School dance for levy campaign funding

[Charm63]

My childs school district in Ohio is trying to pass another school levy that has already failed once. Parents have recieved at least two leaflets badgering them on what the school will cut if the levy doesn't pass. They sent out a telephone message on Wednesday for a 7th and 8th grade dance on Friday night...giving the details of the dance. At the end of the message they quickly state that all proceeds from the dance will go towards the levy campaign. Obviously I am not for the levy and do not wish to contribute towards the campaign. The way that they slid that in the message at the very end makes me feel like they are hoping parents do not catch it. Sadly, I will not be sending my child to the dance because of this, and I feel there is something very wrong with exploiting our children in this fashion for political gain. My question: Is there something legally wrong with what they are doing? And if so, how can I pursue This?

 

[Antigone*]

My childs school district in Ohio is trying to pass another school levy that has already failed once. Parents have recieved at least two leaflets badgering them on what the school will cut if the levy doesn't pass. They sent out a telephone message on Wednesday for a 7th and 8th grade dance on Friday night...giving the details of the dance. At the end of the message they quickly state that all proceeds from the dance will go towards the levy campaign. Obviously I am not for the levy and do not wish to contribute towards the campaign. The way that they slid that in the message at the very end makes me feel like they are hoping parents do not catch it. Sadly, I will not be sending my child to the dance because of this, and I feel there is something very wrong with exploiting our children in this fashion for political gain. My question: Is there something legally wrong with what they are doing? And if so, how can I pursue This?

It seems to me like you are exercising your rights appropriately. I might also suggest you discussing this with other parents to see how to influence the school district to see things your way.

Having said that, I do not see that the school has acted illegally.

 

[Humusluvr]

My childs school district in Ohio is trying to pass another school levy that has already failed once. Parents have recieved at least two leaflets badgering them on what the school will cut if the levy doesn't pass. They sent out a telephone message on Wednesday for a 7th and 8th grade dance on Friday night...giving the details of the dance. At the end of the message they quickly state that all proceeds from the dance will go towards the levy campaign. Obviously I am not for the levy and do not wish to contribute towards the campaign. The way that they slid that in the message at the very end makes me feel like they are hoping parents do not catch it. Sadly, I will not be sending my child to the dance because of this, and I feel there is something very wrong with exploiting our children in this fashion for political gain. My question: Is there something legally wrong with what they are doing? And if so, how can I pursue This?

You might begin a telephone call tree of your own, warning parents that you know of the potential fund-raising at the event.

But really, how much money are they going to raise at a 7th and 8th grade dance? A hundred bucks? Unless this is a Washington DC style $1500 a plate VIP dance, it's likely to do little.

Just curious, why are you so opposed to the levy?

 

[Charm63]

School dance

I am apposed to the levy because 1)The PUBLIC school system allready sucks us dry with fees and class supply requirements per child. Every year we have a list of supplies and lab fees to send in, this year my oldest started high school. The grand total, $278.00. (keep in mind this is a public school).
2) The levy, which has failed once allready, is to increase all district property taxes according to property value. The state of Ohio has allready deamed it unconstitutional, but has not set any laws or limitations yet. I can't afford any more tax increases. Especially with the outrages government spending and the inevitable tax hikes. Someone has to pay for all the programs.
3)Personal misstrust for government run programs, ie PUBLIC SCHOOLS. I don't believe in unions, and the teachers union allows for allot of crap teachers to stay in the system. The teachers and community would be better off without them. They allways cry for increased pay...get with the real world "work harder with less". I worked for the government I know their benefits and pay programs. I don't like to be threatened that programs will be taken away from my children if I don't vote for the levy. The board of ed doesn't realize that the State needs to take care of the budget problem. Once you have the people involved with taxes, the state will decrease the assistance to the district, and the district will inevitably have to continue to relly on more tax increases to continue to sustain them. I've seen this happen in NJ. There is much more to say, but these are the basics. STOP HIDING BEHIND MY CHILDREN!

