So, NOW You're Outraged? (Another Brick In The Wall)

by Louie b. Free | 349 entries

Published: Sun. July 12, 2015 at 9:01p.m.

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Last week I had the honour of having John Farndon back on the show.

John Farndon is an internationally known author, as well as a playwright, composer and songwriter...

He has written hundreds of books, which have sold millions of copies around the world in most major languages and include many best-sellers....

We 'rabbit - trailed (thanks Green Goddess Jennifer Jones) to the topic of education. I shared with John(who lives in London) that our nation's graduation rate was 81%. Actually, that the United States Department of Education was bragging that:

U.S. High School Graduation Rate Hits New Record High

U.S. students are graduating from high school at a higher rate than ever before, according to new data from the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics. The nation's high school graduation rate hit 81 percent in 2012-13, the highest level since states adopted a new uniform way of calculating graduation rates five years ago.

According to City-Data, Youngstown's Chaney High School graduation rate is 64.3%, East High School - 62.7%.

John Farndon agreed with my concern: 'what are the other 19% doing w/o even a high school diploma?'

Now to Youngstown - the state of Ohio has mandated an alternative to the Youngstown School Board, and now, the board's plotzing*, yeah, NOW the board's plotzing*!

Last week there was a protest against the state's plan where"A couple hundred people gathered this afternoon, carrying signs that read “Save Our Schools” and “No More Charter Schools,” in protest of the Youngstown Plan that would appoint a CEO over the city school system...."

.... nearly a couple hundred more that show up at a parents meeting in years !

Now, the outrage!

Now the protests !

Now, the public meetings:

"They came with signs, chants and songs – all voicing their opposition to a plan that would allow appointment of a chief executive officer to manage and operate the city schools.

Both houses of the state Legislature passed the Youngs-town Plan last month.

But opponents object to the way the legislation was devised behind closed doors and involved no involvement from school board members, teachers or community leaders.

“It’s a vital time now,” state Sen. Joe Schiavoni of Boardman, D-33rd, told the crowd. “All of us need to come together.”

He, state Rep. Michele-Lepore-Hagan of Youngstown, D-58th, and Mayor John A. McNally will host a meeting at noon Monday at William Holmes McGuffey Elementary School to discuss the plan...."

As kids have continued, for years, to fall through the gaping holes, I've heard very little outrage/concern for all students. There has been efforts by a small group concerned for the black students, calling the issues colour/race -related, but no real over-all outrage.

Excuses made by board members, over the years such as:

LbF: " why did the board fail to review Wendy Webb's performance, automatically extending her $100,000 + contract..."

board member (with a smile): " Louie, we were busy building a new school !"

LbF: " What? It's not like you all were slapping mortar on bricks..."

McMayor McNally, Senator Joe Schiavoni and some others will be at tomorrow's meeting - I believe sincerely they care about the present and future of the city-kids. I hope they won't be just playing to the politics du jour.

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