News-Record.com

I was part of a group that visited Smith High School yesterday. We were very impressed with the orderly atmosphere there and with energetic principal Noah Rogers.

I asked Rogers whether he supports the idea of extending the school day and school year for students who need additional instruction.

Absolutely, he said.

He also offered a suggestion for covering some of the costs: Charge the students for the extra time in school.

"They'll pay," he said.

Elma is looking into the merits of this proposal, which Superintendent Terry Grier floated a few days ago. Grier hasn't said anything about charging students, though.

What do you think about the idea and how to pay for it?

By the way, Rogers obviously is a very hardworking principal whose territory covers not just school grounds but much of the community around Smith. If you're a student there, don't let him spot you off campus during the school day.

In just his second full year at Smith, he said he's engaged in a rebuilding project. It requires both demolition and construction. Smith is on Judge Howard Manning's list of poor-performing schools, but Rogers promises much better results. It's clear he's already established an orderly learning environment.

He has a tough job, but he noted some advice from an older principal once: "Never let them see you sweat."

That's meant figuratively. Rogers keeps up a fast pace -- so much so that his shaven head was glistening with perspiration yesterday.

I hope the lack of response we got to last week's voting question isn't an indicator of how many (or few) will vote Tuesday ...

Maybe more of you will respond to this week's question:

Will the Skybus expansion at PTI change your flight plans?

The Skybus expansion certainly has me thinking. With a family of five, I have found flying too pricey. But with Skybus setting up several routes at PTI, I'm starting to reconsider. What especially interests me is the flight to Portsmouth, N.H. We have friends who vacation in Maine in the summer who for years have invited us to visit. I've never thought seriously about taking them up on their offer. It would be too costly and a logistical nightmare. Now with an affordable flight from PTI almost to the Maine border, that visit may become a reality.

I imagine that many others have similar stories. We'd like to hear yours.

For another take on Skybus and PTI, see today's Ideas section. Michael Lowrey, of the John Locke Foundation, takes a skeptical look at providing incentives to Skybus ...

Elma Sabo

Earlier this year radio shock jock Don Imus was fired. Now he's set to be back on the air next month (though on a different station). Which leads to this week's question:

Should Don Imus return to radio?

Apparently, WABC thinks he should be back on. What about you?

(I have never understood TV's airing of radio broadcasts. It always seemed weird that Imus' radio show could be seen on TV. But that is another topic for discussion...)

Thanks to those of you who sent in and posted responses to the Skybus question.

Elma Sabo

Should neighborhood associations be prohibited from banning clotheslines?

If you haven't read it, please check out the piece by community columnist Holly Stevens about clotheslines and the right to dry. Interest in this issue is growing. Even The Wall Street Journal did a story on it.

It would be interesting to hear from someone who thinks associations should ban clotheslines. Apparently, this idea still has traction.

It's hard for me to comprehend anyone disliking clotheslines. Everyone dried clothes outdoors where I grew up. Each house had a hole at the end of its garage area that had been designed to hold clothespoles.

I continued hanging clothes as an adult until we had to cut down the tree where I had attached one part of the clothesline. My husband wanted me to give away the clothespins and bag because we aren't using them, but I kept them. I know I will get back to "hanging out" one day...

Elma Sabo

Today's Hannah Montana concert in Greensboro prompts this week's question:

Should N.C.'s law limiting the price of ticket resales to $3 over original price be repealed or better enforced?

You didn't know there was a law, what with tickets for the Disney star's North Carolina concerts being resold for hundreds and even thousands of dollars?

Well, there is one. North Carolina hasn't yet followed what seems to be a trend of doing away with such laws; it remains one of a handful of states with a law against scalping. But should it continue to have such a law if it's easily and routinely violated?

Should the playing field be more level for popular entertainment events? Should people who will actually attend a concert have a better chance at purchasing tickets than a reselling business that can use sophisticated software to snap up tickets in seconds?

See today's Ideas section to get some perspective. Economist Andy Brod favors a free-market approach while the News & Record editorial board favors more consistent enforcement.

Tell us what you think by Wednesday and your response may be part of next Sunday's Ideas section.

Elma Sabo

Ken is working on editorial for Wednesday that weighs in on the sale of beer and wine at the Hannah Montana concert Sunday in the coliseum.

Some parents undestandably were mortified that the coliseum would dare sell alcohol at an event that primarily targets pre-teens.

Our first-blush take: The avaliability of cold brews does seem especially jarring at a concert so relentlessly marketed by its sponsor, Disney, as wholesome and family-friendly.

I personally wouldn't feel comfortable drinking a beer at such an event.

But alcohol sales at arenas is hardly unusual, even at kid-oriented events. Plus beer is routinely sold at family-friendly venues such as ballparks, restaurants and even Disney theme parks.

Conversely, high school sports events and the ACC Tournament don't allow beer sales.

The bottom line is that Disney did not ask for such stipulations in its contract with the coliseum.

And that parents who were bothered by beer sales presumably exercised their choice not to buy them -- and their right to report to security anyone whose imbibing created unruly behavior.