 

[stealth2]

I am apposed to the levy because 1)The PUBLIC school system allready sucks us dry with fees and class supply requirements per child. Every year we have a list of supplies and lab fees to send in, this year my oldest started high school. The grand total, $278.00. (keep in mind this is a public school).
2) The levy, which has failed once allready, is to increase all district property taxes according to property value. The state of Ohio has allready deamed it unconstitutional, but has not set any laws or limitations yet. I can't afford any more tax increases. Especially with the outrages government spending and the inevitable tax hikes. Someone has to pay for all the programs.
3)Personal misstrust for government run programs, ie PUBLIC SCHOOLS. I don't believe in unions, and the teachers union allows for allot of crap teachers to stay in the system. The teachers and community would be better off without them. They allways cry for increased pay...get with the real world "work harder with less". I worked for the government I know their benefits and pay programs. I don't like to be threatened that programs will be taken away from my children if I don't vote for the levy. The board of ed doesn't realize that the State needs to take care of the budget problem. Once you have the people involved with taxes, the state will decrease the assistance to the district, and the district will inevitably have to continue to relly on more tax increases to continue to sustain them. I've seen this happen in NJ. There is much more to say, but these are the basics. STOP HIDING BEHIND MY CHILDREN!

Then why don't you homeschool? Or go live off the grid somewhere?

 

[Humusluvr]

I am apposed to the levy because 1)The PUBLIC school system allready sucks us dry with fees and class supply requirements per child. Every year we have a list of supplies and lab fees to send in, this year my oldest started high school. The grand total, $278.00. (keep in mind this is a public school).
2) The levy, which has failed once allready, is to increase all district property taxes according to property value. The state of Ohio has allready deamed it unconstitutional, but has not set any laws or limitations yet. I can't afford any more tax increases. Especially with the outrages government spending and the inevitable tax hikes. Someone has to pay for all the programs.
3)Personal misstrust for government run programs, ie PUBLIC SCHOOLS. I don't believe in unions, and the teachers union allows for allot of crap teachers to stay in the system. The teachers and community would be better off without them. They allways cry for increased pay...get with the real world "work harder with less". I worked for the government I know their benefits and pay programs. I don't like to be threatened that programs will be taken away from my children if I don't vote for the levy. The board of ed doesn't realize that the State needs to take care of the budget problem. Once you have the people involved with taxes, the state will decrease the assistance to the district, and the district will inevitably have to continue to relly on more tax increases to continue to sustain them. I've seen this happen in NJ. There is much more to say, but these are the basics. STOP HIDING BEHIND MY CHILDREN!

I hear ya sister. There's a lot of waste and inefficiency throughout the government and public schools, and I totally agree on trimming out the crap teachers. I'm a big proponent of Charter Schools - no union business, often better managed and more efficient than public schools, and they don't HAVE to take any child, so the ones that are there want to be there.

 

[stealth2]

they don't HAVE to take any child, so the ones that are there want to be there.

So what do you do with the rest of them?

 

[Humusluvr]

So what do you do with the rest of them?

Did you ever see the Pink Floyd video to Another Brick in the Wall? If you don't eat your meat, you can't have any pudding....

J/K.

Send them to boot camp.

 

[Perky]

I hear ya sister. There's a lot of waste and inefficiency throughout the government and public schools, and I totally agree on trimming out the crap teachers. I'm a big proponent of Charter Schools - no union business, often better managed and more efficient than public schools, and they don't HAVE to take any child, so the ones that are there want to be there.

I don't usually disagree with you, Humus, but this post is aggravating.

I have nothing against charter schools either. However, since their enrollment is often based on parents caring enough about their children's education to actively seek admission for their children, that leaves public schools in the unenviable position of educating those whose parents don't really care. (Before anyone misinterprets my meaning, I KNOW there are many parents of public school students who DO care, and are involved in their children's education. As a public school teacher, I appreciate their support and involvement.)

So, when studies are published about the success of this charter school or that one, legislators and business people opine that public schools should be modeled in the same way. It's frustrating to those of us who are expected to have the same level of success with students whose parents don't support their studies, ignore school/district policies, and prefer to be nonentities, and sometimes even barriers, in the educational process.

