We're not discussing problems. We're discussing solutions.

 

What is it? You've already said that FT T money going to schools that don't "care as much" is not right.

 

What do you tell the fine folks of Owsley County?

 

First what you tell many county operations is to cease to exist. There are too many counties in this state that have 10,000 in population or less. There are no economies of scale, eliminate the duplication of paid offices to support are larger service area and millions open up to the local area. That is number one. Second, you tell the folks of other over funded areas their revenue from the state will be capped for the time being and the state will establish a minimum/maximum funding range between all districts. Future SEEK increases will go to the areas who have the lowest amounts until that min/max range is obtained. Currently, there is a range difference from 2.5K in SEEK to over 6K in SEEK from one district to another.

 

For the record, Ft. Thomas is not the lowest SEEK funded school district.

Our facilities were in very bad shape before recent renovations were started at the high school. Our grade schools still have problems. A lot of people think that Ft. Thomas is paved in gold and must have the best of everything. This is untrue.

 

Everyone is harping on the sentence about caring. Here, to refresh everyone's memory, is what I actually said:

 

...we are being punished because we go the extra mile and actually care about our schools enough to fund them properly.

 

Seek is just a pathetic attempt to take money away from those who help their local schools, so that others don't have to.

 

As you can see, nowhere did I say that any particular group of people don't care about their schools. I was trying to make the point (somewhat sloppily) that we:

 

1. Care about our schools

2. Have voted for taxes to fund them.

3. Have excellent parent and community involvement.

 

There are, whether anyone is willing to admit it, places in this state where none of these things are true. I think those of us in communities like Ft. Thomas, and Ft. Mitchell feel like we are being unfairly penalized under this plan. That's all there is to it.

 

I'm sure others can articulate the point better than I have-- or haven't, in this case. My comments were an attempt to point to something positive in our community. Unfortunately, others chose to flip them around into a negative that simply wasn't intended or implied.

I would suggest if the school facilities are that bad, than have Chris Collinsworth raise money for the buildings instead of a football field. I am sorry BF, but no tears will be cried for Highlands about lacking funds when parents are raising money for an artificial football turf while other districts are going without necessary computers.

 

You made a point that the politicians bought into a wrong mindset. THAt is not accurate. The legal system ruled the KY funding system unconstitutional and ruled that the legislature had to come up with another system. So it was the judicial system that said no to the other system before it was the legislature.

If more money educates kids better then how would one explain Cincy public?

Taxes--involvement--support. It makes a difference. And I'm sure that will continue, despite the difficult challenges imposed by SEEK.

 

You are correct in that lack of parental support, not just financially, is a huge problem in school districts.

I never claimed to have the answers for any specific county or the the state in general. Neither do you. Does that mean we cannnot have a discussion on the issue? I think not.

 

As Henry said, don't penalize those that are doing it right.

 

Someone once said on here that "leveling the playing field" wasn't real life.:sssh::lol:

Someone once said on here that "leveling the playing field" wasn't real life.:sssh::lol:

 

There is a word for a monetary level playing field. - Socialism.

There is a word for a monetary level playing field. - Socialism.

 

Our court system refers to it as "unconstitutional."

I would suggest if the school facilities are that bad, than have Chris Collinsworth raise money for the buildings instead of a football field. I am sorry BF, but no tears will be cried for Highlands about lacking funds when parents are raising money for an artificial football turf while other districts are going without necessary computers.

 

You made a point that the politicians bought into a wrong mindset. THAt is not accurate. The legal system ruled the KY funding system unconstitutional and ruled that the legislature had to come up with another system. So it was the judicial system that said no to the other system before it was the legislature.

 

 

Actually Cris and his wife have worked endless hours in raising funds for Fort Thomas education. It is because of them that the improvements that are happening today are taking place.

Teaching to a test is rediculous IMO!

Teaching to a test is rediculous IMO!

 

It is a misconception that you have to "teach to a test" in order for students to do well on the test. The Kentucky Core Content is based on important concepts and knowledge that students should know. (LBBC - did I just defend CATS? What is wrong with me!)

 

However, the problem comes in IF that is your only emphasis.

It is a misconception that you have to "teach to a test" in order for students to do well on the test. The Kentucky Core Content is based on important concepts and knowledge that students should know. (LBBC - did I just defend CATS? What is wrong with me!)

 

However, the problem comes in IF that is your only emphasis.

 

Nope you defended the teaching practices of the teachers and the core content.

 

EVERY SINGLE TEACHER TEACHES THE TEST in EVERY SINGLE CLASSROOM whether PRIVATE OR PUBLIC.

 

Here is why.

 

The core content says I need to teach on checking accounts in Business Principles a Vocational class. The test on Vocational area will ask questions on checking accounts. If I am teaching what the core content says I should be teaching than the students should be learning the areas that they will be tested on. What is the problem with that?

 

Where I think you hear this "teaching the test" nonsense is the questioning. The open response question, the wording of the multiple choice question. The tests they take in the classroom will be almost indentical to the tests they take in April as far as wording of multiple choice questions and open response questions.

 

No difference than in our days of growing up and teachers telling us how to answer an essay question.

 

So private school teachers could be accused of teaching the ACT because they are teaching the material in their classrooms that the students will be quizzed on the ACT.

I never claimed to have the answers for any specific county or the the state in general. Neither do you. Does that mean we cannnot have a discussion on the issue? I think not.

 

As Henry said, don't penalize those that are doing it right.

 

We're trying to have a discussion but you keep avoiding it. I say the current system, while needing adjustments, is right in theory. You have YET to give any sort of answer to the #1 reason we've gone to this system: equity for poor schools.

WOW. Can't say what I want to say but to heck with achievers, lets just bring everyone down to mediocre. What happened to over achievers, middle and under achievers? We'll just dumb down everyone because they are learning faster than we want them to.

 

Who says anything about dumbing down? Have the Ft Thomas scores gone down? Not that I've heard. So Ft T has not been hurt from a performance standpoint.

Actually Cris and his wife have worked endless hours in raising funds for Fort Thomas education. It is because of them that the improvements that are happening today are taking place.

 

He has done a great job raising funds and getting involved.

First what you tell many county operations is to cease to exist. There are too many counties in this state that have 10,000 in population or less. There are no economies of scale, eliminate the duplication of paid offices to support are larger service area and millions open up to the local area. That is number one. Second, you tell the folks of other over funded areas their revenue from the state will be capped for the time being and the state will establish a minimum/maximum funding range between all districts. Future SEEK increases will go to the areas who have the lowest amounts until that min/max range is obtained. Currently, there is a range difference from 2.5K in SEEK to over 6K in SEEK from one district to another.

 

For the record, Ft. Thomas is not the lowest SEEK funded school district.

 

How much money are we talking about should these counties consolidate school systems? You'll still have the actual schools. How much are you talking about saving by consolidating BOEs?

 

Who are the over-funded areas?