The job of the West Bend Board of Education is to determine the educational needs of the community and plan and provide for that. They have a budget of more than $70 million to educate 7,000 students. I've noticed misplaced priorities in the district.
One example: While attending a recent board committee meeting, a district 4K feasibility study was approved. I was stunned that the district would look into expanding programs while also looking at budget cuts and/or tax increases. Besides knowing that any benefit a child receives from 4K program is lost by 2nd or 3rd grade, I wondered why the district would spend time, effort and paid staff looking into expanding programs when they are in a financial pinch. The administration agreed about the lost benefit of 4K, but said this was just a "feasibility study" and would "cost nothing."
On the other hand, Virtual programming has been implemented in the district and has tremendous potential for motivated students in certain classes. I would like to see the district spend time, effort and paid staff looking into ways to make Virtual Programing work even better. Done well, it would be a cost-effective, beneficial way to offer more. At a time when the district needs to balance the budget they should be spending our resources finding ways to make current programs better instead of studying a program that offers little or no lasting benefit.
Good intentions? Maybe, but misguided. There are ways to get the school budget in check. I know we can do better and look forward to being part of the solution in these tough economic times. We must maintain and sustain quality education and get our priorities straight. To do that we need transparency, accountability and a change on the board.
David
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Creative Ways to Enhance Gifted and Talented and More...
Thinking outside the box is needed these days when dealing with budget shortfalls and tax-stressed families. Is our only option to choose between cutting programs or more taxes? I think we can come up with some very valid, thoughtful ideas to continue and even enhance programs such as Gifted and Talented (which many parents are concerned about cutting).
Just a few thoughts I would like to see the school district pursue:
1. Destination Imagination (parents of Gifted and Talented children)
2. More parental/volunteer involvement in other areas
3. Organizations like 4-H (see previous post)
4. Enhance Virtual offerings for students who need to be more challenged, or those who need more reinforcement in the basics.
The options for our children are exciting and abound. Let's take advantage of the community offerings. This can be an exciting time in our community. Let's work together and achieve even better results!
Dave
Just a few thoughts I would like to see the school district pursue:
1. Destination Imagination (parents of Gifted and Talented children)
2. More parental/volunteer involvement in other areas
3. Organizations like 4-H (see previous post)
4. Enhance Virtual offerings for students who need to be more challenged, or those who need more reinforcement in the basics.
The options for our children are exciting and abound. Let's take advantage of the community offerings. This can be an exciting time in our community. Let's work together and achieve even better results!
Dave
District Spending and Test Scores
As this graph shows, more taxes does not equal better test scores. There is more to the equation.
In order to make education sustainable, we must learn to budget for the future. The current tax and spend climate is not sustainable.
Our kids are depending on us to properly budget and plan for their future.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
4-H offerings
Our kids spent many years in 4-H. That wonderful program, run by the county and by parents gave our kids many opportunities, including leadership, public speaking, animal science and showmanship, woodworking, family living, research opportunities and so much more. During a time of economic crunch when school budgets need to be balanced in order to sustain foundational education priorities, the community and schools must look into partnering with other organizations to enhance the needs of their families. I suggest 4-H. The following is a sample of what they have to offer:
STANDARDS FOR COUNTY CAREER AWARDS
County Achievement, Animal Science, Arts & Communication,
Family Living, Mechanical Science, Natural Science, Plant Science and Leadership Medals
a.A member must have completed 9th grade in the current calendar year.
b.Application must indicate leadership involvement -Youth Leader for Project and enrolled in Youth Leadership Project.
c.Exhibited at County Fair.
d.Participated in Speaking, Poster, Demonstration Program(s) or Communication Arts Festival at club or county level.
e.Shows growth and accomplishments in Projects enrolled in the past year to current enrollment.
f.Currently enrolled in at least two of the designated Projects listed under the Award.
g.Completed at least three years in one of the Project areas.
h.Completed at least 10 units in designated Projects. One unit = each year enrolled in the Project, i.e., Family Living: Crocheting – 3 years; Food & Nutrition – 4 years; Houseplants – 2 years; Quilting – 1 year = 10 units.
i.Received at least one County Project disc in the area being nominated (may have been a past year).
Animal Science
Projects include: Beef, Cats, Cavies, Crops, Dairy, Dogs, Dogless Dogs, Goat, Horse, Horseless Horse, Llama, Model Horse, Pets, Poultry, Rabbits, Sheep, Swine, Vet Science.
