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Hall Pass is a newsletter designed to keep you plugged into the conversations driving school board politics and education policy. Each edition brings you a roundup of the sharpest commentary and research from across the political spectrum on education and the latest on school board elections and recall efforts.

Most months, we ask Hall Pass subscribers to weigh in on a question pertinent to K-12 public education. We publish a handful of those responses in subsequent editions. This page features questions and responses since 2022, when we launched the newsletter. Click here to read previous editions of Hall Pass.

Questions and responses are categorized by topic and by date.

By topic

• Graduation and post-secondary readiness
• Student involvement and civic education
• School choice and funding
• Technology in education
• Special education and student support
• Governance and board relations
• Addressing learning loss
• Curriculum and instruction
• Teacher compensation and staffing
• Scheduling and school calendar
• Budgeting and financial management
• Enrollment and demographic challenges
• Educational philosophy and perspectives
• General issues facing school districts

Graduation and post-secondary readiness

November 20, 2024: "What is your opinion on high school graduation exam requirements?
“ They should be rigorous. I worry about eliminating the Regents exam in NYS as I don't want to risk that the diploma become watered down. Grade inflation is already an issue; eliminating a standardized assessment could further devalue the diploma. ”
“ I think if students have taken and passed the courses required to earn their high school diploma, that is enough. If states want to administer end-of-course tests for major requirements like ELA, math, & science and count that as a final exam, I would agree with that. ”
“ In suburban Chicago high schools there are graduation requirements, however they have “dumbed “ down the classes. It takes little effort to pass with a 40%…yes passing is 40% ”
“ All shares should have them. It is the only way to hold districts accountable for kids education. Important as well for students to be proficient in literacy, math and science! ”
“ They are necessary. Occasional attendance cannot be enough. ”
“ It should be geared to the State. The constitution places responsibility for education on the States not the Federal Gorernment. ”
“ I agree and believe all states should require this. ”
“ I believe it's very important to know that students have the knowledge needed to be productive in society after high school. Taking and passing an exam lets districts know what and how to make changes if necessary, to help students succeed. ”
“ I believe it is time for my state, Florida, to repeal our graduation testing requirements. As a public school board member, I know that students with disabilities are exempt from these tests and they receive a regular diploma. This is not equitable to the student without a documented disability who may struggle with test anxiety or other testing issues. ”
“ Yes, a basic level of knowledge should be expected, taught and applied ”
“ To fully evaluate competency of a subject/course a test should be given; however once the entire high school is completed a 'test' summarizing an entire four years of study is not a true viable determination of a student's right to graduate. There are other ways in which to determine/assess the child's understanding of his entire 'high school' experience. What it truly determines is if the student has the knack to learn 'How to take tests' in order to graduate. 'I know, cause that's my job - teach kids how to take exams.' It has nothing to do with what you've learned from the classes/courses over a four-year period. When we finish our undergraduate degrees, we aren't asked to take a 'final' exam summarizing our entire 4/5 years of studies; only when we earn a Masters or PhD are we asked to finalize a 'topic' of which we've researched and can defend the theory based on 'proof', documentation/data. Even then, we don't take a test summarizing every course taken during our stint in college. ”
“ Of coarse we should require kids to meet certain standards to graduate. Iowa should require this. ”
“ I believe they should be required in all states. They define a required competency attainment to prospective employers. ”
“ Statewide assessment should not be a requirement for high school graduation. ”
“ No statewide assessment requirements for graduation ”
“ If the diploma is to have value minimum achievement is necessary. ”
“ I think that high school graduation exam needs to demonstrate the years of education and should not be lower or less than, if anything it should be more difficult showing that students have accomplished their learning and are ready for college or trade school. ”
“ Why have students’ take graduation exam if they have successful passed all requirements? ”
“ I'm from Ohio, took a state exam in order to graduate. In Georgia, that needs to be mandated as well. It seems the students are more educated in Ohio than in Georgia. ”

Student involvement and civic education

June 12, 2024: "What is your opinion on whether schools should encourage more student involvement in school board meetings and decisions?"
“ Reader response 1: Involvement in meetings would be a great idea. Making decisions should be left up to only the school board itself. ”
“ Reader response 2: There is a need for civics education and community involvement for children throughout their formative years. It should start with early childhood learning skills by being helpers of others and schools nurturing group participation. ”
“ Reader response 3: Absolutely! ”
“ Reader response 4: I think it's very important that the student body is involved in what happens in their community. However, I would encourage a board member(s) to hold or allow the student body to have a session to discuss issues that are important to them. Then the board member will discuss it at the next meeting, allowing one or two members of the student body to be involved. This is to make sure their concerns are being heard. This will keep confusion and dysfunction down and ensure the line of communication remains open. I want to be clear: parents, parents, parents should always be involved when it comes to their children's participation. ”
“ Reader response 5: I currently serve on the Board of Education. We have a student member who can vote on most decisions. They can’t vote on personnel decisions. Having their input is very important. ”
“ Reader response 6: Schools should absolutely encourage more student involvement in school board meetings and decisions. When we involve students in these processes, we empower them to have a say in their education, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility. This not only helps in addressing their needs and concerns more effectively but also promotes the development of active, engaged citizens who are better prepared to participate in democratic processes throughout their lives. It also reduces hierarchical structures and ensures that all voices, especially those directly impacted by policies, are heard and considered. ”
“ Reader response 7: I think it is a good thing, but they should not vote officially on board issues. ”
“ Reader response 8: I think it is a great idea. The School Board and Board legal counsel would benefit by asking students what they think about a variety of issues. ”
“ Reader response 9: I feel that it is important for young students (9-12 grades) to learn more about how things work at school meetings and share their concerns. It gives them a better stake in their education and fellow classmates. ”

February 14, 2024: "Having Student Board Representatives join the board, elected by students, with full participation in public board meetings, including advisory votes."
“ Reader response 1: We hold our monthly workshops in an "open forum" format, where we relax Robert's Rules and invite community members, students, staff, and guardians to participate in the discussions (as long as they stay on topic). ”
“ Reader response 2: Making students responsible for their actions. ”
“ Reader response 3: No answer at this time. ”
“ Reader response 4: PLC learning. Are teachers and administrators being taught this learning at in-service days and morning prep meetings? It has helped us retain staff post-COVID. ”
“ Reader response 5: Having Student Board Representatives join the board, elected by students, with full participation in public board meetings, including advisory votes. ”

March 27, 2024: "What should schools be doing to prepare students for their roles as citizens?"
“ Reader response 1: Focusing on social/emotional learning. ”
“ Reader response 2: Teaching traditional academics instead of wasting time on social emotional learning. ”
“ Reader response 3: Extensive class in the role of government in their lives and the importance of voting. ”
“ Reader response 4: Making mock governments, requiring government classes. ”
“ Reader response 5: Insisting students get passing grades in ELA and Mathematics is most important. Mandatory business or economics studies in high school. Understanding government in both state and U.S. Constitutions and laws without political ideology. ”
“ Reader response 6: Teach the pledge and why our flag is red, white, and blue. A strong civics course during high school. Promote community involvement. ”
“ Reader response 7: Teaching K-5 the basics of reading, writing, math, American and local history, and logic; teaching how to apply information and evaluate it in grades 6-12 while building further in math, science, literature, civics, and history. Also encourage physical activity and health habits. ”
“ Reader response 8: Learn how to balance bank accounts, keep a budget, type, spell, basic math, divisions of government and why, how to look up candidates and their voting records, how NOT to vote (because my friends/parents/etc. do it like this). I am sure there is more... ”
“ Reader response 9: Schools MUST teach CRITICAL THINKING, CIVICS, how to tell FACT from fiction. ”
“ Reader response 10: To teach civics in a more in-depth fashion. ”
“ Reader response 11: Include curriculum covering the nation's foundational documents in grades 7-9, and for grades 10-12 include curriculum introducing classic philosophers and contemporary commentators/authors on the rights and obligations of citizens. Courses should be mandatory, not optional. ”

School choice and funding

May 29, 2024: "Do you support or oppose providing families with government funding for private educational expenses?"
“ Reader response 1: Absolutely not! ”
“ Reader response 2: Absolutely oppose. ”
“ Reader response 3: Absolutely support. ”
“ Reader response 4: I am extremely opposed to providing families with taxpayer funding for private educational expenses! That money should be used to improve the quality of education in public schools in Alabama... from all the studies that I have read, they definitely need it. ”
“ Reader response 5: I am opposed to any taxpayer funding for private education, either directly or through vouchers or "savings accounts". Successful public education is beneficial to all citizens, whether they choose to access it or not. Redistributing tax revenue to non-public education undermines the public education institution and is an unauthorized transfer of public funds. Improvements to the public education system are thwarted and negated when existing funding is diverted and drained away from public schools. ”
“ Reader response 6: I oppose. ”
“ Reader response 7: I oppose because it is families' choice to go to private educational opportunities and is not available to all students in the school district. It promotes inequitable education. ”
“ Reader response 8: I support Education Savings Accounts (ESAs). School tax dollars should follow the child. Each district receives a certain dollar amount per registered student (i.e., $12K), so if a student leaves that district (for whatever reason) and is enrolled in a private school or is homeschooled, those tax dollars should be available to the parent/guardian to help pay for the associated education costs. In the state's legislation, there need to be protections for parents/guardians who choose to homeschool their child – the parent/guardian needs the liberty/freedom to select the instructional material for each required subject (history and social studies, for example) as is appropriate based on their faith and/or principles. ”
“ Reader response 9: I support it as competition always helps with quality, being who is better. ”
“ Reader response 10: No. ”
“ Reader response 11: No. ”
“ Reader response 12: No. ”
“ Reader response 13: No. ”
“ Reader response 14: Only if it's something we can't provide from the district. ”
“ Reader response 15: Oppose. ”
“ Reader response 16: Oppose. ”
“ Reader response 17: Oppose. ”
“ Reader response 18: Oppose. ”
“ Reader response 19: Oppose. ”
“ Reader response 20: Oppose. ”
“ Reader response 21: Oppose. ”
“ Reader response 22: Oppose. ”
“ Reader response 23: Oppose. ”
“ Reader response 24: Oppose. I do not feel it’s prudent to pay a private entity that can discriminate based on any number of factors with public money. Utah is just rolling it out, and I’m astounded what people who have been awarded the “scholarship” are paying for. Dance lessons. Ski passes. Seriously. One thing proponents advocate for is that it will strengthen the public schools by providing competition. It’s not a level playing field in any way. Public schools take every child with an IEP and 504 and any level of ability, while private schools can choose to or not. How is that equal? Kids on the “scholarship” can have karate, horse riding, ski, mountain climbing, or any number of “PE” opportunities paid for. Our public school kiddos’ options? Not even close. The accountability for “scholarship” students? A portfolio. Yup! A simple portfolio. Public schools’ accountability? We just had around 200 bills passed THIS year alone regarding education. The regulations and reporting to be done are astounding. I could go on and on. ”
“ Reader response 25: Private schools are private and should be paid by the parents who send their children to private schools. My parents did, and so did my wife and I. We vote for every school bond and levy. America is nothing without strong public schools. ”
“ Reader response 26: Support. ”
“ Reader response 27: Support. ”
“ Reader response 28: Support. ”
“ Reader response 29: Support money going to families. ”
“ Reader response 30: Yes. ”
“ Reader response 31: YES, if it replaces what the public school would have received from the state and the money goes directly to the private school, including religious ones. ”
“ Reader response 32: I do not support it. ”

Technology in education

August 7, 2024: "What is your opinion on how districts should approach the use of AI tools in classrooms?"

