From Hawaii, and then Detroit, by way of the Philadelphia Examiner
DISCLAIMER: This article is presented for information, discussion, and reflection ONLY. It does not suggest the absence or presence of any drug related activity within the Morrisville School District.
Here's a twist to the drug-sniffing dogs that routinely patrol our schools protecting the children.
What about the teachers and staff? Should they get doggie-sniffed and be subject to random searches of their work spaces? Is it an "age" thing, because the students are minors and we the adults are protecting them in loco parentis? But, you protest, 18 year old students get searched too.
What a tangled web we weave...
Will teachers be drug tested in Hawaii and other states?
December 28, 11:36 PM by Donna Gundle-Krieg, Detroit Education Examiner
Do you think that Michigan teachers would ever accept 11% pay raises in return for allowing random drug testing?
That's just what teachers in Hawaii did, and now they are fighting the random tests as illegal violation of their privacy rights.
The sticky point seems to be the definition of random. The teachers' union defines random" as "limited to a pool of teachers who go on field trips, work with disabled children, are frequently absent or have criminal records."
On the other hand, the school district wants to have the power to decide when the random tests will occur.
In 2007, 61% of the teachers agreed to the contract giving them pay hikes in exchange for this loss of privacy.
The new contract mean that new teachers now earn $43,157 per year, while teachers with more than 33 years of experience earn $79,170 a year.
The drug testing section of the Hawaii agreement was spurred because during a recent six month period, the Education Department had six employees that were arrested in drug cases, included a special education teacher who pled guilty to selling more than $40,000 worth of crystal methamphetamine to an undercover agent.
These drug taking teachers are unusual. According to the Associated Press, about 4% of teachers nationwide reported using illegal drugs. This is among the lowest rates of any profession.
Only a handful of school districts in the nation require drug testing for teachers.
The Hawaii Labor Relations Board will vote on this issue soon, and the American Civil Liberties Union has said it plans to sue the state claiming the program violates privacy rights, costs taxpayers too much money, and does little to curb drug use.
Personally I agree that drug testing is not necessary unless it's warranted.
My many years of experience in Human Resources taught me that the most resourceful drug users know how to beat the tests. In addition, many of the most dangerous drugs leave a person's system quickly, while marijuana stays in the body for months.
However, the teachers voted on this contract and received a hefty pay raise for the agreement. They can't have it both ways.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
What Do You Do With an Abandoned School?
From the Somerville NJ Courier News.
Good question. Who has the answer? Is Reiter an "historical" building with all the implications thereof or a run down public use building that should be removed?
Plus, the local people want to have a "referendum". They should call the accounting emporium on Bridge Street (also known as the Emperor's main school board office) to get tips on how to backtrack on pledges of referendum running...the Emperor knows them all.
Some calling for additional study before Somerville school buildings demolished
By MARTIN C. BRICKETTO • Staff Writer • December 29, 2008
SOMERVILLE —Some are calling for additional study before two old school buildings on High Street are demolished to make way for a field for students and additional parking.
District officials say the plans have been approved by voters, would help with current district needs and remove structures in poor condition from their facilities portfolio.
Historian Jessie Havens has recommended that the school board perform a cost-benefit analysis before moving forward with the plans, raising the possibility that some entity would want to buy the buildings and refurbish them because of their prime location near West Main Street.
Fellow advocate Thomas Buckingham suggested that a referendum on the buildings be put before the public for a vote and that their demolition be postponed until after June.
"The building was built and paid for by the residents of Somerville and represents a significant community asset," Buckingham said in a presentation to the board. "To find or build equivalent space in the Somerville area would cost many times the projected cost of rehabilitating this building."
BOARD VOTE: The board voted to solicit bids to demolish the structures during a Dec. 16 meeting, over objections from Havens and Buckingham. The demolition of the buildings was part of two public questions that voters approved in 1998 and 2004, according to Board of Education Board President Dennis Garot, who added that the structures are unfit for educational uses.
"I believe that it's not prudent to waste the taxpayers' dollars asking them a question which they have already said yes to twice," Garot said.
Garot said the district is a creature of statute, and since the voters approved the public questions, demolishing the buildings has become a mandate. Garot also said demolishing the buildings would provide the district with the opportunity to get them "off of the taxpayers' backs."
"We can go from five buildings to three," Garot said.
Garot also said that students now playing on a "concrete island" would be able to enjoy an all-purpose playing field because of the plans.
Garot said heat, water and electricity have been cut from the buildings.
