A. We are apparently DimWits as opposed to being in the Legions of the Light. Could someone
suitably enlightened kindly inform us how closing a school solves any problems. We are manifestly
not too bright because we believe this is just removing inconvenient data. More crowded classes
elsewhere, longer bus rides, fewer teachers and support staff employed.
B. As to charters, we are in dire need of illumination here as well: same students; same building; same
teachers; same books; new name. If merely renaming schools improves them we will be suitably
humbled. A solution was right there all this time: schools should rename themselves annually.
We have no problem with converting to charters - just preserve the history so we can all compare
the improvements in 2011 Falls Central Charter over 2010 Central Falls Public.
C. There's a lot of talk about firing administrators and staff. There are only two problems with that:
1. who in their right mind would leave a successful district to work at an educational hell on earth.
2. what did someone plan to do with the now unemployed teachers and staff
With all due respect to the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy, the fabled "No Child Left Behind" did
indeed enforce some accountability. What it did not do was move everyone ahead. Our advice:
1. Use the schools and any reasonable areas like parking lots to generate solar power to reduce
electrical bills; sell surplus power; and save current jobs. This will also generate a few construction
and manufacturing jobs.
2. Digital IEPs (Individual Education Plans) for everyone. We assert a high school diploma is
worthless, so each plan has to include a goal of eventual college graduation.
3. In theory, a 20:1 student to teacher ratio gets the student three minutes per hour. In reality, maybe
three minutes per week. So we like a 10:1 ratio. And six virtual days per week.
The ante in this particular poker game is your children. We'll raise you California without even seeing
our cards.