As for the unions, I am glad that I have a union and I'm a proud member. One fallacy that permeates the media is that unions keep bad teachers in their jobs. That's so wrong. Any teacher, tenured or not, who is not performing his/her job satisfactorily can be dismissed with the proper documentation. In fact, that documentation is not so hard to amass. True, in most contracts, teachers are entitled to a remediation process before dismissal, but it is absolutely possible to remove a teacher who shouldn't be teaching.

Well, then, how are ineffective teachers allowed to continue in their jobs? IMO, you'll have to ask their administrators. If teachers on their staffs are ineffective, or even harmful, what have the admins done about it? How are they monitoring their teachers? Before tenure, teachers can be dismissed without any reason and the union can do nothing about it. After tenure, all it takes is a trail of documentation and a failed remediation. The union cannot protect against that. I wish the media would quit blaming the union for protecting bad teachers. The process is there, but too few admins/districts act on it.

I also agree that there is a lot of waste and inefficiency in government and public schools. Much of the waste and inefficiency in public schools is due to the government. Education has become a big business, and the rich get richer while the poor get poorer. A whole new industry has been created in response to federal mandates, and I'm too much of a cynic to believe that one hand is NOT washing the other.

Unfortunately, to many of us teachers, it feels as though the weight of all the failures in education are on our backs. We, who have the smallest voices in education, are most often the targets of blame for all ills.


ETA: Sorry for hijacking, OP. I've been there with my sons' high school. I agree it's wrong and I think it's unethical.

 

[Humusluvr]

I can totally see where you are coming from.

What I like about Charter Schools is the specialization. They usually take some twist - like technology or STEM - and really engage and interest the students. If the students aren't interested, the school fails.

And I do agree that lazy or inefficient admin keeps bad teachers in the classroom.

It's a broken and politicized system. It needs cleaned up in a serious way.

 

[stealth2]

I have one who went through the public schools, and another in a Charter. Charters are *great* for kids who have a special area of interest.

My youngest's school focuses on math/science, with a specialization in Marine Biology. It's an area she's always been interested in, and she loves the cool stuff they do (scuba for PE, "field" trips - as in, actually out in the field, collecting samples, actual research projects, etc.). A negative is that they don't want to know if a kid needs some extra help in a specific area.

My oldest went to our local public HS. When he started, he didn't really have a specific focus. There really wasn't an area he didn't excel in (okay, there was - he's no athlete), but he hadn't yet had the "ah hah" moment where something truly inspired him. His HS gave him the opportunity to explore different disciplines so that he could reach THAT moment.

As perro stated, the problem has less to do with the schools and teachers, and much more to do with parents and society as a whole. *We* - as a society - no longer hold education for it's own sake as something worthwhile. To write well, to be well read, to be able to do basic math w/o a calculator... none of that is viewed as important or noteworthy. Go to almost any other First World country, and almost everyone - regardless of their social/economic standing - is well read, can do at least basic math in their head, and knows the history of their country. You're hard-pressed to find that here.

Yes, we are in a unique situation due to being such a melting pot. BUT... math is math. Science is science. Literature? There is room for literature from many societies to be read/taught. History? We should teach our kids OUR history - both within our country and how the US has been involved/influenced/been influenced by other countries - first and foremost.

And somehow.... we need to get to the place where our kids come to school ready to learn. Well rested, well fed. For the most part in a good emotional state. A Charter school system is not going to fix that.

 

[Perky]

And somehow.... we need to get to the place where our kids come to school ready to learn. Well rested, well fed. For the most part in a good emotional state. A Charter school system is not going to fix that.

AMEN!

And sorry for the rant. Even though I haven't even seen "Waiting for Superman" or the Oprah show about it, all the brouhaha surrounding it, has me in an activist mood. Now if I could just figure out where to practice that activism!

 

[ajkroy]

I don't usually disagree with you, Humus, but this post is aggravating.

