http://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2013/01/17/the-end-of-school-districts Comments On: The end of school districts by Max Brantley en-us Copyright 2013 Arkansas Times. All rights reserved. This RSS file is offered to individuals, Arkansas Times readers, and non-commercial organizations only. Any commercial websites wishing to use this RSS file, please contact Arkansas Times. robert@arktimes.com (Arkansas Times Webmaster) Tue, 18 Jun 2013 00:00:01 -0500 Tue, 18 Jun 2013 00:00:00 -0500 Foundation http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss The bi-”PARTISAN” debt committee is still in session trying to hash out ways in which the debt can be reduced without adversely affecting the U. S. and world economy. The proposal regarding K-12 programs that would be nationalized has hit a few snags. The idea of one national sports team, band, choir, cheerleaders, etc. at the K-12 level, and the tremendous savings this proposal would bring, has entered a new phase. One that all participants imposed on the committee before favoring one proposal over another. After the intense weeklong session of helping members learn to behave in a civil manner toward one another, they took a day off to help bring the adrenaline levels down and time for all members to acclimate themselves to utilizing all their intellectual capabilities.

As the big A levels decreased, members reflected on what had been proposed and a few members found some things for the entire committee to consider regarding the nationalization of certain K-12 programs.

1.Several members were concerned about nationalizing cheerleaders for they know the vast majority of cheerleaders are female, and members weighed the political fallout of what was sure to come if this proposal were made public. Many members from southern states told all assembled that if this proposal was made public that mothers would band together and probably form MANC (Mothers Against Nationalization of Cheerleaders). Which would in turn bring accusations that the committee was being elitist, sexist, and what was being proposed was illegal. (One member reminded them of Title IX)
2.Another concern that was weighing heavily on many members was the possible reverse economic impact this proposal might have. If the repository was approved, many felt this would work against what they were trying to achieve in that manufacturers of band instruments, music publishing houses, and sports equipment manufacturers would have massive layoffs. Since the repository would in effect make it unnecessary for more to be produced for centuries. Also one member asked:

A. How many people will we need to employ to confiscate everything scheduled to come to the repository?

B. Who will catalogue the material?

C. How costly will it be to maintain all of this equipment?

D. What type structure would have to be built.

E. What level of security will we need to put in place?

It was becoming clear to the members that to continue to pursue this proposal was an exercise in futility. Although several members mentioned how much they enjoyed the positive atmosphere that had been created and being able to agree to disagree in a civil manner most refreshing. Time will tell whether the members of this most secret committee will try to bring these skills and strategies to the full membership of the House and Senate.
Posted by mrprincipal07]]> Thu, 17 Jan 2013 23:31:50 -0600 Arkansas Times

Secret Committee Meets Clandestinely in Hopes of Solving Debt Crisis


I've heard an ugly rumor and it emanates from the secret budget and debt ceiling talks which have been going on for two weeks. My sources tell me that in order for the participants to keep this meeting secret, they have utilized encrypted satellite technology so that a central location is not needed and things will appear normal to everyone else. The participants spent the first week learning how to be civil with each other and those on the other side who may disagree with them. This task was a grueling one for all concerned. Some accepted civility more readily than others.

As I reported earlier on the concerns of parents regarding the Arkansas music curriculum, I have received some startling news. Several participants have suggested one way to save money would be to nationalize the following K-12 programs: All sports, band, choir, cheerleading, Readers Theatre, Drama, Beta Club, and "National" Honor Society. The thinking on this proposal is if there were only one program nationally from each category listed, the savings would be astronomical and would go a long way in helping get us out of this debt crisis. Some members brainstormed for awhile and came with the idea of having a national repository for band instruments, equipment, and music, the same for choir, and sports equipment. Confiscate all the instruments, music, and sports equipment and put it all in the repository, so the national band, choir, sports team, etc. would have an unlimited supply of these things at no cost and could exist in perpetuity with no expense for centuries.

One member came up with the idea that they could further justify this action as a way of giving students more "academic time" which they felt would give American students a better chance to compete with other nations educationally.

If you feel strongly about this proposal, I would suggest you contact your senator and representative and let them know your feelings. I will try and keep you updated when other information becomes available.
Posted by mrprincipal07]]> Thu, 17 Jan 2013 20:13:24 -0600 Arkansas Times Posted by mrprincipal07]]> Thu, 17 Jan 2013 20:06:20 -0600 Arkansas Times Posted by couldn't be better]]> Thu, 17 Jan 2013 19:22:19 -0600 Arkansas Times
If you ever want to see what an educantist is like, just read the D-G editorials on education.
Posted by Jake da Snake]]> Thu, 17 Jan 2013 16:58:57 -0600 Arkansas Times
I may be reading more into your comment but when I see discusions of schools and the phrase "throw more money" pops up it makes me question the thought process.

