Middletown Forum : 5 out of 30 Indicators met http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/ This is an XML content feed of; Middletown Forum : School Achievements : 5 out of 30 Indicators met Tue, 06 Oct 2026 10:38:56 +0000 Mon, 20 Dec 2010 12:45:33 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 10.12 360 www.middletownusa.com/forum/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=527 Middletown Forum http://middletownusa.com/images/blog-logo.jpg http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/ 5 out of 30 Indicators met : Cone on folks, wake up from your... http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=527&PID=24329&title=5-out-of-30-indicators-met#24329 Author: acclaro
Subject: 527
Posted: Dec 20 2010 at 12:45pm

Cone on folks, wake up from your coma. Marcia Andrews states it will take some time for progress. The city school system was given 7 years to turn this around with Steve Price, who had a vision for EXCELLENt rating. No progress occurred. Now Ms. Andrews states in essenece, because we have a new superintendent, the ship has been "righted", the seas are rough, but the compass has been fixed, the mast repaired, and we are moving in the right direction. Who's selling Kool-aid in Middletown, Stegfano's, The Manchester, the Atrium food court?
 
Neil, you can pull ethernet or fiber optic cable in any building easily. Structure has nothing to do with it. You are talking of total cost of ownership and need. It always becomes a matter, and recittal, well, we get 80% funding, so we need to take advantage of it. As for te schools being built previously, the argument was IT WOULD ATTRACT MORE STUDENTS, reducing costs. In fact, the exact opposite has occurred.
 
Replacement costs are far higher tan maintenance costs. I'd rather drive a Volvo 240 and have no car payment, that will last me 500,000 miles, than a new car, that depreciates in value and will also have maintenance expense. Is the added maintenance expense a furnace? Remove it and go "green." Is it utilization and need for more space? Don't see the numbers showing city of Middletown schools are exploding.
 
These decisions and justifications are nonsensical and make use of delayed tactics. The future will be brighter, we are making progress. The dummy down just is not working anymore. I'm tired of the attempt to be exploited. Aren't others?  
]]> Mon, 20 Dec 2010 12:45:33 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=527&PID=24329&title=5-out-of-30-indicators-met#24329 5 out of 30 Indicators met : The allegedproblems with the old... http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=527&PID=24319&title=5-out-of-30-indicators-met#24319 Author: Neil Barille
Subject: 527
Posted: Dec 20 2010 at 9:45am

The alleged problems with the old buildings were mold, costly HVAC issues, and wiring issues, among other things.  Supposedly these older buildings can't be wired for computers, etc.  Not sure if I believe that totally, but whatever.  Can't say I disagree with you about preventative maintenance, though that wouldn't solve the issue about newer technology.

I can't recall the numbers, but if you believe the cost figures that were presented at the time of the last new buildings levy, it was cost prohibitive to keep spending the maintenance $$ they were spending.  Plus throw in the fact that the state was paying for ...what....70-80% of the cost of new construction?  Seems like building new made sense in that situation.
 
]]> Mon, 20 Dec 2010 09:45:49 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=527&PID=24319&title=5-out-of-30-indicators-met#24319 5 out of 30 Indicators met : Another reason given at the time... http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=527&PID=24307&title=5-out-of-30-indicators-met#24307 Author: VietVet
Subject: 527
Posted: Dec 19 2010 at 9:50pm

Another reason given at the time when the schools asked us voters to approve the 45 mil bond issue was that the elementary schools would be equipped with the latest and greatest communication gadgets including media centers. Has all of this "latest and greatest communication gadgets" helped with the end results? No.

We're talking about the possibility of building a new high school when the one we have is only 40 years old. Now, it we need a new high school after only 40 years, I suggest that we either start taking better care of our school buildings by setting aside money for a decent preventative maintenance program or we better start monitoring how the buildings are constructed as they are being built. A building should last, with proper care alot longer than 40 years without replacing the dam thing.

It took 45 million to demolish and rebuild the new elementary schools in this town. 45 million would have gone a long way in doing maintenance to the existing buildings and we would have had more substantial structures when we were done instead of new construction that isn't as sound as old school building practices.

You say "Besides, anyone with sense would see through the claim of better performance and write it off as bluster". Not sure about that from the Middletown voters. IMO, the voters astound me with their vote choice decisions on many issues in the city. I think alot of voters believed Prices claim of "new schools = better performance" hook, line and sinker. Some are incredibly naive and gullible. JMO]]> Sun, 19 Dec 2010 21:50:43 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=527&PID=24307&title=5-out-of-30-indicators-met#24307 5 out of 30 Indicators met : Vet, you're being a little... http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=527&PID=24306&title=5-out-of-30-indicators-met#24306 Author: Neil Barille
Subject: 527
Posted: Dec 19 2010 at 9:20pm

