Tonight was the first of four public presentations Superintendent Ed Pratt-Dannals is giving on the District's budget woes. I'd heard most of what he had to say before, of course, especially about how little of the money we send to Tallahassee comes back to our schools. A few things, though, were painfully obvious, both from the questions that were asked and from the audience's reactions to some of what the Superintendent said.
At one point, in response to a question on the funding for the magnet programs, Pratt-Dannals said something like "if we just shut down all of the magnet schools...". Mind you, I couldn't tell from the way he said it if he would be in favor of such a move or not, but the audience burst into applause at the very suggestion. There were organized groups there from various small neighborhood schools (like Mayport Elementary), and I suppose I can see where they might think the magnet programs are partly to blame for the falling enrollment at their school and the subsequent calls for some schools to be closed. Still, I find it sad that our community should be so deeply divided over our children's education.
Another "question" addressed by Pratt-Dannals was the statement that "not everyone goes to college." Again, this was met with applause. I know some students won't go to college, either because they choose not to or because they are unable to do so, but I find the animosity towards higher education disturbing. As Pratt-Dannals said in response, the vast majority of jobs available to our children will require some kind of post-secondary education. More importantly, however, education is necessary for one to understand our world. Why should we care whether or not someone who is going to become a carpenter, plumber or electrician understands our world? If for no other reason, then because carpenters, plumbers and electricians vote.
It was clear from the large turnout (the Sandalwood auditorium was full) that, despite being deeply divided over what they want our schools to look like, parents and other community members are also deeply concerned about the lack of funding. If they (we) act on that concern, that will prove to be a good thing.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
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I think in a better world the dedicated magnet school would be a good thing, different children have different interests and different styles and I would hope we could cater to them all. The thing is in Duval county whee you go determines what kind of academic experience you have, and that shouldn't have a place in a public school system. As for the college thing, i don't think people are against higher learning they are against forcing evey studnet into the same track and I think he was being a bit disengenuous, society is going to need mechanics, carpentars, plumbers, electricians and dozens of other prefessions that don't require college degrees too. My mechanic recently charged me 200 hundred bucks for a part but 650 for the repairs and he had the car lass than a day.
ReplyDeleteIn a better world, all schools would be properly funded, all students would get a good education, and we wouldn't be fighting each other to make sure our children get what they need.
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