The door-to-door campaign to garner enough signatures for a petition state uadit of the City of Joplin is still underway and I can tell you where at least one of the petition gatherers is- just across from me at my apartment complex.
He knocked on my door a few minutes ago and asked if I wanted to sign.
"I'm afraid I am not going to be able to do that," I said.
"May I ask why not?"
"They don't allow you to sign the petitions twice."
He seemed to like that answer and cheerfully headed toward my neighbor's apartment.
I signed the petitions for both the City of Joplin and the Joplin R-8 School District when they first arrived at Millennium Fitness. With so much money going through the city and school district, now is the right time to determine if it has been spent properly.
Wednesday, July 02, 2014
Billy Long on Hobby Lobby ruling: Today is great day for religious freedom
U.S. Rep. Billy Long issued the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court handed down their decision on the contraception mandate in the president's health care law:
"Today is a great day for religious freedom in our country. A health care law should not trample on the rights of Americans to freely exercise their deeply held religious beliefs. Today the court ruled the president's health care law goes too far in attempting to force Americans to check their religious beliefs at the door.
Huff Administration saves money by eliminating Jumbotron- the second one, that is
-One of the two police officers who have been stationed at Joplin High School
-All part-time reading teachers
-Some secretaries, bus drivers, cooks, and teacher's aides
-Starting school late at all campuses, even though the high school is the only one that is not going to be ready on time and cutting two weeks of classes for the 2014-2015 school year. This enables the district to pay everyone except certified employees less.
-Not hiring summer custodians this year and calling for volunteers to help move items into the new high school.
-And the following one that may shock a few readers- they cut the video scoreboard for the new high school (Jumbotron-type scoreboard).
For those of you who were excited about the prospect of having a jumbotron in the high school gymnasium, don't worry- it will be there. It was the second jumbotron- the one that had been in the plans for the commons area- that did not survive C. J. Huff's budget axe.
The cut of the second jumbotron was part of a reduction of half a million dollars in the district's cost of a federal Economic Development Administration grant, which still includes a $750,000 match from the district.
Most of the money from the grant, which was awarded in May 2013 for Franklin Technical Center, went for audio-visual equipment for the high school's Jet 14 studios and video production classes, even though that was not the original intent of the grant.
The EDA issued this news release on the two-year anniversary of the Joplin Tornado:
Earlier this year, Economic Development Administration also invested $3 million in Joplin to support the rebuilding and equipping of the Franklin Technical Center. Operated by the Joplin School District, the Franklin Technical Center will provide skills training to students in the school system, as well as specialized training to adults already in the workforce, allowing for the enhancement of the career training program focused on manufacturing and technology.
At some point in the process, R-8 officials eliminated the training for adults and cut almost everything except the video production items, video walls for the commons area and, of course, the jumbotron for the gymnasium.
R-8 officials said that earlier grant proposals sent to the EDA were rejected, but apparently the federal government was willing to go along with a proposal that included large video screens for a high school gymnasium that is not remotely connected to Franklin Technical Center (except, of course, that school officials have put the whole operation in the same building).
Reportedly, the shift in priorities away from using the grant for job preparedness occurred after some well-heeled donors decided not to pay for the jumbotron(s) and audio-visual equipment.
Tuesday, July 01, 2014
From Scars from the Tornado: Jennifer Nguyen's Tornado Story
“Happy Birthday!” Everyone knows that these words are meant to be said out of happiness and celebration. But when they are expressed on a day of total destruction, devastation, and depression, are they really that effective? A birthday, a day of joy targeted at the passing of age, is usually a whole day filled with presents, smiles, and cake. Lots and lots of cake! Well, that’s at least what my family thought birthdays were supposed to be like. That was, until the day came. The day that was life changing and will be forever marked in the history books of our nation for generations to come. The day that caused souls to be ripped apart from their families and thrown out into a jungle of madness. The day that my city lost, what seemed at the time, everything.
Bill Gates: Technology won't help if students aren't motivated
Bill Gates has spent millions taking control of public education, supporting policies that have demonized teachers and pushing school districts into putting far more money into technology than they should be.
The noted educational historian/blogger Diane Ravitch pointed out this ABC News article in which Gates spells out the problem with his approach, though he apparently does not understand that he is at least partially responsible for that problem:
Gates talked about his foundation's work improving and distributing vaccines across the world. But he says making advances in education is the foundation's hardest challenge.
