Bond supporters unveil Web site
A local grassroots group has launched its Bonds for Schools Campaign to build support for the two school board referenda totaling $457.3 million on the ballot May 6. The group has been meeting since early January to write and refine its campaign message and recruit volunteers.
Read the entire press release here.
Campaign co-chairs are Melvin Swann, a former school administrator and community volunteer, Craven Williams, president of Greensboro College, and Chris Greene of High Point, a community leader and education advocate.
Anita Bachmann is the campaign coordinator.
(Sorry it took me so long to post this; I was out sick last week. Unfortunately, I also missed the first meeting of the educational specifications process. That is why you did not see a story Wednesday.)
Comments (9)
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I see Frank Kendall is not involved in the campaign this time. He must have figured it was a long shot.
Posted on March 17, 2008 3:36 PM
I see Frank Kendall is not involved in the campaign this time. He must have figured it was a long shot.
Posted on March 17, 2008 3:36 PM
Frank responded to this blog posting I did recently:
http://erikhuey.wordpress.com/2008/03/10/pro-bonds-webpage-is-up/
however, it was the exact same wording as their website's FAQs. I attempted to engage in dialogue with him, but never heard back from him.
Oh well...
Posted on March 18, 2008 8:16 AM
Read the Rhino’s story this week about the local charter school, Greensboro Academy. This school was built for $4.5 million out of operating funds. This school is frugal in its facilities, but it is the 3rd highest scoring school in the county with a 92.6 academic rating. The school prides itself on being efficient with its space, but also prides itself with its academic achievement and student discipline, something totally missing in GCS. All of this is in contrast to the planning process being developed by GCS for its new schools, if and when, the school bond is passed. The consultant involved wants a new creative approach to class rooms, one that requires more than 700 sq.ft. for 30 students, which is GCS’s current standard for class room size.
So, the contrasts are obvious. Public schools feel the need to build big, lavish structures with taxpayer money to feebly educate students. Charter schools, which have to be efficient as they are market driven, use ordinary, but adequate, facilities and achieve above-average results. Another important factor is that this charter school has a waiting list that barely moves. You’d think that the school board and administration would get a clue someday of what is important. I remain adamant that GCS shouldn’t get one red cent for new buildings until they show that they can educate students in mobile cottages. It’s not the lavish and ornate building that are important, but what happens inside of them.
Posted on March 20, 2008 4:10 PM
Charter schools can also send those children who misbehave back to public schools--that takes care of a lot of your discipline issues. Get off your high horse.
Mobile classrooms frequently have significant health issues. They emit certain unhealthy chemicals and/or harbor significant amounts of mold. Have you ever been in one? The odor is so strong that my eyes water in some of them. I wouldn't want my children in them.
Posted on March 20, 2008 9:29 PM
Anon,
OK, I'll get off my high horse, if you get of yours. Yes, they can expel students that violate their code of conduct. If I am not mistaken, public schools can do the same, except they are not willing to do so. That is why our public schools are chaotic, and some parents prefer a charter school that actually has expectations of good behavior by students. Parents of students at charter schools ensure that the children behave properly, so that they will not be expelled. So, the very threat of expulsion solves the problem of parents not doing their job.. Parents of unruly students know that the public schools will not do anything regardless of the student's behavior.
OK, mobile cottages have some issues. So, does that prevent the public schools from educating students? Greensboro Academy has a plain building, but one that is safe and sound, at the cost of $4.5 Million, and they produce good academic results. We do not have to build $88 Million buildings to actually educate. Lavish and expensive buildings do not educate children.
Posted on March 21, 2008 12:01 PM
Stormy-
Expelling a student from a charter school has very different consequences from expelling a student from public school. With all due respect, you are being disingenuous. When charter schools cannot send a child back to public school, then I might possibly consider the discipline comparison. Otherwise, comparing discipline in a private school to discipline in a charter school is the more apt comparison.
Posted on March 21, 2008 3:34 PM
The former anonymous comment was mine also--sorry for the confusion.
Posted on March 21, 2008 10:01 PM
Stormy:
It's worth noting that the Greensboro Academy's latest "NC School Report Card" indicates that its tested student body in 2006-7 included NO economically disadvantaged students and NO students with limited English proficiency.
Posted on March 22, 2008 5:06 PM