Division I regional track finals
Fenwick graduation 2012
Ponitz graduation 2012
Dayton Daily News education reporter Scott Elliott writes about schools, kids, teaching and learning.
Home > Blogs > Get on the Bus > Archives > 2007 > June > 19 > Entry
These teachers and aides won’t be back
(UPDATE: I accidentally omitted a page of names when I originally wrote this post. It has now been updated to include all the names. Sorry for the confusion. Also, I’ve added the names of adjunct staff who were let go.)
At tonight’s board meeting, 208 teachers were laid off along with 87 aides.
To view the names of those who won’t be back next year because of the cuts, click the “continue reading” link (to see the list of administrators who were cut, go here):
Teachers
Albert, Mildred D.
Albrecht, Sara
Alex, Annette
Allen, Patricia
Allen, Regina K.
Arnold, Kimberly A.
Bailo, Lynda M.
Baker, James
Baldauf, Peter
Balogun, Ibiteye O.
Barrett-Jones, Rebecca
Beasley, Kymberly
Bess, Gwendolyn D.
Bingman, Bonita
Blue, Mercades R.
Boddie, Michael A.
Boerger, Katherine R.
Bogard, Donna L.
Bowe, Suzan I.
Brewer, Brennan
Brewster, Gary O.
Brooks, Richard
Brown, Jennifer M.
Busch, Chloe M.
Cameron, Elizabeth L.
Cannarozzi, Joyce A.
Carr, Beverly A.
Carrico, Sandy R.
Carter, Debbie M.
Cassel, Terry
Catanzaro, Stephanie
Ceccarelli, Kim
Claytor, Terrence L.
Cleveland, Audrey
Coaston, Josalyn R
Cole, Lyle J.
Cooley, Sara R.
Cox, Kelly
Craft, Melissa
Cross, Amanda
Cummings, Danielle
Davis, Jeffrey
Davis, Marsha K.
Dawson, Roger
Day, Michael L.
Dehaven, Carlton R.
English, Christopher
Ericson, Marissa
Fedrick, John T.
Ferguson, Jill
Figures, Lynda R.
Fine, Michele L.
Finster, Matthew T.
Finton, Chad A.
Fitzgerald, Sherri
Foster, Kenyetta
Fowler, David
Freeman, Janelle S.
Friz, Carmella D.
Frysinger, Aimee J.
Gerhardstein, Patrica
Gerken, Andrew
Gerken, Christine
Gilcher, Tyler R.
Gover, Parthenia
Grace, Michael J.
Green, Timothy
Grubaugh, Kipp
Guy, Krista
Hall, Rebecca E.
Hallberg, Misty
Hallberg, Thomas
Halpin, Lisa M.
Hamilton, Vanessa
Handy, Ingrid A.
Haney, Deborah
Harris, Jacqueline
Harvey, Charletta
Hatcher, Thomas
Heys, Brad
Hickey, Laura L.
Hill, Terry L.
Himan, Melissa L
Hoenes, John E.
Holland, Kristi
Holzberg, Anthony
Hughes, Justin W.
Hulett, Jon E.
Hunter, Sandra
Izor, Jason
James, Michael
Jeffers, Catherine
Jeter-Davis, Joy L.
Johnson, Cynthia L.
Johnson, Diane M.
Johnson, Sheryll L.
Jones, Alan B.
Jones, Kanika M.
Kahn, Arnold V.
Keifer, Kim
Kell, Robert
Keller, Robert
Khurma, Sumir
Kimble, Daniel W.
Kirk, Laquanda R.
Kleinman, Bonnie
Knightstep, Homer
Kohlruss, Deborah A.
Kohstall, Charles
Lake, Robin R.
Landis, Susan J.
Leasor, Michelle
Lee, Wynnette E.
Leech, Tryvan
LeMaster, Edwin
Magill, Michael
Maney, Stacy J.
Martin, Rebecca J.
McCabe, Scott
McCallister, Teresa
McCoy, Katie
McDade, George
McDowell, K P.
McGillvary, Suzanne
McGinley, J Ashley
McGrath, Emily
McKitrick, Sarah
Miller, Laura L.
Mintz, Melissa M.
Mlod, Melinda A.
Morgan, Kristen D.
Nelson, Tina M
Newlin, Dennis
Novosad, Michael A
Oakes, Josh
Ockerman, Joseph L.
Oconnor, Katherine C.
O’Ryan, Erin K.
Owens, Vernon A.
Pagan, Elba Alicia
Parker, Charla
Payne, Kathryn A.
Pearn, James F.
Petrack, Linda S.
Peyton, Kim G.
Phillips, Zulaikhia
Pieper, James S.
Platt, Johnathan
Ponder, Karen
Pruitt, Tim
Pulliam, Bernetha D.
Rajkovich, Ann C.
Reed, Tahnee L.
Richardson, Justin J.
Roberts, James
Robinson, Cathryn
Roddy, Francis
Roos, Mary
Rowe, Ernie
Rudnicki, Stephen
Ryba, James M.
Sargent, Victoria
Sears, Andrew E.
Sergeant, Janelle D.
Shapiro, Michael J.
Sharp, Melissa
Sherby, Jeffrey
Shope, Anne
Siefring, Matthew R.
Simpson, Jamie A.
Skeans, Damion H.
Smith, Kristin L.
Smith, Mark
Snyder, William
Southwood, Christy S.
Spurlock, Jacob M.
St. Jacques, Gerald E
Steinke, Corey
Stock, Becky L.
Strayer, Amanda M.
Strayer, Leah M.
Sutton, Sherry L.
Swenson, Kristine
Szumnarski, Sarah
Thomas, Sheila M.
Tritsch, Carolyn
Turner, Theresa
Uchtman, Mary
Vanzant, Jeylon
Walters, Kelli L
Walton, Anthony E.
Ward, Stephen M.
Watras, Langston
Wead, Rebecca
Weidel, Angela
Westerfield, Vicki
Wicker, Kristen
Williams, Nancy
Willis, Amanda
Wilson, Lori J.
Withrow, Clarence
Wood, Margaret
Wood, Paul
Woodburn, Amy J.
Wright, Debra C.
Yarnell, Jennifer S.
Young, Shelleen C.
Aides
Aaron, Patti J.
Anderson-Plump, Yvonne
Austin, Dameon L.
Bucio, Laura
Burks, Reigan R.
Burns, Latoya R.
Busari, Falilatu
Coy, Carol S.
Cranford, Brandon L.
Crawford, Connie R.
Cruse, Sitonia L.
Daniels, Mitzi A.
Doles, Ruby D.
Downey, Ruby J.
Dreizin, Jill C.
Ellington, Waltina C.
Evans, Joanna S.
Eyler, Anthony
Fernandez, Lisa M.
Fletcher, Tye K.
Gamble, Jerius
Gatewood, Kia R.
George, Kraig L.
Godwin, Angel S.
Gray, Susan
Hangen, Michelle
Harding-Seege, Julie A.