Arts & Communication
Projects include: Arts, Basketry, Ceramics, Clowning, Collections, Creative Stitchery, Communications, Computers, Drama, Drawing and Painting, History & Heritage, Leathercraft, Macrame, Music, Photography, Scrapbooking, Stenciling.
Family Living
Projects include: Cake Decorating, Child Development, Clothes Horse, Clothing, Crocheting, Foods & Nutrition, Food Preservation, Home Environment, Knitting, Quilting, Woolspinning.
Mechanical Science
Projects include: Aerospace, Electricity, Models, Small Engines, Tractor, Woodworking.
Natural Science
Projects include: Adventures, Air Rifle, Archery, Birds, Entomology, Fishing, Muzzleloading, Nature Space, Shotgun, Trees, Wild Flowers, Wildlife Ecology.
1.Plant/Soil Science
Projects include: Crops, Flowers, Fruit, Gardening, Houseplants, Plant Crafts.
Achievement
Additional Requirements:
Enrolled in at least two Projects.
Received a minimum of 3 county project awards. Project awards need to be received in multiple years.
Shows growth in club participation.
Actively involved in at least four county activities, i.e., Educational Programs, Workshops, Communication, Arts Festival, etc.
Exclude “f”, “g”, “h”, “i” from above.
Leadership
Currently enrolled in Youth Leadership Project.
Has or previously received a Youth Leadership disc or completed significant youth leadership responsibilities.
Currently youth leader in at least one Project or club Community Development Project (Recreation, Community Service, or Special Emphasis).
Currently chairperson or club or county committee OR club officer.
Participated in leadership training opportunities (Camp Counselor, Friends Helping Friends, Leaders Board Member, Tri-County Leader Workshop, etc.).
Exclude “f,” “g”, “h”, and “i”.
Thinking outside the box,
Dave Weigand
STANDARDS FOR COUNTY CAREER AWARDS
County Achievement, Animal Science, Arts & Communication,
Family Living, Mechanical Science, Natural Science, Plant Science and Leadership Medals
a.A member must have completed 9th grade in the current calendar year.
b.Application must indicate leadership involvement -Youth Leader for Project and enrolled in Youth Leadership Project.
c.Exhibited at County Fair.
d.Participated in Speaking, Poster, Demonstration Program(s) or Communication Arts Festival at club or county level.
e.Shows growth and accomplishments in Projects enrolled in the past year to current enrollment.
f.Currently enrolled in at least two of the designated Projects listed under the Award.
g.Completed at least three years in one of the Project areas.
h.Completed at least 10 units in designated Projects. One unit = each year enrolled in the Project, i.e., Family Living: Crocheting – 3 years; Food & Nutrition – 4 years; Houseplants – 2 years; Quilting – 1 year = 10 units.
i.Received at least one County Project disc in the area being nominated (may have been a past year).
Animal Science
Projects include: Beef, Cats, Cavies, Crops, Dairy, Dogs, Dogless Dogs, Goat, Horse, Horseless Horse, Llama, Model Horse, Pets, Poultry, Rabbits, Sheep, Swine, Vet Science.
Arts & Communication
Projects include: Arts, Basketry, Ceramics, Clowning, Collections, Creative Stitchery, Communications, Computers, Drama, Drawing and Painting, History & Heritage, Leathercraft, Macrame, Music, Photography, Scrapbooking, Stenciling.
Family Living
Projects include: Cake Decorating, Child Development, Clothes Horse, Clothing, Crocheting, Foods & Nutrition, Food Preservation, Home Environment, Knitting, Quilting, Woolspinning.
Mechanical Science
Projects include: Aerospace, Electricity, Models, Small Engines, Tractor, Woodworking.
Natural Science
Projects include: Adventures, Air Rifle, Archery, Birds, Entomology, Fishing, Muzzleloading, Nature Space, Shotgun, Trees, Wild Flowers, Wildlife Ecology.
1.Plant/Soil Science
Projects include: Crops, Flowers, Fruit, Gardening, Houseplants, Plant Crafts.
Achievement
Additional Requirements:
Enrolled in at least two Projects.
Received a minimum of 3 county project awards. Project awards need to be received in multiple years.
Shows growth in club participation.
Actively involved in at least four county activities, i.e., Educational Programs, Workshops, Communication, Arts Festival, etc.
Exclude “f”, “g”, “h”, “i” from above.
Leadership
Currently enrolled in Youth Leadership Project.
Has or previously received a Youth Leadership disc or completed significant youth leadership responsibilities.
Currently youth leader in at least one Project or club Community Development Project (Recreation, Community Service, or Special Emphasis).
