Who Will 'Pony Up?'

The age old question of who will 'pony up' certainly applies to the water crisis in Flint Michigan schools. The district is already $10 million dollars in debt and has had to make a number of cuts in recent years. So the question of who will pay to replace pipes in the gym showers, drinking fountains and cafeteria's is an important one.

Ultimately, after the dust has settled, the time will come when the pipes will have to be repaired and most likely replaced in a number of schools. On this issue there will hopefully be consensus that the repairs have to be made to insure that future water supplies are completely safe.

Up to this point, I have heard little public comment concerning this issue. For the sake of the students, their families and school personnel, let's hope this doesn't become some political hot button.

Dick

You Can't Cut Your Way to Success

Those who think that reducing teachers aides, classroom teachers, school nurses, and school psychologists - not to mention cuts to the day-to-day budget - is a good idea are wrong. Okay, one can reduce the CPS budget to an extent. So yes, the budget deficit can be cut but it is at the expense of children. Such is the case at many CPS schools.

When a nurse and the school psychologist are in a building once a week it hurts the kids and affects their learning. Reducing various staff simply places a greater burden on teachers at a time when they need staff to properly teach the kids. Budget cuts impact the availability of materials and resources needed by staff.

Helping students learn while aiding teachers in that endeavor can't be achieved through cuts. School districts engaged in such a 'slash and burn' approach will find they are creating more problems than they are solving.

Dick

Flint Matters

I'll get right to the point about the Flint, Michigan water crisis. Yes, Flint matters and here's why. Such entities such as electrical grids, roads, water systems and public education are those things that are part of what has long been established as those enterprises that exist for the common good of all citizens.

We simply can't afford, money-wise or in any other fashion, to allow these 'common good' qualities to erode, to dissipate or be harmed in any way. To do so is to diminish the quality of life for everyone involved and I'm not simply referring to the people who live in Flint. If we allow Flint and other future Flint's to exist then we surely have taken a step in the wrong direction.

Is there anyone out there who would be upset if they were facing the same crisis as those in Flint?

Dick

Flint Continued

The water crisis and, in turn, the crisis faced by school children in Flint is not some fleeting story, some sort of 'it happened so let's move on. Often, this is the way things work out in America. Take care of an issue, or so we believe, and that's it.

On Monday the Flint School District Superintendent, Bilal Tawwab, spoke with NPR about the water crisis in terms of its effects on the students. Not only are the effects almost completely unknown but other conditions in the district will persist and exacerbate the already momentous problems.

As Bilal explained, one simply can't predict how Flint's children will be impacted by the high levels of lead. Aside from the drinking water and preparation of cafeteria food the district is over $10 million in debt. Such a dire financial situation will certainly inhibit the ability of the district to solve the many problems at their doorstep.

Obviously bottled water and foods that don't need to be washed are needed. Perhaps medication will have to be part of the solution. However, these items just scratch the surface relative to the ongoing crisis. Mental care will a critical component to address in the coming days, weeks, months and years.

Yes, this is not some fleeting issue which will be quickly taken care of.

Dick

Flint School Children

The two-year water crisis has certainly impacted Flint MI. schools. I have talked to a couple of officials within the district in addition to watching various events unfold. I can tell you that some schools have been hit very hard in terms of lead in the water system. It's confirmed that there are hundreds of children with levels of lead that are way beyond what is acceptable.

Right now there is plenty of bottled water coming in. Of course, there are other concerns within the schools not to mention what happens when the students get home. Cooking food in the cafeteria, showers after Physical Education, washing ones hands and more are all major concerns within the various school buildings.

As soon I have a better grasp of needs I will let you know and we can go from there. The longer the crisis goes on, as is typically the case, interest and resources can soon fade away. That might very well be the time that the children and families will need the assistance of our charity.

I will be sure to stay in touch with you on this matter.

Dick

Eight Hours A Day...Not in Teaching

Teaching, well that's an occupation that certainly doesn't demand an eight hours per day. Oh, some teachers may put in the eight hours but the vast majority realize that eight hours doesn't even come close to fulfilling ones obligations. By the way, I won't comment on coaching and activities because a stipend, often rather small in dollars, is typically offered to staff.

What I am talking about are all of the hours that go into researching for a lesson, preparing calendars for students, working with staff, typing up those lessons/quizzes/tests, putting up displays/bulletin boards, grading the tests and quizzes, making phone calls, attending to dozens upon dozens of emails each day, and the one big time consumer...grading papers that of the essay variety!!

For those who think that teaching is a matter of standing and delivering and that students, all of them, somehow soak it in with the problems are sadly mistaken!!!

I'll put it another way...to those who say teachers are paid well enough and that they 'ought to be glad they have a job,' you don't know what you are talking about. As the old question and answer goes; Question from a skeptic: "What do you make?" The Answer from the teacher: "I help make students into the citizens of tomorrow?"

This is no eight hour a day occupation. Not by a long stretch.

Dick

Serious CPS Contract Offer

After weeks and months of negotiations between CPS and the teachers union, it appears as though a deal is in the making. No ink has been put on paper but the talks are serious and it appears as though both sides see an end in sight. And as is the case in almost all talks, compromise seems to be in place.

The CTU (teachers union) appears ready to walk back the 7% pension contribution the district now makes on their behalf in addition to teachers kicking in more dollars for their health insurance. In return, CPS would stop economic layoffs for the duration of the contract, cap the number of city charter schools and offer the teachers a modest pay raise.

The deal now goes to the union's 40-member Big Bargaining team and then on to the House of Delegates for their final consideration. This later group meets in two days.

When you get right down to it, both sides gain a little and lose a bit. At this point, I'd be surprised if either side withdrew their offer. Getting four years of stability is good for everyone concerned.

Dick