Hardy, Michelle L.
Harris, Jermaine L.
Hayden, Kathryn A.
Hill, Patsy L.
Horvathy, Eva M.
Ivy, Aaron R.
Jeter, Devloun D.
Johnson, Demond A.
Karim, Teresa
Kimball, N. Carmita
Kinter, Christopher
Knox, Raina
Lacy, Patricia J.
Landrum, Christopher
Mabry, Sharon
Mauntler, Benjamin
McCorkle, Michael
McDaniel, Gina L.
Miles, Sarah E.
Mills, John L.
Nash, Darren
Parker, Jenny A.
Perry-Unakalama, Valerie
Pestke, Stephanie
Pierce, Rhonda K.
Richardson, Aaron
Richardson, Lydia A.
Rusher, James A.
Smith, Anthony H.
Smith, Connie L.
Sorrells, Darrick T.
Spear Sr., William T.
Stewart, Melissa M.
Stokes, Veronique N.
Stone, Dana L.
Straight, Gertrude
Suel, Jane R.
Upshaw, Rhonda
Wiggins, Ashley S.
Williams, Elaine
Williams, Tiffany J.
Wood, Linda
Adjunct Teachers
Benjamin, Lisa
Bodine, Michelle
Braid, Colleen
Budzek, Jennifer
Cain, Allyson
Caplan, Sarah
Cartwright, Karen
Chalmer, Seth
Davis, Katherine
Dryden, Jason
Francis, Jerry
Fritchman, Thomas
Fuller, Crystal
Geisler, Robert
Greenberg, Nicholas
Griffin, Ryan
Harvey, Darrin
Hochwalt, Karen
Irvine, Matthew
Katz, Linda
King, Gary
Kramer, John
Lane, Sharon
Lesic, Nikica
Luft, Jerry
Luke, Brian
Makstutis, Eva
Maloney, Sarah
Marple, Adam
McCullough, Ryan
Melia, Harold
Oblak, James
Patterson, Thomas
Peffley, Tyler
Perry, Tara
Petreman, Julie
Phelps, Sue
Picciano,Sandra
Pontecorvo, Barbara
Quigley, Dawn
Roark, Amy
Santucci, Kathleen
Sato, Anne
Spriggs, Natalie
Thrasher, Donald
Varella, Jane
Walters, Shawn
Watson, Duane
Woody, Daryl
Zonic, Julija
Permalink | Comments (86) | Categories: Dayton Public Schools
Comments
By Left My Tracks
July 3, 2007 8:05 PM | Link to this
Very Concerned Mom: The new bell schedule for the 2007-2008 school year has been posted on the Dayton Public Schools website at: http://www.dps.k12.oh.us/cms/parents/bellsched.html Anne: You’re right, the administration doesn’t want to suspend students. If you look at the requirements to meet AYP, the No Child Left Behind act requires schools to have 93% attendance for the year. Each suspended student brings the attendance percentage down. So we keep behavior problems in school in order to meet the attendance goal, while we pray that we can teach around the discipline issues in order to meet the educational goals.By Anne
July 3, 2007 5:03 PM | Link to this
To Concerned Parent: The teachers need you - and parents like you - if the disruptive students are ever to be addressed. The Administration does not want to suspend students; when someone is being unruly, teachers are told that they are to teach ALL students. The thing they fail to realize is that your well-behaved child could learn, the teacher could teach, and the school would be safer, if they were willing to put out those who behave so badly that the teacher spends all day doing little else than trying to keep these few under control. Some children bully others constantly, unless the teacher is standing directly beside them. When they can do this and the teacher has no real power to stop them, other students start imitating the behavior. It gets worse daily. Parents have got to step in and demand that those disrupting the classrooms are dealt with. The other children have a right to the teachers’ attention. On another note, with so many fewer teachers, why aren’t we seeing the lay-off of the army downtown that were ‘here to help teachers’? We certainly don’t need so many payroll people, human resource people… What about the production lab that is downtown for the teachers, but is open mostly when the teachers are working, thus cannot use it? This could be closed. The public relations people can go - the people who buddy up to the media for a living with the goal of making DPS look less currupt than it is - they can certainly go if children are really our concern. Lastly - parents really have to start visiting the TWO building downtown - they will allow this- they HAVE to- YOU pay for it! You really need to see the money spent on the two buildings and all of the peole working there. Then compare this to the classrooms where one teacher has 25-35 children in one hot room. You can start making change if you allow your voice to be heard. The teachers keep praying that the parents will start fighting for this systm to change.By Student
July 2, 2007 7:35 AM | Link to this
I really think that when publishing the names Mr. Elliot didn’t mean any harm. When I was looking at the names I remembered how great those teachers were in what they did and how most cared about the students. I really think that it was great to see those names. Beacuse I go to stivers where we got many cuts and if I went a whole summer not knowing what teachers were laid off and then finding out the day I got to school my senior year that would pain me even more. So for some it could be hurtful but for me it gave me a chance to get in my mind that these teachers aren’t ever comming back. And A chance to remember how great they were.By Very Concerned Mom
July 1, 2007 11:31 PM | Link to this
This blog sure does make for some interesting reading… I have heard that next year’s school day may be 45 minutes shorter, the elementary art, music and PE programs will be drastically reduced, and the class sizes are going to increase… Does anyone know the specific parameters of the proposed changes??? Also, how does the district plan to handle the students who disrupt the classroom environment with the interpersonal problems that are likely to increase with the increased class sizes? The interruptions will reduce learning time even more. I won’t appreciate poorly behaved children ruining my children’s educational opportunities… I would really like to know what to expect… My kids deserve a well rounded, quality education. I need to have the confidence that they will get it. I am still very concerned…By Dayton Teacher
June 28, 2007 3:22 PM | Link to this
I’ve heard of two administrators cut, going into the classroom. OUR UNION ALLOWED THIS, so how many were really let go? ZEROBy null
June 28, 2007 12:33 PM | Link to this
Rumor has it that they have cut the elementary band and string programs….I wonder how they are going to feed Stivers school?By Ex DPS student
June 27, 2007 12:32 AM | Link to this
Those teachers not certified to teach (regular Ed or Special Ed)should be let go and those who have worked hard for their degree should be given the chance to use it. And those who do nothing in the way of teaching,they watch T.V., sleep, or stay on the computer instead, should have been let go.By Barb
June 26, 2007 11:06 PM | Link to this
I wonder why we have not seen any information from the company that was analyzing the school district? Is Gail Littlejohn waiting until there is no salvation for this district. I assume they know that they will be told they are top heavy but once they have gotten rid of the people that work with children they will have the same top heavy staff left in administration. Of course they probably will not go public with anything that would put the BoE in a bad light. We still have not heard who the private company doing this consulting is. Shouldn’t all of this be public record. Scott could you list all the admistrative postions in the school district. Also how many secretaries, and assistants there are? How many Prinicpals and Asst. Principals have been let go and who then will work with the students? It seems as if these are the ADMINISTATORS that are being let go not the true fat in this district. Perhaps an in depth series in the newspaper would be helpful. The people that read the blogs are very limited and it is time for this to come out into the open while there is still a district left. Percy Mack and Gail Littlejohn can walk away once this falls completely apart and hope no one remembers what they have done unfortunately our students will be affected the rest of their lives.By Dayton Teacher
June 25, 2007 8:03 PM | Link to this
Yes, I to heard some more teachers were let go,and ironically, I heard several of the administration positions have gotten their positions back. I would like to see two things. 1. As our laid off teachers get jobs, let us know. 2. In a week or so, lets have Scott do some investigation and see how many administration positions have been brought back. I’d like to see the list of the 12 music teachers and 3 PE teachers let go.By Another DPS Teacher
June 25, 2007 12:47 PM | Link to this