Currently chairperson or club or county committee OR club officer.
Participated in leadership training opportunities (Camp Counselor, Friends Helping Friends, Leaders Board Member, Tri-County Leader Workshop, etc.).
Exclude “f,” “g”, “h”, and “i”.
Thinking outside the box,
Dave Weigand
Friday, March 12, 2010
My Letter to Jackson Elementary School PTO
Dear Jackson Elementary School Parents and Teachers,
Thank you for the opportunity to have some of my thoughts expressed to you. I am sorry I cannot be
here tonight, but a family commitment has me out of town.
I have lived in West Bend since I attended Fair Park Elementary School. I had some wonderful teachers there and fondly remember one of them named Miss Muehl. I still keep in touch with her sister, a retired Decorah Elementary School teacher.
Let me share with you a strong impression the years at Fair Park made on me. I came from a single parent home, something rare in the 60's. I could have been considered “at risk” because of that, yet the high expectations the teachers had of their students, including me, did not change because of a rare family situation. I am so thankful that high expectations were the norm in the Fair Park classrooms. The principal, Dale Westby made a wonderful impression on me too. High expectations and great staff are the makings of great schools.
Of the elementary schools in the West Bend School District, Jackson Elementary has the second highest test scores (a VERY close second to McLane). I attribute that success to parents and teachers here. High standards and high expectations are apparent here in Jackson. I have known Brian Heimark for many years and know that he is a man of high integrity.
As a board member, I will work hard to ensure those high standards are maintained here and throughout the district.
Yes, the West Bend School District is a low spending district. We should consider that a badge of honor. Many districts spend more per student than we do, yet have lower test scores. I fear that if our district continues to raise taxes, and not operate within their revenue limits, we will stress the already
stressed system, and hurt families who are struggling to make ends meet.. The European country of Greece is a place we could look to in order to understand what happens when out of control government spending cannot sustain itself. Greece ran out of other people's money, and they are in trouble.
I would like to help ensure that our schools are sustainable during the stressful economic times like we are facing today in our nation, state and community.
We will need to budget for things like space needs in Jackson before we ask the taxpayers for more money. They already generously support our schools and need to see that we are budgeting for the future, and that we are trustworthy with their money. The alternative is not acceptable.
Jackson has much to be proud of and I congratulate you on efficiently running your school, high test scores and parent involvement. I hope to see you continue leading the way through your example, and I look forward to serving on the school board to work with you to achieve these goals.
Dave Weigand
School Board Candidate
Thank you for the opportunity to have some of my thoughts expressed to you. I am sorry I cannot be
here tonight, but a family commitment has me out of town.
I have lived in West Bend since I attended Fair Park Elementary School. I had some wonderful teachers there and fondly remember one of them named Miss Muehl. I still keep in touch with her sister, a retired Decorah Elementary School teacher.
Let me share with you a strong impression the years at Fair Park made on me. I came from a single parent home, something rare in the 60's. I could have been considered “at risk” because of that, yet the high expectations the teachers had of their students, including me, did not change because of a rare family situation. I am so thankful that high expectations were the norm in the Fair Park classrooms. The principal, Dale Westby made a wonderful impression on me too. High expectations and great staff are the makings of great schools.
Of the elementary schools in the West Bend School District, Jackson Elementary has the second highest test scores (a VERY close second to McLane). I attribute that success to parents and teachers here. High standards and high expectations are apparent here in Jackson. I have known Brian Heimark for many years and know that he is a man of high integrity.
As a board member, I will work hard to ensure those high standards are maintained here and throughout the district.
Yes, the West Bend School District is a low spending district. We should consider that a badge of honor. Many districts spend more per student than we do, yet have lower test scores. I fear that if our district continues to raise taxes, and not operate within their revenue limits, we will stress the already
stressed system, and hurt families who are struggling to make ends meet.. The European country of Greece is a place we could look to in order to understand what happens when out of control government spending cannot sustain itself. Greece ran out of other people's money, and they are in trouble.
I would like to help ensure that our schools are sustainable during the stressful economic times like we are facing today in our nation, state and community.
We will need to budget for things like space needs in Jackson before we ask the taxpayers for more money. They already generously support our schools and need to see that we are budgeting for the future, and that we are trustworthy with their money. The alternative is not acceptable.
Jackson has much to be proud of and I congratulate you on efficiently running your school, high test scores and parent involvement. I hope to see you continue leading the way through your example, and I look forward to serving on the school board to work with you to achieve these goals.
Dave Weigand
School Board Candidate
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