"You name it, we have been passed by," Gates said of the country's math and science programs.
New technology to engage students holds some promise, but Gates says it tends to only benefit those who are motivated.
"And the one thing we have a lot of in the United States is unmotivated students," Gates said.
The noted educational historian/blogger Diane Ravitch pointed out this ABC News article in which Gates spells out the problem with his approach, though he apparently does not understand that he is at least partially responsible for that problem:
Gates talked about his foundation's work improving and distributing vaccines across the world. But he says making advances in education is the foundation's hardest challenge.
"You name it, we have been passed by," Gates said of the country's math and science programs.
New technology to engage students holds some promise, but Gates says it tends to only benefit those who are motivated.
"And the one thing we have a lot of in the United States is unmotivated students," Gates said.
What Gates does not seem to understand is that he is a big part of the problem. He is the one who has spearheaded the current fad of placing technology in front of the students and replacing the teachers who have the best chance of motivating those students.
New Normandy school board holds first meeting
(From the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education)
On the initial day of official operation as the Normandy Schools Collaborative, members of the Joint Executive Governing Board held their first meeting Tuesday, chaired by Superintendent Dr. Tyrone McNichols. They focused on adopting critical operating policies and discussing outreach possibilities with area legislators, community members and others interested in the future of Normandy schools.
“The Joint Executive Governing Board is making a fresh start for Normandy that will elevate best practices and, most importantly, help students achieve,” said Commissioner of Education Chris Nicastro.
On the initial day of official operation as the Normandy Schools Collaborative, members of the Joint Executive Governing Board held their first meeting Tuesday, chaired by Superintendent Dr. Tyrone McNichols. They focused on adopting critical operating policies and discussing outreach possibilities with area legislators, community members and others interested in the future of Normandy schools.
“The Joint Executive Governing Board is making a fresh start for Normandy that will elevate best practices and, most importantly, help students achieve,” said Commissioner of Education Chris Nicastro.
Commendations given to those who tried to stop Hailey Owens' abduction, murder
(From the Springfield Police Department)
On Feb. 18, Carlos and Michelle Edwards witnessed the abduction of Hailey Owens on West Lombard Street. As the crime occurred, the couple immediately took action in attempt to stop the suspect from taking the child. Although unable to catch the suspect or disrupt his plan, they were able to provide police with an accurate description of the suspect and his vehicle. Prior to police arrival at the scene, the Edwardses started contacting citizens in the area in order to identify the abducted girl. The actions they took assisted the Springfield Police Department with the arrest of the suspect.
"Their actions were positive examples of citizens working with us to solve a tragic and violent crime," said Police Chief Paul Williams. Today, the SPD recognized the Edwardses for their brave actions with Citizen Service Commendations.
JIm Evans to speak in Joplin Thursday
(From Seventh District Democratic Congressional candidate Jim Evans)
Jim Evans strongly believes that recent Supreme Court decisions (Citizens United, McCutcheon, Hobby Lobby) granting personhood to corporations and thereby extending free exercise of speech and religion rights to these state-created legal entities have wholly distorted the Constitution and fundamentally undermined our democratic republic.
Jim supports the ongoing efforts of citizens in the Seventh Congressional District and across the country to remedy this affront to American principles. As we commemorate the writing, signing and issuance of the Declaration of Independence, Jim calls upon all Members of the United States House and Senate and upon all citizens who treasure liberty to take to heart these words of Thomas Jefferson, who so eloquently crafted the document we celebrate this July 4th:
Jim Evans strongly believes that recent Supreme Court decisions (Citizens United, McCutcheon, Hobby Lobby) granting personhood to corporations and thereby extending free exercise of speech and religion rights to these state-created legal entities have wholly distorted the Constitution and fundamentally undermined our democratic republic.
Jim supports the ongoing efforts of citizens in the Seventh Congressional District and across the country to remedy this affront to American principles. As we commemorate the writing, signing and issuance of the Declaration of Independence, Jim calls upon all Members of the United States House and Senate and upon all citizens who treasure liberty to take to heart these words of Thomas Jefferson, who so eloquently crafted the document we celebrate this July 4th:
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