Want to add insult to injury? A position for Executive Director of Special Education (I believe) was posted with a salary range between $70K and $90K. For those Dayton teachers who remember seeing that email sent by HR, please correct any incorrect information I have stated here.By Miss Anoymous
June 25, 2007 8:25 AM | Link to this
You all suck very badly. You laid off my dad and some of my favorite teachers. Why can’t you find some money….Or better yet, stop spending the money you DO have on unnecessary stuff that isn’t needed? A CONCERNED STUDENTBy Mack Chance
June 24, 2007 9:15 PM | Link to this
Mack is missing his chance to create his own legacy. Right now he perpetuating James Williams’ legacy. Instead of appointing new principals to head up what’s left of the school system, he’s reassigning old ineffective principals to those open spots. Williams openly inferred, more than once, that he prevered loyalty over competence. Upon reflection That he hired people that tended to to his bidding without open questioning is a bit obvious. And those people, once they were in a position to hire someone, did the same thing. Thus DPS has a long history of making questionable decisions. And it appears Mack is allowing the same weak leadership approach to continue.By Geraldyne
June 24, 2007 3:12 PM | Link to this
Maybe they’ll answer to the press. Probably not. Remember those hundreds of teachers that were just laid off. It seems that Dr. Sweets has decided (no reason given) to pull soem back from the brink and to cast others into the abyss. Why? Who knows? Again decisions with no rhyme or reason or ACCOUNTABILITY come into place with the DPS Board of Education. And Mack dosen’t care since he will soon be leaving. Therefore he is a lame duck superintendant.By null
June 24, 2007 2:41 PM | Link to this
The board rehired 6 art teachers on Friday, then let go 12 more music teachers and 3 more PE teachers.By The Truth
June 24, 2007 1:01 PM | Link to this
They are not done hacking away at the teaching staff. I moved to Dayton to be a DPS teacher 17 years ago. And, just Friday (6/22/07),I got my pink slip in the mail. Yes…in the mail. This is the thanks I get for all of my dedication. I will miss the kids terribly and I know in my heart that they will truly miss me. You see, I know that they knew that I was one of the ones who truly cared. Their little hearts will be broken when they find out how many of their teachers are missing. I don’t know how they will make it through a day without their Art, Music or P.E. as an outlet. For MANY of them…we were the reason they came to school at all. I do have a list of the 15 that just got the axe (and the select six who were miraculously recalled) and I will give it to you, Scott, if you so desire. I do not mind my name being published. I want everyone to know the TRUTH.By Concerned Parent
June 24, 2007 12:18 PM | Link to this
What is the world coming to? Our childrens education is being wreaked and education is a neccessity in life for our children. They are cutting all of these teachers when it needs to be the pay cut of the administration. Teachers are needed for the lives of these young people. They took it among theirselves to make a difference in the lives of the children and to make them become successful in life.Me and my DPS children would like to thank the teachers who were there to teach my children and who cared. Prayers are with all of these wonderful people at this horribly time .By null
June 24, 2007 9:55 AM | Link to this
12 more music teachers and 3 more P.E. teachers got their pink slips on Friday. They did however, recall 6 art teachers.By Carol Jones
June 22, 2007 10:53 PM | Link to this
It’s not over yet. I received a RIF letter today (Thursday 6/22) mailed on June 20. Twelve more music teachers cut, also some more PE I believe, and some art rehired, apparently to balance the one “special” per week rotation. So, a month AFTER twenty-four of my talented colleagues in Music Education began their job searches, twelve more must join their ranks. If there was enough money to pay us a month ago, why reduce the number further? The view from the bottom of the pond is very murky.By Laura
June 22, 2007 9:09 PM | Link to this
Null: Re: the “leisurely lunch”. I have heard some principals have told their staffs that they will have to give up half or all of their lunch periods to help supervise student lunch periods because there won’t be any extra non-teaching staff to cover lunch duty since the ones who used to that (the art, music and p.e. teachers) will no longer be available. Yes, they know that they can’t be forced to do that but the flip side is: you don’t help me out, I will make things very difficult for you. Any teachers heard of any inovative ideas to handle this issue? Also, any comments about planning periods that will most likely not actually happen because of late buses?By Laura
June 22, 2007 8:56 PM | Link to this
Focused: You are correct. We haven’t heard much from DEA. I am going to guess it is because they have no idea what to do now. The “Kids First” team was able to tear apart the teacher’s contract so that there isn’t that much that DEA can do. Over the years we have given so much up. The most noticable being the right to set the calendar. By giving that up, they were able to go to the modified year-round without the teachers agreement and without any data to back up their position. What exactly would the teachers want DEA to do about this? They are making sure that the contract is being followed. There really isn’t anything else they can do. The majority of teachers have made it pretty clear that they are not willing to risk anything to go against the board. When it came down to whether to strike or not, the unity wasn’t really there. Too many teachers are apathetic, too many are afraid to get on the wrong side of a principal for fear of retailiation.By Eric
June 22, 2007 6:39 AM | Link to this
Stop the bickering!! This is how DPS administrators get off free and clear. They can always pit groups against eachother, be it teachers vs voters, teachers vs principals, teachers vs coaches, parents vs teachers, state vs parents etc etc etc. It is irrelevant on your position on if these coaches are necessary. I am sure they are doing the very best that they can for what they were hired to do. Just remember who came up with the plan for these coaches. It’s not their fault DPS hires them. So if you got a problem with coaches, take it up with the right people. The same people that can’t find where they put $30M. I am really getting tired of seeing this entire city (DPS, city com., everything) being able to get off from accountability due to passing the blame or finding a scapegoat or simply using the race card. I thought leaders take responsibility for their actions…oh wait that is GOOD leaders do that. Fire them all.By Patterson Kennedy
June 21, 2007 11:45 PM | Link to this
Dear Allen Mom and chuckling, I am sure Marilyn Croker is a good principal. In fact I do not know her so I don’t want to say anything negative about her. However, In 2001 Patterson Kennedy became the site base school for the district. The state requires that each school district has a site base school. The board agreed to it. It is in our title. We have no faculty council instead we have site base teams such as math and science, community relations, language arts, faculty and school climate and then a site base team which has a representative from each cluster. Pre K-2; 3-5; 6-8; etc. We felt Jack Johnson knows our school. He has been the Assistant principal for 5 years and is wonderful. They hired the Assistant Principal from Wogaman to become Principal at Kiser. Why couldn’t Marilyn Croker go to Kiser and let Jack Johnson have the chance. We are a nice size school around 850 kids. Many special ed, and ESL included. It would have been nice for the board to recognize our site base title and to at least have a choice of who would fit in our school. Marilyn Croker may be the right person who knows but Jack Johnson may have been the better choice.By charterschoolhater
June 21, 2007 11:34 PM | Link to this
For those unfortunate souls who have been laid off, my thoughts and prayers are with you. It is ashame you have to lose your job becasue this Bd. of Ed and this suerintendent cannot manage money. Perhaps some of you could run for school board in the fall, get elected therefore eliminating some of the incompentence on the board. Then you could all work together and rid of the the most incomepetent one of all Mr. Percy Mack. The snake oil salesman himself.By a dayton teacher
