School Board query

[mdd88jd]

The improvement for the other 75% could be described as marginal at best. But, remember those are students who are making 3, 4, and 5 on the examination and they are considered "successful" so the system frankly them that way. I have a real affinity for the gifted programs. We do not spend enough of those programs or the AP programs. Part of the reason why is the size of our schools and the costs of doing so. But, I have not given up hope here. I truly believe we can do both, improve the bottom 25% but, continue to encourage and challenge the other 75%. Frankly, I feel we have not done that so much the last four years. I really want to try to attack that problem.... How do we do that, I have argued for years just what you said, teach every class like it is a honor class. Push, challenge and good things happen to ALL students. Thanks.

 

[Bob Hudson]

Mark:

We have had discussions on these issues in the past and I have heard your comments on many of these topics during board meetings. I have the highest respect for your service to the citizens of this county and more specifically your service to the children and grandchildren of Walton County. ( Have you switched parties yet ?)

I understand how difficult these items are to address, but feel that the first steps towards addressing them is having a public that is aware of them. I also believe that the School Board members must be the ones to lead and the citizens of Walton County must become involved in solving these issues. I wish that I could say the I believed that merely throwing more money at the problems would be the solution (I don't) , I simply think we need to priortize where we spend the money and find a way to engage parents back into the system.

Someone told me the other day " Man you sure attend alot of meetings". Caused me to think about the shere number of hours and miles spent in being an engaged citizen. I have lobbied for expenditures where I personally felt they would help and lobbied against what seemed to be wasteful.

I truly believe we can do better for our children an grandchildren. I have sat where you sit and gave it all I had for 5 years. We made some progress, but not what I had envisioned or wished for. Alot of things have changed since I served and I am sure it is even more difficult to make even the smallest change in course than when I served.

I am truly concerned about the future of our children and grandchildren. Not only are we passing down a tremendous debt to them, but we are not preparing them to compete. We must do better and I challenge you and those who sit on the School Board to become the leaders that I know you to be.

You have my utmost respect and support.

 

[mdd88jd]

Bob: Thanks for the kind words and for your constant vigilance. I will continue the good fight.

 

[shellak]

walton county is NOT a christian community. it is a community made up of many different people of many different faiths and ethnic backgrounds. i agree that i would have to vote wilkerson over nelson based on that idiotic pinata event but we really need some fair minded people in the school board, ones that don't think that christianity or any religion needs to dominate the PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM!!!!!! why is this such a difficult concept????

 

[idlewind]

Bob and Mark:

Thanks for the reasoned exchange of ideas and issues that has occured here this afternoon. We need far more discourse and the public needs "educating" on what the real issues are in the school system. FCAT is a great concept but has failed our children miserably in its execution. We need those "in the know" to share with us both the accomplishments and failures so that we all can intelligently participate in the process. Many of us are unable to attend meetings as Bob does so these types of open discussions are invaluable.

 

[crimsonclay]

Ok, I can understand if you are not Christian or are Christian and chose not to let that influence your decision. That is your given right. But, you can not be serious in thinking that some people making their decision based on their beliefs or religion is any less important than you and several other people on here making your decision based on a stupid pi?ata.

I believe Robert Nelson is by far the best choice in this election for many, many reasons that have nothing to do with religion or a certain belief system. I don't even really care if Mrs. Wilkerson would have answered them completely against my beliefs. It was (as I have stated several times) her indecisiveness on issues. I would have even respected her more if she would have chosen not to answer at all and just simply thrown the survey in the garbage.

I have gotten lots of replies to my response about this survey and Christian belief issue but I haven't seen much commenting from the same people on the millage/tax issue that has been brought up. I wonder why?

I will not comment on this survey issue anymore (to the relief of many I am sure)because I feel I am repeating myself over and over and it isn't about the questionarre. It is about me thinking she isn't the right choice for the future of my children's education. Her indecisiveness and her lack of knowledge on important things School Board members should have a thorough understanding of, especially one that has been there for 8 years.

 

[DemoLady]

Thanks, mdd88jd, for your posts

Finally, information rather than inflammation! You highlighted the complexities of running a school system so well. I just wish we had generated more community-wide discussions of these issues during this election period.

 

[GoodWitch58]

Goodwitch: I need to put you in touch with the folks at the CDC (Career Development Center). They really do a wonderful job. In the interest of full disclosure, my brother is the principal there. They are trying to develop high school diploma programs that integrate academics with certain vo-tech skills. They are called "academies." They are trying to move some of those programs into the various middle and high schools. It is an interesting approach to education and one I think is the future of education.

Can't explain the teachers' and adminstrators attitudes. Most sad...

Maybe you could get the DeFuniak Breeze-Herald to do a feature story on these academies. I think many people in Walton County would like to know about this approach....

AL--are you interested?

 

[Kurt]

One of the benefits of posting here should be the comparisons that many are able to draw from postings by both candidates. That has not happened here. His opponent in the election has failed to even post an intro on this site.

I imagine some candidates are afraid to post here. If I were one I would post here but be careful and stay above the fray. Because the fray can be intense. Kind of like discussing politics openly face to face, as we did in days gone by. Not like the staged, negotiated, and scripted debates and infotainment media these days.

Also keep in mind that candidates running for re-election are less likely to post publicly for obvious reasons. I imagine in the future we will prepare and publish questionnaires with candidate responses.

Some lament the fact that we have anonymity on this forum. However that has benefits in truthfullness, even if it can be incendiary at times. That's why we have moderators. But moderation is light. I'd rather have heated exchanges than the chilling effects of heavy-handed moderation.

We are open to suggestions on how to make our community forum better for the community, by the community.

Many voters in Walton County do not even know this site exists and many avoid it because they see it leaning very far to the left of center.

I would guess that some majority of voters know we exist, but I'm sure many have never been to our site, wouldn't know what an online community forum is, and quite a few are not on the internet very often at all, and some never. From what I've seen and heard, people tend to forget that the vast majority of folks who read this forum are silent, a group which includes some candidates.

As for leaning left, I believe it may have before this election year, but I think it's about equal now. It may not seem that way because some of the posters with high post counts are opposite from your views. Believe me, I have equal complaints from both sides about which way it leans.

In victory, as in defeat, true colors are easily seen.

 

[Bob Hudson]

Kurt:

I enjoy this community and tip my hat to you for your site and involvement in providing a place for all that choose to participate.

I agree that there are many who visit and do not participate for many reasons. The exchanges do get heated at times and when they get "over the top" I just change channels. The post count of those with oposing views has no impact on my assessment of their postings. I find some with very low post counts can be in oposition to my viewpoints as well. That is the nature of things.

"Perception is Reality" to many. A general perception of those that lean to the right of center is that we are outgunned on this site. That is improving due to many peoples encouragement to many to express their conservative viewpoints and not sit silent. It would be my hope that they do that with a high ethical standard. Some do some don't.

Anonomity of posters doesn't bother me in anyway. I simply read the post and respond or move on. It is the quality of the post that determines the value that I personally give to the poster not how many posts they have made.

Thanks for providing the resources that allow for the exchanges.