Require students to fill out college application?

I just read an interesting article, which you can find here about the state of Maine considering a bill that would require all high school seniors to apply to college. I'm not sure where I stand on this issue but I would love to hear your thoughts, is this something Wisconsin or Oshkosh should consider?

The City and the School District and the Facilities Plan

I have started a new thread I have copied and pasted a post from a previous thread to begin the discussion because I think this topic deserves its own thread (I have also copied and pasted the two responses to the original post - the first date is the original post the second is when I posted them here):

I would ask the you keep to the topic of the impact of the facilities plan on the city.

Original Post by Anonymous
Saturday, April 21, 2007 11:25:00 AM CST

Check out this open letter from Kent Monte to the mayor and members of the city council.

"To Mayor Tower and Oshkosh Common Council Members,I would like to address an issue that is evolving within our school district that will have a great influence on city assessments for many years to come. As most of you already know, the school board has approved an open ended scenario 7 to be addressed by the administration. If this scenario is allowed to be brought to completion, it will mean a drastic reduction in property values in many areas throughout the city while stagnating growth on the south/west section of the city. This scenario is NOT a viable option for Oshkosh and should NOT be considered acceptable by this council. I plea with you step in and protect the cities interest in this matter. It will have a lasting negative effect on this city and should not be allowed to be completed. Further scenario discussions should include City Administration to represent the council and homeowners/taxpayers.Thank you for your time and consideration.Kent Monte"

Where does one even begin to comment about his ridiculous ramblings? First, he has absolutely no idea what the board is going to ask for in a referendum, so to suggest it will have such long-term, devastating effects is asinine and irresponsible. We should be able to expect more from someone who wanted to be a city leader. Second, we have to take care of ALL sections of Oshkosh, not just the side he lives on. And in case he hasn't noticed, the city is landlocked so any growth we have -- and there will always be growth despite his prediction of stagnation under scenario 7 -- will be to the west.I'm sure there are others who can more appropriately address his complaints about scenario 7. But the one thing to remember about the Montes is they've never seen a scenario they liked; and probably never will. They will find reasons to bitch about anything the district comes up with because they are naysayers who want no change whatsoever.Last, but certainly not least, I realize Kent is not a product of the Oshkosh school system, but I question what he learned in whatever school system he did come from. Take a look at his sentence structure and grammar in the sentence that starts with the words "I plea." Wow, is this guy for real? So much for quality control in his letter. He might want to think about having English major wife Michelle check out his ramblings in the future. Oh, that's right, she's about as bad and makes the same mistakes as he.
Saturday, April 21, 2007 11:25:00 AM CST

OASD Facilities Plan and some misinformation

I was reading some other local blogs and I'm just amazed at how one particular blogger continues to perpetuate misinformation. Mrs. Monte responded to a poster who had expressed her feelings about keeping 9th graders in the middle school and Mrs. Monte said that was being looked at "The possibility is that with declining enrollment, if the trend holds true, a switch to 10-12 could be temporary as a way to avoid building classrooms that would not be needed in the future."

I just find it amazing that Mrs. Monte, especially as a member of the CRT, does not understand that moving 9th graders into our middle schools would require the building of classrooms. The district would be approximately 575 seats SHORT if they added 9th graders to our middle schools. Aslo, she claims that moving 9th graders into our middle schools would address the Freshman failure rate --- really? How would having 9th graders in middle school "address" the Freshman failure rate? Does she not know how that rate has been dramatically reduced by what the high schools have done to address this? This is not to say this is not still an issue but much has improved already. How would this bring equity to our elementary buildings? What would the operational savings be by doing this, or would it increase? To jump on any idea out there just because someone suggested it doesn't make sense to me.

I just wonder how many people out there really want the facts and how many will just believe anything they hear or read?

The Governor and Schools:

The following is a press release from the Governor's office that was shared with me courtesy of Cheryl Hentz:

Monday, April 9, 2007
Contact: Carla Vigue, Office of the Governor, 608-261-2162


Governor Doyle Details Rural Schools Initiative
Budget Proposals Would Address Declining Enrollment, Provide Additional Resources for Transportation, Special Education, and Smaller Classes
SUPERIOR, MERRILL - Governor Jim Doyle today detailed a Rural Schools initiative aimed at ensuring that kids in rural communities have an equal chance at a great education. The initiative, part of Governor Doyle's budget for the next two years, represents significant reforms in Wisconsin's school financing system, including measures to address declining enrollment, support school transportation needs, provide additional special education funding, and other measures to strengthen rural education. The Governor made the announcements at Cooper Elementary School in Superior and Washington Elementary School in Merrill."Rural schools play a vital role in our state, yet they face unique challenges," Governor Doyle said. "I believe that every kid, whether they come from a rural area, the city, or the suburbs, deserves the same chance to get a great education. These reforms will ensure that rural schools are treated fairly, and can prepare our kids for the jobs of the future." Addressing Declining EnrollmentDeclining enrollment is one of the biggest problems facing school districts across Wisconsin. The state currently has limits on the total amount that schools can spend based on a per pupil amount. When a school's enrollment goes down, its allowable spending goes down. Under the Governor's plan, schools will be able to receive more revenue to offset a one year decline in enrollment. For a district that saw steady declines year after year, as many districts do, this will help soften the blow and give them added flexibility, so that they never face a devastating loss in any one year. Reforming the School Transportation FormulaTo provide more support for students living in rural areas who have to travel more than 12 miles to get to school, Governor Doyle is increasing school transportation reimbursement rates by $900,000 a year. This reform will help give rural schools more flexibility in their spending limits, allowing them to focus more of their spending on classroom resources. Lifting Low Revenue DistrictsAs another step to give rural school districts more flexibility in their spending, Governor Doyle is raising the revenue ceiling by $600 per student over the next two years, and making sure schools have the resources they need for their students.
Increasing Special Education FundingTo provide more support for students in special education programs, Governor Doyle is increasing special education funding by more than $50 million - the largest increase in support for special education in nearly 15 years. Increasing SAGE Funding Smaller class sizes during a student's earliest years in school are critical for a good start to their education. That's why Governor Doyle launched the Student Achievement Guarantee in Education (SAGE) initiative - his plan to reduce class sizes from kindergarten through third grade. Today, Governor Doyle proposed increasing SAGE funding to $2,250 per student, to help raise student achievement, and create more opportunities for a good education.

NOTE the last point, I don't think SAGE is in danger of being discontinued this budget cycle...

I found some of these items had some interesting information in them... students who travel more than 12 MILES to school --- and we have people making 5 miles seem like the end of the world... I guess it just proves everything is relative...

So what do you think of the Governor's school funding proposals?

Thank you

I would like to thank everyone who voted for me and especially those who expressed their support and encouragement. I gave it all I had but it was not to be. I will remain passionate about education, just in a less visible way.

Thank you all!