I spent the entire day at Mizzou with Emily for the solo and ensemble state tournament. Emily was far less anxious than I was, and played beautifully. She got a I rating (superior, the best you can do). We're so proud of her, it is tremendous. We saw many of the other students play too. I was really impressed with the marimba quartet that Michelle Wanstreet and Katie Garcia were in. It was absolutely brilliant.
Friday, during the teacher workday, many of us expressed concern that the kids are often negative about our school due to not feeling like they are part of something great. We all thought that maybe instead of just pep rallys for the sports kids, that we should be making far more of what all the kids do in their various teams, clubs, and organizations like the band (or in my case my science olympiad group). In stead of just giving the kids a brief announcement on the intercom, we should be celebrating them in a larger way, to try to engender the school spirit that they really seem to be lacking.
Many kids mention that our school "sucks" since there is no money for anything, like books and supplies, and that friends at other schools have so much more. Even if this is an issue, it seems that we could still try other things to help out with the negativity. It didn't help much that all the arson destroyed some things that the kids were kinda proud of.
Our kids do some extraordinary things, and they all deserved to be recognized when they do something great.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Monday, April 21, 2008
Rants and Raves
Rave: Just bought a prom dress for Emmy for 35 bucks. She's going to her boyfriend's dance. We found a great selection for not much (and get the ones onsale)at promgirl. Here's the link: 
Rant: Found out today the cuts for next school year to prevent a budget shortfall in the following year are coming from:
$300,000 - Textbooks
$300,000 - Teacher Supplies
$208,200 - After-School Tutoring
$500,000 - Facilities Maintenance
A parent asked Mr. Noble if this wouldn't badly affect the kids. Well, duh. Of course it will. So will no raises for teachers. The good ones leave for decent pay and guess who stays behind. Duh, duh, duh. We've only funded one operating tax increase in 20 years, so duh, things eventually get really bad.
Rave: Ok, this isn't a "rave" but it's funny. Ricky goes to Worlds of Fun on Saturday with the eighth grade band. Toward the end of the day (thank goodness) the kid eats two double cheeseburgers, an order of cheese fries and drinks a big soda. Then he rides the Mamba (major rollercoaster) 4 times in a row. Guess who wound up in the nurses tent. hahahahha
Rant: Parents who call an administrator to complain about a teacher without calling the teacher to find out why little Frankenstein is in trouble.
Rave: Harry, who is like 90 years old and who still does a really good job cleaning my room at school.
Rant: My students who throw garbage on the floor in my room at school. I guess they must do this at home and no one cares. I'd hate to live in those houses.
Rave: I've now lost 18 pounds, got some new clothes yesterday for warmer weather, and FINALLY somebody noticed at work. I about cried.
Have a lovely day.
Rant: Found out today the cuts for next school year to prevent a budget shortfall in the following year are coming from:
$300,000 - Textbooks
$300,000 - Teacher Supplies
$208,200 - After-School Tutoring
$500,000 - Facilities Maintenance
A parent asked Mr. Noble if this wouldn't badly affect the kids. Well, duh. Of course it will. So will no raises for teachers. The good ones leave for decent pay and guess who stays behind. Duh, duh, duh. We've only funded one operating tax increase in 20 years, so duh, things eventually get really bad.
Rave: Ok, this isn't a "rave" but it's funny. Ricky goes to Worlds of Fun on Saturday with the eighth grade band. Toward the end of the day (thank goodness) the kid eats two double cheeseburgers, an order of cheese fries and drinks a big soda. Then he rides the Mamba (major rollercoaster) 4 times in a row. Guess who wound up in the nurses tent. hahahahha
Rant: Parents who call an administrator to complain about a teacher without calling the teacher to find out why little Frankenstein is in trouble.
Rave: Harry, who is like 90 years old and who still does a really good job cleaning my room at school.
Rant: My students who throw garbage on the floor in my room at school. I guess they must do this at home and no one cares. I'd hate to live in those houses.
