Port Angeles Technology Levy
Another levy is on the ballot for the Port Angeles School District. If passed by voters, this levy will raise money for upgrading computer equipment in the school district.
Without having followed the issue very closely, I'm leaning against it. I can't help thinking that a shrinking school district shouldn't keep needing more money.
And based on casual observations, it seems like every teenager/twenty-something is already far more computer/technology-literate than I'll ever be.
And maybe it's just me, but it seems like almost every letter published by the Peninsula Daily News is in favor of the levy. Is Port Angeles public opinion really that lopsided in favor of the levy? Or might the PDN be trying to promote the levy by printing more letters in favor of the levy than against?
Do you think the technology levy is a good idea, or do you think Port Angeles taxpayers have already been soaked enough?
Without having followed the issue very closely, I'm leaning against it. I can't help thinking that a shrinking school district shouldn't keep needing more money.
And based on casual observations, it seems like every teenager/twenty-something is already far more computer/technology-literate than I'll ever be.
And maybe it's just me, but it seems like almost every letter published by the Peninsula Daily News is in favor of the levy. Is Port Angeles public opinion really that lopsided in favor of the levy? Or might the PDN be trying to promote the levy by printing more letters in favor of the levy than against?
Do you think the technology levy is a good idea, or do you think Port Angeles taxpayers have already been soaked enough?
Labels: PDN levy, Peninsula Daily News levy, Port Angeles public opinion, Port Angeles School District, Port Angeles taxpayers, Port Angeles Technology Levy
posted by Tom Harper at 10:24 PM
17 Comments:
Port Angeles taxpayers just love to be the cash cow again and again. Keep on socking it to us. It's for the children.
The PDN should give out some free cake!
technology in school is always such a joke...they get lame machines, and no one knows how to use them (except the few brainy kids). The administration is always so fearful that the kids will find predators online that they ban the kids from actually USING the computers.
No on the levy. It's a waste of money.
I don't know about the PDN, but the schools should hand out some free cake!
Free cake, huh? Couldn't hurt.
What we need to do is get rid of the WASL, which doesn't work, and let the teachers go back to actual teaching instead of just "teaching to the test". That's what's wrong with our schools, not too little money. Make better use of the HUGE amount of money the schools already cost us.
Myself, I've just about had it with the levies and "extra" taxes -- we're getting priced out of here.
As Peggy Noonan - a best selling author on American politics, history and culture - said, "Put a federal agency in charge of the Sahara Desert and it would run out of sand."
There is a better way. And a commission made up of top educators has spelled it all out for us (and school boards and others involved in
educating our children): http://skillscommission.org/
The problem seems to be: people - and especially large organizations - don't like being told they need to improve. And any suggestion to do so results in a "dig in their heels" response.
It is NOT anti-education to demand that our schools reform and do a
better job!
How many people were paying attention last year when the vote was before us as to whether levies should pass with only 50+1 percent, overturning the supermajority 60%?
Well, the proposition passed, so it looks like we will be giving up more of our tax dollars to the bottomless pit that is public edjukation! Unless we get the word out....! Vote NO on "Tech$$$$" levy!
Kids are already experts with computers, cell phones, iPods and every other electronic thingamajig that exists. They need to learn about this in school?
Why don't we raise taxes so we can teach school children how to watch TV or ride a skateboard or hang around in the parking lot.
I don't know if they are learning anything useful at that high school...everytime i drive past I see 'em wearing pajamas, slippers to school! Why is THAT allowed??
I'm in favor of this levy but I don't think it stands a chance. If we hadn't already been gateway'd to death and bridge'd to death and sidewalk construction'd to death, then maybe it would pass. But these government gougers just keep taking and taking. We don't have anything else to give. I thihk it's doomed.
Well, I'll just play devil's advocate here and say that, yes, kids need to learn tech. And by "tech" I mean spreadsheets, word processing, or even being able to save a document. Being able to haul out a phone and text "OMG U C her dress???" doesn't necessarily equate to having these skills. I have seen Port Angeles 20-somethings who don't know how to use a computer even though they can use their cell phones to download the new and snazzy ringtone.