June 21, 2007 11:18 PM | Link to this
I have been in buildings with 5 coaches and have taken staff devel. taught by others. One building coach was wonderful! She could have any job with the district and she would bring her years of teaching, her desire to help kids and colleagues, and her “get ‘er done” attitude. WE LOVE HER!!!.. The other 4 coaches were a waste of time and money. Some coaches used their positions to enjoy executive hours. Some coaches were “personal assistants” to ambitious principals. They were no more qualified to coach the highly qualified Dayton classroom teacher than any other teacher is qualified to help another teacher. (As professionals, teachers research and communicate with colleagues to improve student achievement without the need for overseers.) They were superfluous in a district that really needed classes of 15 kids with intensive small group intervention. It doesn’t really matter where the funding for literacy and math coaching was found. What matters is that the idea was foolish and that the execution of same was flawed. Hopefully, the Curriculum Intervention Specialist (whatever that is supposed to mean) will be able to work with kids so that small group intervention can be accomplished. And, as a K-2 teacher, I understand that there will be no Title I or specialists in our classrooms as our youngsters do not take the OAT tests. We just teach kids to read, write and add/subtract. But if kids aren’t reading by 2nd grade, it’s going to be very difficult even with intervention to pass those tests!By DPS Coach
June 21, 2007 10:46 PM | Link to this
Official job description for a literacy coach as posted on 5-22-06 Model the belief and practice through staff training and demonstration teaching that students need opportunities to integrate their use of literacy through reading, writing, listening, speaking, and critical thinking across the curriculum. Align district goals and objectives with the development and implementation of a peer-coaching model to support classroom teachers. Spearhead the alignment of site-based assessments and resources to established literacy goals. Model effective demonstration lessons that reflect diagnostic, prescriptive assessment and planning in the instructional process. Provide professional development experiences that employ multiple indicators for assessing the effectiveness and appropriateness of literacy training and classroom follow-up. Create a literate environment within a model classroom set-up for demonstration teaching to reflect interest and growth in all aspects of literacy. Coordinate the assessment and placement of students in the reading process based on district benchmarks for academic achievement in reading. Provide technical assistance to teachers in the development of student needs assessment processes as well as, support with data analysis and interpretation for enhancing the instructional planning process. Demonstrate the use of instructional and information technologies to support literacy learning. Develop and implement specific training plans for enhancing teacher competencies in reading and assessing literacy skills. Implement effective strategies for teachers to include parents as partners in the literacy development of their children. Promote collegiality and facilitate communication with other literacy professionals through regular conversations, discussions, and consultations about learners, literacy theory, and assessment and instruction during grade level meetings and training opportunities. Schedule and conduct ongoing update sessions for teachers and principals on current research and the latest trends in teaching and assessing literacy skills. If your coach did not meet the guidelines of this posting, ask yourself is it because the coach did not do his/her job or did the principal ask the coach to do something else. Remember - the coaches report directly to an over-worked principal who usually does not have an assistant.By DPS Coach
June 21, 2007 9:53 PM | Link to this
Laura- It all depends on how the district and the Title I department decides to use the money. You are correct, at one time the money was used to reduce class size. The money came from Title IV-R which is no longer available. When allocating Title I funds, you can not circumvent the rules. Title I is audited every year and if they are out of compliance, the district has to pay back the money to the federal government. DPS doesn’t have the money to pay for general funds, how in the world could they pay back the millions that the federal goverment sends the district every year? As for our job descriptions, anyone can go to HR and ask for a copy of the literacy and math coach job descriptions. How did I impact student scores directly? I personnally worked with teachers who could not get the job done on their own. They had no idea how to use assessments to guide instruction, differentiate instruction to meet the needs of the gifted students and the special education students, or how to make sure the grade level standards and indicators were being taught. There are amazing teachers in the district who did not need the services of a coach but, let’s be honest, there are many who did and without a coach to help, those children would have lost an entire year’s worth of education.By null
June 21, 2007 9:23 PM | Link to this
I am a former Dayton resident and a DPS teacher. Both of my children graduated from DPS schools. DPS has the finest teachers ever. I’ve worked in the local Catholic schools and suburban districts. I credit the elementary art and music teachers in DPS elementary schools for much of the inspiration and education that has made both of my children very successful. We are cutting valuable education programs when money is being spent on outrageous expenses. When Dr. Mack and the “Kids First” school board came to power, I was receiving 6-7 glossy brochures a year for a total of 12-14. Yes, I received two pieces of propoganda each time. Report cards are printed with colored letterhead and mailed, oftentimes to invalid addresses and returned to the schools. We still have a security guard on duty at Jackson Center. Do we even have any staff still at Jackson Center? The district has invested in new headquarters more conveniently located downtown…walking distance from the former offices. Each morning, teachers received an e-mail menu selection from the restaurant located inside, Chloe’s Cafe. I am glad the administrators had this option for a leisurely lunch. Clearly, so many administrators require a cafe while teachers wait in line for one microwave during their thirty minute lunch brought from home to eat at their own desk or in the “lounge.” These are only a few of the examples that come to my mind as I become more outraged at seeing the list of the most valuable and awesome teachers and teacher aides cut from the budget. The current administration and board of education have continued to spend recklessly despite the fact that we know school funding is not constitutional and charter school funding is gouging public school budgets. This very same adminstration that allowed us to reach such dire straits cannot be expected to competently lead us from them. Did anyone else notice the timing of Ms. Littlejohn’s resignation as president of the schoolboard?By focused
June 21, 2007 8:43 PM | Link to this
Look, clearly those of you who are blogging now have lost your focus. The focus should be on the DEA!!! How could SHE/THEY allow this to happen??? Plus, there are many teachers (Fairview Middle, Allen, Literacy positions) who are “displaced” at this point. While they were promised (By Big Ed) to know by mid-June, I haven’t heard of one “displaced” teacher who has been notified of a possible opening/position. The DEA members NEED to pay attention to this!!! Next year, WE may be the ones who are “displaced.”By null
June 21, 2007 7:42 PM | Link to this