“ Reader response 1: Our district is starting to dabble into this subject. I believe AI can be a useful educational tool if used correctly by students, teachers and administrators. However, it shouldn’t be used exclusively for 100% homework assignments, research papers or testing. That’s where the gray area of it being your own work or AI’s work. This will be construed and confusing until it gets figured out. Cheating shouldn’t be tolerated but will we able to tell authentic work versus AI work in the near future? We shall see. ”

October 18, 2023: "Districts are grappling with the rise of generative AI tools, like ChatGPT, Google Bard, and others, which can, with varying levels of accuracy, answer questions, compose poems, write computer code, and even draft whole essays on any imaginable topic. Teachers and education scholars have spoken about the promise and perils of such tools in classroom settings. How should districts respond to generative AI tools like ChatGPT, Google Bard, and others?"
“ Reader response 1: In a respectful manner. ”
“ Reader response 2: School districts should introduce these tools with a discussion of responsible use, pros/cons, and the manner content is reviewed and created in a technology class for middle and high school students. ”
“ Reader response 3: Just like any other tool...Learn how to use them and why someone should use them in an academic setting. ”
“ Reader response 4: Teach students how to use AI and then to find a way to defend it. ”
“ Reader response 5: It should be embraced and made part of the curriculum. This is a tool that students should be taught how to use to their best advantage. If they phrase their prompts correctly, they will get an outline/first draft that they can review for accuracy and correctness. Then they can complete the assignment by fleshing out the draft and adding their own perspectives. ”
“ Reader response 6: Don't know much about the topic. I hear the cautions toward AI, and I believe anything can get out of hand without safeguards. This is a complicated subject and will need more investigating and research as to the benefits and downfalls of AI. Keep the research coming. Fact-based research. ”
“ Reader response 7: I think it is up to the administration in the school to evaluate if the teachers are trained to implement and understand AI, and then decide whether to implement it or not. I think there are applications for AI, and some areas where AI will destroy creativity. ”
“ Reader response 8: Whether we like it or not, AI is here to stay and will have a large impact on the world moving forward. I do still want children to learn the proper education without the use of AI; however, I am not sure how to get that done. We can't expect students to write an entire essay while sitting in the classroom away from AI tools, so it may come down to being able to detect it. ”
“ Reader response 9: Incorporate it into learning and future career opportunities. ”
“ Reader response 10: Let students use carefully for research purposes only. Don’t let this AI write whole papers. ”
“ Reader response 11: Boards must address this issue, possibly by purchasing software for educators to be able to automatically identify any student’s submitted work for the use of AI. ”
“ Reader response 12: Don't use it. Make it unavailable. ”

Special education and student support

September 20, 2023: "How can districts best support and advocate for students with special needs or disabilities?"
“ Reader response 1: Follow the spirit of IDEA, make it everybody’s job to make sure every student receives an appropriate education and is provided the services and accommodations they need. ”
“ Reader response 2: Special education resources are widely available to schools and students through internal and external certificated resources (NPAs, NPS, credentialed providers, etc.). The issue is that the funding available to schools to pay for these services is limited and schools are forced to minimize these necessary services to the lowest budgetary minimums while accommodating the needs they are mandated to provide. This is not serving the needs of the students in the best possible way; rather, it ensures that the bare minimum is being provided. Even then, every school seems to be forced to encroach on funds that are earmarked for general education purposes in order to meet the mandated services. A reevaluation of earmarks for SPED services is necessary so that funding keeps pace with the rising costs of these services. ”
“ Reader response 3: Hire support staff and give parents the option to choice out of their local school. ”
“ Reader response 4: By implementing better IEP. ”
“ Reader response 5: You need to get to know the parents and the students and do what’s best for the student, not the school. ”
“ Reader response 6: Hire quality teachers who can develop a relationship with each and every student to help them thrive. ”

Governance and board relations

August 16, 2023: "How should board members address policy disagreements with others on the board?"
“ Reader response 1: They should be civil. ”
“ Reader response 2: Suggested Mission Statement Mission Statement, Board of Education, RE-1 The RE-1 Board of Education is committed to providing educational guidance for the schools in the district. The Board of Education will reflect pride in our students, along with their families, including: religions, veterans, military, local police, farmers, ranchers, citizens, and business owners. Within our district, we particularly look for opportunities to encourage people, especially parents, in supporting different aspects of our educational system. The intent of this focus on community is to inspire Americans to recover our country’s greatness on a local level and to hold fast our belief in the Constitution of the United States of America. Our freedom is a gift under God, not granted to us by politicians or governments. Freedom demands responsible behavior of all, consistent with the truths expressed in the great moral and governing guides, such as the Ten Commandments, the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. These principles guided our founding fathers and are still relevant. These principles will guide our Board of Education actions and are the foundation of our views. The RE-1 Board of Education will focus on educating all students regarding the four pillars essential for maintaining our Constitutional Republic: 1. **MILITARY** – We need the best or we will be overrun. 2. **LEGAL** – We are ALL EQUAL under the law. 3. **EDUCATION** – A family responsibility, not government; learning the basics, critical thinking, and job skills. 4. **RELIGION** – Religion is not to run a government, but morality impacts all other pillars. This Board will be guided by truth, facts, logic, and common sense, and will hold fast to these principles in decision-making. ”
“ Reader response 3: Conflict resolution processes should be defined and clear. The board should act as a team. When they disagree, they should go through a process to find a reasonable middle ground. We need to find resolutions and work together on behalf of the students we serve, not fight over our politics and beliefs. Keep the main thing the main thing, and have a clear vision, mission, and purpose that guides the decision-making process. If people get nasty, fire them and bring in team players. ”
“ Reader response 4: They should address their opinions in open meetings (work sessions if necessary). They should not contact other members of the BOE in serial one-on-one meetings to sidestep state sunshine laws. Once the BOE votes on the issue, all members should support the majority view. If they can’t, they should resign. ”
“ Reader response 5: Peaceably. ”
“ Reader response 6: We have a policy committee of four, including our superintendent, who monthly scrutinizes policies and brings in MASB for clarification if needed. Policies are presented to the board for two readings. In the first, members state their opinions, and the policy committee presents findings. By the second reading, there is group consensus, which eliminates board conflict. ”
“ Reader response 7: All directors should be given an opportunity to express their personal opinion. Then they get one vote like the rest. Majority rules. ”
“ Reader response 8: Openly discuss differences and try to reach compromise. ”
“ Reader response 9: Discuss disagreements while following laws. ”
“ Reader response 10: With honesty, no political agenda, transparency, empathy, sympathy, respect, professionalism, and speaking from a place that represents the community's concerns/questions. ”
“ Reader response 11: Transparently, in open session for the public to hear all discussions, including disagreements. ”
“ Reader response 12: Workshops and group discussions at work sessions or other non-formal events provide an opportunity for discussion. Board members need to recognize when they are defending and persuading others rather than listening and comprehending the viewpoints of those opposed to their ideas. ”
“ Reader response 13: First, create a circle with a vase of flowers in the middle. Second, read the rules of respect for conflict resolution. Third, each member takes a turn expressing their opinion and feelings. Fourth, brainstorm to arrive at consensus. Fifth, resolve by voting. Sixth, shake hands and leave on a positive note. ”
“ Reader response 14: Our Board policies are developed in the Policy Committee and presented at public meetings (first as a discussion, followed by an action item to adopt at the next meeting). Any disagreements are handled in either session, and policies can be sent back to the Policy Committee if needed. ”
“ Reader response 15: In writing – Issue, existing policy/rules, analysis of the issue, recommendation/conclusion. Serialized and retained for public inquiry. Board members, depending on their role (e.g., curriculum, finance), should handle issues. Special interest groups should not be consulted. ”
“ Reader response 16: By talking about the issues openly, then voting. ”
“ Reader response 17: Respectfully. Each member should be willing to hear what others have to say. We should agree to disagree and recognize that polarization exists. When disagreements occur, don’t try to "convert" fellow board members. ”
“ Reader response 18: All discourse should be civil and respectful. Members need to voice concerns and feel heard without berating others who disagree. ”

May 31, 2023: "Should the law allow school districts to hold partisan elections?"
“ Reader response 1: NO! ”
“ Reader response 2: No. Partisanship on school boards is detrimental to good educational decisions. ”
“ Reader response 3: Good luck stopping them. It appears that in most elections people are already aligned with a party. ”
“ Reader response 4: No. They should not be partisan. Doing so would necessitate candidates labeling themselves, perhaps even joining a party, to be categorized. As currently structured, candidates may choose to affiliate themselves with a party but, on the ballot, they are not identified as such. Voters must vote for a person, not a party. This encourages voters to learn about the candidates and not make assumptions typically associated with party affiliations. ”
“ Reader response 5: No, never, absolutely not. IMO, partisan elections should be reserved solely for State legislative and executive races and above. ”
“ Reader response 6: No ”
“ Reader response 7: Absolutely NOT ”
“ Reader response 8: Absolutely NOT ”
“ Reader response 9: No ”
“ Reader response 10: No ”
“ Reader response 11: No, and I would go farther and prohibit parties from even endorsing candidates. Things are already divisive enough in education, and bringing political parties into the process would just make the polarization even worse. ”
“ Reader response 12: No, the last thing we need is more partisanship. ”
“ Reader response 13: Yes ”
“ Reader response 14: No ”
“ Reader response 15: No ”
“ Reader response 16: No ”
“ Reader response 17: What is partisan? ”
“ Reader response 18: Nooooo! When you get into small counties like us, people vote party and not conviction! Please make all school board votes non-partisan!!!! ”
“ Reader response 19: No. School board policies should focus on the needs of students instead of political advantage. Our municipality allows "cross-listing," that is, registering as a candidate in both parties, which local parties use as a means to confuse voters (who's the real Dem/Rep?) and gain more board seats for the party. This definitely places the interests of students behind partisanship. ”
“ Reader response 20: Yes ”
“ Reader response 21: No; school boards should be non-partisan. Our jobs are difficult enough without nationalizing the issues we have to deal with. Just under 29% of registered voters identify as independent, according to Ballotpedia, citing data from Ballot Access News. It is difficult to get on the ballot as an independent, and it is difficult to get access to the data required to run a sophisticated campaign as either an independent OR a member of a bipartisan or nonpartisan slate. I had to change my party registration from Independent at age 52 or my county party wouldn't sell us data, even though we had Democrats on the slate. That's all due to the laws here, and the behaviors of county parties. ”
“ Reader response 22: No ”
“ Reader response 23: No ”
“ Reader response 24: Absolutely not ”
“ Reader response 25: No ”
“ Reader response 26: No ”
“ Reader response 27: No ”
“ Reader response 28: Absolutely not. ”
“ Reader response 29: Yes ”
“ Reader response 30: Yes ”
“ Reader response 31: Yes ”
“ Reader response 32: No ”
“ Reader response 33: No. However, a non-partisan election simply means you do not need to declare a party or have a party primary. A candidate can still state their political affiliation/ideology and get support from a political party. Everyone has a political ideology, philosophy, or belief as to the role of government, and a candidate should not hide their ideology behind the label "non-partisan." ”
“ Reader response 34: Yes ”
“ Reader response 35: Yes ”
“ Reader response 36: No! ”
“ Reader response 37: Yes ”
“ Reader response 38: Yes ”
“ Reader response 39: No ”