Rave: I've now lost 18 pounds, got some new clothes yesterday for warmer weather, and FINALLY somebody noticed at work. I about cried.
Have a lovely day.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Maternity Leave and Teaching
The article in today's Post-Dispatch about maternity leave and Spain's Commander in Chief of the armed forces (sporting a big baby bump) made me think about these issues as it applies to the teaching profession.
When Ricky was in third grade, his teacher, Mrs. Lavac (he loved her, great teacher)left for a six week maternity leave. He has a very good sub, Mrs. Thomas, who had been a wonderful teacher for many years until she retired. Fortunately, this situation worked out well, and the kids were very happy for Mrs. Lavac and her baby. She returned after the six weeks, and the kids were where they should have been academically.
When fifth grade was to start, Ricky's assigned teacher had a baby over the summer, and at the last minute (like the week before school was to start), decided not to come back. At this point, it would have been impossible to hire a good teacher as all the good one's are usually hired by the first part of July, and the pool of available applicant's has dried up. So, the district hired a permanent sub. Ricky went to school and was surprised and happy to find out that Mrs. Thomas was his teacher again! In fact, she stayed for the whole year. Again, it worked out, but what if a decent sub hadn't been available? Was it fair of the teacher who was originally to teach the class to decide the week before school was to start that she wouldn't return?
It seems to me that a situation like this gives the term "maternity leave" a bad name, and sets an attitude toward pregnant workers that isn't very positive. But maybe the maternity leave policies in our country aren't terribly fair to new mom's and babies alike. In Europe, many countries have a 12 - 16 month paid maternity leave. In a situation like teaching, this would give notice to the school district that a new teacher must be hired way ahead of time. It would make sure that the students were in a better situation, while providing mom and baby the time they need to bond and begin a healthy emotional development process. But clearly the costs would be prohibitive for school districts, small businesses and in many other situations. In fact, the birth rate in European countries is much lower than that of the U.S., so it may be it isn't as big of an expense as we would expect here.
What about the child who has a substitute teacher for a long term, who doesn't know his subject matter, and doesn't have good classroom management? Both the kids and the district suffer (low test scores affect our accredidation). Is there an answer for this problem? Should the state maintain a pool of qualified long term subs to slot into these situations? I don't know the answer, and we remain with the delimma.
Have any of you stories to share about this? Please post comments on the blog so we can all (lots of people visit who aren't on my email list who would be interested in the comments) see them.
When Ricky was in third grade, his teacher, Mrs. Lavac (he loved her, great teacher)left for a six week maternity leave. He has a very good sub, Mrs. Thomas, who had been a wonderful teacher for many years until she retired. Fortunately, this situation worked out well, and the kids were very happy for Mrs. Lavac and her baby. She returned after the six weeks, and the kids were where they should have been academically.
When fifth grade was to start, Ricky's assigned teacher had a baby over the summer, and at the last minute (like the week before school was to start), decided not to come back. At this point, it would have been impossible to hire a good teacher as all the good one's are usually hired by the first part of July, and the pool of available applicant's has dried up. So, the district hired a permanent sub. Ricky went to school and was surprised and happy to find out that Mrs. Thomas was his teacher again! In fact, she stayed for the whole year. Again, it worked out, but what if a decent sub hadn't been available? Was it fair of the teacher who was originally to teach the class to decide the week before school was to start that she wouldn't return?
It seems to me that a situation like this gives the term "maternity leave" a bad name, and sets an attitude toward pregnant workers that isn't very positive. But maybe the maternity leave policies in our country aren't terribly fair to new mom's and babies alike. In Europe, many countries have a 12 - 16 month paid maternity leave. In a situation like teaching, this would give notice to the school district that a new teacher must be hired way ahead of time. It would make sure that the students were in a better situation, while providing mom and baby the time they need to bond and begin a healthy emotional development process. But clearly the costs would be prohibitive for school districts, small businesses and in many other situations. In fact, the birth rate in European countries is much lower than that of the U.S., so it may be it isn't as big of an expense as we would expect here.
