Also, concerning the Steinway piano....A different point of view....In the past, school administrators would spend money hastefully for fear they would not be able to make the purchase in the coming fiscal year. It is the opinion of several board members that making the Steinway purchase has been funded by “holding off” on the purchase of a new piano over the last couple of years. Although I agree with this way of thinking I still believe the model piano that they have selected is insanely overkill. The funds that have been “saved” and set aside for this purchase belongs to the taxpayers and has not been “earned” by the superintendant for doing her damn job so she can spend on whatever she wants. The business manager (Denton) will tell you that the purchase will not effect the millage and not purchasing will also not effect the millage. The fact remains that any money spent whether it is levied this year and spent this year or levied in 2006 and spent in 2019 effected the millage rate sometime. If the board decides to make this purchase, they will be sending a clear message that Tracy has the green light to spend what she wants on whatever she wants, which seems to be the way it has been for quite a while.
On the subject of the modulars @ KD .... I would rather see modulars brought in to offer additional classes to all the students than an extravagant purchase such as the Steinway to a very limited select few.
I am not a rocket scientist, but wouldn’t $97,000 plus $181,000 be a pretty good start on building actual classrooms on to the high school?
I don’t understand the need for ANY new pianos. If I am not mistaken there are already 2 grand (baby-grand?) pianos at the high school and at the middle school. Also, how many students will be benefiting from a $97,000 piano? I don’t remember seeing any piano being played with the exception of accompaniment by the band directors at concerts. I know the marching band didn’t have one.
I personally feel that if a frivolous amount (the piano money) needs to be spent = why not redo the football stadium and add lights. We are the only school that has to schedule football games for Saturday afternoons. And what about graduation? It was dark before everyone left the field and headed to the parking lots.
I am not a rocket scientist, but wouldn’t $97,000 plus $181,000 be a pretty good start on building actual classrooms on to the high school?
I don’t understand the need for ANY new pianos. If I am not mistaken there are already 2 grand (baby-grand?) pianos at the high school and at the middle school. Also, how many students will be benefiting from a $97,000 piano? I don’t remember seeing any piano being played with the exception of accompaniment by the band directors at concerts. I know the marching band didn’t have one.
I personally feel that if a frivolous amount (the piano money) needs to be spent = why not redo the football stadium and add lights. We are the only school that has to schedule football games for Saturday afternoons. And what about graduation? It was dark before everyone left the field and headed to the parking lots.
The renovations to the high school was estimated @ $25 million in the feasability study. That figure was presented by Tracy Shank @ the last Buildings and Grounds mtg.
I am considering going to the meeting tonight. I am just afraid that it is going to be a battle in futility. This vote for a $100k piano should not even be happening given the current state of the economy and taxes. I can’t believe that they even have the bullocks to say that the money is coming from some reserve fund.
If this expense is allowed I may just pack it in and move somewhere else like Iowa and live in my camper. I am sure that there is some cheap farmland available out there!
Does anyone else feel like they are emptying the ocean with a thimble?
I am considering going to the meeting tonight. I am just afraid that it is going to be a battle in futility. This vote for a $100k piano should not even be happening given the current state of the economy and taxes. I can’t believe that they even have the bullocks to say that the money is coming from some reserve fund.
If this expense is allowed I may just pack it in and move somewhere else like Iowa and live in my camper. I am sure that there is some cheap farmland available out there!
Does anyone else feel like they are emptying the ocean with a thimble?
I am usually very supportive of the school district. I am not so fond of the school board. But this time, the district has really gone too far, even in my opinioin. Why in the world would they buy a beautiful piece of art like this only to have students pound on it. It wasnt meant for this use, and it is a waste of money for this. Why not buy crystal and china for the cafeteria? It would make exactly as much sense. The district needs a new piano, I can accept that. But they do not need this one. And the argument that the money doesnt impact tax rates is specious. If I put money in savings from my paycheck over the last few years, is it sensible to buy something very extravagant that I dont need,, because I saved the money over time, while I am having trouble making ends meet in every day life?
Does anyone else feel like they are emptying the ocean with a thimble?
Yes.
People have been concerned about the state of affairs in the school district for the past few years. There is a group called Students First that is very concerned about the high turnover rate in the district. And the climate in which professional are currently working. They have presented research and statistics to show the facts and continue to be dismissed by the SESD school board. The school board doesn’t recognize the scope of all the problems within the district. Cuurently, they like the direction the district is taking, even though other professional educators in the county consider our present system a joke. They are happy that some of our graduates are going to ‘big name’ schools. Bloomsburg University is a big name school...count the letters.
This defines success to them! Oh no.
You don’t hear much about the special education program, unless it involves the Special Ed. gifted program. Let’s interview the students that quit school this year because the teachers they created bonds with resigned. We have to value all the students not just ones that are going to college --big or little name.
The expense to the district for professional staff turnover is far, far, far greater than a piano, but the piano is what seems to get the crowds angry and upset!
Our problems are greater than the purchase of a piano!
Does anyone else feel like they are emptying the ocean with a thimble?
Yes.
People have been concerned about the state of affairs in the school district for the past few years. There is a group called Students First that is very concerned about the high turnover rate in the district. And the climate in which professional are currently working. They have presented research and statistics to show the facts and continue to be dismissed by the SESD school board. The school board doesn’t recognize the scope of all the problems within the district. Cuurently, they like the direction the district is taking, even though other professional educators in the county consider our present system a joke. They are happy that some of our graduates are going to ‘big name’ schools. Bloomsburg University is a big name school...count the letters.
This defines success to them! Oh no.
You don’t hear much about the special education program, unless it involves the Special Ed. gifted program. Let’s interview the students that quit school this year because the teachers they created bonds with resigned. We have to value all the students not just ones that are going to college --big or little name.
The expense to the district for professional staff turnover is far, far, far greater than a piano, but the piano is what seems to get the crowds angry and upset!
Our problems are greater than the purchase of a piano!
It is interesting that you choose to take a shot at those of us that are fed up with the absolute waste in the school district.
Our problems are greater than the purchase of a piano, but you have to start somewhere. It was a simple as a Tea Tax a little over 225 years ago that sent a group into revolution. And once again you have take the opportunity to crow about the turnover in professional staff in a thread that is totally unrelated. You crow about what is stuck in your craw and leave others to do the same if you please.
I have so had my fill of reading about this Student’s First organization that I could puke! If you read through this site it appears that the group should be called Teachers First or the NEA for short! I have yet to read what this group is trying to do other than keep tenured teachers employed in the district.
I have heard that the district will not be voting on the piano tonight, does anyone know if this is true? Also, where can you get a copy of the agenda for the meetings?