Addressing learning loss

June 28, 2023: "What is the single most important thing your district should do to address learning loss?"
“ Reader response 1: Focus on academics!!! Enough with the social justice and SEL focus, outcomes are continually decreasing as we steal precious time away from academics and high academic expectations. ”
“ Reader response 2: Obtain/provide teacher aides to help with students who need extra attention or focused help. ”
“ Reader response 3: Small group and 1:1 reading help for grades 5 and below. ”
“ Reader response 4: Get students off laptops and devices unless you are going to test students on how to use them. When students can use the internet, phone apps to solve most problems, is the test necessary? Asking a student to show knowledge of solving math problems using a computer is more like saying do you know how to use the online calculator. ”
“ Reader response 5: Employing qualified teachers and staff to deliver highly engaging curriculum in multiple ways. ”
“ Reader response 6: Look beyond the state for direction. Michigan, under Democratic leadership, is not focused on student education but rather pushing social programs and standards. This is clearly not working as test scores and student proficiency continue to plummet across the state. ”
“ Reader response 7: Return licensed media specialists to each school in the school district in order to take part in each student's education. ”
“ Reader response 8: Critical thinking can be based on teachings that involve proper debate. Teaching to respond to adverse scenarios with hypotheses and solutions. ”
“ Reader response 9: Must have an urgency and intentionality in providing real-time literacy intervention for African-American students in grades K-3 to increase declining reading levels of this student group. ”
“ Reader response 10: Financial stability; finding certified teachers (teacher shortage), many positions go unfilled so substitutes and long-term subs are utilized. ”
“ Reader response 11: Our district should be using data on all its decisions to drive our goals towards improving attendance and graduation rates. ”
“ Reader response 12: Provide individual help as needed on a case-by-case basis. ”
“ Reader response 13: Our district needs an all-hands-on-deck emphasis on consistency for the sake of the students. The closure of in-person learning for more than a school year obviously tore apart young people's expectation of consistency, which will have academic and psychological implications for decades to come that we haven't even imagined yet. However, the students' return has been met with more instability every day in the classroom – start times moved last minute, teachers shifted to different schools without notice, lesson plans abandoned for SEL and sex ed expansion, whole class periods replaced with mental health surveys, expansion of two days off for elections, new programs canceled because of expiring grants, and even entire schools closed AFTER the buses brought students on-site – because too many adults called in sick. The stability of knowing what to expect, what the schedule will be, and what homework is due when helps students respect authority (because they are also being respected), know which standards they must uphold, and know where to invest their effort (or not) for expected success or failure. Academically, most subjects cannot be mastered except with consistent, daily application building on known concepts. Mastery cannot be crammed all at once, but must be inculcated regularly. In a five-day week, there is never a five-lesson week scheduled into our academic calendar anymore, and even that is being reduced from four, to three, to two at times. When students become more used to the rug being pulled out from under them on a regular basis, why should they work? We are training them to expect chaos and purposelessness instead of order and meaning. There are many other things that must be done to recover from a very real learning loss, but I believe that addressing the policy and leadership environment that produces an unstable academic experience must be dealt with before any other solutions can be effective. In my opinion, it's a conversation we're not having enough. Thank you, Jared. ”
“ Reader response 14: I think we need to focus on improving attendance rates by improving school climate, making students not only want to go to school but to stay in school. ”
“ Reader response 15: Throw out teaching to standardized tests and support the teachers and whole child. ”
“ Reader response 16: Community-based collaboration and partnerships. ”
“ Reader response 17: Learning must be more student-focused. Individualized learning that addresses required content and standards will get each student to his/her highest potential. ”
“ Reader response 18: Regular, standardized annual testing starting at Pre-K. ”
“ Reader response 19: Support the teachers and principals when their goal is to make the children's education applicable to not only test results, but applicable to adult life; relatable to how the content may open further interest into a well-rounded understanding of the topic AND how the topic relates to a variety of future career choices. Creative teaching methods that blend the topic to be learned with child-to-adult growth focus will lead to learning loss. ”
“ Reader response 20: Identify and address schoolwide and individual gaps in student learning. ”

Curriculum and instruction

April 26, 2023: "Do you think your district is using the best possible reading program?"
“ Reader response 1: Our reading program is touted as being aligned with "Science of Reading", but the scores of our black and brown students and those who are economically disadvantaged prove it's not working. ”
“ Reader response 2: Not yet. Maybe not ever, but board members promise that the newly created, not yet advertised job of Director of Literacy will help current teachers introduce more phonics into this (MVWSD) K-8 system. The job description mentions whole language, but not phonics. ”
“ Reader response 3: Not when so many children are one or two grades behind. ”
“ Reader response 4: No ”
“ Reader response 5: No ”
“ Reader response 6: I think it definitely has room for improvement. ”
“ Reader response 7: No ”
“ Reader response 8: Absolutely not! Our district, the Beaverton School District in Oregon, is still using Lucy Calkins' Units of Study. This program has been thoroughly discredited/debunked dating back to at least 2020. Other neighboring districts, like Portland Public Schools, have removed/replaced this curriculum already given the poor outcomes it produces. However, the Beaverton School District has told the community that they will continue to use it through the 2023-24 school year. They are looking to augment it with some smaller phonics-based programs, but it is ridiculous they are still using such a terrible program and have been for years now. Keep in mind this is not a small district that lacks resources. BSD is the 3rd largest district in Oregon and has many administrators and TOSAs (Teacher on Special Assignment) who focus on curriculum adoption, support, training, etc. ”
“ Reader response 9: No ”
“ Reader response 10: No ”
“ Reader response 11: Only if the district is using multiple tools of teaching, such as phonics, meanings in context, common word recognition, reading for pleasure, etc. ”
“ Reader response 12: Test scores have been declining over the last decade. The administrator says we are using a phonics-based approach to reading, so why the decline is a mystery to me. I’m wondering if the handoff each year as children progress is consistent, or are we losing something in the transfer each year? ”
“ Reader response 13: Yes ”
“ Reader response 14: No. ”
“ Reader response 15: No ”
“ Reader response 16: No ”
“ Reader response 17: Absolutely NOT! With all the Science of Reading buzzing around, our new program is the total opposite of that! ”
“ Reader response 18: No ”
“ Reader response 19: I don't know, have not heard about the reading program. ”
“ Reader response 20: Have no idea what they are using. ”
“ Reader response 21: No – I really wish they would explore other options such as EBLI – Evidence Based Literacy Instruction. The state needs to be putting resources directly into heavily staffing reading interventionists in elementary schools. Our elementary school children are either barely proficient or below standards. ”
“ Reader response 22: It is difficult to determine. ”
“ Reader response 23: I'm not sure. ”

September 14, 2022: "School boards are responsible for setting policies around books—including which books to select and whether to ban or prohibit certain books. What are your views about how school boards should set policy surrounding books in school districts?"
“ Reader response 1: Books are going to be selected. All books cannot be used, there are too many. Someone has to set the criteria for how and what books are selected. The community through its elected school board should set the criteria. This is not book banning or censorship. ”
“ Reader response 2: There should be full transparency with Parents around the policies by which curriculum and books are selected. It appears that much is hidden from the parents/public around what is required to be incorporated into curriculum and books based on funding (government & private). ”
“ Reader response 3: I think school boards should put parental advisory on books with gender ideology and critical race theory. Parents should have to opt their child IN to being able to access those books in school libraries. If they are not opted in, the librarian should not allow them to access those books. ”
“ Reader response 4: I do not feel the board should be spending time banning books. Students should have access to a wide variety of books available in the library with little interference from the school board. Books used in the classroom must be part of approved curriculum. The curriculum is approved by the school board after being available for the public to review and comment. Once the curriculum has been adopted, we have a process to challenge items. This process seems to work well for our district. ”
“ Reader response 5: Yes. Books teaching anything of a sexual nature, CRT, or SEL should not be in the curriculum. ”
“ Reader response 6: Education means learning about everything. Teachers should not teach what parents find acceptable. They must teach about the world and everything in it, and that includes both the good and bad things. Children’s worlds open up by reading and studying. By limiting what they read, we limit the children’s ability to grow. If they are only allowed to learn about things their parents find acceptable, they will become very one-sided individuals. Some of my best discussions with my children happened when they learned something I didn't know and shared it with me. I encouraged them to challenge ideas so they could process the information they were given and make their own decisions. ”
“ Reader response 7: Generally, students should be exposed to a wide spectrum of ideas. Grade-level books in a wide variety of fields should be available in school libraries. Of course, some restrictions on appropriate content might be required, but this should be minimized as much as possible. One good compromise could be automatic alerts sent to parents each time their child checks out a book with its title and author. ”
“ Reader response 8: Boards should have little or no involvement in book issues. Policy should allow parents to challenge books and create a committee including librarians, teachers, parents, and students to hear such challenges and make written recommendations to the superintendent. Appeal to the board may be unnecessary to include in policy. And boards should not become activists in book selection! This would be micromanaging of the worst kind! ”
“ Reader response 9: No transgender books and get back to the three R's! I don't want "Johnny has two Daddies," I don't want this stupid crap in the schools. ”
“ Reader response 10: I do not believe that the board should ban or prohibit any books. I believe that the curriculum director along with the staff will pick the books that are appropriate for the students, taking into consideration the age of the student. ”
“ Reader response 11: Since most board members are not teachers or educators, I urge them to defer to the state education department. This should offer consistency and standardization. Rather than ban a book, leave it on the shelf! ”
“ Reader response 12: Committee that includes both teachers and parents. ”
“ Reader response 13: School boards should rely on the school's professional staff to make these decisions. ”
“ Reader response 14: I think that in schools, the conversation on what material to ban or restrict should include the students. Perhaps the students could take a survey, and the results could be considered by the school board. Another option is for the school to have students take a vote, which would count as one or multiple votes on the school board. Children aren't unintelligent, and they deserve the chance to represent their interests and values. ”
“ Reader response 15: School boards should be focused on improving education in reading, writing, arithmetic, and loyalty to our country. ”
“ Reader response 16: School board policy should be based on the children's learning ability, not because the state governor dictates the school board to change the policy. ”
“ Reader response 17: Parents should have input and opinion on the books and educational materials used in classrooms. ”
“ Reader response 18: We need a commonsense approach. Books should be age-appropriate and include all classics like "Huckleberry Finn," etc. No books should be allowed that border on the pornographic and push agendas of any kind except what it means to be a good upright citizen. ”
“ Reader response 19: Boards should defer to the librarians and teachers for knowledge of age-appropriate content and what interests the students. There is no justification for a board to determine the subject matter of books. ”

Teacher compensation and staffing

March 15, 2023: "Do you believe teacher compensation should be based on merit, seniority (which usually includes level of education), or a combination of both merit and seniority?"
“ Reader response 1: Combination ”
“ Reader response 2: Merit! ”
“ Reader response 3: Combination ”
“ Reader response 4: Both. Unfortunately, Florida is a DISGRACE and UnAmerican. ”
“ Reader response 5: A combination of both. ”
“ Reader response 6: Merit only ”
“ Reader response 7: A combination ”
“ Reader response 8: Teachers have usually reacted viscerally to proposals for merit compensation. They will tell you they believe that such plans are subject to cronyism and favoritism. Almost as bad, they will tell you that objective measures do not capture essential aspects of teaching. What's more, schools are communities which succeed or fail together. Any effort to consider merit should be considered on a school level. ”
“ Reader response 9: I have believed for many years that merit should play a role in compensation. We introduced a modest merit pay element in our professional staff contract a few years ago in the form of a merit bonus, and it created so much negative impact that it was removed from the contract when renegotiated. One teacher awarded the merit pay refused to accept it. Staff and administration could not identify a worthwhile metric. Deep discussion with staff representation revealed that our teachers value the certainty of a traditional step table with predicted income rather than introduce any uncertainty or atmosphere of competition. Finding an appropriate metric that was truly a measure of teacher performance seemed to be the greatest obstacle. I expected resistance from the staff but was surprised by the passionate opposition from our highest performing teachers, including those who had received the additional pay. ”
“ Reader response 10: Combination ”
“ Reader response 11: Seniority ”
“ Reader response 12: Combination of both merit and seniority. It’s long past time to reward those that have a proven history of getting students to excel, and not solely because they have tenure. ”
“ Reader response 13: Merit 70, seniority 30. ”
“ Reader response 14: A combination of both. Weight should also be given to the breadth and scope of continuing professional education that the teacher has achieved in the current pay cycle. ”
“ Reader response 15: I believe teacher compensation should be based on level of education and years of experience. It is a fact that there are some teachers who always go above and beyond and those who do only the minimum. Some believe that's a good reason to implement a merit-based system of compensation. As a retired special education teacher and now a school board member, I have yet to see a quality rubric for determining how "merit" is measured. If that could be created so that special education teachers are fairly and equally "compared" to classroom teachers (for example), I would consider the idea of merit-based pay for my school district. ”
“ Reader response 16: Combination of both merit and seniority ”
“ Reader response 17: Combination ”
“ Reader response 18: Yes ”
“ Reader response 19: I believe teacher pay should be based on seniority, continuing education, and “merit,” in that order. The trick is that “merit” is so very hard to measure, and is often subjective and thus subject to favoritism. ”
“ Reader response 20: Merit ”
“ Reader response 21: Merit ”
“ Reader response 22: While merit-based teacher compensation sounds like a smart idea, it turns out that measuring merit is highly subjective. Test scores, for instance, are based on a number of factors teachers cannot control, just as much as those they can—student anxiety, home life, commitment, etc. While school administrators have rubrics for performance reviews, it has been our experience that what the rubric measures depends entirely on who is doing the evaluations. Two different administrators will give opposite feedback on the same lesson, for example. Fads play a role too—you’ll get a good score for group projects one year when it’s “in,” but another year they’ll say it isn’t rigorous enough. Some of these rubrics try to force all teachers into the same teaching style, rather than allowing them the flexibility to play to their personal strengths. ”
“ Reader response 23: Merit and level of education, not seniority. I have amazing teachers making real strides in closing the learning gap and making $60K and other tenured teachers who are very checked out and the students suffer for that. Schools are a business, and our business is educating children with taxpayer dollars. We need to be fiscally responsible while educating kids. We don’t exist to employ teachers. We exist to educate kids. If our practices around collective bargaining don’t benefit the children and encourage complacency, then we need to change how we are doing things. ”
“ Reader response 24: Combination ”
“ Reader response 25: Both ”
“ Reader response 26: A combination of merit and seniority. ”
“ Reader response 27: Merit ”
“ Reader response 28: Combination of both ”
“ Reader response 29: Absolutely a combination. ”
“ Reader response 30: I believe both merit and seniority should be a factor. However, without achieving merit, seniority should also be diminished in salary consideration. ”
“ Reader response 31: Both ”
“ Reader response 32: Combination. ”
“ Reader response 33: A combination of both. ”
“ Reader response 34: It should be a combination based on merit and seniority. Let's face it, we all remember that some teachers are better at teaching than others, and it isn't always incumbent upon one or the other. One teacher having low seniority but with a proven track record of results and ability to relate to students may be better at it than one that has been there a long time but is basically getting stale at it. On the other hand, some do better and better as the years go by. There should be a way to combine both in some sort of point system. We've all had teachers that have been at it for a while that aren't very good at presenting lessons in a way that keeps us engaged, and others that are almost fresh out of college but have a knack for keeping young people interested and have a fresh approach. There's also the opposite, where some experience makes them more effective with tried-and-true methods. Teachers are people too, and we all learn and perform at different rates at any given point in our lives. Most businesses use this combination for decisions about advancement from my experience. ”
“ Reader response 35: Combination ”
“ Reader response 36: Teacher pay should be based on both merit and seniority. ”
“ Reader response 37: Combination of both ”
“ Reader response 38: Merit ”
“ Reader response 39: Merit ”
“ Reader response 40: Both ”
“ Reader response 41: I believe teacher compensation should be based on a combination of merit and seniority. ”
“ Reader response 42: Both, but the merit has to be on some sort of achievement that is objective and not subjective. It should not be test scores, as that leads to mindless test-taking-based teaching, but based on growth or catch-up growth. ”
“ Reader response 43: A combination of merit and seniority/level of education. That said, there needs to be a major overhaul so that good teachers are not penalized because their students do not perform well on standardized testing—ESPECIALLY since those results often are tied to socioeconomic reasons that are not properly calculated. ”
“ Reader response 44: It should be based on mostly merit, but seniority should be taken into account. ”
“ Reader response 45: A combination of merit and seniority ”
“ Reader response 46: A combination ”
“ Reader response 47: I think teacher compensation should be a combination of merit and seniority. I have seen older teachers who are just biding their time until retirement and not continuing to grow and teach with excellence. I have seen young teachers who act on the students' level and do not earn their respect and are not teaching with excellence either. ”
“ Reader response 48: Merit ”