What about the child who has a substitute teacher for a long term, who doesn't know his subject matter, and doesn't have good classroom management? Both the kids and the district suffer (low test scores affect our accredidation). Is there an answer for this problem? Should the state maintain a pool of qualified long term subs to slot into these situations? I don't know the answer, and we remain with the delimma.
Have any of you stories to share about this? Please post comments on the blog so we can all (lots of people visit who aren't on my email list who would be interested in the comments) see them.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Flat Belly Diet and other Myths
Gimme a break. The Flat Belly Diet is just the newest in a long line of fad diets. Scientific research shows that there is no way to lose weight through diet in just one area of the body. The true issue is stress, which increases the release of the hormone cortisol, and this acts upon the fat storage cells in the abdomen to increase fat uptake and storage.
So, to destress and promote losing a fat belly, a great idea is to learn some techniques for relaxation and reducing physiological responses to stress. I like to exercise and get outside and garden. Here's a cute picture of who I found out there yesterday.
Saint Anthony's Medical Center here in South County offers a session in Bio-Feedback training that is designed to help you read your body's signs and symptoms of stress. You then learn to use techniques that will drop the negative responses to stress, like a racing heart, which can be measured on the biofeedback machine. It's a great investment of $55.00. Some other destressors might involve getting a massage, turning off the t.v.s and other household noisemakers (this really helps me), going outside for a bike ride or walk, and many more. But don't fall for the next fad diet, it is a myth and just isn't worth your money, time or frustration. I've also ordered stuff from Gaiam to destress, I've gotten some things for yoga, working out with bands, etc. It's great stuff. Click the link so you can check out my main supplier of destress equipment.
So, to destress and promote losing a fat belly, a great idea is to learn some techniques for relaxation and reducing physiological responses to stress. I like to exercise and get outside and garden. Here's a cute picture of who I found out there yesterday.
Saint Anthony's Medical Center here in South County offers a session in Bio-Feedback training that is designed to help you read your body's signs and symptoms of stress. You then learn to use techniques that will drop the negative responses to stress, like a racing heart, which can be measured on the biofeedback machine. It's a great investment of $55.00. Some other destressors might involve getting a massage, turning off the t.v.s and other household noisemakers (this really helps me), going outside for a bike ride or walk, and many more. But don't fall for the next fad diet, it is a myth and just isn't worth your money, time or frustration. I've also ordered stuff from Gaiam to destress, I've gotten some things for yoga, working out with bands, etc. It's great stuff. Click the link so you can check out my main supplier of destress equipment.
Monday, April 14, 2008
The Capital of Thailand Is...
Recently, I received a gift called "The Book of Ignorance" from my sister and brother-in-law, who thought it was hilarious to give this to a PhD. Ha Ha. It's actually a really fun read that is a rather humiliating book of re-education for people who think they know it all. It is amazing how much misinformation we've collected in our lives, like I always thought Henry VIII had six wives. Nope. I also thought that George Washington was the first president. Not.
An interesting question that is relevant to the China - Thailand controversy is "What is the name of the capital city of Thailand?" Well, if you are like me you'd think "Bangkok". WRONG. It's "Krung Thep" (pronounced Grung Tape). Only ignorant foreigners (like yours truly) call it Bangkok, which hasn't been used in Thailand for more than two hundred years. Bangkok was the name of a small fishing village that used to exist before King Rama I moved his capital there in 1782. He renamed it the (in English) "Great City of Angels, the supreme repository of divine jewels, the great land unconquerable, the grand and prominent realm, the royal and delightful capital city of nine noble gems, the highest royal dwelling and grand palace, the divine shelter and living place of the reincarnated spirits". In Thai, the first part, Great City of Angels, is "Krungthep". The rest is too long to write on maps, pronounce and all that other stuff.
Krungthep is the only true city in Thailand, and is 40 times larger than the next largest village.
If you like this kind of stuff, here's a link to the book.
Ladies, I've posted a spa night picture on the bottom of the blog page. We all look amazingly attractive. Check it out!
