Food for thought: Ninety-three percent of the 195 graduating seniors are going to college and, collectively, are receiving $3,858,000 in scholarships, more than any other graduating class from PSHS. Also, Poland is an excellent with distinction school district.
Statistically they have a higher than the national average attending colleges and scholarship awards.
Charms - You do have a voice. Your elected officials are your voice. You elect them to represent you and your values. Your board of education holds public meetings and allows citizens to raise concerns in a public forum. Your board member's names and contact information are public record and available to you. So, Charms, you do have a voice. Whether you use it, that is up to you. If you don't like who is representing you, then elect someone else or run yourself.
Resident - They do that in schools. They are called walk-thru evaluations. Principals evaluate you and give you feedback either in a one on one setting or through a document in your mail box.
I agree that teachers should be evaluated. Some states offer multiple evaluators. For example, teachers from our content area, building administrators, teachers out of our content area and a teacher evaluator (someone who is hired through the district to watch you teach). They meet talk about you and then give you your feedback. In addition you have to submit a portfolio with all of your "evidence" of progress over the past 3 years. If you meet the expectations you are then good for another 3 years. If not you have to redo everything the following year or you get let go.
FYI - I am anti-SB5 because it doesn't allow teachers. firefighters or police offers to have a voice. We don't have to always agree with what is said but I feel, as Americans, everyone's voice should be heard without fear.
As someone who has taught in the south, I can assure you the issues you bring up are not because of unions. I have taught in a "right to work" state where I didn't have a union rep or union dues. I didn't have anyone who was a voice for me. Even without the unions we are experiencing the same problems. We are just as broke (money wise) as Ohio. Programs are being cut, funds for technology in the classrooms are being eliminated and school districts are not replacing retirees. So here is some info for you. However you use it, or twist it, is up to you.
I pay 10% of my salary into my retirement, my district pays 6% and I will get social security and medicaid/medicare when I retire. Ohio teachers do not get social security or medicare (even though they may have paid into them). So either way you slice it a teacher's retirement is funded by tax payers. Just like those who are on SSI and Medicare, your benefits are being funded by current tax payers. And yes, I know you are going to make the argument that you have paid into this for 40+ years and you deserve them, but if you look at the history of these programs you will see that your money has long been spent and you are now reliant on current tax payers. Furthermore many people who are on these programs receive more in benefits than what they have contributed.
Our school's income isn't solely property tax. We pay property taxes on our houses AND on our cars, every year. Yes, that is correct. Every year I pay a tax on my car simply for owning it in addition to the tags and title fees. We also rely on sales tax. We are a county school system so the taxes are collected from the whole county to support the schools AND the county commissioners can vote to raise your property taxes for schools WITHOUT a vote from the people. So no levies or bonds, just an increase in taxes if it is needed.
So enjoy the info. The grass isn't always greener!
‘Waiting for Superman’ was an eye-opener for school supporter
Food for thought: Ninety-three percent of the 195 graduating seniors are going to college and, collectively, are receiving $3,858,000 in scholarships, more than any other graduating class from PSHS. Also, Poland is an excellent with distinction school district.
Statistically they have a higher than the national average attending colleges and scholarship awards.
June 14, 2011 at 4:36 p.m. permalink suggest removal
In defense of teachers
Charms - You do have a voice. Your elected officials are your voice. You elect them to represent you and your values. Your board of education holds public meetings and allows citizens to raise concerns in a public forum. Your board member's names and contact information are public record and available to you. So, Charms, you do have a voice. Whether you use it, that is up to you. If you don't like who is representing you, then elect someone else or run yourself.
June 13, 2011 at 10:41 p.m. permalink suggest removal
In defense of teachers
Resident - They do that in schools. They are called walk-thru evaluations. Principals evaluate you and give you feedback either in a one on one setting or through a document in your mail box.
I agree that teachers should be evaluated. Some states offer multiple evaluators. For example, teachers from our content area, building administrators, teachers out of our content area and a teacher evaluator (someone who is hired through the district to watch you teach). They meet talk about you and then give you your feedback. In addition you have to submit a portfolio with all of your "evidence" of progress over the past 3 years. If you meet the expectations you are then good for another 3 years. If not you have to redo everything the following year or you get let go.
FYI - I am anti-SB5 because it doesn't allow teachers. firefighters or police offers to have a voice. We don't have to always agree with what is said but I feel, as Americans, everyone's voice should be heard without fear.
June 13, 2011 at 6:06 p.m. permalink suggest removal
In defense of teachers
As someone who has taught in the south, I can assure you the issues you bring up are not because of unions. I have taught in a "right to work" state where I didn't have a union rep or union dues. I didn't have anyone who was a voice for me. Even without the unions we are experiencing the same problems. We are just as broke (money wise) as Ohio. Programs are being cut, funds for technology in the classrooms are being eliminated and school districts are not replacing retirees. So here is some info for you. However you use it, or twist it, is up to you.
I pay 10% of my salary into my retirement, my district pays 6% and I will get social security and medicaid/medicare when I retire. Ohio teachers do not get social security or medicare (even though they may have paid into them). So either way you slice it a teacher's retirement is funded by tax payers. Just like those who are on SSI and Medicare, your benefits are being funded by current tax payers. And yes, I know you are going to make the argument that you have paid into this for 40+ years and you deserve them, but if you look at the history of these programs you will see that your money has long been spent and you are now reliant on current tax payers. Furthermore many people who are on these programs receive more in benefits than what they have contributed.
Our school's income isn't solely property tax. We pay property taxes on our houses AND on our cars, every year. Yes, that is correct. Every year I pay a tax on my car simply for owning it in addition to the tags and title fees. We also rely on sales tax. We are a county school system so the taxes are collected from the whole county to support the schools AND the county commissioners can vote to raise your property taxes for schools WITHOUT a vote from the people. So no levies or bonds, just an increase in taxes if it is needed.
So enjoy the info. The grass isn't always greener!
June 5, 2011 at 9:59 p.m. permalink suggest removal