass the buck and not take responsibility. There may be grants for some programs, but the money doesn't last long and you are stuck with paying for the programs year after year. Then you have to hire people to keep finding money for these 'vital ' programs. In the meantime, the core programs for things like Reading, Math, Science, etc, are cut while 'diversity' programs are never cut or questioned as to why they really are necessary.
I recall some years ago when went with my brother to observed a Zion High School board meeting, and they voted to approve tearing up sidewalks and replacing them with ones which were six inches wider. Six Inches! The reason? Because an outside association recommended it. There was no real reason to tear up perfectly good sidewalks, but the Board said OK and used 'Life and Safety' Bonds to pay for it. This is typical of most school boards. They don't think, but simply slide along and cite 'experts', rather than use common sense and fiscal responsibility.
The schools are top-heavy with very well compensated administrators, and yet what do we get for the money? Are these just paper pushers or have they actually improved the schools? If not, how hard is it to get rid of them and get somebody else to take on the work? If they are under contract, who the hell negotiated these contracts where you can't get rid of them? If it was the Board's attorneys, then maybe the Board should find somebody who can actually be able to negotiate rather than give away the store.
If you want better schools, then you have to make big changes.