An interesting question that is relevant to the China - Thailand controversy is "What is the name of the capital city of Thailand?" Well, if you are like me you'd think "Bangkok". WRONG. It's "Krung Thep" (pronounced Grung Tape). Only ignorant foreigners (like yours truly) call it Bangkok, which hasn't been used in Thailand for more than two hundred years. Bangkok was the name of a small fishing village that used to exist before King Rama I moved his capital there in 1782. He renamed it the (in English) "Great City of Angels, the supreme repository of divine jewels, the great land unconquerable, the grand and prominent realm, the royal and delightful capital city of nine noble gems, the highest royal dwelling and grand palace, the divine shelter and living place of the reincarnated spirits". In Thai, the first part, Great City of Angels, is "Krungthep". The rest is too long to write on maps, pronounce and all that other stuff.
Krungthep is the only true city in Thailand, and is 40 times larger than the next largest village.
If you like this kind of stuff, here's a link to the book.
Ladies, I've posted a spa night picture on the bottom of the blog page. We all look amazingly attractive. Check it out!
Sunday, April 13, 2008
National Autism Month/National Poetry Month
Ok, I've started writing another blog over at wordpress entitles "The DNA Files". I felt like I wanted to write about the science of DNA and genetics as it applies to human health and forensics. A new blog was necessary since this blog is really for personal life and friend stuff, and I didn't want to bore anybody that wasn't interested.
This month is national autism month, so my first post is on the genetic inheritance of autism. You can read it if you are interested at: http://thednafiles.wordpress.com
It is also national poetry month, so I've decided to try my hand at a poem. Here's a haiku:
Ordinary bird
Seen through my window
Extraordinary life
Ok, too serious? Here's the kind of poem I would typically write.
There was a young lady named Kite
Whose speed was much faster than light.
She left home one day
In a relative way
And returned on the previous night.
Yep, it sure is a science geek poem, that is for sure. I hope everyone has a wonderful day!
This month is national autism month, so my first post is on the genetic inheritance of autism. You can read it if you are interested at: http://thednafiles.wordpress.com
It is also national poetry month, so I've decided to try my hand at a poem. Here's a haiku:
Ordinary bird
Seen through my window
Extraordinary life
Ok, too serious? Here's the kind of poem I would typically write.
There was a young lady named Kite
Whose speed was much faster than light.
She left home one day
In a relative way
And returned on the previous night.
Yep, it sure is a science geek poem, that is for sure. I hope everyone has a wonderful day!
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Good Things are Happening
Thanks to all of you who got out to vote yesterday. It really helped moral at school today to know that enough people cared about the kids and our community to make sure that our public school district remains intact with caring board memebers in charge.
Other good things...
Emily received her letter and is to be inducted into the National Honors Society.
Ricky has a good friend who has joined his baseball team and he is really happy about that. His first game is tonight.
Rick didn't get hurt all basketball season. (Ha.)
I just found out that I have been re-hired for next year, which means that I will be a tenured teacher. I also am going back to teaching biology and honors biology. Loved teaching chemistry this year, because I really do like to blow stuff up, but biology is more fun all around to teach and it isn't so hard to get the kids interested.
My friend Mary made me laugh like crazy about the stupid new trash and recycling rules.
I DIDN'T set off the fire alarm at work today even though we made s'mores with the bunsen burner. I'm still one shy of Traxler's record for clearing the building.
Ricky is now taller than Rick, although Rick won't admit it!
Beautiful flowers are blooming out front. Now if we can just get a little warmer...
Have a nice and blessed day.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Vote Today!
Your vote counts today. The opposition candidates have spent an incredible amount of money on their campaigns. They have a willing list of donors to their cause who are determined to elect these child-unfriendly people to the board. Please help us to make sure this doesn't happen. Every vote is important in this election, so please get out to vote!
Monday, April 7, 2008
Please remember to vote!