July 13, 2022: News outlets have reported that some districts face a teacher shortage heading into the 2022-2023 school year. Is this an issue in a school district near you? What challenges does it present for the district? How is the district dealing with these challenges, if they exist?
“ Reader response 1: The Hartford Public Schools (Hartford, CT) district suffers through a teacher shortage. Best estimates are that more than 100 certified positions remain unfilled. Non-certified positions, including substitute teachers, bring that number to nearly 300 unfilled positions. Students obviously suffer the most, many losing precious class time. In one school, a K-8 global communications themed school, the only foreign language teacher is assigned to cover other classes, including art, due to the lack of substitute teachers, resulting in his students missing nearly 30% of class instructional time. Their prime challenges in recruiting teachers are that they offer one of the lowest teacher salary packages in the area, one of the lowest sign-on bonuses in the area, and they are the worst performing district in the area. To overcome these challenges, the district has contracted with an outside marketing firm to recruit teachers. The district has also reached out to teachers in Puerto Rico, bringing 15 teachers to Hartford with their "Paso a Paso" program. They have also recently launched a "Caribbean Connection" program to bring teachers from the Caribbean to Hartford. ”
“ Reader response 2: Yes, my district is struggling to staff special education, English as a Second Language, and paraprofessional positions. ”
“ Reader response 4: Me have a teacher vacancy rate of 9%. Our HR department is trying to get creative. We are supporting people with degrees to become licensed and adding video classrooms to name a couple. ”
“ Reader response 5: Yes, this has been an issue with my school district, where some schools have lost close to half their staffs. Being fully staffed will be a huge challenge. My district has mainly responded through financial compensation, including a salary increase, signing bonus, and a $2000 bonus for all teachers. The district is also looking to improve substitute pay as we have a shortage there too, which leads to teachers losing their planning time to cover for colleagues. ”
“ Reader response 6: Not in our district. We started searches early, pay reasonably and provide an atmosphere teachers enjoy teaching in. ”
“ Reader response 7: Yes, Marion County School District, Florida, is facing a big need for teachers; the district is having a hiring fair. The problem that I see is twofold: the district has too many 6-figure administrators with a big staffing apparatus, and to my knowledge, the district has very little, if any, parental input and advisement on any educational issues. The Board has problems with Conservatives elected or appointed to the Board. ”
“ Reader response 8: Yes, it is a big issue. The superintendent, though, is not willing to publicly admit it is an issue. She spent a good deal of time a few weeks ago verbally dismissing “the misinformation.” However, the public records of Personnel Reports show a different story. We believe there will be big issues in staffing at the start of the school year as there were all year last year. The district has offered a $10,000 sign-on bonus and implemented several programs to bring in lateral entry recruits. ”
“ Reader response 9: Virginia ”
“ Reader response 10: I haven't heard about teacher shortages. The biggest problem is buildings for students and busing. My suggestion is using the huge COTA/city transit system. (They're mostly empty, 1 or 2 passengers on board, what a huge waste!) Columbus OH is not like DC, NYC, or Chicago where large oversized buses are needed, ever. The driver on the bus goes around town. ”

Scheduling and school calendar

February 15, 2023: "Should districts adopt a four-day school week?"
“ Reader response 1: Yes ”
“ Reader response 2: Yes ”
“ Reader response 3: No ”
“ Reader response 4: No ”
“ Reader response 5: No ”
“ Reader response 6: No ”
“ Reader response 7: No, it would disrupt society as a whole and create other problems. It should be a local vote if anything. ”
“ Reader response 8: No ”
“ Reader response 9: No ”
“ Reader response 10: Yes ”
“ Reader response 11: Absolutely NO ”
“ Reader response 12: We cannot cover the material in the 180 days allotted. It will cause havoc with childcare and increase time children are at home alone. ”
“ Reader response 13: No ”
“ Reader response 14: Yes, like many districts, mine operated on a four-day class week with one asynchronous Wednesday in the middle during the 2020-21 school year. Having that day for prep and remediation was a game-changer that helped make such a disruptive year more bearable. It might seem counterintuitive as we recover from learning loss, but it's about the quality, not the quantity of instruction. As other industries move towards four-day work weeks, why not education? ”
“ Reader response 15: I think if we added 60 minutes more of instruction per day (4 days) and gave the students an additional day off to recharge their batteries, I believe they would be more productive. Colleges typically have their courses spread out, and often a student has just one class on a certain day or is handling a four-day school week. Businesses are doing it with great success. ”
“ Reader response 16: No, for many reasons, including but not limited to keeping kids in a safe environment 5 days a week where they have access to regular measured learning experiences, meals, positive mentoring relationships, appropriate supervision, educational opportunities, and extracurricular options. ”
“ Reader response 17: This is an option worth considering, especially a staggered 4-day work week for teachers and a 5-day school week for students. ”
“ Reader response 18: NO! ”
“ Reader response 19: No ”
“ Reader response 20: The requirement is 180 days per year, however you want to arrange it. ”
“ Reader response 21: Yes ”
“ Reader response 22: No ”
“ Reader response 23: No—too long of days, and kids lose interest already by 2:00 PM! Could you imagine getting home after 5:30 PM? From school? Yikes. ”
“ Reader response 24: Yes ”
“ Reader response 25: Perhaps, I think this decision must be based on individual districts' needs. ”
“ Reader response 26: No ”
“ Reader response 27: No ”
“ Reader response 28: Yes, limit the contact and influence of the woke board of education, teachers, and students. ”
“ Reader response 29: If the 4-day school week meets their needs, then yes, they should adopt that move! ”
“ Reader response 30: No ”
“ Reader response 31: No ”
“ Reader response 32: Yes, if four 10-hour days. ”
“ Reader response 33: No ”
“ Reader response 34: NO ”
“ Reader response 35: Yes ”
“ Reader response 36: Yes. There are so many benefits for staff and students when a district implements a four-day week. ”
“ Reader response 37: Yes ”
“ Reader response 38: No! ”
“ Reader response 39: No ”
“ Reader response 40: Maybe for some districts. This is a local control issue. In my district, this would not work well. Kids need time to absorb the information and skills they are being taught. Parents need a consistent schedule. ”
“ Reader response 41: No ”
“ Reader response 42: Some districts do need to adopt 4-day weeks to meet in-district needs of personnel recruitment-retention, finances, and other local issues. A deeper look at many of the districts adopting 4-day models indicates they have poor state ratings and have been struggling academically. This change may result in better long-term outcomes for their students and communities (and though I wish them success, I am skeptical). However, districts without retention-recruitment or budget concerns shouldn’t abandon successful academic outcomes and ratings to follow a trend that currently affects less than 10% of Texas school districts. Parents with transfer capabilities might prefer a successful, traditional district program to a weaker district trying to gain traction under a new 4-day model. Careful tracking of students in foundational grades achievement, low-income families, and SPED/504 modifications should take place in the new 4-day settings. ”
“ Reader response 43: Sure, as long as teachers and staff agree to a 20% pay cut. ”
“ Reader response 44: No ”
“ Reader response 45: Yes ”
“ Reader response 46: Depends. I have heard that some districts still require teachers to report to work on the day kids aren't there. In that case, absolutely not, unless there were significant pay increases involved. I would have no problem giving two extra hours a day to have the fifth day off, but at what cost? I would really want to know what the union in my district has to say before I go all in. ”

Budgeting and financial management

January 11, 2023: "What are your thoughts on the current and the proposed budget for your school district?"
“ Reader response 1: I have mixed feelings. Clearly teachers could benefit from an entire day of planning, professional development, and/or collaboration. At the same time, I'm not sure how much benefit the students would get in a shortened week. The increased pressure of completing projects, homework, reading, etc., could create a heavy strain on their young, not yet fully developed psychological minds. I'm particularly sensitive to the addition of stress into their lives. While some students work well under stress, I think those most vulnerable—in my opinion, ages less than 12—could do poorly. ”
“ Reader response 2: Our current budget is barely making it, and the upcoming proposed budget is propped up by remaining COVID relief funds (ESSER). The town is seemingly oblivious to the impending cliff that is coming. ”
“ Reader response 3: The schools do not get enough money to do the job they need to. Money needs to come to meet all requirements for schools. The federal government should pay 50% with the other 50% divided between state and town/city. No public money should go to private or religious schools unless a special needs student cannot get their needs met in a public school in the county or state. Money should NOT go to charter schools at a greater rate than to the local school. It is OUTRAGEOUS that children attending a charter school take $15k with them going to a MA charter school but $5k to a different town public school. It all should be $5k! ”
“ Reader response 4: Ok ”
“ Reader response 5: I would love to see a greater focus on funds directed towards long-term capital improvements. There are not enough allowable funds to support our students and buildings. ”
“ Reader response 6: I am in New Jersey. We are experiencing about 7% inflation but are limited to no more than a 2% raise to the budget. Services will have to be cut, class sizes will grow, and new teachers will have to find employment elsewhere. ”
“ Reader response 7: School budgets in Stanhope, New Jersey, in my view, the board voted without resident approval to remove public involvement in voting for the budget. They put a cap of two to three percent on budget escalation. They elected to establish Capital improvement bonds for future use, as the chairman stated, so as to maintain the present tax levy ratio and only initiate Capital repairs on an as-needed basis for select capital projects. The bonds are voted on by residents un-itemized, meaning voters were not allowed to pick and choose which specific items they supported for a bond. The Stanhope board did not elect to have the vote take place at the same time as a general election, intentionally so as to minimize voter turnout. This is the same practice used when school board elections take place, intentionally to minimize turnout. Voters in the town are about 2,480, and some 300 voted, with 200 approving the bond. How unrepresentative can an election be when voter turnout is roughly 10%, and approval is 8%? It is time to remove school boards and place control in the hands of the county or state because school board members do not bring any special expertise to the board, and members are manipulated by its chairman, an ex-vice principal, along with the superintendent. Charter schools and parent choice should be the only consideration given by states so as to educate the children of that state. ”
“ Reader response 8: The proposed budget includes a 5% salary increase partially funded by the state, which is nice, but a greater increase would be nice in the face of a retention crisis and inflation. Greater increases are being discussed at the state level, so we'll see what happens. The budget also addresses mental health services and maintenance needs, which are both needed expenses. ”
“ Reader response 9: We need to cut staff in order to provide salary increases for the survivors. ”
“ Reader response 10: Inadequate. ”
“ Reader response 11: We are a small district with about 420 students and shrinking. Faculty and learning support staff continue to grow to the point where our employed adults-to-students ratio is 1:3, and our per-student costs exceed $30,000! We are only able to ask tuition for 67% of our per-student costs, yet much of the Board is willing to bet that voter indifference will enable the continuation of this spiraling upward cost cycle. The change back to in-person town meetings versus inclusion of all voters by mail underlies their assumption that a budget increase in excess of 10% will continue to fly, and we see elementary classes of less than 10 students with three teachers in the room. How can we provide quality education on a smaller scale? Private schools seem to be able to do so. Why can't we? ”
“ Reader response 12: Our community expects legislation to fully fund all schools without levies. Small school districts are forced to go to the community to pay for basic needs that larger school districts never experience. This is not fair and equitable. ”
“ Reader response 13: We will not have enough in the budget to support our operational needs. Cuts will need to be made to balance the budget next year. We are looking at almost a 7% increase proposed just to keep the positions we have now and keep up with the rising utility and special education tuition costs. ”

Enrollment and demographic challenges

September 25, 2024: "How does your district address absenteeism? If it's an issue, what strategies involving the school board, educators, and parents could improve attendance?
“ Reader response 1: We have filed more truancy citations to parents on chronic absences according to state law. We have been more aggressive with meeting with parents and student to find out why there are so many absences and work to change the behavior. ”
“ Reader response 2: Any days missed that are unexcused you are required to attend after school closes for the summer. If you do not come and finish the work, you don't pass. Anderson School District 5 SC ”
“ Reader response 3: My district addresses absenteeism by clear and open communication between the parents and the school administration as a first step. ”
“ Reader response 4: The community which I am fortunate enough to work, has worked to change the narrative around absenteeism. Rather than solely focusing to the attendance requirements, excused vs. unexcused absences and medical reasons why students should stay home, we have worked to balance that conversation. Here is the big idea. We want students in school everyday and when they are not here, we miss them and school is not the same. We do this through supportive conversation, proactive letters to students about how important they are to our schools, and how can we make an environment which is supportive to everychild. We have a lot of work to do, but a balanced and student centered approach has help build a better place for our students. ”
“ Reader response 5: In our district we have incentivized attendance by engaging with students and community members through various projects. In our elementary and middle school, we conduct a “One school, one book” program that gets area businesses involved. The students are encouraged to read with their families one chapter per night, then visit local businesses to answer trivia questions and receive a Tiger Paw to bring back to school. These are exchanged for a treat then hanged in the hallways. Also, the same grades participate in a House Challenge each year where the students and teachers are separated into three “houses”. Attendance, behavior and academics are all incentivized and rewarded throughout the year. ”
“ Reader response 6: Direct outreach to the District's students and families, and making parents feel more involved and welcome in our schools, and more comfortable with enlisting the district's aid in their situations, are a few of the tools used to address absenteeism. ”

October 12, 2022: "Recent research suggests public school enrollment has declined since 2020 as parents, concerned about things like pandemic-driven learning loss, have shown an increased willingness to consider alternative educational arrangements. What should districts do to address the challenge of declining enrollment?"
“ Reader response 1: More parent involvement and less telling parents they don’t have rights! Especially when teachers and administrators were stating during the pandemic (conveniently) that THEY are not babysitters or in charge of students. The hypocrisy needs to stop at their whim. ”
“ Reader response 2: Embrace it and facilitate "alternative educational arrangements." ”
“ Reader response 3: Schools should focus on actual academics. ”
“ Reader response 4: Build collective action and increase advocacy level across districts regionally. ”
“ Reader response 5: Continue to offer strong academics (in the end, that's what I think most parents want), but also ongoing (PK-12) pull-out classes/electives in art, music, computer science (or how to use computers for younger students), and great extracurriculars. These are interesting and/or fun classes and activities that draw in a lot of students (and are often hard for a parent to provide without a lot of expense) as well as being community-building for the students. You simply can't have the experience of Homecoming in an online environment, for instance. Although our district (which is unique - we are 4 high schools only) has had declining numbers, I think that's mainly because of the expense of buying a house in most areas of this district, as well as the ability of some of the parents to set up life in a vacation home or easily work remotely from a vacation-like destination. I think it will take a couple of years until enrollment moves back closer to pre-pandemic numbers. Those numbers will come back though, because attending school with your peers (especially for teens) is so important developmentally and desired by the majority of students, along with having all the experiences that typify high school for most people and which we often say are the most memorable part of our high school years. Activities/experiences that you just can't have on your own or online. ”
“ Reader response 6: Keep standards high. Keep students and staff as top priorities. Educate ALL students. Work with local governments and businesses to bring more businesses and high paying jobs to our rural areas. ”
“ Reader response 7: Be more active and much more visible in the community as a respected community leader. Educators tend to be somewhat myopic, parochial, and insular. As a result, our schools tend to be "that building down the street with a fence around it that kids go to every day." The community at large hears from schools only when there is a bond issue or budget override that needs to be passed, or a scandal of some sort that makes the paper. Educators, including teachers, administrators, school board members, and advocates, need to be involved in Kiwanis/Rotary/Lions and the like, have frequent positive mention in local news media, and be far more visible. ”
“ Reader response 8: Districts should return to what their primary focus was when the government began the public school system: academics. Schools are not educational institutes anymore, they're social and mental institutes. Students are more than "encouraged" to put their personal lives on display for everyone to see the minute the doors are opened each day. The school environment is the biggest distraction and obstacle that students have, and parents know it. Teachers leaving by the masses know it. Why can't the administrators and government get clued in? We know why... agenda. The second biggest problem is that the school system is untrustworthy. They sneak in curriculum that indoctrinates students and make decisions about students behind parents' backs, all in the name of mental health. ”
“ Reader response 9: This is an incomplete question, as while the power of individual districts varies by state, in most cases it is limited to a significant degree as other entities, including local governments, the federal government, and several state-level actors (including governors, state legislators, and state department and boards of education), all have power over this situation as well. All of these entities first and foremost need to focus on recruiting and retaining the best teachers. We are in a crisis, and parents will not want to send their children to schools without enough teachers. To do this, we need funding for pay increases, and administrative and support staff need to focus on taking as much as possible off of each teacher's plate so that we can fully focus on teaching. Solving the burnout crisis would go a long way to getting kids back into public schools. Beyond that, public education has become far too politicized. We need to remember that while parents ultimately have authority over what is best for their child, schools and teachers want to work with parents to provide the best possible education for all children. Greater opportunities for career and other programs to prepare children for life after high school would go a long way towards helping public schools to live up to their mission to prepare every child for adulthood. ”
“ Reader response 10: The pandemic didn’t drive learning loss—tyrant mandates did. Schools need to just focus on academics. No more pushing this gender ideology, no more Black Lives Matter propaganda and teaching students to protest, stop forcing COVID shots, and stop forcing masks. I personally witnessed why the staff shortages started in my district and surrounding areas, and that’s because of the mask mandate and COVID shot mandates, which King Inslee is still pushing. He is discriminating and alienating educational staff when the science has finally been acknowledged—neither work against viruses!!! The tyrants need to just STOP!! Let each district have local control, let schools teach academics, no more of this mandated CRT training & forced gender ideology letting males in females' bathrooms, locker rooms, etc. Our children are being put at more risk going to public schools than homeschooling—public schools are just not safe anymore. Not because of guns/weapons, but because of tyrant power trips and forced propaganda & ideology being shoved down our throats. Well, we've had enough!!! And that is why public schools have declining enrollment. ”
“ Reader response 11: The only answer is to give parents the choice to place their children in schools that will educate, not indoctrinate!! Let the money follow the child, rather than the child having to follow the money now taken from taxpayers via local taxing bodies!! ”
“ Reader response 12: Increase transparency and academic rigor. Families want to know what their kids are being taught, and they want their kids to have a solid educational foundation. ”
“ Reader response 13: In our district, families are leaving because of the state's agenda they are pushing down students' throats. What may work in the city does not work in these rural districts, but you have taken most local control away. At this point, until our district can make decisions that are best for the students in our district, the school's hands are tied. ”
“ Reader response 14: We must continue to provide a safe learning environment and do the best job we are able to educate our children and prepare them to move on to either higher education or the labor market. More and more, we have to teach morals and ethics because so many parents have abdicated their parental duties. ”

Educational philosophy and perspectives

November 30, 2022: "What book or essay best reflects your philosophy of education?"
“ Reader response 1: New to all this but in my limited research I like the book The Core: Teaching Your Child the Foundations of Classical Education. ”
“ Reader response 2: Huck Finn. ”
“ Reader response 3: Classical and Contemporary Readings in the Philosophy of Education. ”
“ Reader response 4: Outbox of The Box: How Innovative Learning Models Can Transform K-12 Education. ”
“ Reader response 5: Glow Kids tells fact-based data about the effects of technology on brain development, etc. ”

August 10, 2022: "What is the biggest change you've seen in your time working in or observing the public education system?"
“ Reader response 1: Implementation of PBIS and restorative justice thereby taking away teacher autonomy in their classrooms. Also, it releases students from accountability and consequences. ”
“ Reader response 2: Parental response to teachers. They are the enemy if something needs to be addressed, whether it is behavior, or learning. Parents used to partner with teachers for the benefit of their child’s education. ”
“ Reader response 3: The downward spiral of education of the children and lack of respect the teachers have by students and administration. I am located in a rural county with only 2 high schools left after integration from way back in the seventies and some of our kids are traveling sometimes as much as two hours each way to high school. The schools that are in the county are rated D and F. Simpson County School Board has set into motion a consolidation of the two schools to move those rural students even farther away from the school!! The voters turned down a bond issue and the board said it did not matter they were going to do it anyway and just raise our taxes. Inflation is through the roof now under the democratic reign of government and the citizens are fighting the school board. Why we can't get someone to intervene I don't know. It is no longer about the kids at all. It is all about power and spending!! We are a sparse and poor county now. I wish the state would take it over NOW. ”
“ Reader response 4: The stress levels have risen fairly dramatically. With COVID, virtual learning, and behavior issues with kids returning to school, it has been a very difficult time for educators. ”
“ Reader response 5: Lack of parental involvement. ”
“ Reader response 6: I feel there needs to be more emphasis placed on reading and math, as well as teaching more to the trades such as welding, auto mechanics, etc. Too many students are graduating and are not proficient in reading and math. Reading opens the world and its possibilities to children. As a board member, I am happy to see parents becoming more involved in their child’s educational process. ”
“ Reader response 7: The switch to standards-based grading. ”
“ Reader response 8: Respect for teachers. Changes from textbooks to computers. ”
“ Reader response 9: Dumbing down our students. ”
“ Reader response 10: America now is ranked in the lowest worldwide quartile of student achievement ratios, a deplorable situation when once we were ranked number one in each category. ”
“ Reader response 11: Schools are focusing on things that don't help students to succeed. They are focusing on CRT and Sex education instead of math, writing and reading. Plus, common core math is as worthless as the previous mentioned. ”

General issues facing school districts

January 17, 2024: "What are the top issues facing your school district in 2024?"
“ Reader response 1: Competitive salaries and benefits for licensed and classified staff. ”
“ Reader response 2: Budget for 2025-26. In part due to lack of students. ”
“ Reader response 3: Budget. ”
“ Reader response 4: Decreasing state revenue, and hiring a new superintendent. ”
“ Reader response 5: Leftist Propaganda (DEI, CRT, wokeness, LGBTXYZPDQ, Anti-American Rhetoric). ”
“ Reader response 6: Absenteeism, loss of state support, and staffing shortages. ”
“ Reader response 7: Parents should be involved with the education of their children and know what their children are being taught while they are in school. We need to return to the fundamentals of teaching reading, writing, and arithmetic. Homemaking like cooking and sewing should be available. Physical education like basketball, track, tennis, all sports should be available. We also need counselors to help with social issues. Help our youth on a pathway to help them in the path they choose for their life. ”
“ Reader response 8: Decline in enrollment; student behavior. ”
“ Reader response 9: Students are at least 1+ year(s) behind in education. Math and ELA scores are way too low. ”
“ Reader response 10: Teacher shortages, especially in the Special Education areas. ”
“ Reader response 11: Redistricting of Cobb County (which is now a majority-minority county) in Georgia maintains a strong conservative hold on the School Board makeup, leadership, and policies. Some issues that concern me most are school board meetings that don't allow multiple opinions to be heard, firing a teacher over a book one mother found objectionable, and banning library books, which is happening in many school districts. I'm strongly opposed to the Georgia voucher system that is draining money from public education for private schools under the guise that the vouchers are for parents whose children have special needs or are attending low-performing schools to move to a private school. There is no real accountability for who gets the voucher or student statistics. We know that parents who can afford private school know how to access the program and are getting the most benefit. Sadly, the legislature wants to increase funding for vouchers. It advances separate and unequal education in the state. As you well know, there are too many issues that affect public education to mention more. ”
“ Reader response 12: Budget issues, thanks to low enrollment. ”
“ Reader response 13: Availability of teachers and school staff as minimum wage for fast food workers goes to $20 per hour. ”
“ Reader response 14: Funding. ”
“ Reader response 15: Search for a new superintendent by July 2024. Controversial book in one of our school libraries. New board member being elected this spring that was a retired principal from our district. ”
“ Reader response 16: Book bans; nefarious far-right actors looking to control school administration for deleterious effects. ”
“ Reader response 17: Employee absences and resulting sub costs, employee retention, student behavior/discipline, finding ways to better meet the varying learning needs of all students, and increasing parental involvement. ”
“ Reader response 18: Budgets, qualified staff, and bus driver shortages. ”

By date

2025

Click on the date before each question to read the issue of Hall Pass in which the question was featured.

November 5, 2025: "Should teacher strikes be allowed, restricted, or prohibited—and why?
“ Allowed but a school should be able to fire any and all teachers it chooses without compensation in the process. ”
“ Strikes should be allowed. Even though in my opinion as a Board member it's counter-productive to their cause and betrays the heart of education, they have a legal right to exercise agency. As a teacher myself, strikes have called into question the elevation of teachers as cultural heroes and is a detriment to an honorable profession. ”
“ They should be allowed - unrestricted. ”
“ Allowed! Sometimes school districts need to be forced to do the right thing. Teaching is the most important job in our society. ”
“ Teacher strikes should be allowed. Teachers work very hard and are typically not paid highly despite the profession requiring an advanced degree. Collective bargaining can help improve these conditions, which means the classroom will be improved for students whose teachers can serve them better if they don't need a second job. ”
“ Allowed. The ability to strike is what balances the power between labor and employers. They should typically be allowed unless they present an immediate safety risk to the community (i.e. air traffic control, ambulance drivers). ”
“ Teacher strikes should be prohibited. Teacher's unions have become too powerful, political, and profitable and not concerned about what is best for the students. There are bonds and overrides which allow the public to vote on the compensation of teachers. State legislators also decide on the budget for school districts and should be making sure teachers are well compensated. ”
“ Ultimately, strikes are a problem because of the catty drama they cause. If a teacher breaks ranks because their money is tight, they get bullied the rest of their career. On the other side of the coin, if a substitute teacher politely declines to come in because they wish not to cross the picket line, they get ghosted. If they do come in, they're often bullied by the striking teachers and, in some cases, the students. Therefore, for all involved, strikes should be prohibited. ”
“ If teachers really cared about educating children, then why would they blatantly deny education by holding a strike! We constantly hear about the importance of children not missing days of school, but if teachers miss days to strike, what does that tell students? There are other more adult ways of finding solutions to problems than ultimatums and demands, and tantrums. This is a lesson we constantly tell children, so why not demonstrate it! Every strike I've ever seen has really been about more money regardless of how the demands are phrased. So why not be realistic and talk about how and where to get more money, especially if the requests really indicate student needs? There is more than enough money in the USA for all kinds of luxuries, frivolities, and waste! It is time people started to make demands where the money really is and stop using kids' education as a battering ram! ”
“ Yes they should be allowed to strike for better wages, compensation and work environment. Teachers are the only professionals that are required to purchase the majority of their supplies themselves. They are often berated by parents and administrators for just trying to do their job which is educating children. They are often disrespected and their concerns ignored. They are often paid far less than they should be and have to fight for every dollar that they are paid. There was once a time when teachers were valued and respected and it is past time that that were the case again. ”
“ Strikes should be totally & absolutely prohibited. If the complainers want more money, smaller classes, longer vacations or anything else - get a job in some line of work other than teaching. ”
“ No, they are basically civil servants, and their availability for 9 months is critical to a civil society and successful future communities. ”
“ Extremely Restricted ”
“ I do not agree that teachers should be allowed to strike as they are public servants and they must realize that they serve the students of our district and should not be able to impede their right to an education. ”
“ Teacher strikes should be allowed. Teaching is a very demanding profession and should be allowed when negotiating isn't working as a last resort. Without being able to strike, teachers don't have much leverage on getting what they need which could be smaller class sizes, increase in pay, safe working environments, etc. Understandably, the short term effect of teacher strike is a halt in student learning but ultimately, teacher strikes benefit students and teachers. We have less and less people going into the profession, especially special education, and it is because it is known that teaching is difficult, underpaid and undervalued. Striking gives teachers power to make changes that can make teaching a desirable profession again. ”

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September 17, 2025: "What is your position on open enrollment policies in your district and state?
“ Go to school where you live. Nobody cares how good or bad the schools are, or what type of housing you come from. ”
“ Option enrollment at our school has been used as a money-grab. This has lead to classrooms being over capacity, causing parents and teachers to be frustrated. The School Board has refused to acknowledge this problem and revise their current policies. As of now, kindergarten classes are being filled to capacity without regard to future community growth. ”
“ We have a choice opportunity and reassignment process available to families. ”
“ Support and encourage parent has the right to choose their school of choice ”
“ With advertisement and a deadline for sign up - YES! ”
“ I think Open enrollment isn't a good thing. I pay taxes for one in the district I live in, that is why we moved here when we first came to Ohio. Good Schools why should people who live in other district benefit for my school district? ”
“ Michigan has open enrollment, called 'school of choice.' I absolutely support state policies that allow families to choose. ”
“ No open enrollment! ”
“ If we have them I like them ”
“ Students should have unfettered access to all local-, state-, and federally-funded programs districts have to offer. Where families live, their lack of money, or social standing should not limit potential. Our job, as Board Members, is to develop policy that fosters equity and provides opportunity for all. ”
“ I support open enrollment because it upholds parental authority and promotes the kind of competition that continuously challenges public education to improve. ”
“ It should be allowed. Some students deal with aggressive forms of bullying and parents should have more options to remove them from that situation. Bullying affects academic performance and attendance which doesn't benefit the school either. Open enrollment is an effective option for bullied students to gain access to a safe learning environment. Open enrollment also provides opportunities for students to attend schools with better funding. Students shouldn't be forced to stay at a school they are unhappy with, their success and happiness matter most, so administrators should figure out how to make open enrollment work. ”
“ Against open enrollment ”
“ It's way too lenient and the open enrollment window is too long. Plus they can make 3 choices for a school to attend and even virtually if so desired. ”

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August 6, 2025: "What role should schools play in managing student cellphone use during the day? How does your district's current policy align—or conflict—with your own view?
“ Our Regional High School District with two High Schools have banned student cellphone use during instructional time. They can use their cellphones during passing time and during lunch. I believe it is a good compromise because these are High School students that may need to communicate with employers during the day, as well as stay socially engaged. Very few careers ban cell phones in the workplace, but almost all of them require appropriate use. ”
“ The school district has a clear role in managing the use of any device during the school day whether laptops, Ipads, or smart phones. They can be intrusive in the classroom. Board policy had allowed individual teachers to establish rules for their classroom. As a board member, I am supportive of the school district establishing clear and consistent policy and administrative guidance regarding enforcement of use of cell phones, which our district is implementing for the start of the 2025-2026 school year at the high school. Teachers will all be following the same practices and students will know what they are for the school day. Our school district provides 1 to 1 devices for our students - Ipads at the elementary and middle school levels and a chromebook for high school students, so the issues of equity and access to the Internet during the school day are addressed. We do not take the cell phone the whole day as students can use them during classroom transitions and lunch time. This enables students to learn good practices that will hold them instead for college and the work environment where you can't be scrolling on a phone the whole day. ”
“ Students should not have access to their phones during class. If an emergency arises the office can summon the child. ”
“ Schools don't have a choice, they have to manage the use of cell phones. My District aligns with my view. ”
“ Schools should not allow students to have cellphones at school. When we had cell phones in class we were on social media, rarely using it for educational purposes. The distraction is extreme. It also carries the risk that students will film each other without consent and upload it online. It carries more dangers than benefits. ”
“ Kids do not need phones in school ”
“ Schools should ban cellphones at all times. Elementaries are to leave them in lockers. Middle and High are only used outside of class. I disagree, since students are there to listen and learn, not be distracted and disrespectful using cellphones. If there are emergencies, schools need to better inform families, not have cellphone panic between students and parents. It also allows those without one to be better connected with classmates. ”
“ I was still teaching when the phones came into my high school classroom. One day I was in the middle of explaining some new math when a student's phone started ringing. I told the student to turn it off and went on with my business. A few minutes later it rang again so I sent the student down to the office. This was clearly a repeated class disruption and I was obligated to protect the right to learn of the other 25 students in the class. The California Ed Code is very clear on this and students need to understand that when they engage in behavior that interferes with the learning of other students they are violating State law and a teacher is obligated to stop it. When I called home I found out that it was his mother calling him in the middle of my class for routine business. I explained to her that she was also breaking the law. I printed out the relevant ed code and would give a copy to the student. My class policies were all written out, handed out and discussed on the first day of school. When things are clear and consistent, kids generally go along with the program. ”
“ Each school should create its own procedure, that aligns with the board's policy on appropriate use of technology. Different schools/ages will need different approaches, and only the building leader can decide what's best for the students in their program. School boards shouldn't get involved by trying to create a one-size-fits-all policy, since it's an operational/educational matter, not board governance work. ”
“ Currently the district is requiring students to hand over their phones at the beginning of school. The phones are stored in a lockbox and returned at the end of the day. I would prefer that the district require the students to keep them turned off and in their backpacks, so that if an emergency arises, they have them. ”
“ Schools should play a direct and active role in managing cellphone use if it is disrupting instruction or interfering with the teacher's instruction. My district does not allow student cellphones in the classroom. ”
“ The Oklahoma Legislature recently passed a bell-to-bell no personal electronics policy. As a board we will vote on a revised policy on August 18 to be in compliance. The Board is supportive of the legislation and began limiting use prior to the bill's passage. ”
“ Schools should ban cell phones in any school class, academics, sports, gym and the arts. Schools can explain the ban by comparing it to the ban on device use when a plane is taking off or approaching landing. Cell phone use in classes impedes learning, just as cell phone use impedes plane navigation. Students may be permitted to use cell phone at lunch but not between classes. ”
“ Students' cell phones should be kept out of the classroom. Our school just put this policy into place. ”
“ We have adopted a strict, "No Cell, Bell to Bell" policy. Students may carry their phones in their backpack or store them in a locker, powered off. They may not use them during class change, lunch or break. Headphones, ear buds, and all other devices are also banned. I love the new policy and I believe most students are adjusting well. Out of over 700 students, we have had only 2 students receive a disciplinary action due to cell phones. Students are socializing more, talking to their friends face to face instead of walking through the halls with headphones in, looking down at their phone. Honestly, the only negative feedback I have received is from parents who are upset because they can't text their kids during the school day. ”
“ Students shouldn't have phones in class. ”
“ Remove them during school. Emergencies were always managed prior to cell phones. ”
“ If the family/society doesn't set the parameters the schools should according to what is conducive to their mission. ”
“ Cell phones should not be in the classroom. Our policy states no cellphone use in the classroom. ”
“ Schools should only manage cell phone use to the extent that it enhances or interferes with student learning. Our school policy is aligned with this sentiment. ”
“ Personally, I do not feel students need access to their phones during the school day. We have a one to one computer program so students have access to what they need for classes. ”
“ Schools should manage (i.e. limit or exclude) the use of phones during classes when that use does not directly support the learning environment. My district's current policy aligns with my own view, but unfortunately the policy isn't enforced at the classroom level. I do not agree that schools can or should essentially confiscate phones during the school day (barring inappropriate use anyway). ”
“ Cell phones do not need to be in our schools. They definitely have not improved our test scores or student learning or behaviors. We have a new policy that cell phones can only be used in designated places and during specific times. My own view is that they are not needed at all in school! ”
“ They have the final say in whether cell phones are or are not banned. If the school feels cell phones are more of a distraction or hindrance they can implement a cell phone ban during school hours. I am all in favor of banning the use of cell phones during school hours. ”

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May 21, 2025: "What strategies should districts use to turn around low-performing schools?
“ Providing structure-based high interest lessons where teachers are facilitators engages students because they also have a stake in their own learning. This worked for my low-performing students and public school. Teachers need to be in charge. Parents need to be parents. All phones need to be locked up so that students focus on learning and not social media. ”
“ Make the schools more accessible and accountable to the parents and taxpayers who which to visit and see the children's scores and performance in the 3 R's ”
“ Trauma based relational interventions, stress reduction techniques and find ways to allow teachers to add in their unique skills to a standardized curriculum.. critical thinking and deescaltion in problem solving skills we are lacking so much rn. Our middle school is under performing. Middle school was TERRIBLE when I was a child for the social aspects at least..we need to teach compassion, relating with others in non inflammatory ways and call out bullying wherever it's found.. from students to educators, to admin and even within district and states. ”
“ Adopt phonics, no social advancement, handwriting and math memorization. Keep honors and advanced classes. ”
“ I truly believe that technology has a part to play in low-performing schools. Low-performing schools, and frankly all schools, should go back to analog ways of teaching. No phones from bell to bell. Computers only in computer class. Not only has it been shown that using pencil and paper leads to greater knowledge retention, but students start fights on purpose in order to capture them for social media, which cause a very disruptive learning environment for all students. Removing technology, especially for elementary school is part of the solution to getting kids back on track. ”
“ Get rid of 1:1 tech and go back to effective teaching strategies that foster relationships, safety, and mental well-being ”
“ Discipline, discipline, discipline. Whether it's behavioral, life skills, or learning types, it's what will encourage students to be the best they can be, thereby making the school the best it can be. ”
“ Creating a culture that wants inclusive education by through training that builds understanding, is actionable, and dynamic as massive shifts take place. Bring respect to the training. Bring EVERYONE to the table. Admins, therapy providers, all teachers, student representation, community groups who support a culture change and those who oppose some element of the plan, and families. A big table gets better buy-in. Build support for the change from the ground up which means the plan as developed will not be the plan implemented, it will be better than the original plan. ”
“ Learning should be fun. Utilizing modern text books and story books. Thinking outside the box for creative homework assignments. Such as; An evaluation the book that was read. Do you think the cover of the book accurately depicts the real story? If not choose a chapter from the book and design a new book cover reflecting the chapter you choose. Within reason allow some freedom to choose for self expression. Students will learn about themselves through this process. Teach science in a modern way. For example; Chemistry could be taught through creating products, such as soap. ”
“ Be realistic. Professional learning collaboration, mentoring from more veteran teachers, comb the data to find out where issues are and try to improve them. ”

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April 30, 2025: "In what ways do you think religious charter schools could enrich or threaten the mission of public education?
“ I welcome the competition - that is what made our country strong - people willing to stand up and put forth their best effort to accomplish a mission/task. There is an obvious reason people would send their children to religious charter schools - and there is an excellent reason people would send their children to a public school. Let's all work to make the parent's choice very hard to make. ”
“ I think it will threaten the mission. First we should hold onto separation of church and state principles. In consideration of Project 25 the writers lean heavily into using these 'christian schools' to brainwash the children young into their beliefs. Patriarchy reigns, and keeping the little women' at home to bear(+) and care for children. Indoctrinate them while they're young. ”
“ Injecting religion into public education is harmful in that it closes off critical thinking. Subjects such as evolution, biology and history are taught through a skewed lens based on religious beliefs and not necessarily truth. ”
“ As long as the religious schools are not funded with public money I see no problem. Using public money for private schools does create a problem. ”
“ Religious schools will enrich America. It should be freedom of choice. The democrats will lose control from their anti-christ ways. The democrats will lose control of brain washing teachers and children in America. The democrats are santans' childern who are fulfilling his plan to destroy christians, America, and the world. Can't you see that??? ”
“ Religious charter schools could allow parents to decide what they want or don't want their children learning. It could help public school districts to realize that what they're teaching may not be the best for the students' futures. Religious charter schools should not receive public dollars to operate, unless these organizations pay taxes, which they don't. They are private schools who charge tuition to families and many require the family to join the parent church in order to receive voucher dollars. That isn't fair to other families who may believe differently. Religious schools do not have to report test scores, discipline issues or educate all students. They can remove them where public schools must accept all kids. Education funding is a mess and has been for decades. I oppose having my tax dollars going to schools who do not contribute to fire protection taxes or municipal taxes yet expect to be protected by them. So this will weaken the mission of public education because they can pick and choose whom to educate. They do not have to help special education students or English language learners. That goes against the public mission to educate everyone. ”
“ Just as in economics, "competition" through school choice (including religious schools) challenge public education to improve and deliver results. ”
“ Religious schools promote a belief system not based in reality and a violation of the separation of church and state. ”
“ It seems there are more and more people unhappy with public schools. I have heard it many times over the years, it's not what you learn, but the fact that you can. Private don't seem to be as one sided as public, no mater, almost all students belong to taxpayers, so, no matter where they decide to get educated, the money should follow. ”
“ By teaching the fundamentals of religion for part of the school week each school year. They threaten public education by adding more choices outside of public education for parents and continue to fracture public education slowly to its core. ”

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March 5, 2025: "What is the most common misconception you encounter about school boards?
“ That they actually want to do what's best for the children. They don't. In my county, they push right wing propaganda. ”
“ Biggest misconception is that our school board members have anything to do with hiring Teachers and staff. A funny one I often get is the thought that we have something to do with calling "Snow Days" or days off ”
“ That they have much more power than they do. ”
“ That school board members receive a salary. ”
“ The idea that school boards work FOR the superintendent, not the other way. ”
“ That the Board can immediately fix things, fire a teacher, hire a new head coach, etc. ”
“ That we as board members can fix everything in the snap of a finger. ”
“ What we are actually doing and why. Instead of coming to Board meetings they relay on rumor. ”
“ That speaking with one voice means there was no disagreement or discussion around topics ”
“ That boards (or even worse: single board members) can go into a school and "fix problems" on behalf of individual community members ”
“ They are to support community school partnerships. ”
“ The most common misconception that I encounter is the we as a school board constantly deal with hot social/political topics rather than the actual unsexy topics where 99% of our time goes such as student data, school finances, and policies/procedures that keep the school running. ”
“ Community members and some of the staff think the board have a say in things that are out of their realm of responsibilities. Most people do not realize the limit of BOE input and influence. ”
“ The community, teachers and staff think the BOE can fix everything at the snap of their fingers and think they have direct involvement in daily activities and issues. ”
“ At the state pays its fair share for education ”
“ That they set the rules or confused with pta ”
“ We don't have the childrens best intention as part of our work, or we are a rubber stamp for school administration. ”
“ That spring taxes are school tax when instead they are taxes levied by the county. Also the school district is viewed as a "cash cow" by many entities who want to over charge the district for services ”
“ The members have specific plans qualifications to hold the position. That all members will be accountable to the children and teachers in the district. ”
“ That they would never sell off school assets to pursuit of their personal agenda ”
“ That we control everything ”

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January 22, 2025: "What are the top challenges facing your district this year?
“ Low sat scores and convincing administrators it matters ”
“ Lack of funding, and protecting students from harmful federal MAGA policies ”
“ Chronic absenteeism, always funding, reading/math levels ”
“ Staff Retention and Inability to hire staff due to housing shortage, concerns about screen and cell phone use, funding concerns (grants for operations like after school programs, etc) ”
“ The cost of education is outpacing the ability of taxpayers ability to take on additional financial burden. As a relatively small district with smaller class sizes we are not able to level students and what happens is our teachers "teach to the lowest level, which hurts the middle and high achieving students. ”
“ Parental expectations, many parents feel no responsibility of thier childrens educational performance ”
“ Money due to declining enrollment. ESSER fund gone ”
“ The headlines are the $100million dollar deficit. Bigger story is the why (and there's disagreement along party lines in the state legislature about amply funding schools in the state.) Why includes the cost of special education service delivery, transportation with students who qualify under McKinney-Vento support, and the inflation or profit-taking of insurance and material costs. Declining enrollment. Factors include smaller families, parents deciding to home-school due to concerns with the current school environment and/or public school curriculum; Or also moving to cyber charter school, or private school if wealthy enough. State funding is primarily based on the number of enrolled students, so then our funding declines while all the expenses keep increasing, especially the staff's pay and benefits, which will force difficult budget decisions this year. ”
“ Our most pressing challenge has been parents not satisfied with the schools for various reasons and wanting to move their children to another district. We are used to school choice in our state, but this goes a step further. The parents want to have them go to a close district in our neighboring state and have us negotiate a IGA contract with them and thus pay for their tuitions from our state education funding. ”
“ Funding for infrastructure, Literacy and Math ”
“ Chronic Absenteeism and teacher staffing underfunded mandates from state legislature ”
“ Lack of available staff is the single most important challenge this calendar year - bus drivers, teachers, substitutes, paras, cooks, etc. Always have a plethora of administrators, however. ”
“ Fear mongering by small groups of angry community members that spread misinformation about current political landscape, funding and district leadership ”
“ Rising Special Education costs....in particular, out placement of students ”

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2024

Click on the date before each question to read the issue of Hall Pass in which the question was featured.