I have nothing against charter schools either. However, since their enrollment is often based on parents caring enough about their children's education to actively seek admission for their children, that leaves public schools in the unenviable position of educating those whose parents don't really care. (Before anyone misinterprets my meaning, I KNOW there are many parents of public school students who DO care, and are involved in their children's education. As a public school teacher, I appreciate their support and involvement.)

So, when studies are published about the success of this charter school or that one, legislators and business people opine that public schools should be modeled in the same way. It's frustrating to those of us who are expected to have the same level of success with students whose parents don't support their studies, ignore school/district policies, and prefer to be nonentities, and sometimes even barriers, in the educational process.

As for the unions, I am glad that I have a union and I'm a proud member. One fallacy that permeates the media is that unions keep bad teachers in their jobs. That's so wrong. Any teacher, tenured or not, who is not performing his/her job satisfactorily can be dismissed with the proper documentation. In fact, that documentation is not so hard to amass. True, in most contracts, teachers are entitled to a remediation process before dismissal, but it is absolutely possible to remove a teacher who shouldn't be teaching.

Well, then, how are ineffective teachers allowed to continue in their jobs? IMO, you'll have to ask their administrators. If teachers on their staffs are ineffective, or even harmful, what have the admins done about it? How are they monitoring their teachers? Before tenure, teachers can be dismissed without any reason and the union can do nothing about it. After tenure, all it takes is a trail of documentation and a failed remediation. The union cannot protect against that. I wish the media would quit blaming the union for protecting bad teachers. The process is there, but too few admins/districts act on it.

I also agree that there is a lot of waste and inefficiency in government and public schools. Much of the waste and inefficiency in public schools is due to the government. Education has become a big business, and the rich get richer while the poor get poorer. A whole new industry has been created in response to federal mandates, and I'm too much of a cynic to believe that one hand is NOT washing the other.

Unfortunately, to many of us teachers, it feels as though the weight of all the failures in education are on our backs. We, who have the smallest voices in education, are most often the targets of blame for all ills.


ETA: Sorry for hijacking, OP. I've been there with my sons' high school. I agree it's wrong and I think it's unethical.

I also teach public school and I am embarrassed to be a part of the union. I am waaaay overpaid for what I do (which prompts me to work late every day and to spend a great deal of my own time preparing interactive and engaging lesson plans) and I work with people who have no business working with kids. Teachers in my school cannot be fired without committing serious violations. They don't show for weeks at a time, are years behind filing their lesson plans and paperwork, spend all of their class time on the phone or surfing the web, and have let their teaching certifications lapse...yet they still have jobs (and I have to pick up the slack of what they refuse to do). The real kicker is that if we have layoffs, I will have to leave; those who do nothing (but have more seniority) will remain.

If I want to do my job, I do not have the option of not belonging to the union. It certainly doesn't serve anyone but the teachers.

Just a voice from the other side.

 

[stealth2]

I also teach public school and I am embarrassed to be a part of the union. I am waaaay overpaid for what I do (which prompts me to work late every day and to spend a great deal of my own time preparing interactive and engaging lesson plans) and I work with people who have no business working with kids. Teachers in my school cannot be fired without committing serious violations. They don't show for weeks at a time, are years behind filing their lesson plans and paperwork, spend all of their class time on the phone or surfing the web, and have let their teaching certifications lapse...yet they still have jobs (and I have to pick up the slack of what they refuse to do). The real kicker is that if we have layoffs, I will have to leave; those who do nothing (but have more seniority) will remain.

If I want to do my job, I do not have the option of not belonging to the union. It certainly doesn't serve anyone but the teachers.

Just a voice from the other side.

So what do YOU propose?

 

[ajkroy]

So what do YOU propose?

The only realistic solution is to do away with all teaching unions and start doing merit raises only. People in the private sector are fired for things that teachers do every day. Why should we be held to a lower standard than anyone else?

Unions had their place in the industrialization of our country, but hold no value now. Now they only use their power for greed, in my experience.

We are working without a contract now (holding out for even MORE money, if you can believe it). If we strike, I will be the first scab to cross the line to do my job.