Tomorrow, April 8th, is a very important election for our area. The direction of the Mehlville School district for the next few years will be decided by your votes. We have three excellent candidates who realize that public education is a vital part of our democracy, and that all of our children matter, not just those who can afford a private education. They are Karl Frank, Erin Weber, and Drew Frauenhoffer. There are also three candidates who do not care about public education and whose views are libertarian in nature. They want no funding for any government run agencies, public schools being with-in that category. Their mission is to lower taxes by cutting resources necessary for the education of our students. This would have a negative impact upon our community, as educational achievement will decrease, people will not want to move here due to the decline in our schools, and therefore property values will decrease. It is a simple logic exercise, and I'm afraid that these three candidates are unable to follow this simple thought pattern. Please get out to vote tomorrow and help our kids succeed.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Rants and Raves
I'm thinking too much again. Please go to the blog to make comments so we can all share. http://www.chrischat.blogspot.com
Here's the latest.
1. We're sitting at a light after church waiting for the light to turn green. My kids ask why they are smelling cigarette smoke. We look over, and there is a car next to us with the window half open and the people in the car are smoking. Our windows were open too, since it was such a nice day. Why do smokers think it is ok to pollute our air with their hundreds of carcinogenic particles they put into the air? Are they really not aware that they are hurting other people? There are very few places a person can light up and not affect someone else, so I think these are valid questions.
2. Is a part-time band director a semi-conductor?
3. Why are parents so unaware of the defiant, rude behavior of their kids towards their teachers? Even if I correct a student's behavior in class, I get attitude as if I'm wrong to try to help them become a better person. The language is unbelievable too. Do they really speak that way at home? If so, are Mom and Dad doing the same thing?
4. None of the girls at the high school think the boys look good in saggy pants, so why do they keep wearing them?
5. Why isn't the county going to pay for our recyclables? They make money from all this stuff, don't they?
6. Is everyone trying to eat at home more like us, since the price of everything is so high we can no longer afford to eat out much?
7. Do people in our school district have no understanding that we are already on a very lean budget, and that there isn't much to cut other than textbooks, teachers, security staff, busing and admin? Are they aware that teachers had no to little salary increase for three years until last year, and that we are still behind in trying to stay up with the cost of living? Do they know we once again will have no raises? Why are people so unaware?
8. Why is Fred Weber still in business in South County? Is the company not aware we'd all like to see them leave and stop polluting our area with toxic fumes and toxic run-off into the Meramec?
9. Good Friends are like Angels in my life.
10. Dogs are love-sponges and everyone should have one, except the morons in my subdivision who let them bark all night long.
Here's the latest.
1. We're sitting at a light after church waiting for the light to turn green. My kids ask why they are smelling cigarette smoke. We look over, and there is a car next to us with the window half open and the people in the car are smoking. Our windows were open too, since it was such a nice day. Why do smokers think it is ok to pollute our air with their hundreds of carcinogenic particles they put into the air? Are they really not aware that they are hurting other people? There are very few places a person can light up and not affect someone else, so I think these are valid questions.
2. Is a part-time band director a semi-conductor?
3. Why are parents so unaware of the defiant, rude behavior of their kids towards their teachers? Even if I correct a student's behavior in class, I get attitude as if I'm wrong to try to help them become a better person. The language is unbelievable too. Do they really speak that way at home? If so, are Mom and Dad doing the same thing?
4. None of the girls at the high school think the boys look good in saggy pants, so why do they keep wearing them?
5. Why isn't the county going to pay for our recyclables? They make money from all this stuff, don't they?
6. Is everyone trying to eat at home more like us, since the price of everything is so high we can no longer afford to eat out much?
7. Do people in our school district have no understanding that we are already on a very lean budget, and that there isn't much to cut other than textbooks, teachers, security staff, busing and admin? Are they aware that teachers had no to little salary increase for three years until last year, and that we are still behind in trying to stay up with the cost of living? Do they know we once again will have no raises? Why are people so unaware?
8. Why is Fred Weber still in business in South County? Is the company not aware we'd all like to see them leave and stop polluting our area with toxic fumes and toxic run-off into the Meramec?
