One of Dean's points:
Death by a 1,000 Lashes. Do not kill the MG schools with a 1,000 lashes by repeatedly cutting the “little stuff” that supports the core mission. In other words, make sure that teachers and programs that remain are supported (e.g. It might be better to cut an entire program than cut the support that undermines all programs.);
It is better to do an excellent job on the most important things, rather than try stretch resources over everything until they are inadequate for anything. The latter course is, in my opinion, a ticket to mediocrity.
13 comments:
As usual, Dean makes many excellent points and does a great job of summing things up. We're lucky to have someone with his experience in the community.
We are lucky to have someone with his experience? As I recall, it was his grand idea to offer up keeping sixth graders in Monona in order to get the referendum passed. Nice sales job, Dean. We knew then that it would never last, and here we are. Makes me wonder how much of this "editorial" is a bunch of hokus pokus.
I was at the meeting where MG Pop decided to include keeping MG 6th graders in Monona in our proposal (and that's what it was, a proposal, for an advisory referendum). I don't recall it being Dean's idea. In fact, it's unlikely it was because being a professional educator, he would have been aware of the impact it would have on programming for Monona 6th graders. And since when is the school board not allowed to make changes when circumstances dictate or it becomes apparent there are more effective ways to do things? I hope that's what we're electing them to do, make the tough decisions if needed. Dean's editorial makes a lot of good points that everyone involved in this discussion should take into account, there's nothing "hocus pocus" about it.
I wish Dean Bowles would weigh in about his large share of responsibility for pushing the referendum through that has left our district in the mess that it is. The referendum was going to save our district, huh? We still have overcrowding in CG, GDS is close to capacity, Monona sixth-graders are going to GDS, Nichols is closed, Maywood is up next, the communities hate each other more than ever, and don't even get me started on the $3 million we had to pay for the road to GDS. Thanks Dean! Thanks a WHOLE lot! It might be a good idea to fade into the woodwork now.
Bitter, bitter, bitter -- always a good way to keep moving this district forward.
The 2006 referendum solved the problem of the totally inadequate Middle School facilities and provided the district with a key asset that will serve it well for decades to come. The GD school has more than adequate capacity for the forseeable future, and although they are full the CG elementaries are sufficient to meet needs for now.
Dean's participation has helped leave the district with better facilities that support desired programming with lower operating costs. (Utilities per square at GD are about 50% the district average, and there are fewer bus miles). As a bonus the district (and Monona) has seen an unexpected increase in enrollment since the referendum passed.
So thanks Dean, Thanks a WHOLE lot!
P.S. The road infrastructure projects cost $2M, about $1M of which will be funded by the sale of adjacent property (as was planned).
Peter- Your omission of Nichols and Maywood in your analysis of the referendum impact on our district is glaring. Why?
Peter,
The revisoinist history of the referendum will never stop from people who opposed the referendum. The voters spoke loudly and clearly. 60% was a landslide by any measure. The residents of this district are not idiots. They were well aware that GD would leave Monona buildings under capacity and could lead to consolidations depending on future budget and enrollments. The future is here and nothing that is happening is a surprise. The "I told you so" people are behaving as if they were the only ones who saw this coming. The Yes voters saw it coming too and still voted Yes.
It is also disappointing how many Monona people do not acknowledge the location of the district high school and all that brings to the Monona community. I live in Monona and I am happy with one really great k-5 school and the high school. I think that is more than enough for one of the communities in this partnership.
Dear Sir,
I agree with your post 100%, but one single item.
"The revisoinist history of the referendum will never stop from people who opposed the referendum."
What is the revisoinist history of which you speak?
"What is the revisoinist history of which you speak?"
Ha, ha, ha you can't name any.
It is also disappointing how many Monona people do not acknowledge the location of the district high school and all that brings to the Monona community. I live in Monona and I am happy with one really great k-5 school and the high school. I think that is more than enough for one of the communities in this partnership.
agreed, another Monona resident
I've seen the petition going around Monona, why doesn't it have a list of all the teachers on the back side so that people can check off the ones they think should be laid off to keep Maywood school?
How come the MGEA endorsed the board member who is leading the charge to lay off teachers so that buildings can be saved, but not the one who wants to preserve jobs over buildings?
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