Vet, you're being a little disingenuous when you say the reason for the new schools was for better performance.  Yes, that was one reason thrown out there, possibly by Price. But most of the conversation was on the high cost to maintain the old buildings.  Besides, anyone with sense would see through the claim of better performance and write it off as bluster.  You're better than that. 
I would rather pay a $1 for something new rather than keep throwing 50 cents to fix something old.]]> Sun, 19 Dec 2010 21:20:26 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=527&PID=24306&title=5-out-of-30-indicators-met#24306 5 out of 30 Indicators met : wasteful- please explain why we... http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=527&PID=24305&title=5-out-of-30-indicators-met#24305 Author: VietVet
Subject: 527
Posted: Dec 19 2010 at 5:29pm

wasteful- please explain why we need a new high school and to combine the middle schools? If the talk about building a new high school is to improve the performance, I will remind all of the 45 million spent for the new grade schools years ago and the fact the it hasn't made any significant improvement on the scores nor raised the indicators at all. Money wasted so far. Proves what some have been saying all along to no avail......the environment in which a student learns isn't as important as what is being taught and how it is being taught. Changing teaching methods and adjusting curriculum.......even adopting methods from more successful school districts would do more than changing environments (building new schools). The high school was built in 1970. It is 40 years old. I wouldn't consider that a tear down school yet, would you? As Vivian stated, not one more dollar to help this district until they show some improvement and are not stagnate in performance like they are now. We have passed levy after levy for them (without my help in the voting booth) and we are still getting the same results. Money isn't the solution. Doing things differently is, IMO. Why do the voters keep giving them money if they show no improvement? Not logical. No accountability needed if we keep rewarding them.]]> Sun, 19 Dec 2010 17:29:14 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=527&PID=24305&title=5-out-of-30-indicators-met#24305 5 out of 30 Indicators met : In all honesty folks you need... http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=527&PID=24299&title=5-out-of-30-indicators-met#24299 Author: wasteful
Subject: 527
Posted: Dec 19 2010 at 1:10pm

In all honesty folks you need a new High School and a New Middle School combining Vail and Verity.]]> Sun, 19 Dec 2010 13:10:38 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=527&PID=24299&title=5-out-of-30-indicators-met#24299 5 out of 30 Indicators met : Watch the meetings and you will... http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=527&PID=24297&title=5-out-of-30-indicators-met#24297 Author: Vivian Moon
Subject: 527
Posted: Dec 19 2010 at 12:39pm

Watch the meetings and you will see they are already talking about a new high school and the need for more money.
I’m sorry but I will not vote for another dime until the scores get better]]> Sun, 19 Dec 2010 12:39:40 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=527&PID=24297&title=5-out-of-30-indicators-met#24297 5 out of 30 Indicators met : Having bent the ear of a board... http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=527&PID=24295&title=5-out-of-30-indicators-met#24295 Author: Lostdafire
Subject: 527
Posted: Dec 19 2010 at 12:26pm

Having bent the ear of a board member I learned the school board only has statutory authority to hire/fire the Superintendent and the Treasurer.   Obviously, the board was not happy with the performance of the district during the Price era.  Price is gone and we have a new Superintendent, Mr. Rasmussen.  Good work on the board's part.

Citing confidentiality issues this board member would not speak of specifics, but  was very supportive of  the efforts of the new superintendent in evaluating administrators and raising the bar for their future performance.  There was a feeling of confidence in the direction the superintendent is taking to improve this district.   This confidence was not there a few years ago.

I liked some of what Mr. Rasmussen had to say today in the two MJ articles. 


]]> Sun, 19 Dec 2010 12:26:32 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=527&PID=24295&title=5-out-of-30-indicators-met#24295 5 out of 30 Indicators met : Beware of any minimal progress... http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=527&PID=24294&title=5-out-of-30-indicators-met#24294 Author: Bill
Subject: 527
Posted: Dec 19 2010 at 12:09pm

Beware of any minimal progress because what will follow then is a levy campaign to build a new high school.]]> Sun, 19 Dec 2010 12:09:46 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=527&PID=24294&title=5-out-of-30-indicators-met#24294 5 out of 30 Indicators met : From the Journal dated 12/19/2010......."State... http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=527&PID=24291&title=5-out-of-30-indicators-met#24291 Author: VietVet
Subject: 527
Posted: Dec 19 2010 at 11:25am

From the Journal dated 12/19/2010......."State testing in the spring will be the first time the board has a chance to measure the level of Rasmussen’s academic progress. For the past six years, Middletown schools have earned the “continuous improvement” designation by the state on its yearly report card. The district met five of 26 state indicators in 2009-10.
“It’s not the kind of thing where you’re going to see results instantaneously,” said Marcia Andrew, board president. “What we’re looking for is systemic, long-term change. He’s on the right path.”

Note the date on the post by Pacman. How long has this "indicator" program been in effect? How long has the Middletown school district been in
continuous improvement? How long have the proficiency tests been in effect? How long have we been seeing the same test results? How long have we been hearing the same message from the school people and school board? How long will we have to wait to see ANY change toward the positive in test scores, indicators or the unending, repetitive rhetoric of "it will be a slow process....just be patient......we think we're making progress......we're adopting a new program.....we're looking at new ways"....and on and on. It is time to show us something or don't bother attempting to do camouflage PR on the community. Procrastination comments - that's all they have managed to tell us for years. Very frustrating. Good thing they are in the education business. They all would have been gone years ago in a private business setting for non-productivity. ]]> Sun, 19 Dec 2010 11:25:23 +0000 http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=527&PID=24291&title=5-out-of-30-indicators-met#24291