9. Good Friends are like Angels in my life.
10. Dogs are love-sponges and everyone should have one, except the morons in my subdivision who let them bark all night long.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Mehlville School Board Elections - Truth Instead of Misinformation
Three Board of Education Candidates have been spreading some amazing misinformation. Here are the correct answers to questions that are being raised concerning their misinformation. These same three board candidates, Linda Mooy, Chris Brown and David Bertelson refused the teacher's association's requests to meet with them so they could answer some questions. Please see today's Oakville Call where Karl Frank, Drew Frauenhoffer, and Erin Weber have been endorsed by the editorial staff for election to the Mehlville School District Board of Education. The teachers are also endorsing these three.
Answers to frequently asked questions about the Mehlville School District
Why is the Mehlville School District out of money?
That is an incorrect assessment. The finance office has to continually update revenue projections. The district is in no danger for the coming school year. However, it is prudent to revise budget estimates for the following year downward because of the recent news about reduced home values in St. Louis County and the prospect that the state will not appreciably increase its aid to the Mehlville School District for the foreseeable future.
Why did the school board waste all that money on turf fields?The district already was spending approximately $100,000 each and every year on seeding, mowing, fertilizing and striping our two football fields which could only be used about a dozen times during the school year. The board decided to use that same total amount of money to purchase the turf fields which are now used on a daily basis for P.E., band practice, soccer, and football. Also, we don’t have to incur the additional expense to bus students to other fields for practice. Injuries have been reduced dramatically. All of this for the same total amount of money we spent in the past for only occasional use. The project was completed under budget and for $500,000 less than some candidates are claiming. Since the same total amount of money was spent as would have been spent for maintenance of the fields, NO money was taken away from purchasing resources for student learning.
Why did the board give out such big raises to the teachers last year?The Mehlville School District is near the bottom of the list of St. Louis area districts in what we pay our teachers. We don’t provide the same level of benefits as other districts. If we want to attract and retain quality teachers, we have to be competitive in our salary structure. Other surrounding districts gave similar increases last year. In fact, we did not move up our standing with the raises we gave.
Also the 6% raise to our base pay followed years with 0%, .2%, and a 2% raise. One needs to average the raises to get a better understanding of how Mehlville School District teachers’ salaries have really increased. In fact, Mehlville School District teachers’ salaries remain 21 out of the 24 St. Louis County school districts and below Fox School District.
Why did my taxes go up so much last year?St. Louis County is required by the state to reassess property every other year. They determine the property values, not the school district. By law, the district then has to roll back its tax levy so that we receive no more than a cost of living increase determined by the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Unlike Social Security COLAS which are increased every year, the district can only take that increase every other year, so as prices go up, we actually fall further behind in our purchasing power.
Will the candidates raise my taxes?No candidate has advocated higher taxes. That is something only the voters get to decide.
Why is the Mehlville School District suing Missouri taxpayers?That rumor is false. The Mehlville District has joined with a handful of area school districts arguing in favor of the state’s current funding formula. Over the past five years, we have invested approximately $1 per student per year to protect the $500 per student that we get from the state. If we did not participate, we would have no seat at the table if the courts throw out the state’s plan for distributing educational funds. We would be stuck with whatever plan the out-state school districts develop. Mehlville School District went fourteen years without an increase in state funding under the previous plan that was forced upon us. The district felt it was important to protect the current system that was passed by the Missouri legislature.
Has some candidate actually advocated allowing guns in schools?Yes. In spite of the overwhelming vote of the people of South County against the Conceal-Carry law, two candidates publicly stated their support for allowing teachers and administrators to carry guns in school. This is in spite of the fact that studies show that someone who owns a gun is actually 20 times more likely to be killed by a gun than someone who does not own a gun. Teachers would actually feel less safe rather than safer in our schools if they knew administrators and teachers were carrying guns.
Answers to frequently asked questions about the Mehlville School District
Why is the Mehlville School District out of money?
