Medford School 'Solutions'

Promoted forward to keep discussion going Between Carl Schroder's letter in yesterday's Trib ("Trimming days should be last", 3rd letter on the page), and the comment posted tonight, I thought I'd move this to the top of the line again...



Original Post, 27 Apr

I'll comment on this article when I get home from the dentist (Drs. Wu, on Barnett - they are GREAT). I'll need something to do while my tongue is too numb to speak to voters at the doorstep or on the phone...



Update, also 27 Apr: So the dentist is done for the day (today it was actually a hygeinist, and a wonderful one, too!) and I am going to put out some signs. (since that doesn't require talking)...but let me just say this on the school article noted above. There are two solutions put forth - the district wants to cut a ton of staff, the teachers want to cut a ton of days. Both solutions technically SUCK (that is an expert political and educator term). The one that sucks LESS is the teachers' position. You will accomplish more teaching for less time in an adequately staffed environment than you will teaching more time in an inadequately staffed environment. I may not get to all the desired curriculum in a shortened year, but the content I DO deliver will be heard, understood, and retained for recall in future testing settings. If you give me a full year and a crowded room, I cannot be sure a SINGLE THING will be heard, understood, or retained. Why do I think they both suck? cuz neither one is good for EDUCATING our youth (oh yes, that is the goal - not employing teachers or containing children in school buildings for a mandated number of days). We shouldn't cut days OR staff - we should find a stable funding mechanism that will be able to provide adequate funding for a full calendar with full staff.



(Update, 7 May: The Schroder letter calls the union's move selfish - to which I respond the teachers aren't getting 20 days paid leave here - they are getting a 20 day LAY OFF, which ranges in Medford from a loss of $3150 for a first year teacher with no additional education beyond their degree to $6400 for a 14+ year veteran with MA and Doctorate... I don't think there are many of those in 549c, but there are a few). You tell me if eating a personal shortfall like that is selfish.



More later. I have DAYLIGHT and SIGNS!