However, three points to counter that...
1. Tech changes rapidly. A computer that's nice today will need to be replaced in five years, give or take. Look for this levy again.
2. Even if kids learn to use Word, it doesn't do them much good if their sentences are riddled with so many errors that a potential employer couldn't even read their resume. Tech isn't an end-all solution, just a very small piece of the puzzle.
3. We're continously being asked to funnel our funds into something that doesn't seem to be giving us much results. I know there's a lot of factors going into this, but I don't think "more money" is necessarily the solution. At least not the base solution.
I have mixed feelings about this levy. On the one hand, yes, I want Port Angeles kids... hell, *American* kids... to be fully prepared for a technology-heavy future. It's just... what's the dropout rate these days? 30%?... I'm not sure making sure tech is in the schools will do us much good without radically changing both the education process and American culture.
I'm pretty much in favor of the levy for the same reasons as the previous comment. But I don't think it stands a chance. The voters have already been Gateway'd to death and bridged and sidewalk constructioned to death. My guess is they aren't in the mood to approve any more taxes.
It's true that we have been overtaxed lately for a lot of stuff most of us don't want. It was ever thus.
I used to be a teacher, and the waste and carelessness with money in school districts would make you sick. It's like every other business sector -- we need accountability, not more spending. Get rid of the WASL exam, which doesn't prove anything and takes away teaching time, make sure the money allocated for education gets SPENT for education (not more perks for the administration and not more standarized tests, please) and let's go back to supporting our schools with PTA membership, mentoring, etc. Tech is great, no doubt, but sometimes the older ways have their merits, too.
Schools are for stupid kids, lets face it. The testing is to keep everyone at the same (low) level. The machine of public education has not been to produce educated kids, but to turn out docile kids. Kids who have no spark of imagination. Kids who will be good cogs and consumers. Kids who won't question buying from large corporations (like Walmart) or even know who Monsanto is, or why it might affect them. In fact, our public schools are good for dumbing down our children, numbing them to outrage, and pounding them into conforming.
I will not support any new levies for the schools.
It is a credit to the good sense of this community for turning down the levy. We can clearly see that we are not getting a good return on our investment...every time I drive by the high school I see kids dressed like they are going to a halloween party or to bed. Pajamas, outlandish clothing, purple hair, pierced eyebrows, pierced lips...they are obviously not ready to learn anything.
When the school decides to incorporate a dress code and personal hygiene and appearance standards, I and many other people will then CONSIDER passing any kind of levy to give more of our hard-earned tax dollars!
forget the levy....whats the deal with the property valuations?
I just had an appraisal..and the county has me appraised at 2x the current value!!! (County raised it in 2007)
This is frightening...they're spending money that they AREN'T ENTITLED TO. Once I get my adjustment, and everyone else in town puts in for an adjustment...will the county (and city ) go bankrupt?
Wish I could balance my budget by putting my hand in my neighbors pockets!
Although many of you taxpayers do not support giving more money to the schools, they should consider re-evaluating their position on the issue. Let me address a few of the so-called "problems" some of you have brought up.
1. The way that students dress.
Many of you have commented on how "outlandish" the students dress; pajama pants, colored hair, piercings, etc. What does the way that a student wants to appear have to do with their learning ability. The fashions which you think are ridiculous today are just as crazy as what you were wearing what you went to school; and your parents probably said the same thing.
2. Tech is not supposed to be an instant fix. There were a few of you who said that computers would be a waste of money because kids still have spelling errors in even the most simple writing, and continue to use abbreviations while texting on their cell phones. These acronyms of course must be the sole contributor to the downfall of the English language; acronyms never existed before cell phones, any idiot knows that.
How do I know all this? Because I am a Port Angeles High School student. In fact, I'm typing this comment from a Port Angeles High School computer, one that is in desperate need of replacement.
Please, help the youth of your city, pass the tech levy. The results will not show themselves overnight, but I promise they will eventually.
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