SheliaS Anonymous

wonder if the LISD opponents think that just because this young man graduated from LHS, if it is the school district's fault he committed a crime and is potentially going to jail for a long period of time? just curious ...

1 year, 4 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

jefmelch Anonymous

No.

Speaking only for myself, of course.

This LISD bond opponent -- see footnote -- thinks that any district that considers offering a confessed participant in a felony a place of honor on the high school football starting line-up has demonstrated more committment to winning football games than educating kids.

As it happens, I think any district that sold 2004 voters a $65 million dollar "new high school (and stadium)" deal but actually spent $47 million on the stadium and $24 million on the school leading to a $7 million dollar cost over run, also demonstrated more committment to athletics than educating kids.

I happen to think a district that comes back a year after building a state-of-the-art sports arena and asks for another million or so for upgrades to the OLD stadium demonstrates a pretty high level of committment to athletics, too.

Of course, if keeping the Brandon Jacksons of the community in line means diverting bond money from building classrooms into the purchase of new high powered, fully equipped police cars for the school district's police force, well, whatever it takes, I guess. Keeping kids safe is a priority even if we disagree whether we're keeping them safe for sports or safe to learn.

But it's not completely evident to me that allowing Mesquite residents to transfer enrollment into the custody of uncles during mid-year is an inescapable part of LISD's supposed "growth". We hear, often, of that increased enrollment. How many kids, like Jackson, complete all the paperwork to transfer official enrollment during mid-year when they move OUT of a district? Versus, of course, the number that simply leave without dis-enrolling? The state distinguishes between enrollment, which is always a bigger number than "membership", which in turn is always a bigger number than "average daily attendance." For those comfortable with athletic analogies, it'd be like counting the number of kids who sign up to play, versus those who show up to practices, versus those who make the cut and play the game. The district, for reasons of its own, typically refers only to the largest figure, enrollment. Which is growing. I'd like to count number of kids who actually walk across the stage each fall and accept diplomas, as Jackson to his credit actually did. But if Dr Lewis only wants to count names on the roster, so be it.

FOOTNOTE: So, does valuing education above sports, classrooms above arenas and offices, normal kids of elementary school age above hulking teens who are unusually good at football, and building new schools in new neighborhoods instead of tearing down existing buildings in developed areas really make me an "opponent" of the entire district? Only if the district has completely opposite priorties.

You decide.

1 year, 4 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

estherspeaks Anonymous

In reference to the number of actual students who walk across the stage for their diplomas, the public might be interested that as many as 35-40% of the class of 2007 may not get their diplomas this year. There is a very high number of students who did not pass all four parts of the TAKS test and many more that are in denial of credit due to lack of attendance to class.

The state of Texas says that a student must be in a class 95% of the time or they are denied credit for that course. Even though as many as 187 students of the 2007 class are in that number, LHS will find a way a reducing the number by letting them go to "Saturday or night class" to make up the time. Of course they only put in time, and no learning takes place, but the school can say the time was put in. LISD is more interested in ensuring we meet the minimum standards than making sure students are held accountable for their actions and get a quality education. It seems once again adults are making sure their CYA is in place than doing right by kids.

1 year, 4 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )