[Vision2020] What about the kids? (was Weitz is a civicterrorist??

[g. crabtree]

No more "Big Deals (a quarterly incentive program used by some teachers to encourage good behavior, performance, etc."

What?  So not only do I have to fork over my hard earned to pay for teachers and too many administrators but now I also have to pay to keep kids in the seats via a monetary pay out also commonly referred to as a bribe? When did this become an effective teaching tool? Apparently the MSD employees won't be happy till they get the class sizes down to four per teacher and the quartet that shows up is paid a living wage. Enough already!

g
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Tom Ivie 
  To: vision2020 at moscow.com 
  Sent: Tuesday, May 08, 2007 3:20 PM
  Subject: Re: [Vision2020] What about the kids? (was Weitz is a civicterrorist??


  It also has required the school district to freeze all funds.  That means no field trips, Big Deals (a quarterly incentive program used by some teachers to encourage good behavior, performance, etc.), and no contracts for teachers with 1-3 yrs experience.  Luckily, the school district's lawyer is from the firm that has written the book on education law in Idaho, literally; The Law of Education in Idaho by Anderson, Julian & Hull, LLP.  Unfortunately, it negatively affects the kids NOW.  Any donation to your local public school or class of choice would probably be well accepted for those end of the year activities.  

  Something else that concerns me is that the three names that have been cited in connection with this attack on our school district (Jerry Weitz, Jim Demeeleer, and Brian Thie) are all listed on the "leadership" of the Greater Moscow Alliance.  Does this action represent the "Alliance" or is it just a coincidence.  I would add that I would be just as critical or at least question it if the same happened in regards with the Moscow Civic Association.  I don't happen to be a member of either group.  They say that business and politics don't mix.  There is a good reason; you can lose business!

  Bill London <london at moscow.com> wrote:
    G-
    your question: "If Dr. Weitz's claim has no legal merit, then why would MSD have any concern?"
    my response: a huge amount of administrative time and a sizable chunk of money (as in paid by local taxes to the district) will have to be used to fight this suit.  Of course the district, and its patrons, are concerned.
    BL
      ----- Original Message ----- 
      From: Glenn Schwaller 
      To: vision2020 at moscow.com 
      Sent: Tuesday, May 08, 2007 2:10 PM
      Subject: [Vision2020] Weitz is a civic terrorist?


      Ms. Emerinemix,

      I don't know if there is any merit to Dr. Weitz's claim.  I believe that the foundation for any argument is "is this position valid?"   With something as complex and potentially dangerous and damaging as the illlegality of a tax-based ballot measure, I have no problem with someone questions its validity.  Dr. Weitz has wisely chosen to use the law to determine if his claim has merit.  Many will discount this as "frivolity" and cite a laundry list of reasons based on gut-wrenching emotion (oh the poor kids!  The poor teachers!  The poor administration!) and avoid considering a more insidious outcome of allowing a group to unfairly and inappropriately tax the public for whatever it is they want (be it schools, roads, parks, athletic centers).  This potentially could set a precedence by which any group could do the same thing.  If Dr. Weitz's claim has no legal merit, then why would MSD have any concern?  I for one would rather see the law surrounding this issue clearly delineated than to see some other, possibly more unsavory group, use the same tactics to fund their particular interest.

      Schwaller

      "The bigger they are, the harder they fall on you"
           Mark Knopfler


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