The same approach is used with a question on the financial problems facing the district. McGrew notes that it is important to make sure the students have the technology they need and that some of the older buldings in the district be brought up to date, but never acknowledges that the district has a money problem.
On the subject of Common Core Standards, McGrew says he has some concerns about them, including data collection and making sure that all schools have the technology to deal with the online testing Common Core requires. He does not say, however, how he feels about Common Core.
McGrew does get specific about the effect of Bright Futures on the Joplin school district. McGrew, who has been deeply involved with the program, noted the difference it has made to R-8 students, and that the program has expanded to include 22 districts in six states.
"We have to be very proud of what we have accomplished."
7 comments:
It is true there is no denigrating the satisfaction of seeing a child in need obtain anything from shoes to food to a mattress at home. However, the overriding mission of Bright Futures was to create an atmosphere in which children could learn. The children now have more of what they need, but judging from Joplin's test scores, learning is bottoming out. Obviously, something is not going well here. The same district was very much on the upswing before CJ Huff and Bright Futures came to town. Explanations, anyone?
Bright Futures assisted 366 students in 2013 (Joplin Schools 2013 Annual Report)~at least 2.5 employees are paid thru BF funds. I question the expense of these employees to meet the needs of only 366 students (an average of two students per school day). Prior to BF, principals, teachers and counselors ensured needs were met without the additional expense of more employees at the Admin Building. I suggest an accounting of donated funds and how much has been used for direct student support vs. overhead---a shameful waste of donated funds!
8:59am commenter~ I agree. I would like to know how the purchasing of over $25K in gifts this past Christmas will ensure "an atmosphere of learning and/or stronger graduation rates" for the identified students who received these gifts. There is a great deal of 'band-aid' charity within Bright Futures. There is no evidence that this approach correlates with the identified long term outcomes; but to those professionals new to the social service arena, they certainly can sleep better at night as they believe this type of helping solves the complex, multiple faceted issues that many families face on a daily basis.
Looking over the June and July Joplin School Board minutes, it appears that Bright Futures is heavily supported with district dollars, not just donations. In fact, there is a payment of $776,000 to Bright Futures in the budget for this years. That means that the good works BF does are actually partially paid for by the taxpayers. Also, BF pays for Link Crew, PD trips, and various and sundry expenses. No one really knows, and no one will, without an audit. Since all tornado donations were dumped into BF without much supervision, if any, it is difficult to discern what pools of cash they are using for various projects.
I never minded BF when it appeared that it was a volunteer/donation based venture. I object to my tax dollars being dumped into it with no accountability. In some circles, that is called laundering...
My favorite Bright Futures story is the full-blown baby shower they provided for a pregnant student at the local YMCA. Cake, gifts, games and all. It almost ensures a continuing demand for their services.
Boy, McGrew, I'd be proud, too, with that record of altruism.
Bright Futures does not always use donated funds as the donor requests, just so you all know that. I won't give them another dollar. There are other ways to help students around here.
I hate it when politicians can only mouth the talking points of their party, in this case the Huff Party, without providing any kind of substance. McGrew strikes me from this as having little substance all the way around. I'm not voting for him just so he can be the poster boy for the Rubber Stamp Club.
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