Letter to My State Representatives

I am one of your constituents. I have keen interest in our public schools and funding for the schools that service the majority of our local families.
I understand that for some families the charter schools are a better fit. But that is a very small majority. I implore you to do all you can to please fund the public schools appropriately and consequently hold the charter schools to the same standards as our public schools, especially as they are receiving public funds as well.

Public schools, where all students are accepted and by law are the defaults for local school age children to attend, are held to state and federal accountability. Charters, meanwhile, can pick and choose their student body (they are not required to accept Special Ed or English Language Learners, for example, nor do they have to make the same accommodations for them if they are enrolled) and then aren't even held to the same standards of outcome.

The discrepancy in funding is to the detriment of the majority, allowing the public system to suffer (too large of class sizes, not enough funds for supplies) while the minority systems (charter schools) sit back and smile.

I oversee and train PTA leaders at ten local public schools. In the past year or so I have seen the discrepancies in funding and outcome accountability between the public schools and the charters grow. It does little to foster community spirit and even less to encourage local academic support.

This past year, I know many students were initially enrolled at the public school (in this case, C. Elementary) for one week or so and then were pulled to attend a brand new charter school that opened on a later date. Teachers, hired when enrollment numbers were peaking, had to be let go when the numbers of students dropped. Then, a month of so later, several of those same families, unsatisfied with the charter schools unfulfilled promises, came back to enroll their students back at C. By that time teachers were let go and classes were filled. Designated WPU funds were already assigned to the charter school for those particular students and isn't follow the student to the public school. The students who had stayed were clearly disadvantaged by this shift with more crowded classrooms and teachers already spread too thin, as were the returned pupils who now had to remake new friends and fit into a social system that had started without them, much less their academic routine that was now on a different page for them.

Similarly, this year G. Elementary had 30 students leave to go to a charter school, 26 of whom returned within 3 months.

We need to re-think the charter school systems and make them accountable for their methods. They should be tested on the same level as the public schools if they are teaching the UTAH STATE CORE. If they want EQUAL treatment, then they should be held to EQUAL standards.

I urge you to please hold the charter schools to the same standards our public schools are and fund our public schools are generously as possible.

Sincerely,
A VERY concerned Mom, PTA volunteer, friend and neighbor

P.C. or Not P.C.: That is the Question

I read this little article this morning, and while I am not surprised, I am still irritated at those in government.  Special interest groups seem to be the only ones who see success.  This was part of an e-magazine called Meridian.

Moral Disapproval – So Politically Incorrect

By Gary C. Lawrence


Attorney General Eric Holder announced today that the Obama administration would no longer defend DOMA - the federal Defense of Marriage Act.


Never mind that the law passed by 85-14 in the Senate and gathered a similar 84% of the vote in the House. A real squeaker, that. And signed into law by President Clinton, hardly a right-wing conservative.


Holder said President Obama decided against the ongoing defense of DOMA because the debate in Congress in 1996 included statements that reflected (wait for it) "moral disapproval of gays and lesbians and their intimate and family relationships..."


Imagine, Congress considering morality when deciding our laws. What will come next -- dieters considering calories, car-buyers considering engines, manufacturers considering materials?


If one argues that the moral landscape has changed (Holder says the legal landscape has changed), then let the originators of the law -- Congress -- decide whether or not to repeal it. But to refuse to defend a properly passed law constitutes a de facto executive veto over a law passed by veto-proof margins and the President who signed it 15 years ago.


There is a proper way to take a law off the books. This isn't it.


Mr. President: If you want to destroy DOMA, then have your allies in Congress start the legislative process and let our representatives decide.


Be a mensch and do it the right way.


If this nation isn't ripening in iniquity, with its attending consequences, then I don't know the definition of the term.

Current Events

Last night, Genius Golfer asked me "What do you think of this Tiger Woods business?"

Now, you need to know the GG is not the world's biggest TW fan. He recognizes that Tiger is perhaps the world's greatest golfer, but GG tends to pull for the underdog types, and I try to exercise my influence over my hubz by cheering for Lefty (Phil Michelson) since he is well, a lefty. So, TW is admired around here but not revered.

So, in response to his question, I answered, "I think he is an idiot not to just come clean." I really think he would have been better off image wise, and conscience wise, if he admitted whatever fault he had ans asked for forgiveness--so long as it is sincere.

Like many high profile individuals there is too much media interest and tabloid curiosity to leave it alone. People will dig until the truth comes out. If they are digging for that, the individual looses the ability to own up to his/her own mistakes and then looks like he/she is covering something up. If not, why not just come clean at the first?

It is sad that people have so much interest and curiosity in the famous and infamous, and our media goes after that kind of in-depth journalism (if you can even call it that) and leaves alone the truly pertinent stories like what the legislature is up to--unless it involves a personal sexual misdeed, a la a certain SC Governor.

Have you heard anything substantive recently about the amendments to the health care bill now being debated int eh senate? I mean beyond the allegations that there are now abortion allowances being added (which is not true)? Yeah, me neither.

I wish the media and journalists generally would do the job we need them to do--be a watch dog for government and leave the cult of personality alone for a while.

OK. That was a soapbox I didn't mean to step onto today. But you can sense, I hope, my feelings here. If not, maybe the local media will pick me up on their radar and then you'll know for sure!

Voices of the People?

Our State Legislature is in session. Each year they meet for 45 days and make all the laws we will have to obey. Each year they have a challenge. There is a lot of legislating, debating, compromising, demurring, speaking up, standing up, and passing on that must happen in just 45 days.

Yet, I seem to care less and less.

I have written more letters, emails, and answered more constituency's surveys this year than any other year, but still last night on the news a representative from Alpine or Highland (I can't remember which) was plugging this new website that he has set up for "the people to have their voices heard". Maybe he is not hearing the voices of the people because generally we don't care.

These folks at the legislature seem to get easily sidetracked for a job that lasts only 45 days. My 11 year old has more of an attention span than some of these guys. It is like they have lost their focus when they finally get together and feel all powerful and important.

I get it that they are doing their best, but I also watched the process of selecting some of these jokers, I mean legislators, and the agenda is preset. It is too bad, too. With only a 45 day session "regular" people might be more apt to participate, but not when the system is so predetermined.


The other thing that might keep our people's voices from the Representatives, is the feeling we get when the reports come back that some district rep is debating the bill to make it illegal to wish someone a 'Happy Holiday' instead of the traditional 'Merry Christmas'. Throw in a time consuming debate over the official State Snack Food and you have lost my interest and my respect. The time in session is precious, so use it wisely. Don't propose a bill just so you can have your 15 minutes of attention from the local media--especially if is it nonsensical.

And finally, once and for all, a friendly piece of advice for all Representatives. If you have tried to pass a little pet bill, *COUGH* vouchers *COUGH, and the bill had died, or the people have had to speak loud and clear on the subject but they disagreed with you, then leave it alone. Do not touch it. Do not revive it. Don't even poke it with a stick. I mean it.

[Heavy manly voice speaks from the microphone overhead:] The political soapbox will now be vacated by the obstinate, overbearing, opinionated, PTA Mom from Celestial Circle.