“‘I considered it my mission to do this,’ said Charlene Cobb, executive director of instruction and learning, of creating a new logo for the district.” Pioneer Press Herald-Advocate 04/14/2011.
I think East Maine School District #63 taxpayers would have been better served had Ms. Cobb and Superintendent Clay not seen her mission “doing this”, and had instead focused her (expensive) professional efforts, on helping Gemini Jr. High School students pass No Child Left Behind! As one person put it: “It [the logo] depicts District Students with arms raised in academic surrender."
There was nothing wrong with the old logo!
That logo depicted EMSD#63 students reading under the tree of knowledge. I guess they thought the concept too old fashioned. No pizzazz!
Quite frankly, had the District really needed a new image, I think Ms. Cobb would have saved the taxpayer a few bucks and been more on the mark with this!
Creating the logo is another example of fixing things at school districts that aren't broken because you don’t know how to fix things that are! It’s usually a way of justifying a job.
EMSD#63 is looking to save money. I think I know a good place where we might save at least $125K!
Of course, it’s just my opinion!
11 comments:
Again you are a hypocrite. You do exactly what "they" do but when you do it it is OK!
They refer to your senior center as a "club house". They paint this picture of a group of people taking advantage of taxpayers and they misrepresnt, or have no real interest in, what goes on there. They do it because it serves their purpose. You respond by suggesting they are "anti-senior".
You do exactly the same thing!!! You see a wonderful quote and you pounce!!!! I do not know this lady and have no experience with D63 but do you really believe that this new logo is ALL this lady did for the last year??? You know nothing about what she did or did not do but the quote sure fits your argument!! Like them, you use it for your porposes.
You....."This lady was paid 125K to make a logo.....ahhhhhh!!!!!!"
Them.......We five 165K a year to a closed club house for seniors.....ahhhhhhh!!!!!"
You both make extreme and unfair statements to support your position that do not reflect reality.
Now, I await your reply about how your post is different!!!
Anon: April 20, 2011 6:15 AM
I allowed his comment because I wanted others to see this rant for themselves.
I have no intention of adding anything more!
Mr. Butterly,
As a parent in District 63 as well as District 207, I would appreciate it if you could also highlight some issues with Maine East. After all, we all pay taxes to 207 as well as 63.
Specifically test scores, salaries, and expenses. Take a look at how Maine East's student test scores (meets and exceeds on the state tests) compare.
Melzer.91.3%
Gemini. 86.8%
Nelson. 83.2%
Stevenson 80.7%
Apollo 78.2%
Mark Twain 75.6%
Maine East 55%
Now, my daughter is at Mark Twain, the worst performing school in 63, but even they are more than 20 percentage points higher than Maine East with regard to overall student performance!
And, the AVERAGE teacher salary in 207 is almost $99,000 a year, and they spend almost $17,000 per student, per year. Considering those numbers, what kind of return are we getting for our money?
Mr. B:
While you are answering the question(s) from 12:35,There is another question that is a part of this issue.
The poster "mixes" statistics. They talk about test scores for D63 and Maine East and yet they quote salary information for all of D207. The reality is that if you look at test scores for Maine South they are dramatically higher than Maine East. The poster included the salaries if these teachers in their staticitcs so I hope a part of your answer addresses this issue. It would appear we are getting a great return on our money at MS but not so great at ME. The pay structure at these schools is not different. Any ideas??
Anon: April 20, 2011 12:35 PM ,
Regarding the test scores. My understanding is this. These tests are not compatible. The why of it, continues to allude me. I have never been able to get a good reason for testing in this way from D207 or EMSD#63. Maybe someone out there, a D207 or EMSD#63 Administrator or Board Member perhaps, could enlighten us.
Anon: April 20, 2011 2:49 PM,
The answer to your question primarily revolves around demographics. Which feeder-school systems feed which high schools.
At least that’s how I currently see it!
OK.....so we have tests from middle schools to highschools that are "not compatible". We also have a feeder schools system issue. It seems to me that is hard to prove if the tests are not compatible.
Either way, is it any wonder that teachers have real concerns about decisions on people being let go being based on test scores. It would appear that a so-so teacher would keep their job at MS while a great teacher at ME might very well get wacked!!!! Keep in mid that these two schools are about 4 miles apart!!! Can you imagine trying to implement a measurement plan such as this in a metropolitan area like Chicago?!?!
Anon: April 21, 2011 9:39 AM,
You said: “OK….so we have tests from middle schools to highschools that are "not compatible". We also have a feeder schools system issue. It seems to me that is hard to prove if the tests are not compatible.”
Answer: I don’t know what to say to you. That’s what I’ve been told.
You said: “Either way, is it any wonder that teachers have real concerns about decisions on people being let go being based on test scores. It would appear that a so-so teacher would keep their job at MS while a great teacher at ME might very well get wacked!!!!”
Answer: It is a conundrum, especially if one thinks as apparently do, that teachers will be let go solely based on test scores. The administrators that I’ve talked to are aware of demographic derived disparities. No, I think it will continue to be economics that will drive teacher reduction decisions in the future.
You said: “Can you imagine trying to implement a measurement plan such as this in a metropolitan area like Chicago?!?!”
Answer: Actually, I can. Chicago schools are much more alike over their entire system. Maine East and Maine South, and the school systems that feed them are not. The two districts of PRSD#64 and EMSD#63 come to mind.
A homogenous system like Chicago can also develop a streamlined and cohesive testing scheme more in line with their particular demographic and academic realities.
Please Mr. Butterly, do your research. "Chicago schools are much more alike over their entire system." This is an inaccurate statement. Having worked with CPS across various Areas (this is how their schools are currently organized) I can state that there are major differences in schools within Areas and across schools in various Areas. Unless you can accurately substantiate your statements it would be helpful if you included "in my opinion" as an introductory clause to your statements.
Anon: April 23, 2011 9:11 AM,
Very well: In my opinion!
Anon., what did you do over these various areas? And for how long?
9:11:
His committment to a principle sways like a willow tree depending on who how it affects him. CPS being homogenous fits his argument so he will say it is so!!!! Kinda like Beck.
Anon:April 23, 2011 11:25 AM
Can you be more specific?
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