This lively debate proves the importance of the internet. As an educator I am encouraging my students to read this blog. Kudos to Scott. 2.I have been a educator in DPS and in a Dayton charter. The issue has been and always will be an issue of management and leadership. If you don’t like Mack, then ask yourself if you voted for the board who employs him. Dayton needed to make cuts. It managed it’s money poorly and it ran HR poorly. Again are the members of the board competent? If they are then why allow bad management to keep running the schools. It is well known and quiet secret among adminstrators in Dayton that increase in the Dayton AYP is due to winnowing off of its most problematic to local charters. As can be seen by this debate, there have been no substanative changes made in DPS that account for any numerical increase in Dayton’s numbers. If Dayton wants an education system for it community that works, then it will take the form of a combined charter and public system. Dayton can create it’s own charters and easily employ the 200+ teachers. However, leadership is unable to come up with a plan to facilitate this. The problem is lack of board leadership and a lack of coming up with educational solutions that produce real results.By Kiser 221
June 21, 2007 7:19 PM | Link to this
Laura and Terri, I do not know what the job descriptions are for the COACHES; however, there is an “internal posting” for the math intervention jobs. I received that in an email a week or so ago. (I don’t know what happened with the literacy positions.) Perhaps you could do DPS a favor and apply for a job as a math intervention teacher. That way, you would be able to use your expertise to assist ALL of the students at one of the schools.By Dayton Daily Reader
June 21, 2007 5:32 PM | Link to this
Scott, I understand your reasoning for posting the names; however, it is the schools’ responsiblity to notify parents which teachers will not be returning. Out of respect and courtesy to the teachers who were RIFed, your actions to publish their names was thoughtless and heartless and they are owed, from you, a public apology.By Jack Farley
June 21, 2007 5:11 PM | Link to this
One of the Dayton Public Schools Top Ten Teachers from last school year, Mrs. Patricia Allen, Art Teacher,from Belmont High School is now on the riffed list. This is truly a travesty!By Allen Teacher
June 21, 2007 4:56 PM | Link to this
I was a teacher at Allen Classical Academy. My time at Allen was the best year I�ve ever had at DPS, thanks to Mrs. Croker. I have never seen a principal treat teachers and students so well. She was instrumental in building capacity in her staff and students. I understand that some are upset Jack Johnson did not receive this job, however I believe the best person was chosen. Change is never easy, if you are already complaining about the new principal, expect to have a horrible year. You need to be open to change. When my former principal retired I thought NO ONE could out shine her, I was closed to the idea that someone could fill her shoes. I was lucky enough to be placed with Mrs. Croker, and even though I was resistant at first, gave way to truly liking her. I truly hope that you can open your heart. I know some will set out hoping to see Mrs. Croker fail, and will probably try to help in that endeavor, it will never happen. Just know that when given the choice to put where we�d like to go when our school closed, most put �with Mrs. Croker�. You are lucky to have her!By Student Supporter
June 21, 2007 4:37 PM | Link to this
It’s not that all of the old teachers need to be laid off, it’s that the teachers who don’t care about the kids need to be removed. You can walk into any building and ask the kids to name the teachers that really don’t have their best interest at heart, and the kids can tell you. The staff members and administrators can tell you to. What I don’t understand is why I don’t see more of THOSE teachers names on this list, rather than the ones who give their best to the children every day. You can say “You wouldn’t want every doctor with experience to lose his job,” and you’d be right. But do you want every young, enthusiastic doctor with new ideas and new information to lose his job? I don’t think so. I think the doctors who need to go are the ones who give every patient the same treatment, regardless of their symptoms; the ones who come into the exam room and say, “There’s nothing I can do to help you, you just don’t have what it takes to be healthy. Your parents aren’t doing their part by giving you vitamins.”; the ones who say “Well, you’ve got some internal injury. I’m going to cut you open and do surgery. Take a shot of whiskey and bite on this stick when it hurts, because that was good enough for people a hundred years ago. It’s bound to be good enough now.” No one wants an ineffective professional to be responsible for their well-being, whether it is in the doctor’s office or the classroom. The teachers who need to be fired are the ones who aren’t doing what is best for the children. Some of those teachers have been there 30 years; others have been there 2 years. Regardless of their seniority, they need to be the ones to go.By laura
June 21, 2007 1:58 PM | Link to this
Barb: Parents were contacted directly regarding summer school for third graders. So it comes down to not wanting to send their children, for whatever reason. Some probably didn’t send them because they just didn’t want to be bothered but I would bet there were some who felt the students would be back in school soon enough since we have gone to the modified year-round. It concerns me when some people think children should be in school as much as an adult works. If our students are having a hard time making the progress society wants them to make, instead of lengthening the school day or year, maybe we should accept that they require more than the traditional school year to make the progress that students used to make in a year. If you will notice, many colleges have increased their degree programs from 4 to 5 years because they want to add more information and it takes students longer to finish than it used to. Maybe we need to get away from the traditional k-12 years and go to truly skills-based education (similar to Montessori) where a student progresses at their own rate. When they master a set of skills, they move on, regardly of whether they take 4 months or 16.By Joan
June 21, 2007 1:45 PM | Link to this
Where are the names of the Administrative Assistants to the Superintendant? The State told DPS years ago that they were too top heavy. I don’t see the names of those people being cut. This admin makes positions for those old heads they want to keep. Principals that did not have bldgs to go to were kept on as Admin Assistants to the Superintendent in charge of books and dumb title like that. We don’t have money, well thats some of it. Teachers without classrooms are laid-off.”It is funny how they work their magic.”By Laura
June 21, 2007 1:45 PM | Link to this
Coach, we all know there are ways to circumvent the rules and DPS is one of the best at it. You said the Title funds for coaches couldn’t be used to lower class size, but that is exactly what our teachers were told the district was trying to do. A few years ago, the title money was used for class reduction and they were discussing whether it could be done again. And as Terri (and probably many others have wondered), what exactly were your job descriptions? In what ways did you contribute Directly to student achievement?By Kiser 221
June 21, 2007 12:21 PM | Link to this
Charterschoolhater, I do recognize that there have been MANY horribly wrong choices made by Super Mack and his crew—-especially when it comes to their choice to cut so many teaching positions, while keeping so many meaningless administrative jobs downtown. Clearly, most of the “guarded ones” were just shifted around, and no one lost their administrative jobs. HOWEVER, I do hope that you are not insinuating that Marilyn Croker is a milk toast administrator. That is most certainly not the case! Do you know anything about her? Ask those who have worked for her over the years. I would hope that this was meant as an attack on Big Mack’s record of poor choice, rather than an attack on the new PK principal.By DPS Coach
June 21, 2007 12:00 PM | Link to this
All instructional coaches are funded through the Title I department. Cutting the position does not help the general fund teachers at all. Title I money can not be used to pay the salaries of general fund teachers. Some of coaches were RIF’d. It all went by district seniority. All of the in-school coaching positions have been cut. There will be five regional math coaches and five regional literacy coaches. Everyone else is either a Curriculum Intervention Specialist (a new position that replaces SIIS) or has been placed into a classroom position. To clarify those who say we are not ‘coaches’, we are. We ‘coach’ teachers on how to meet the needs of their students and how to improve the quality of education provided to the students on a daily basis.By Barb
June 21, 2007 10:38 AM | Link to this
Interestingly when I read the cuts for administration level it seems that most of them are people who are retiring so is this an actual cut? It looked like the ratio comes out to about 10% are administrative cuts. One idea would be for many of the positions at Ludlow to be moved into DPS school buildings. With so many positions cut there will not be enough bodies to provide our students with the safety they deserve. Additional adults in the building would be helpful. We must think outside of the box to make this work. It is time EVERYONE makes sacrifices not just the students. Interestingly enough we also had an article supporting what teachers have been saying, parents do not put the effort into their children. Over 50% of the summer reading progam is empty. Maybe the secretaries at Ludlow could call some of the students who would benefit from this program. Parents probably did not receive or read flyers. They need personal contact.By emery_r
June 21, 2007 10:32 AM | Link to this
“Mary”, I don’t disagree with any of your observations about who and what ultimately supports sports over academics in YOUR own district (Dayton, or wherever). I do dispute blanket assertions that administration conspires with sports supporters in EVERY district. It is NOT the case in my district, a rural/suburban district near Cincinnati. My own experience of nearly 12 years on a school board absolutely confirms what I said earlier — we do NOT get public involvement about cuts in academic programs anywhere close to what is seen when athletics are threatened — and no one needs to stir THAT up independently. It happens all by itself. Again, people can value what they want to value — but I reserve the right to despair over their choices, and will continue to fight for academics FIRST, over anything else (including athletics).By Charlene Gambill
June 21, 2007 10:30 AM | Link to this
I still want to know why Dayton Public Schools paid James Williams a quarter million dollars to go away. That could have solved some of your ills. He must have had some kind of dirt on someone. I realize this is past history but this was just one of the many unforgiveable blunders of the DPS administration. Don’t look to the taxpayers for your failures, look at your own house.By another teacher
June 21, 2007 10:06 AM | Link to this
DPS Teacher, it is my understanding that ALL of the academic “coaches” are paid through grant (Title I and Title II) funding, which is why they are able to be maintained without affecting the DPS general fund. Perhaps Scott could check into that and confirm or correct it.By Terri
June 21, 2007 9:40 AM | Link to this
Hey coach! Glad to see you posting. Can you clear up what exactly your job is? None of the other teachers that post here seem to know.By Scott Elliott
June 21, 2007 9:33 AM | Link to this
Regarding our decision to publish the names of those who were laid off online, let me try to explain our thinking. The main reason we decided to do this was because parents and students went home for the summer without knowing which teachers would not be back. So we knew there would be high interest in the names. And, in fact, Wednesday was GOTB’s biggest day ever for page views. Also, these folks are being let go based on seniority, not because of performance or any other reason. So while it certainly hurts to be laid off, it’s not really a reflection on them as professionals or people. The goal certainly was not to embarass anyone. We were just trying to provide public information to readers who had a high interest in seeing the lists.By Allen Mom
June 21, 2007 8:35 AM | Link to this
Patterson Kennedy/Charterschoolhater, you can trust and believe that Mrs. Croker is NOT a milk toast administrator. I have never seen a better principal. You should feel fortunate that Mrs. Croker was placed at PK. We are sad that our school was closed, and my children will have to go to another school (without this principal) next year. YOUR students and their learning will be Mrs. Croker’s #1 priority. I would bet on that.By Kelly
June 21, 2007 7:58 AM | Link to this
I am horrified that these names are published. I barely avoided RIF, by a matter of months of my hire date, and to see my colleagues’ names listed is so disheartening. I truly hope they do not see this.By chuckling
June 21, 2007 7:56 AM | Link to this
Patterson Kennedy, you made me laugh. SITE BASED SCHOOL… You’ve got to be kidding! You cannot really believe that you are a site-based school. Do you hire your own teachers? Do you manage your own budget—other than the DPS allotment for PK? Do you make your own curriculum decisions? Since “site-based management” went out years ago when Proficiency Testing began, I am curious to hear what decisions you think you are making! Please share.By dps teacher
June 21, 2007 7:55 AM | Link to this
About those literacy and math coaches…exactly which ones are grant funded? Which come from the general fund instead? And how many actually got cut?By charterschoolhater
June 21, 2007 12:21 AM | Link to this
To understand why Jack Johnson did not get the job at PK is to understand the way Mr. Percy operates. He chooses ot hire milk toast administrators who will only tell him what he wants to hear. Jack Johnson is truly for students first even if he clashes with the King Percy and Queen Gail who just happen to inhabit the top floor of the Ludlow Street Palace. The children of PK have been truly cheated by this absurd hiring.By charterschoolhater
June 21, 2007 12:16 AM | Link to this
I have a question for Coach who is a math coach. Since when is math a sport? You are a math teacher in a position made up by DPS to waste more money. Get over it Coach you are no Coach.By charterschoolhater
June 21, 2007 12:12 AM | Link to this
One name that is conspicously ommited in the aide cuts is the do nothing president of the teachers aides. Ms. Mary Manual. If my memory serves me right here position of transportation parent liason was abolished by the Bd of Ed years ago. What is absurd is that she refused to leave and no one in HR made her. Get rid of Mary who should already have been gone and save a teacher!!By Future teacher and laid off aide
June 20, 2007 11:16 PM | Link to this
I’m appalled that my name is mentioned in the newspaper. Isn’t it enough that I got a pink slip?By texas teacher
June 20, 2007 10:39 PM | Link to this
To the new college graduate - come to Texas - we can’t find enough teachers to fill the spots. You’ll get multiple offers!By David
June 20, 2007 10:31 PM | Link to this
For Charlene who wants to cut the teachers with the most experience: I think we should eliminate all doctors with more than 5 years experience. Let the younger ones practice on you. AND let’s let only parents who are 21 and under have kids, after all they’re younger and cheaper and …. get the point? Your older teachers have the most knowledge and share it with the newer teachers when they are finally ready to listen to the wise older staff. Your ideas actually sound like Husted and the Republicans who want to get rid of tenure so the districts can keep only the cheaper teachers. But notice who is on the important committees over in Columbus and Washington—it’s the older legislators who’ve been around a while and earned party favor even if they flipped jobs due to term limits. I wonder why they don’t have the newest members on those committees? Same reason schools need the experienced staff.By Former DPS Student
June 20, 2007 10:17 PM | Link to this
Some of my fondest high school memories took place in Patricia Allen’s art class. I am very sorry to see her name on this list.By Patterson Kennedy
June 20, 2007 10:09 PM | Link to this
In the DDN 6/20/07 “� Graham Nolan, Patterson Kennedy Elementary School principal. No replacement was named Tuesday.” Just to let you know a replacement was named. Allen’s principal Marilyn Croker was introduced to the staff the last day of school for the kids. We are a site base school where we are supposed to have some say in who comes to our school. We told this to Dr. Mack with Marilyn Croker, standing right there. What none of us at PK understand is why Jack Johnson our assistant principal can�t become the principal. He knows the staff and the kids and would be great at the job. Dr. Mack never did give us an answer.By retired Dayton teacher