"It's fiscally irresponsible to proceed with something which is potentially worth millions of dollars and not double check that it has no value," Havens said, arguing research on the decision is old.
DONE DEALS: Havens also noted that the public questions authorizing demolition were package deals. The 2004 question, for example, included about $30 million in improvements to Van Derveer Elementary School, Somerville Middle School and Somerville High School.
"If another referendum were held, demolition of the old elementary schools would be a stand-alone issue," Havens said in a presentation to the board. "Would it pass? Or did voters approve something they did not want in order to get what they considered worthwhile?"
Garot said the issue was first included in the 1998 public question and clearly communicated during the run-up to the 2004 public question.
"It was absolutely a part of our video and board presentations that those were still on track to be taken down and parking and a ball field created," Garot said.
Havens and Buckingham are also calling for any architectural plans, engineering studies and cost estimates of the building, information Havens said could help in the search for another user.
Good question. Who has the answer? Is Reiter an "historical" building with all the implications thereof or a run down public use building that should be removed?
Plus, the local people want to have a "referendum". They should call the accounting emporium on Bridge Street (also known as the Emperor's main school board office) to get tips on how to backtrack on pledges of referendum running...the Emperor knows them all.
Some calling for additional study before Somerville school buildings demolished
By MARTIN C. BRICKETTO • Staff Writer • December 29, 2008
SOMERVILLE —Some are calling for additional study before two old school buildings on High Street are demolished to make way for a field for students and additional parking.
District officials say the plans have been approved by voters, would help with current district needs and remove structures in poor condition from their facilities portfolio.
Historian Jessie Havens has recommended that the school board perform a cost-benefit analysis before moving forward with the plans, raising the possibility that some entity would want to buy the buildings and refurbish them because of their prime location near West Main Street.
Fellow advocate Thomas Buckingham suggested that a referendum on the buildings be put before the public for a vote and that their demolition be postponed until after June.
"The building was built and paid for by the residents of Somerville and represents a significant community asset," Buckingham said in a presentation to the board. "To find or build equivalent space in the Somerville area would cost many times the projected cost of rehabilitating this building."
BOARD VOTE: The board voted to solicit bids to demolish the structures during a Dec. 16 meeting, over objections from Havens and Buckingham. The demolition of the buildings was part of two public questions that voters approved in 1998 and 2004, according to Board of Education Board President Dennis Garot, who added that the structures are unfit for educational uses.
"I believe that it's not prudent to waste the taxpayers' dollars asking them a question which they have already said yes to twice," Garot said.
Garot said the district is a creature of statute, and since the voters approved the public questions, demolishing the buildings has become a mandate. Garot also said demolishing the buildings would provide the district with the opportunity to get them "off of the taxpayers' backs."
"We can go from five buildings to three," Garot said.
Garot also said that students now playing on a "concrete island" would be able to enjoy an all-purpose playing field because of the plans.
Garot said heat, water and electricity have been cut from the buildings.
"It's fiscally irresponsible to proceed with something which is potentially worth millions of dollars and not double check that it has no value," Havens said, arguing research on the decision is old.
DONE DEALS: Havens also noted that the public questions authorizing demolition were package deals. The 2004 question, for example, included about $30 million in improvements to Van Derveer Elementary School, Somerville Middle School and Somerville High School.
"If another referendum were held, demolition of the old elementary schools would be a stand-alone issue," Havens said in a presentation to the board. "Would it pass? Or did voters approve something they did not want in order to get what they considered worthwhile?"
Garot said the issue was first included in the 1998 public question and clearly communicated during the run-up to the 2004 public question.
"It was absolutely a part of our video and board presentations that those were still on track to be taken down and parking and a ball field created," Garot said.
Havens and Buckingham are also calling for any architectural plans, engineering studies and cost estimates of the building, information Havens said could help in the search for another user.
Neshaminy is Mixing Grades in the Same School!
From the BCCT. Apparently it's not just 2nd graders who are afraid of the big "boogey man" upperclassmen. Eighth graders are feeling the pain too.
Neshaminy looks toward smooth transition
By: RACHEL CANELLI
The Intelligencer
Officials are trying to assure eighth-graders that there will be enough room for everyone when they move up to high school next year.
When the renovated Neshaminy High School opens its doors for another school year in 2009, its structure won't be the only thing that's more than half new.
Since the ninth grade will start being housed at the high school next year, more than 1,400 students-or more than half of the Middletown school's enrollment - will be new to the building, officials said.
So, to make sure that the transition is as smooth as possible, district administrators recently held a symposium to take the middle school pupils on a tour of the building and to address their concerns.
