I am here at the school board meeting. I am witnessing the most amazing example of weakness, ignorance and sheer inhability to make decisions that will not be in the best interest of the students, or the fabric of our society.
The Math department has made a proposal that, as Mr. Kopecky states, will be a "carrot" to entice students to attend class. The idea is very wonderful. It seems like a win, win situation. The students now have 8 days that they can miss. The Math Dept. proposes that if a student misses 2 or less, they are exempt from the "final exam." The teachers may (and will) still give a comprehensive test, but the exemption of the Final will be a new "carrot" to entice student attendance. This barely passed 4 to 3. With the stipulation that they have only one semester to see if it works.
Also tonight, advanced classes were nixed. Students will be encouraged (through the High Schools That Work programs) to take Pre-AP and AP classes. So, no more advanced classes. You gotta take AP baby! Interesting... This pased 6 to 1.
AND NOW!!! Gender based classes for the 9th grade. Thats right, all girl classes and all boy classes. Next we will adopt some good old muslim doctrine of not even teaching the female students. This passed unanimously.
Last, but not least! Closed campus. The high school administration had a tiered plan that included 9th & 10th grade first and then the entire campus. The school board President suggested we just bite the bullet and close the whole thing with one swift move.
They decided they need to table the proposal so that we may get some public input. Thats funny, this IS a public meeing. OH, I know, we need to have pizza..pizza always gets the parents here. The board is CHICKEN...they decide to table the proposal for 30 days....GEEZ! What a bunch of wimps!!!!
The most intersting thing about these discussions is the fact that they seem to have no kowledge of the actual workings of the modern day high school classroom in this town. They, to my knowledge, have NEVER visited the school during the day and actually witnessed what teachers see every day.
p.s. - please pardon all grammatical errors, spelling errors, etc...I'm stupid
manteca