That is an incorrect assessment. The finance office has to continually update revenue projections. The district is in no danger for the coming school year. However, it is prudent to revise budget estimates for the following year downward because of the recent news about reduced home values in St. Louis County and the prospect that the state will not appreciably increase its aid to the Mehlville School District for the foreseeable future.
Why did the school board waste all that money on turf fields?The district already was spending approximately $100,000 each and every year on seeding, mowing, fertilizing and striping our two football fields which could only be used about a dozen times during the school year. The board decided to use that same total amount of money to purchase the turf fields which are now used on a daily basis for P.E., band practice, soccer, and football. Also, we don’t have to incur the additional expense to bus students to other fields for practice. Injuries have been reduced dramatically. All of this for the same total amount of money we spent in the past for only occasional use. The project was completed under budget and for $500,000 less than some candidates are claiming. Since the same total amount of money was spent as would have been spent for maintenance of the fields, NO money was taken away from purchasing resources for student learning.
Why did the board give out such big raises to the teachers last year?The Mehlville School District is near the bottom of the list of St. Louis area districts in what we pay our teachers. We don’t provide the same level of benefits as other districts. If we want to attract and retain quality teachers, we have to be competitive in our salary structure. Other surrounding districts gave similar increases last year. In fact, we did not move up our standing with the raises we gave.
Also the 6% raise to our base pay followed years with 0%, .2%, and a 2% raise. One needs to average the raises to get a better understanding of how Mehlville School District teachers’ salaries have really increased. In fact, Mehlville School District teachers’ salaries remain 21 out of the 24 St. Louis County school districts and below Fox School District.
Why did my taxes go up so much last year?St. Louis County is required by the state to reassess property every other year. They determine the property values, not the school district. By law, the district then has to roll back its tax levy so that we receive no more than a cost of living increase determined by the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Unlike Social Security COLAS which are increased every year, the district can only take that increase every other year, so as prices go up, we actually fall further behind in our purchasing power.
Will the candidates raise my taxes?No candidate has advocated higher taxes. That is something only the voters get to decide.
Why is the Mehlville School District suing Missouri taxpayers?That rumor is false. The Mehlville District has joined with a handful of area school districts arguing in favor of the state’s current funding formula. Over the past five years, we have invested approximately $1 per student per year to protect the $500 per student that we get from the state. If we did not participate, we would have no seat at the table if the courts throw out the state’s plan for distributing educational funds. We would be stuck with whatever plan the out-state school districts develop. Mehlville School District went fourteen years without an increase in state funding under the previous plan that was forced upon us. The district felt it was important to protect the current system that was passed by the Missouri legislature.
Has some candidate actually advocated allowing guns in schools?Yes. In spite of the overwhelming vote of the people of South County against the Conceal-Carry law, two candidates publicly stated their support for allowing teachers and administrators to carry guns in school. This is in spite of the fact that studies show that someone who owns a gun is actually 20 times more likely to be killed by a gun than someone who does not own a gun. Teachers would actually feel less safe rather than safer in our schools if they knew administrators and teachers were carrying guns.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
April Fool on the Kids!
I had a little fun today. On my board up front, I always write a list of the order of events for the class that day. Today the first item on the list was "Quiz/Test Chapter 21". The kids saw this and started to panic, asking each other "did you know we had a quiz? Oh my god I'm gonna fail!" (This was only funny because this actually happens to about 2-5% of the kids on any test day, since some of them just can't remember to study for tests.) Before this went too far, I told the students to stop complaining and open the book and study chapter 21. When they did, a look of realization dawned. There are only 20 chapters in the book. I smiled at them and yelled "Gotcha! April Fools!"
"In a completely rational society, the best of us would be teachers and the rest of us would have to settle for something less."
--Lee Iacocca
Please see the post below. I'd like to know what you all think should or could be cut from our school district budget. Just click on the "comments" section below this post.
"In a completely rational society, the best of us would be teachers and the rest of us would have to settle for something less."
--Lee Iacocca
Please see the post below. I'd like to know what you all think should or could be cut from our school district budget. Just click on the "comments" section below this post.
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