Among the top worries were continuing the middle school traditions of a freshman dance and field trip, including ninth-graders in sports and music programs, getting lost and crowded hallways.
"I'm worried about the schedule," said 13-year-old Omari Allen, an eighth-grader at Maple Point. "But they're helping clear some things up. I feel better already."
More than 30 kids, including junior and senior student government members from the high school and current eighth- and ninth-grade representatives from Maple Point, Poquessing and Sandburg Middle Schools, participated in the conference.
"We're trying to make sure that we answer their questions to the best of our ability and get the kids ready," said acting Superintendent Lou Muenker. "We don't have any closure yet on their concerns, but we'll try to make sure that we're not missing anything problematic for the kids to minimize worry."
Next year, Neshaminy's schools will be aligned as follows: kindergarten through fifth grade in the elementary schools; sixth through eighth at the middle schools; and ninth through 12th at the high school, administrators said.
Bensalem, Centennial, Council Rock, New Hope-Solebury, Palisades, Pennridge, Pennsbury and Quakertown school districts already have similar alignments in place. Bristol Township and Central Bucks school districts operate the way Neshaminy does now, with high schools comprising grades nine through 12, while most of Bristol and Morrisville's middle levels are also included in their high schools, officials said.
Neshaminy administrators are also trying to assure the teens that there will be enough room for everyone and construction will be done in time.
"There's nothing to be scared of," said John Sutton, 17 and president of the high school student body. "The first couple of weeks will be hectic, but everything will all work out. I'm trying to get them excited to make the most of it."
Administrators will be hosting more informational meetings for parents in February, Muenker said.
"When kids are involved in the decision-making process, you've got a better chance of success," he said. "I hope they'll go back to their buildings, share the info, solicit additional questions and breathe a sigh of relief."
Either way, their classmates will be there to help.
"We want it to be a good year for the ninth-graders," said 14-year-old Brittany Middleman, who'll be in 10th grade next year. "So, we'll be watching out for them."
Neshaminy looks toward smooth transition
By: RACHEL CANELLI
The Intelligencer
Officials are trying to assure eighth-graders that there will be enough room for everyone when they move up to high school next year.
When the renovated Neshaminy High School opens its doors for another school year in 2009, its structure won't be the only thing that's more than half new.
Since the ninth grade will start being housed at the high school next year, more than 1,400 students-or more than half of the Middletown school's enrollment - will be new to the building, officials said.
So, to make sure that the transition is as smooth as possible, district administrators recently held a symposium to take the middle school pupils on a tour of the building and to address their concerns.
Among the top worries were continuing the middle school traditions of a freshman dance and field trip, including ninth-graders in sports and music programs, getting lost and crowded hallways.
"I'm worried about the schedule," said 13-year-old Omari Allen, an eighth-grader at Maple Point. "But they're helping clear some things up. I feel better already."
More than 30 kids, including junior and senior student government members from the high school and current eighth- and ninth-grade representatives from Maple Point, Poquessing and Sandburg Middle Schools, participated in the conference.
"We're trying to make sure that we answer their questions to the best of our ability and get the kids ready," said acting Superintendent Lou Muenker. "We don't have any closure yet on their concerns, but we'll try to make sure that we're not missing anything problematic for the kids to minimize worry."
Next year, Neshaminy's schools will be aligned as follows: kindergarten through fifth grade in the elementary schools; sixth through eighth at the middle schools; and ninth through 12th at the high school, administrators said.
Bensalem, Centennial, Council Rock, New Hope-Solebury, Palisades, Pennridge, Pennsbury and Quakertown school districts already have similar alignments in place. Bristol Township and Central Bucks school districts operate the way Neshaminy does now, with high schools comprising grades nine through 12, while most of Bristol and Morrisville's middle levels are also included in their high schools, officials said.
Neshaminy administrators are also trying to assure the teens that there will be enough room for everyone and construction will be done in time.
"There's nothing to be scared of," said John Sutton, 17 and president of the high school student body. "The first couple of weeks will be hectic, but everything will all work out. I'm trying to get them excited to make the most of it."
Administrators will be hosting more informational meetings for parents in February, Muenker said.
"When kids are involved in the decision-making process, you've got a better chance of success," he said. "I hope they'll go back to their buildings, share the info, solicit additional questions and breathe a sigh of relief."
Either way, their classmates will be there to help.
"We want it to be a good year for the ninth-graders," said 14-year-old Brittany Middleman, who'll be in 10th grade next year. "So, we'll be watching out for them."
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