Misc RAS Items and Thoughts

RSI Admissions Task Force
Seems like a good idea. It will be interesting what ideas they generate and how they are accepted/implemented.

ARRA Funding and Coaches
For coaches to succeed, the coachee needs to accept they have a short coming and they really need to "want" to learn/change. Also, the coach needs to be experienced and knowledgeable. (ie respected by coachee...)

How are we going to hold tenured teachers accountable to improving performance? Without some pressure to improve, it is hard for people to question the effectiveness of what they are currently doing... (ie people do what they do because they think it is the best way.. they don't do it thinking, I want to do it this way because it is wrong..)

How are we going to find experienced and knowledgeable people to sign up for a 2 yr program? Seems like outside consultants would be the only practical way. Otherwise, which experienced tenured staff is going to listen to a "probationary" teacher no matter their training ?

Most likely, we need to call them coaches to meet ARRA reqts. In reality they will be some help for the current staff. It will be interesting to see how it progresses.

2009/2010 Budget

• Pg 2 - Salaries reflect step and lane changes and a 0% contract increase
• Beginning fund balance = $1,399,871
• Ending fund balance = $4,027,828

Not sure what this means exactly, however I sure hope the teacher's union is on board with this. Otherwise that ending fund balance will never become reality. Just a reminder: the board put a 2% / yr into the Supt Sicoli's contract... If the "0% contract" means the teachers get 0%, this will be interesting...

Star Tribune: Supt Sicoli interview

• No cuts in 2009/2010
• "I'm impressed with the International Baccalaureate program, the Spanish Immersion program ... Those are quality rigorous choice options for families. Obviously, the arts. I don't know if there's a district with as long and proud a tradition in the arts as Robbinsdale."

Looks like we will keep outspending our income and funding Priority 4 programs. I wonder when the next Referendum will be held and who will vote for it ? How does a school district learn to live within the funding granted it by the citizens ?

LAC Summary
The necessity for lobbyists is fascinating to me. The LAC is one of thousands of groups trying to inform and influence the politicians to spend money on their agenda. No wonder the cost of government keeps going up... We keep asking for more stuff...

Since it is the way the system operates, I have nothing against the LAC. I am just wondering how taxes will ever go down if the citizen's keep demanding more support for their "special interest". (ie schools, businesses, food programs, environment, farms, healthcare, parks, bike paths, local jobs programs, arts, medicare, etc, etc, etc.....)

PLE / ZLE / Sonnesyn post:
I killed this post because my concern/fear was perceived as arrogant and condescending. In other words it was going the wrong way and fast... Especially for this forum. Please email me at give2get@live.com if you want any clarification on my thoughts and concerns. I am happy to get together for lunch if it would help.