tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post8917380311591363324..comments2023-10-17T22:56:42.784-04:00Comments on Only in The Republic of Amherst: Amherst Schools Reorganization?Larry Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02614645831526190536noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-70595980749045825702015-03-20T12:21:57.578-04:002015-03-20T12:21:57.578-04:00wouldn't splitting off k-1 grade double transp...wouldn't splitting off k-1 grade double transportation costs for Amherst?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-64486756153248648052015-03-19T00:04:14.544-04:002015-03-19T00:04:14.544-04:00Crocker Farm was renovated and expanded approximat...Crocker Farm was renovated and expanded approximately 10 years ago. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-57563513092801813242015-03-18T22:14:17.300-04:002015-03-18T22:14:17.300-04:00"The "level services budget" calls ...<i>"The "level services budget" calls for the elimination of 16.5 para educator positions (saving $343,500) but is offset by the addition of six "professional staff for co-teaching" positions (adding $360,000)." </i><br /><br />Apparently, the district is hiring many more special education teachers. At least in the elementary schools, there will be one special education teacher at each grade, and that person will co-teach with one of the classroom teachers. This is being described as a full co-teaching model. When parents and teachers have asked for more information about this, they have been told, "We don't have all of the details worked out yet."<br /><br />Another major initiative from the top levels of administration that is being forced upon parents and teachers without proper planning or attention to detail? "Trust us," they say! "This is what is best for the children."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-41373178089992981712015-03-18T20:54:25.301-04:002015-03-18T20:54:25.301-04:00using the data provided by the Sup (supposedly use...using the data provided by the Sup (supposedly used by Rick; on page 33 of http://www.arps.org/common/pages/DisplayFile.aspx?itemId=1127643) chapter 70 funds have increased from $4325/student in 2001 to $6412/student in 2013. Actually seems to have been a big increase in state aid, not a drop (unless I missed something). I don't think Rick can place any budgetary shortfalls at the feet of chapt 70. Umm, where else might it come from? The graph sure is misleading, wish we had folks on the SC who questioned this sort of use of "data".Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-15862484161291555182015-03-18T17:29:35.039-04:002015-03-18T17:29:35.039-04:00How odd. Wildwood is much newer than Crocker Farm,...How odd. Wildwood is much newer than Crocker Farm, so why does it need to be replaced? The Middle School is a decade newer than the High School.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-7450708973938714542015-03-18T14:29:09.189-04:002015-03-18T14:29:09.189-04:00I shaved for this!??!I shaved for this!??!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-35251399786529776162015-03-18T13:19:06.957-04:002015-03-18T13:19:06.957-04:00No, it was written by the Gazette's new educat...No, it was written by the Gazette's new education reporter. <br /><br />Probably just a run of the mill screw up at the Gazette. Larry Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02614645831526190536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-18359426691264178292015-03-18T13:11:54.375-04:002015-03-18T13:11:54.375-04:00Larry, why is it that the Gazette article on IMP m...Larry, why is it that the Gazette article on IMP math (http://www.gazettenet.com/news/townbytown/shutesbury/16053099-95/interactive-math-curriculum-in-amherst-encourages-flexibility-multiple-solutions) isn't behind a paywall, like the other articles in that section? Did ARPS pay to publish?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-45050128842699956702015-03-18T12:32:36.266-04:002015-03-18T12:32:36.266-04:00It would be nice to see real reporting about the A...It would be nice to see real reporting about the Amherst schools, instead of propaganda put forth by ARPS. Example, today's promotional piece regarding the switch to all IMP Math. I believe the % currently taking IMP is less than 25% and closer to 10% (not nearly 50% as stated in the article). say goodbye to STEM prepared ARHS students (there is more than one right answer? what?). Also I take issue with Hood's recent comment that our budget problem is greatly impacted by reduced state aid "in 2000, the state provided 50% of the budget, today it is 35%"). That is meaningless information, you need to look at it as per student- has it gone up a few % per year? Since our per student costs are so enormous it is entire possible that the state has kept up just fine, it's the denominator that has grown disproportionately as our student numbers have plummeted (ARPS: 2000, 2047 students: 2014, 1441 students). Let's look at those numbers and state aid per student over the time period and see if it has changed much?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com