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Free????????????

Arrrrggggg.. We're pirates matey!
We can do whatever we want.

I'm reading between the lines and guessing that this letter is referring to the fee suggested for kids who decide to be involved in a high-school sport.

IF that is the complaint, a fee for sports participation has nothing to do with the cost of education. Education is still 'free'. Sports isn't a necessity to getting the education. It is a fringe benefit at best.

I'm on the fence as to whether I believe tax dollars should pay for sports in schools at all.
Especially since there isn't equal opportunity for all kids to play equally (ie, only the best athletes get playing time).

Actually, strike that last sentence in parentheses. That isn't necessarily true. I've seen less talented kids get playing time because they were 'connected' with coaches and other school insiders.

My question is this and it is only a question: Why should I pay for those privileged kids to play sports?

Good question "truth".
Future Yuppie Pirates????? LOL

Pay your own way mateys!
From an old school stoner pirate. ;)

I'm surprised and perplexed that no one has challenged the idea that individual schools should not have autonomy in meeting the goals set for them.

If I were king, as Johnny Carson used to say, I would make the principal like a plant manager. I would set goals for him, give him a budget and hold him accountable for meeting those goals. Who said you had to be an educator to lead a school system or a school? The principal would hire the teachers to meet his objectives and would be fired if he did not.

If he had to pay a math teacher $75K to meet his goals, so be it as long as he meets his overall budget and educational goals. Should kids pay to play? Let the principal decide that. Does the school need a band, uniforms, travel allowances, etc.? Only if the financial resources are available. Schools are for education. Plenty of places offer most school sports other than football. If Johnny wants to play soccer, let him join the Y or other such program. You want your kid to play the tuba? Get private lessons if the shcool budget doesn't allow for a band.

The items used in this note are for example only. All programs should be on the table until educational needs are met. Once the education element is under control, add optional programs with the support of a local PTA group.

The principal must have hire/fire authority over his teachers. If not, he is a eunuch with responsibility and no authority. Probable could reduce the crowd at central office under this scenario.

The options are endless for correcting our school problems if we can get away from the lemming mentality which leads over the cliff every time.

As a school system employee and coach, I can see both sides of the story. I coach a non-revenue sport (read as not football or basketball), and my athletes are treated like crap. We get the leftovers for gear, and NOTHING is provided for us. My athletes must pay for all of their gear except a uniform. So in essence we are already paying to play. But if a football player doesn't have the money for cleats, you know darn well that the athletic department would 'find' the money to buy him the shoes. So in reality, what Page is doing is already being done in every other school in the nation.

Hmmm. Take away sports, take away band, take away anything that is not academic and anything that makes for a better rounded individual. I believe that most art , most music, recess and a few other things have already been removed from schools and I for one have not seen a dang bit of improvement in grades or the brainless test scores which are so proudly or shamefully touted.

Perplexed you were right on in some respects and especially your last sentence:" The options are endless for correcting our school problems if we can get away from the lemming mentality which leads over the cliff every time." Unfortunately that lemming mentality includes getting rid of everything that is not academic and as I said, it sure ain't working.

True, Mrproduce, because no one is accountable. Under my proposal the principal would be responsible for meeting goals, which may well include band, arts, etc. Only, however, after academic goals are met.

A friend had a son as an exchange student in Brazil. No busses, no extracurricular activities, only academics from 8am til noon and the kids go home. Parents and students are responsible for their performance and pursuits over and above academics. As I note, this is the primary purpose of schools.

Given the current performance of both students and administration, doesn't this call for raidcal changes. Hell, we can change again next year if it doesn't work, as is the norm in Guilford County.

Read "Friday Night Lights" (the book, not the movie) for a good view of what's wrong with the American obsession for High School Sports.

Perplexed, I do agree on the one main issue and that is no accountability. We, in this country have thrown money after pile of money into the sink hole of education and all we have to show is a sinking deeper into the sinkhole. No improvement over what they had 10 yrs ago or 15 yrs ago, if anything more sinking. The same argument is going on in Australia, NZ and in some European countries who have attempted to follow the failed model of US education system. They are finding their systems failing and being sucked down the same sink hole while they too continue to throw more money into the same hole. Some are waking up, such as in Australia and NZ and going back to the system that "got em to the top". Maybe it's time we do the same thing.