To change your phrase a little, "we have been throwing more and more money at schools and they still fail".

Just because there has been an increase doesn't mean it ever reached enough.

I throw more and more money at Kroger every week but I am still hungry!

Schools are underfunded in Arkansas. Teachers chipping in to buy supplies is proof to me.

Just because a particular sum might have been "thrown" at a school and it didn't slove all the problems of the student acheivement doesn't mean it was enough.

Couldabeen.
Posted by Citizen1]]> Thu, 17 Jan 2013 16:22:10 -0600 Arkansas Times Posted by mrprincipal07]]> Thu, 17 Jan 2013 14:49:25 -0600 Arkansas Times Posted by mrprincipal07]]> Thu, 17 Jan 2013 14:45:41 -0600 Arkansas Times
ProCarry, we've been trying for generations to tell the generals and politicians that holds true for military expenditures, but they don't believe you.
Posted by Sound Policy]]> Thu, 17 Jan 2013 14:15:19 -0600 Arkansas Times Posted by Hackett]]> Thu, 17 Jan 2013 13:55:23 -0600 Arkansas Times Posted by arkansas panic fan]]> Thu, 17 Jan 2013 13:46:04 -0600 Arkansas Times
"It would also be the death knell of uniform and equal education for all."

Which is it. It can't be both.
Posted by FullThrottle]]> Thu, 17 Jan 2013 13:43:21 -0600 Arkansas Times
If it is the type of choice that there is in the lovely state to our south--the choice to use public money to teach nonsense--I can't support it.
Posted by Doc]]> Thu, 17 Jan 2013 13:40:33 -0600 Arkansas Times
Could it impact any court cases?
Posted by ProCarry]]> Thu, 17 Jan 2013 13:21:24 -0600 Arkansas Times As for students who have reason to attend a school outside their "imaginary lines" let that student or his family arrange the needed transportation.
Posted by Verla Sweere]]> Thu, 17 Jan 2013 12:49:59 -0600 Arkansas Times
Taxpayer money should only flow to public schools, however. When my taxes pay for tuition at a private Christian school that teaches demonstrably false ideas like creationism and slavery not being a bad thing, then the public good is not served.
Posted by I_AM_THE_NRA]]> Thu, 17 Jan 2013 12:40:06 -0600 Arkansas Times
With freedom comes choice, but with choice comes responsibility.

Here is a school. We will educate your child. If you prefer something else that is fine but the cost is on you.
Posted by Citizen1]]> Thu, 17 Jan 2013 12:35:34 -0600 Arkansas Times Posted by RYD]]> Thu, 17 Jan 2013 12:28:36 -0600 Arkansas Times
More choice is better.
Posted by Gylippus]]> Thu, 17 Jan 2013 12:19:58 -0600 Arkansas Times
Does the state have to cart students where ever they pick or does the family have to do it if they don't go to the otherwise assigned school?

If so the family without financial resources to move probably doesn't have resources to schlep kids to distant schools.
Posted by Citizen1]]> Thu, 17 Jan 2013 12:05:31 -0600 Arkansas Times
Little Rock (Central Arkansas) will now be the football capital of the state!

We have a quarter million population to choose from and can have one school for football.

Little Rock Central will now be the National Merit Schoolar capital. With our local 1/4 million student applicant pool we should now be able whoop Fayette Nam's NMS numbers!

Big conundrum. What if football QB is also has Rhode Schollar potential?

Oops! My bad! football is much more important. Strike that last worry. What was I thinking?
Posted by Citizen1]]> Thu, 17 Jan 2013 12:01:22 -0600 Arkansas Times Posted by Gylippus]]> Thu, 17 Jan 2013 11:54:04 -0600 Arkansas Times > b/c of arbitrary, imaginary lines that create a "district"

Hey, hey. How long before we extend that to "imaginary lines" separating cities, counties and even states?

Why can't we just get over these "imaginary lines" and have regions instead of individual states. Lots easier and less costly to manage. Think of the FREEDOM!


Posted by eLwood]]> Thu, 17 Jan 2013 11:48:02 -0600 Arkansas Times Posted by plainjim]]> Thu, 17 Jan 2013 11:47:07 -0600 Arkansas Times
It seems to me that one school district per county (75) is too many in several areas of our state. One district per county preserves too much unnecessary administrative bloat and wastes resources that we could actually use to educate our children.
Posted by Perplexed]]> Thu, 17 Jan 2013 11:27:19 -0600 Arkansas Times