Editor:
Why did the district/school board waste the time and any money to survey the staff and community about the four- or five-day school week if they already knew what you wanted to do. They already knew that our scores were down in comparison to the state. They already knew that schools were on an improvement plan. As a taxpayer and staff member, if the five-day plan is a go, then there are changes I want to see made. I am going to refer to the high school.
1. Homework needs to become mandatory, not a running, laughing joke like it is now. There needs to be consequences given if the work is not done.
2. Students need to have books assigned to them, not just a classroom set. Thats right find some money to purchase books.
3. Establish an attendance policy ASAP. How about if you miss one block as unverified, you get a lunch detention. How about if you miss one day unverified, you get one day on campus detention. Put an end to the were just glad you came back attitude.
4. No electronic devices in the classroom, at all, no exceptions, period! If anyone believes that students can concentrate better when they are listening to music or watching a movie on their laptop or school computer, I have an island for sale, cheap.
5. Judges: When students and parents come before you for being truant, lets hand out some community service. There is plenty of graffiti around that needs to be cleaned up. Team them up, parents and kids. Things will start to change. Police and sheriffs: If you see high school-aged youth walking down the street, how about you stop and question them? Visit the corner of 7th and Chestnut before school and at lunch.
6. Figure out a way to put an end to students getting off of the school bus, not going to school, spending the day in Cortez and then coming back and riding the bus home.
Last but not least, to all of the students who are in school and doing what they are supposed to be doing and trying, keep up the good work.
The school board and school district have a lot to do before they are going to see scores go up. And thanks again for letting us all know that our opinion does not matter at all.
And by the way, good luck with that BEST grant. You might be awarded the grant, but the community will not pass it. Its not about the money, its about the fact that a new school or two will not improve student performance.
Ann Fleming
Cortez
Via CortezJournal.com