June 20, 2007 10:08 PM | Link to this
Did anyone consider dumping the retired/rehired teachers and principals?. Most of them are “ancient” in their ideas and methods as well as tired!By Coach
June 20, 2007 9:55 PM | Link to this
Yes, I’m a math coach, and I have a job. Stop being a hater! Get over it, and worry about YOUR own classroom.By MD
June 20, 2007 8:44 PM | Link to this
Will one of the fine school teachers on this blog, please give MJ a history lesson. When tax rates are reduced, income to the federal government increases. This happened with Kennedy’s tax cuts in the early sixties. It happened again under Reagan in the early eighties. And yes it is happening again under Bush. Federal spending in all the areas that MJ listed have increased under George Bush’s leadership.By Mary
June 20, 2007 6:49 PM | Link to this
Eve, I also think it is a bad sign when more citizens do not turn out for board meetings. However, having been to quite a few in my suburban district I think I know why. The meetings do not really welcome citizens voicing their concerns. The board is scared or reluctant to give any discussion or feedback. Even when there are few other speakers, they will cut you off at three minutes and appear generally disinterested in what you have to say even at the more informal public forums that occur from time to time. In contrast, I have been in Columbus where parents and students get five minutes to testify to senators and representatives on finance and education subcommittees, are treated politely and not cut off. The only public interaction the board seemed to welcome in our district was public recognition or pep rallies for trophies, awards and teacher retirements. The parents know to clear out after that. Those who have concerns learn that their attendance is generally a waste of their precious time.By Eve
June 20, 2007 5:09 PM | Link to this
Mary, I was at the board meeting last night, and I can tell you that the woman who spoke was not a “plant”. Frankly I was dismayed by the very low citizen attendance at this significantly important meeting. I was also surprised that the president of the teacher’s union didn’t visit the podium to make a statement. Wouldn’t have changed anything but seemed like some kind of public comment would have been appropriate.By Time to move on
June 20, 2007 4:50 PM | Link to this
I find it interesting that DPS called the preschool programs that were being cut “montessori” because they are not. The preschool programs that have been cut and teachers that have been let go from those programs were housed in Montessori schools but supported under Title I funds from the government under the Early Childhood Education Program - not from general operating funds. It is a separate entity. Is the district taking money at the expense of our youngest children now? How could they touch those funds? I am saddened that my child’s teacher is now out of a job and that my other children will not get the chance to benefit from her knowledgable, caring guidance. I felt this program was a light in a dimming district. I’m ready to get out of Dodge!By Eric
June 20, 2007 4:00 PM | Link to this
We get it MJ….you dislike the current administration in DC and think we should have the feds bail us out….the same feds that gave us NCLB. Let me ask you something, would you support a decrease in federal tax and an increase in local and state? Should that not be the way it is? Because I got to tell you, you are sadly mistaken if you think that the federal government is the best way to handle our local problems.By Mary
June 20, 2007 3:58 PM | Link to this
Scott, are you ever journalistically curious why only one parent whose main interest was athletic teams showed up? Could it be she was “invited”, those are the only parents whose concerns are taken seriously, and are used as “poster parents” for the media by the school district? Coincidentally, I started reading a book today “Where Have All the Leaders Gone?” by Lee Iacocca. While he stresses the importance of the media and newspapers, he implies the media is usually on the sidelines “holding pom poms” and don’t ask tough questions. His Chapter II is “People and priorities - it’s that simple” which is the theme I have used in my discussions on education. That is my point about athletics and education. How many times do I have to say that while you continue to brush off my comments as simply anti-athletics. Ironically, Iacocca uses a lot of sports analogies, but “Here’s what management is about: Pick good people and set the right priorities”…. “Because if the people are bad and the priorities are screwed up, nothing else works. Period.”By Charlene
June 20, 2007 3:01 PM | Link to this
Schools should cut teachers that have been working 25-40 years,not the new ones. They are making at least twice as much. Be like GM and others, offer them an incentive to retire. Who can afford them?By MJ
June 20, 2007 2:16 PM | Link to this
The $56.5 billion in tax cuts for the wealthiest 1% this year could be spent on the people of Congressional District 3 ( Mike Turner) instead. If that money were used to support state and local programs, the residents of Congressional District 3 (Turner) could have $107.8 million, which could provide: 36,122 People with Health Care or 1,831 Elementary School Teachers or 16,640 Head Start Places for Children or 61,286 Children with Health Care or 1,005 Affordable Housing Units or 10 New Elementary Schools or 13,334 Scholarships for University Students or 1,650 Music and Arts Teachers or 2,585 Public Safety Officers or 120,690 Homes with Renewable Electricity or 2,223 Port Container InspectorsBy Very Concerned Mom
June 20, 2007 1:40 PM | Link to this
There is too much instability in the DPS district! Can I really afford to compromise my children’s education by sticking with the district through this difficult time in DPS history? These cuts are over the top!!! The quality of my children’s education will go down the tubes. Without quality art, music and PE programs, their education will cease to be well rounded and they will not be able to reach their full potential. We already know the the way schools are funded is “Unconstitutional.” Why doesn’t somebody figure out how to fund a “Free and Appropriate Public Education?” Then there wouldn’t be instability in any district.By Scott Elliott
June 20, 2007 1:40 PM | Link to this
Mary, you are misunderstanding a basic rule of journalism — editorial independence. The company’s interest in owning sports tickets or sponsoring athletic events for marketing purposes has zero impact on my reporting decisions. There was only one parent quoted in today’s story because she was the only parent who attended Wednesday’s meeting and made substantive comments about the cuts. The corporate interests of the company that owns the paper were not a factor in my decision who to interview. The fact that one of her key interests was athletic teams, which is something you oppose, was purely coincidental.By mehitabel jones
June 20, 2007 1:23 PM | Link to this
What Dayton could be doing with its share of the IRAQ WAR COSTS could: hire 2598 teachers for one year, provide health care for 89,797 kids, provide 7269 students four year scholarships to public universities. (national priorities dot com)By KW
June 20, 2007 1:16 PM | Link to this
It’s ashame that no-one seemed to be monitoring the budget or at least that’s how it seems. Our children suffer because at the expense of a budget that has gotten out of control. By the way you only listed 60 teachers and 50 aides. Where’s the rest of the list.By Teacher and taxpayer
June 20, 2007 12:55 PM | Link to this
