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Updated: 10:33 AM Jun 24, 2009
Two Public Meetings Held in Meridian
Meridian, Miss. Public meetings regarding the widening of North Hills Street and Meridian Public Schools were held Tuesday night. Posted: 10:26 AM Jun 24, 2009Reporter: Lauren Castillo Email Address: lauren.castillo@wtok.com |
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To George, I feel your frustration, but I honestly think the bond money is being spent appropriately. There is information on the MPSD website about the Small Learning Communities. There are new tennis courts, a renovated stadium, air in the cafeterias and I think in all of the auditoriums. This is the last phase of the school renovations. So, the bond money is being used as it was stated. It would be great if every child could have a computer, if there were more grade specific teacher training, etc. Hopefully one day the higher ups will see that and implement it.
I Challenge each person to look at this situation and see what is best for the community as a whole. Then make your decisions based on what is best and what would Jesus do in this situation. However, first we must do our homework by looking at what successful districts are doing and how they are addressing issues that resemble our issues. Stay encouraged and be up for the challenge!
I think that Mr. Kent is doing a wonderful job. He inherited these problems just as Obama. His work is totally in line with what modern America is doing to address the current issues of today in many American schools. If other people outside of Meridian with the proper knowledge and insight were to critique Mr. Kent, they would certainly give his an A . I would advise everyone to do their homework and then support Mr. Kent. Lay down your pride and think about the children. These children are the future of the New Meridian. What are we investing in our children by engaging our time to fruitless efforts of fighting. Please have the attitude that we want to work together and find a solution. God Bless Each of us!
Concerned (and others), Please go to the link below. You may have to copy and cut the link if it isn't in blue highlight. "MISSISSIPPI: Strikes by teaches are illegal by statute." http://www.enotes.com/everyday-law-encyclopedia/teacher-s-unions-collective-bargaining
I don't think you need permission to strike. That kind of takes the fun out of it, don't you think?
Yes, Mississippi does have a "Right to work law" (see http://www.nrtw.org/c/msrtwlaw.htm) But the law does not mention anything about going on strike. It says that a person cannot be denied a job based on whether or not they are a member of a union. Please attend the special MPSD School Board meeting at 5:30 at Central Office on Monday. Mr. Kent and Mr. Lynch will answer more of the community concerns about the school district.
Mr. Carter, former School Board member, writes in Clarion Ledger. Hope link works. Not sure if his stats are right, but more community businessmen and women need to speak out for the sake of our community. I fear if something is not done about this School Board andlack of leadership, our community will shrivel as many Delta towns did back in the 70's. Link: http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20090610/OPINION02/906100364/1309/EDUCATE OR DIE--MERIDAIN May have to copy and paste it.
Education strikes aren't permissible anymore. I believe Mississippi is called a "right to work" state. When I was still in MS, I wanted to strike every week. MPSD didn't just become what it is. It has been long in the making.
Does the school board need an HONEST briefing of everything that has been going on in the schools? The students, parents, teachers, and principals all have firsthand experience with the current concerns. Collectively, they know the people, circumstances, and decisions that caused all of them. But from comments made recently by the school board, it's obvious that they DON'T know. At the last forum, board members said that we shouldn't wait until problems pile up before we ask for help. Parents and teachers HAVE been trying to get help all along, but NOBODY WAS LISTENING!!! There is no support, least of all from Mr. Kent, who has said it is not his job to visit classrooms or help build morale, and we must solve all problems at the school site and not come to him. We need more opportunities for stakeholders to give input and voice concerns. The Superintendent's Council of school representatives and the community-based council need to be re-established, with school board representation.
Am I the only one that remembers when the MPSD went on strike back in the late 1980s? I'm talking about a real deal strike! Anyone think we might be getting close to that again?
C'mon folks. They (The School Board) just keep spinning around and around and around. They think they're going in the right direction and they've asked Mr. Kent to jump on and go along with them. He doesn't know what direction he needs to go in so he's more than happy to ride with them and make it look like all of them know where they're going and how they're getting there! Sad. Does anyone know where all the bond money is going with regards to the MHS Small Learning Communities? Haven't heard anything. Has anyone else? It's been over two years and we still need a person to head High School Reform? What is she doing? Why is she still doing it? What could that money be better spent on? How about, let's see, educating kids? Training teachers on test restrictions? Providing more computers, textbooks, science equipment, etc.? There needs to be some public accounting of those funds and it needs to be done quickly. We voted for it and we deserve it!