Is the school system top heavy with administrative costs? What the hell is a “safe school room” and why do we have an ” Academic Accountability Program Coordinator”
It looks to me that these should be the first jobs cut! The waste in our school system has got to stop. The local districts march out the teachers that would be lost in the new plan. What about all these stupid support positions such as the above?
If we are serious about saving money, we best start looking at the need to have 115 different independant school districts in this state. At some point, the education system has got to realize that “WE DON’T HAVE ANY MORE MONEY”!!!

I don’t see how this is political — it is talking about a proposed plan, which it seems to me is what we should do, no matter how we feel about it. Any type of sweeping proposal like this is needs lots of discussion. And as to whether parents should be contacted through a school list, just how is this different than sending a letter home with students asking parents to vote for a school bond. And, by the way, if our parents hadn’t voted in favor of those school bonds, you baby boomers wouldn’t have had classrooms to sit in or teachers either.

Oh my is the pond of the teaching profession being made to ripple again. I think Luna should suggest the children get paper and scissors instead of computers (I personally think a computer for every child is not feasible). Back to the paper and scissors. They would increase the dexterity of the child; teach them to follow lines assuming free cutting was not allowed; and the teacher could bone up on global warming.
On a more serious note I am so sick and tired of our children being exploited and dumbed down for the ideas of-yes I am going to say it- seflish linear thinking nincompoops.
Hey I wonder how much school districts could make by selling their student’s parents information list.
Don;t forget to tell your child you love them as the interest of politics sure do when the legislature is in session.

This is another example of some in the education field not understanding the line between their job, and political activity while at work. It is sad that an educated Principal does not understand this. While at work they are not to advocate for or against any one political view. As much as the teachers and the Union hate it, Tom Luna is the legitimately elected Superintendent of Public Education. If they disagree, they are free to advocate their point of view after work. But to use taxpayer funded data bases and e-mail addresses, is unethical and likely illegal. Would it be any different if Sheriff Raney had his deputies putting up campaign signs while on duty in their patrol cars?? There is no difference. Using taxpayer funded resources is wrong and the Principal should make a public apology…..

The entire issue is really pretty simple…it all comes down to money. When one looks at where the existing loot goes one inevitably finds about 80% goes to pay and benefits and less than 20% to everything else, buildings, books, supplies, buses, fuel utilities, everything.

So, when the educators demand more education money they really mean more money going to them in increased pay and benefit schemes, not more going to actually educate Junior.

Equally, when taxpayers or government speaks of cuts to education, the same educators know that means less for them, as they get the lions share to start with.

Just follow the money…education has little do do with the real discussion, who gets the money does.

I would wager Luna and the 90% of the Idaho legislature could not pass an SAT college entrance exam.

These are the people who make our laws for everything, including education.

Dog, I would wager a goodly percent of our union educators also could not pass a SAT exam today…

The difference is, Luna and his folk can be removed from office while the union folk cannot.

Some comments seem to indicate that Luna is a dictator and whatever he wants should come to pass. I thought everyone still had a right to input, discussion, analysis, criticism and alternative proposals. Believe it or not, teachers, parents and school administrators are also citizens of Idaho

EDITOR NOTE–Based on what we heard from readers, the frustration seems to be the other way around. Citizens don’t have the resources–be they lists or cash–to mount campaigns for or against issues. We certainly agree BOTH sides should have the rules on any public issues.

I don’t believe anyone is trashing teachers. Their bosses? You Bet!!
I don’ believe the starting salary of teachers in Idaho are related to their competency. Once that degree is earned, young teachers want to live in places like Idaho so they may take advantage of the hiking, backpacking, fishing, hunting, kayaking etc., that we have virually minutes from the city. An opportunity to live in cities with low crime rates and family friendly attitudes. Yet they want a salery commensurate with the L.A Unified teachers starting salary. Sorry folks, it simply doesn’t work that way. As with any business, it is a question of supply and demand.
The problem that must be addressed is the bloated,overbuilt bureaucracy in our educational system.

Chuck: “Against the law”? What law would that be? Do you even understand how a school board works? It is elected, by voters. One of its jobs – as an elected body – is to “influence public opinion.” If you don’t like that, if you are a MSD patron, then next time you “vote” for someone else. If you are not a MSD patron, no one gives a rip what you think.

BOIAZDAD

Let me answer for Chuck. Look up Idaho Code 18-1359. I tried to cut and paste it, but the comment section would not allow me to do it. It is on the web if you go to the Idaho Statue web page.

I’m still trying to figure out how 50% of the State buget goes to schools. Not sure its correct but I would think its for about 25% of the people. If you figure the amount of students in this state and compare it to the amount of non students. What % is it.

Some of us close to the situation do not buy the parents protest, nor the students uninformed whining. I have been teaching online courses for 8 years and I get students who were definitely not prepared for college. My husband is a jr high teacher. He would benefit from a merit system. Evidently not everyone feels as confident that they can, or the teachers would be saying “bring it on” based on merit.

There is no reason a student cannot write a paper nor interact with a teacher online.Do we have people in the correspondence school mentality of 30 years ago? I took an online anatomy course 40 years ago – video feed. Teachers do not need to be in the room to “connect” with students. Nearly every college now has online courses.

To not expose students to the future of education is child neglect. Parents should be focusing on how the online education is designed and managed not, IF it is appropriate. It is inappropriate not to introduce them to the future. I believe, properly managed, if the naysayers would just stop the rhetoric and get with the 21st century and say how are we going to do this, the product of our system will improve.

There are teachers protected from performance accountability. I get audited 2x per year and I can assure you the audit is more thorough than sitting in on any class for an hour and reviewing ISATs. Merit pay is how the rest of the world (except government employees, oh yes – these are unionized government employees)earn a living. The rest of us function on our merits, we earn our way by putting out a good product. As a college instructor, I am getting sent low quality products that would never be released to the public in a business trying to make a profit. Cheaper, better, faster – pick 2 – I think it can be done better and cheaper – maybe even faster if the college credit course are online – as many junior colleges across the country are doing.

The whole resistance is just nonsense and NOT in the best interest of the future of our kids. Even Harvard has online classes!!! Get over it – if you have never done it, you have no business acting out (parents not kids – they get to act out sometimes) Parents you need a time out!