I am saddened to see the names of colleagues and friends on this list. Many are newer teachers, people with energy and great ideas who worked long, hard hours with children. The list of Stivers adjuncts being let go is also disheartening. Both of my children are Stivers grads; both are now graduated from college. My husband and I know that one of the main reasons our kids were accepted into the universities they attended was because of their involvement in the arts, not their SAT scores (which were quite good). The removal of the arts programs at Stivers will seriously limit the college prospects of many smart, talented children in the next few years. How unfortunate for these students that DPS could not cut additional administrators, and with the monies saved on high salaries and benefits replace some of these positions, as well as some of the art and music teachers RIf’ed (adjuncts are paid an hourly stipend with no benefits or retirement paid). The actions of the school board that claims to put “Kids First” appear to follow that claim only after their adult cronies are taken care of first.By speaking out
June 20, 2007 12:42 PM | Link to this
And just WHY are we NOT calling for the resignation of Dr. Mack? Just what HAS he done for the public school system in Dayton? Certainly he cannot dare lay any claim to test scores for that achievement lay within the hands of the students and the classroom teachers alone. The man needs to move along and find another School System to ruin. He certainly has done his best here. I believe it is time DPS begin a nation wide search for someone who wants to make a difference in a positive manner. FIRE THE MACK MAN.By void
June 20, 2007 12:36 PM | Link to this
Just how were THESE teachers chosen to be eliminated? Were these the “low men on the totem pole?” GRANT YOU - - there are teachers that will remain in DPS that should be fired because they are horrible, lazy, and unqualified teachers. But when given the opportunity to IMPROVE the condition of the classroom and the quality of the teachers within, the school board begins at the bottom of the chopping block with highly qualified teachers who actually care, can do, and are newly certified. Thank you unions for helping the school board make our classrooms more heinous than they already are.By null
June 20, 2007 12:29 PM | Link to this
What about the “coaches” that were put into the schools to “coach” the teachers on better methods of gathering data, teaching their students, and inadvertent, rowdy student control? How many “coaches” have been let go? Dr. Mack’s “coach” plan is part of the problem that is draining the system dry yet they still seem to be in place.By Bobbi
June 20, 2007 12:18 PM | Link to this
You take a school with high standards, fabulous teachers, concerned and caring parents and change the Montessori program into traditional. The waiting lists for the past 16 years have always been there. The highly qualified art and music teachers give way to higher education at schools like Stivers for the Arts and Colonel White. There are not many individuals in the system who regularly visit this school because it is farther out than most city schools. WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH YOU?? No matter Dayton is in such a crunch!By Mary
June 20, 2007 12:10 PM | Link to this
“emery_r”, I do not think the decision to protect sports over academics is based on “public uproar”. It is small groups of parents who do this and get the support of the administrators who are former football players and coaches, the media which is run by former sports writers, and the business groups who profit from this while public education, the classroom and students in general get screwed. It is poor leadership and abuse of power, not the public. I think the Dayton Daily News is also biased into looking into these priorities. I think they get tax writeoffs for their company box at UD Arena and Welcome Stadium, etc and other benefits because of sports business arrangements. Today’s article interviews a booster parent, not a parent who is concerned about the impact on the classroom. The public is kept in the dark on how monies are shifted from the classroom to these activities. Today’s articles make it sound as if fundraisers might cover sports costs and no public education monies will be spent - which is totally bogus. While physical ed, arts, music, gifted coordinator, teachers aides and elementary nurses are cut, you can bet there is still an athletic director on the pay roll, supplemental pay for coaches with benefits, a few secretaries, maintenance staff for athletic facilities, bus transportation to weekend and after school sporting events, trainer and medical contracts for sports injuries. If you notice, school districts nor the media ever put these expenses separately up to the public for a vote or review. They just prioritize the money despite their executive responsibility and authority under the Ohio Constitution and blame it a small group of vocal parents who happen to be organized by sports teams (courtesy of the schools)unlike the rest of the parents and the public. It is simply a cop out by poor educational leadership at the school and college levels. Why should the public support public education? It is a fraud. The conspiracy theorists would say this is all by design - an ignorant public fed lies and sports is easily manipulated. Educated people are a threat to the status quo and hierarchal leadership.By Sue
June 20, 2007 11:43 AM | Link to this
Elementary Art has been part of Dayton Schools for half a century. When I was hired as an art educator in Dayton, our city was the place to teach! I have taught Art in Dayton proudly through the demise of the Visual Arts Department, The Fine Arts Department and now this. Check the names and you will find that the elementary visual arts department has been all but eliminated. Dayton prides itself on the arts being a vital part of the community. Parents need to know and understand that their children will no longer have time set aside in the week where they are allowed to create and express themselves through art by a professional art educator. Community Organizations cannot provide this. How can it be possible that the district found themselves suddenly $30 million short? It’s not the kids fault or the teachers. Who wasn’t watching the money?By patty
June 20, 2007 11:32 AM | Link to this
Do you know the names of the Vice Principals that have been cut?By null
June 20, 2007 11:27 AM | Link to this
Scott: Ivestigate further into administrative cuts. Some individuals have new titles, kept salaries, some in central office are double dipping and working as an assistant to upper enchelon, and then there are one or two who are just being protected and keeping their job.By emery_r
June 20, 2007 10:15 AM | Link to this
“David”, we should live so long, hoping to see people band together to save academics the same way they will to preserve sports. I’ve served on a school board for nearly 12 years, and the ONLY times we KNOW we’ll get concerted public involvement is when sports programs are threatened by funding problems, or when there are complaints about a coach. I realize people will value what THEY want to value, but it’s awfully frustrating to acknowledge the reality of sports as the ultimate sacred cow for most school districts.By Recent Graduate
June 20, 2007 9:03 AM | Link to this
I just graduated from a university with a teaching degree. The future isn’t looking so bright right now.By David
June 20, 2007 7:21 AM | Link to this
Amazing. All these actual workers cut. In earlier blog some administration cut. And as soon as the education cuts are made the district has story in paper about accepting pay to keep athletics. Why doesn’t the district solicit companies and parents to pay to keep academics healthy? -To keep gifted classes. No, but they gotta keep those athletics going. After all, what’s important in school? If boosters want to spend money on schools, it should be only for academics—that’s what the schools are supposed to be about. Or maybe they’ll need the money for security for discipline problems that will only intensify from the already low level in many schools.By Cut Teacher
June 20, 2007 1:20 AM | Link to this
I know some people who were cut who aren’t on the list - what happened to the G-J names on the teacher’s list? Let them get their final DPS recognition, too!By null
June 19, 2007 11:34 PM | Link to this
Scott, are there names left off of this list? There are no last names G - J on here.By Mary
June 19, 2007 9:44 PM | Link to this
”????”, gifted ed is not an extra program for a gifted student who is supposed to be getting a proper education. Of course, football and basketball are “education programs” that will be provided at greater expense to smaller numbers of students. Where are the Dayton Daily News articles and editorials on priorities like this?