Mergering Newport Elementary Schools

[formernis]

former parent wrote:

It is a shame you all believe Newport has never had good teachers. My children attended Newport k-12 and I feel they were taught by excellent teachers. My children also graduated from college with honors and went on to achieve higher degrees. I am thankful for the wonderful educators who shared their knowledge, expertise, and time with my children.

Consider yourself lucky! It is not happening now

[former parent]

formernis wrote:

<quoted text>
Consider yourself lucky! It is not happening now

I also became very involved with the PTA at each school. I attended every event my children participated in and volunteered when I could.
My children came home from school and did their homework while they had a snack. We then ate dinner together as a family.
All of these things are recommended by researchers as ways to help children become successful.
Be involved in your children's lives and take an active part. Many parents expect the school and teachers to do it all.

[knows a little]

IDE wrote:

<quoted text>
You do not fool the wise.

Oh, wise one, do tell. Who am I trying to fool? I am just agreeing with former parent's previous post and whole-heartedly agree with their last post. My kids were some of the lucky ones, apparently. You know, the ones whose parents were involved and cared; made sure they were in school everyday, on time; made sure the homework was finished and turned in, on time. All those things that parents are supposed to do to teach their children responsibility and how to become productive citizens.

[IDE]

And laughing.

[nptwildcat mom]

I am with you on Newport having some very fine teachers, but it is always the few bad ones that make it bad on everyone else. I thought that this forum would be a good place for people to share their thoughts and ideas in a constructive way, but I was wrong. Most of the posters aren't concerned about the children of Newport or their education.

[for sure]

You're right...they're more worried about salaries at CO.

[Bankrupt]

for sure wrote:

You're right...they're more worried about salaries at CO.

It costs money to educate students. Check the books. You might understand the bigger picture. You are free to vote to continue the spending. I for one, will not.

[Stephen Rosen]

As Fourth Street continues to fall apart, school officials are faced with a decision: Do they continue to repair their dilapidated building or close the school?

In other words, the financial aspect of keeping the building open has outlived its physical usefulness from a repair point of view.

A change in curriculum can also decide a building's fate. Older school buildings cannot support technological advances in curriculum, such as computers and electrical work, very well, or as at Fourth Street, especially handicap accessibility air conditioning.

Redoing something inside of an old building is sometimes more expensive than getting rid of the old building. Pretty soon, you spend the money on the building instead of the children and that's a very bad thing to do.

Please consider closing Fourth Street before too much money is invested. The district can not afford to waste any money in this hard economic times.

[oh say can u see]

Aren't any of you concerned with the low quality education Newport children are being given?!! The district performed poorly when the money was PLENTIFUL (you know--the big surplus?!) obviously it is not THAT big of a factor. Keep harping about money when all anyone should care about is educating these kids. The money was here, now it's not--same education either way!!! That's why the customers LEAVE!!! Keep it up, soon they'll be nobody left to "teach"! Barely any as it is!

[Skunk Junk]

oh say can u see wrote:

Aren't any of you concerned with the low quality education Newport children are being given?!! The district performed poorly when the money was PLENTIFUL (you know--the big surplus?!) obviously it is not THAT big of a factor. Keep harping about money when all anyone should care about is educating these kids. The money was here, now it's not--same education either way!!! That's why the customers LEAVE!!! Keep it up, soon they'll be nobody left to "teach"! Barely any as it is!

Ever realized that the money was in the bank because it wasn't being SPENT on the kids? The list of things that should have been paid for, but werent, goes from repairs to the schools to technology upgrades...on and on. So, this new Superintendent comes in, sees the black hole left by the old guy, and starts making improvements and investments, and is crucified by the know it all Newporters who liked it the old way - money in the bank and crappy education in Newport. Can't win for losing in this town. And what is so funny is that in the whole scheme of things the teachers have made out just fine - but you won't hear them tell that story. They are still overpaid for the rank of the district in the state - I mean you really pay them THAT MUCH to produce such crappy scores and you can sleep at night? It is sort of like all of you complaining about Brant - he makes a lot and you criticize him for it. Your teachers make TOO MUCH for the performance they've given all of you, but you don't say a peep.

[Fed up]

Skunk Junk wrote:

<quoted text>
Ever realized that the money was in the bank because it wasn't being SPENT on the kids? The list of things that should have been paid for, but werent, goes from repairs to the schools to technology upgrades...on and on. So, this new Superintendent comes in, sees the black hole left by the old guy, and starts making improvements and investments, and is crucified by the know it all Newporters who liked it the old way - money in the bank and crappy education in Newport. Can't win for losing in this town. And what is so funny is that in the whole scheme of things the teachers have made out just fine - but you won't hear them tell that story. They are still overpaid for the rank of the district in the state - I mean you really pay them THAT MUCH to produce such crappy scores and you can sleep at night? It is sort of like all of you complaining about Brant - he makes a lot and you criticize him for it. Your teachers make TOO MUCH for the performance they've given all of you, but you don't say a peep.

What repairs? Where?
Nothing was done to Mildred Dean. No repairs there.
No upgrades there to speak of.
If any repairs or upgrades happened, it happened in the 4 other schools. MD was left behind...as usual...and the kids there still excelled. Go figure.

[Skunk Junk]

Fed up wrote:

<quoted text>
What repairs? Where?
Nothing was done to Mildred Dean. No repairs there.
No upgrades there to speak of.
If any repairs or upgrades happened, it happened in the 4 other schools. MD was left behind...as usual...and the kids there still excelled. Go figure.

Perhaps the plan was to close it all along? Why invest in what is going to be shut down?

[Fed up]

Skunk Junk wrote:

<quoted text>
Perhaps the plan was to close it all along? Why invest in what is going to be shut down?

That's exactly what I think.

If they don't repair it then they can claim how expensive it is to keep open. And that is exactly what they did.

[oh say can u see]

Skunk Junk wrote:

<quoted text>
Ever realized that the money was in the bank because it wasn't being SPENT on the kids? The list of things that should have been paid for, but werent, goes from repairs to the schools to technology upgrades...on and on. So, this new Superintendent comes in, sees the black hole left by the old guy, and starts making improvements and investments, and is crucified by the know it all Newporters who liked it the old way - money in the bank and crappy education in Newport. Can't win for losing in this town. And what is so funny is that in the whole scheme of things the teachers have made out just fine - but you won't hear them tell that story. They are still overpaid for the rank of the district in the state - I mean you really pay them THAT MUCH to produce such crappy scores and you can sleep at night? It is sort of like all of you complaining about Brant - he makes a lot and you criticize him for it. Your teachers make TOO MUCH for the performance they've given all of you, but you don't say a peep.

Only the NIS employees liked "the old way". No parent I know!! I agree 100% with everything you say. I would pay NIS teachers minimum wage for their dismal, half-assed efforts.