2009.02.27
Discuss Friday's editorials
Low on funds, not commitment
The Roanoke school board's decision to close two schools is just one of many tough decisions.
Ordinarily, when a school board makes a wrenching decision to close two schools and bus children elsewhere, the hard part is over. Ordinarily, there is time to exhale. Time to allow stirred-up emotions to ebb. Time to provide educators the opportunity to develop and put in place the best plan to deal with the upheaval. These are not ordinary times.
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Earmark reform is AWOL
Democrats made promises to rein in spending that they haven't kept.
Democrats have not made good on their 2006 promise to reform the budgetary earmark progress when they regained control of Congress. According to the latest estimates, the current omnibus spending bill working its way through Congress contains about 9,000 earmarks directing $5 billion in spending. The current earmarks are a bipartisan affair. Neither party has been able to give up on pork. But Democrats bear the brunt of the blame because they promised change.
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Even after hearing about the closing of city schools for a while now, I am still shocked. Traditionally, schools have been the center of a community and there is no disbuting that our children's education is one the, if not the most important things in a community. That's why when I hear that such drastic measure are being taken in Roanoke really lay it out for me just how bad things are...those kinds of decisions are not made lightly. and it's scary to think what is still to come if that is just the start...
Comment by HCS — February 27, 2009 @ 11:56 am
You know this brings up an interesting question, and what follows is NOT specifically questions directed to the above poster. Is education really the most important thing in a community? Is it the most important thing in your mind. Do you live life in a way that underscores how you value education? Did you go to college? Did you participate in every parental support project when your child was in school? How is your child doing in school now? Is your child going for post HS education? Is your child "college material"? Certainly it is un-American if not down right criminal to speak "anti-education"! But are there times and situations or circumstances when other things matter more? It seems to me the histroy of the US does reflect times when formalized education was really not for everyone. Times when a 12 year old boy went to work in the coal mines to contribute to the survival of the family rather than "go to school". Funny, for all the value we place on education today it really looks like what we are learning has not served us very well.
Comment by Al — February 27, 2009 @ 6:53 pm
"You hear that Elizabeth? I'm coming to join you honey." Al, I think we have made history here. I agree with the point of your post #2. While it is only in our best interests to have a well educated populace, one episode of "jay-Walking" proves we do not. Many successful people will tell you the 'value' of their education is incalculable. Many of the most evil, greedy, criminal minds have also been well educated. Many entrepreneurs needed only their wits to become successful. Certainly the sciences and technology come to mind as requiring a good educated mind.
Public education is important but even this Liberal can see that the educational system in America (and I am sure other countries) has become almost a parody of itself. Too much is asked of schools, not enough is asked of parents or expected of students. Like any behemoth at the mercy of politicians, the bureaucracy causes more problems than it solves. You get out of education what you are willing to put into it. There is no one size fits all. It is too much 'sheep herding' and too little nurturing of the quest for knowledge. You are correct, we are not being served as well as we should be, but we sure can't scrap it and start over. I see no end to the politics of it and therefore no real solutions on the horizon.
Comment by Sandi Saunders — February 27, 2009 @ 8:34 pm
9:26 PM, 2-27-09. Patient died of shock after discovery of a admitted liberal who agreed with him....
WOW, what will happen next! I too see that politicians will continue to play with the subject. I wonder however if the system has not already found its way to the scrap yard and we just are not willing to say so to each other. There is a clear probability that we may not have to initiate the rebirth of education in America. It may very well become a by product of our social and economic failures. There are many possible outcomes, some good, some not so good. But if things go as some see them, that young son or daughter may be required to contribute to the family's absolute survival. "Education" will become the dream few are able to follow. And maybe after a generation or two where education becomes secondary to survival, it will experience a rebirth.
Comment by Al — February 27, 2009 @ 9:25 pm