November 20, 2024: "What is your opinion on high school graduation exam requirements?
“ They should be rigorous. I worry about eliminating the Regents exam in NYS as I don't want to risk that the diploma become watered down. Grade inflation is already an issue; eliminating a standardized assessment could further devalue the diploma. ”
“ I think if students have taken and passed the courses required to earn their high school diploma, that is enough. If states want to administer end-of-course tests for major requirements like ELA, math, & science and count that as a final exam, I would agree with that. ”
“ In suburban Chicago high schools there are graduation requirements, however they have “dumbed “ down the classes. It takes little effort to pass with a 40%…yes passing is 40% ”
“ All shares should have them. It is the only way to hold districts accountable for kids education. Important as well for students to be proficient in literacy, math and science! ”
“ They are necessary. Occasional attendance cannot be enough. ”
“ It should be geared to the State. The constitution places responsibility for education on the States not the Federal Gorernment. ”
“ I agree and believe all states should require this. ”
“ I believe it's very important to know that students have the knowledge needed to be productive in society after high school. Taking and passing an exam lets districts know what and how to make changes if necessary, to help students succeed. ”
“ I believe it is time for my state, Florida, to repeal our graduation testing requirements. As a public school board member, I know that students with disabilities are exempt from these tests and they receive a regular diploma. This is not equitable to the student without a documented disability who may struggle with test anxiety or other testing issues. ”
“ Yes, a basic level of knowledge should be expected, taught and applied ”
“ To fully evaluate competency of a subject/course a test should be given; however once the entire high school is completed a 'test' summarizing an entire four years of study is not a true viable determination of a student's right to graduate. There are other ways in which to determine/assess the child's understanding of his entire 'high school' experience. What it truly determines is if the student has the knack to learn 'How to take tests' in order to graduate. 'I know, cause that's my job - teach kids how to take exams.' It has nothing to do with what you've learned from the classes/courses over a four-year period. When we finish our undergraduate degrees, we aren't asked to take a 'final' exam summarizing our entire 4/5 years of studies; only when we earn a Masters or PhD are we asked to finalize a 'topic' of which we've researched and can defend the theory based on 'proof', documentation/data. Even then, we don't take a test summarizing every course taken during our stint in college. ”
“ Of coarse we should require kids to meet certain standards to graduate. Iowa should require this. ”
“ I believe they should be required in all states. They define a required competency attainment to prospective employers. ”
“ Statewide assessment should not be a requirement for high school graduation. ”
“ No statewide assessment requirements for graduation ”
“ If the diploma is to have value minimum achievement is necessary. ”
“ I think that high school graduation exam needs to demonstrate the years of education and should not be lower or less than, if anything it should be more difficult showing that students have accomplished their learning and are ready for college or trade school. ”
“ Why have students’ take graduation exam if they have successful passed all requirements? ”
“ I'm from Ohio, took a state exam in order to graduate. In Georgia, that needs to be mandated as well. It seems the students are more educated in Ohio than in Georgia. ”

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September 25, 2024: "How does your district address absenteeism? If it's an issue, what strategies involving the school board, educators, and parents could improve attendance?
“ Reader response 1: We have filed more truancy citations to parents on chronic absences according to state law. We have been more aggressive with meeting with parents and student to find out why there are so many absences and work to change the behavior. ”
“ Reader response 2: Any days missed that are unexcused you are required to attend after school closes for the summer. If you do not come and finish the work, you don't pass. Anderson School District 5 SC ”
“ Reader response 3: My district addresses absenteeism by clear and open communication between the parents and the school administration as a first step. ”
“ Reader response 4: The community which I am fortunate enough to work, has worked to change the narrative around absenteeism. Rather than solely focusing to the attendance requirements, excused vs. unexcused absences and medical reasons why students should stay home, we have worked to balance that conversation. Here is the big idea. We want students in school everyday and when they are not here, we miss them and school is not the same. We do this through supportive conversation, proactive letters to students about how important they are to our schools, and how can we make an environment which is supportive to everychild. We have a lot of work to do, but a balanced and student centered approach has help build a better place for our students. ”
“ Reader response 5: In our district we have incentivized attendance by engaging with students and community members through various projects. In our elementary and middle school, we conduct a “One school, one book” program that gets area businesses involved. The students are encouraged to read with their families one chapter per night, then visit local businesses to answer trivia questions and receive a Tiger Paw to bring back to school. These are exchanged for a treat then hanged in the hallways. Also, the same grades participate in a House Challenge each year where the students and teachers are separated into three “houses”. Attendance, behavior and academics are all incentivized and rewarded throughout the year. ”
“ Reader response 6: Direct outreach to the District's students and families, and making parents feel more involved and welcome in our schools, and more comfortable with enlisting the district's aid in their situations, are a few of the tools used to address absenteeism. ”

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August 7, 2024: "What is your opinion on how districts should approach the use of AI tools in classrooms?"

“ Reader response 1: Our district is starting to dabble into this subject. I believe AI can be a useful educational tool if used correctly by students, teachers and administrators. However, it shouldn’t be used exclusively for 100% homework assignments, research papers or testing. That’s where the gray area of it being your own work or AI’s work. This will be construed and confusing until it gets figured out. Cheating shouldn’t be tolerated but will we able to tell authentic work versus AI work in the near future? We shall see. ”

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June 12, 2024: "What is your opinion on whether schools should encourage more student involvement in school board meetings and decisions?"
“ Reader response 1: Involvement in meetings would be a great idea. Making decisions should be left up to only the school board itself. ”
“ Reader response 2: There is a need for civics education and community involvement for children throughout their formative years. It should start with early childhood learning skills by being helpers of others and schools nurturing group participation. ”
“ Reader response 3: Absolutely! ”
“ Reader response 4: I think it's very important that the student body is involved in what happens in their community. However, I would encourage a board member(s) to hold or allow the student body to have a session to discuss issues that are important to them. Then the board member will discuss it at the next meeting, allowing one or two members of the student body to be involved. This is to make sure their concerns are being heard. This will keep confusion and dysfunction down and ensure the line of communication remains open. I want to be clear: parents, parents, parents should always be involved when it comes to their children's participation. ”
“ Reader response 5: I currently serve on the Board of Education. We have a student member who can vote on most decisions. They can’t vote on personnel decisions. Having their input is very important. ”
“ Reader response 6: Schools should absolutely encourage more student involvement in school board meetings and decisions. When we involve students in these processes, we empower them to have a say in their education, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility. This not only helps in addressing their needs and concerns more effectively but also promotes the development of active, engaged citizens who are better prepared to participate in democratic processes throughout their lives. It also reduces hierarchical structures and ensures that all voices, especially those directly impacted by policies, are heard and considered. ”
“ Reader response 7: I think it is a good thing, but they should not vote officially on board issues. ”
“ Reader response 8: I think it is a great idea. The School Board and Board legal counsel would benefit by asking students what they think about a variety of issues. ”
“ Reader response 9: I feel that it is important for young students (9-12 grades) to learn more about how things work at school meetings and share their concerns. It gives them a better stake in their education and fellow classmates. ”
“ Reader response 10: Yes, students need to be involved and see how and why decisions are made. We have a student on our board. It gives us some idea of how they feel about certain areas of school life. They apply to be a student rep, and we as a board go over their applications and decide which would be a good fit. We get to know the student and how they represent the student body. I have really enjoyed getting to know each student that has served. ”
“ Reader response 11: Yes. ”
“ Reader response 12: Yes. ”
“ Reader response 13: Yes. ”
“ Reader response 14: We just appointed 4 students to serve as non-voting school board members. ”
“ Reader response 15: I believe schools should encourage increased student involvement in school board meetings. Besides giving monthly reports and updates, student reps on the school board should be encouraged to give input on issues and agenda items that pertain to them and their schools. ”
“ Reader response 16: Yes, our board has three non-voting student representatives. They report to the board at each meeting on school events and general activity. This helps to keep the Board informed and involved. ”
“ Reader response 17: I think it's essential to have students' input! I love hearing from students and want to hear from them, the good and the bad... ”
“ Reader response 18: In California and I think the nation, School Site Councils in secondary schools can have formally elected student members. This does not happen in the district I am in. This is a shame because I think electing a voting student member (students elect their representative) would be (1) very good "democracy" practice and (2) a formal way to get a 'student voice' or two into formal governance. A high school student serving as a 'student representative' seems to have no Real Effect. No Vote - No Effect. ”
“ Reader response 19: Of course. ”
“ Reader response 20: I believe it is crucial to get students involved in how the school district is administered. ”
“ Reader response 21: It is always a wise decision to encourage more student involvement in school board meetings and decisions. In Anne Arundel County, our student member of the Board of Education is unique in that he/she has the same voting power as ALL adult members of the Board of Education. Our SMOB is elected by students, and we will be swearing in the 51st SMOB in the history of Anne Arundel County soon. I taught for 49 years before being elected to the Board of Education. I was the chairperson of our Faculty Council for many years, and I always included large numbers of students in our conversations and discussions simply because my experience showed me that students always had appropriate responses and suggestions. Students should always be included! ”
“ Reader response 22: In favor of more student involvement. ”
“ Reader response 23: My thought is that there should be a small council of students from across a district that represents the student voice, and they could meet with the superintendent/school board members to discuss items. I don't believe that they should vote as a school board member, but do believe that their voice is important in the decisions that are made. ”
“ Reader response 24: I think a student body-elected representative should serve in an ex-officio capacity in the board meetings with the only exclusion of hiring and discipline discussion. ”

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May 29, 2024: "Do you support or oppose providing families with government funding for private educational expenses?"
“ Reader response 1: Absolutely not! ”
“ Reader response 2: Absolutely oppose. ”
“ Reader response 3: Absolutely support. ”
“ Reader response 4: I am extremely opposed to providing families with taxpayer funding for private educational expenses! That money should be used to improve the quality of education in public schools in Alabama... from all the studies that I have read, they definitely need it. ”
“ Reader response 5: I am opposed to any taxpayer funding for private education, either directly or through vouchers or "savings accounts". Successful public education is beneficial to all citizens, whether they choose to access it or not. Redistributing tax revenue to non-public education undermines the public education institution and is an unauthorized transfer of public funds. Improvements to the public education system are thwarted and negated when existing funding is diverted and drained away from public schools. ”
“ Reader response 6: I oppose. ”
“ Reader response 7: I oppose because it is families' choice to go to private educational opportunities and is not available to all students in the school district. It promotes inequitable education. ”
“ Reader response 8: I support Education Savings Accounts (ESAs). School tax dollars should follow the child. Each district receives a certain dollar amount per registered student (i.e., $12K), so if a student leaves that district (for whatever reason) and is enrolled in a private school or is homeschooled, those tax dollars should be available to the parent/guardian to help pay for the associated education costs. In the state's legislation, there need to be protections for parents/guardians who choose to homeschool their child – the parent/guardian needs the liberty/freedom to select the instructional material for each required subject (history and social studies, for example) as is appropriate based on their faith and/or principles. ”
“ Reader response 9: I support it as competition always helps with quality, being who is better. ”
“ Reader response 10: No. ”
“ Reader response 11: No. ”
“ Reader response 12: No. ”
“ Reader response 13: No. ”
“ Reader response 14: Only if it's something we can't provide from the district. ”
“ Reader response 15: Oppose. ”
“ Reader response 16: Oppose. ”
“ Reader response 17: Oppose. ”
“ Reader response 18: Oppose. ”
“ Reader response 19: Oppose. ”
“ Reader response 20: Oppose. ”
“ Reader response 21: Oppose. ”
“ Reader response 22: Oppose. ”
“ Reader response 23: Oppose. ”
“ Reader response 24: Oppose. I do not feel it’s prudent to pay a private entity that can discriminate based on any number of factors with public money. Utah is just rolling it out, and I’m astounded what people who have been awarded the “scholarship” are paying for. Dance lessons. Ski passes. Seriously. One thing proponents advocate for is that it will strengthen the public schools by providing competition. It’s not a level playing field in any way. Public schools take every child with an IEP and 504 and any level of ability, while private schools can choose to or not. How is that equal? Kids on the “scholarship” can have karate, horse riding, ski, mountain climbing, or any number of “PE” opportunities paid for. Our public school kiddos’ options? Not even close. The accountability for “scholarship” students? A portfolio. Yup! A simple portfolio. Public schools’ accountability? We just had around 200 bills passed THIS year alone regarding education. The regulations and reporting to be done are astounding. I could go on and on. ”
“ Reader response 25: Private schools are private and should be paid by the parents who send their children to private schools. My parents did, and so did my wife and I. We vote for every school bond and levy. America is nothing without strong public schools. ”
“ Reader response 26: Support. ”
“ Reader response 27: Support. ”
“ Reader response 28: Support. ”
“ Reader response 29: Support money going to families. ”
“ Reader response 30: Yes. ”
“ Reader response 31: YES, if it replaces what the public school would have received from the state and the money goes directly to the private school, including religious ones. ”
“ Reader response 32: I do not support it. ”

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March 27, 2024: "What should schools be doing to prepare students for their roles as citizens?"
“ Reader response 1: Focusing on social/emotional learning. ”
“ Reader response 2: Teaching traditional academics instead of wasting time on social emotional learning. ”
“ Reader response 3: Extensive class in the role of government in their lives and the importance of voting. ”
“ Reader response 4: Making mock governments, requiring government classes. ”
“ Reader response 5: Insisting students get passing grades in ELA and Mathematics is most important. Mandatory business or economics studies in high school. Understanding government in both state and U.S. Constitutions and laws without political ideology. ”
“ Reader response 6: Teach the pledge and why our flag is red, white, and blue. A strong civics course during high school. Promote community involvement. ”
“ Reader response 7: Teaching K-5 the basics of reading, writing, math, American and local history, and logic; teaching how to apply information and evaluate it in grades 6-12 while building further in math, science, literature, civics, and history. Also encourage physical activity and health habits. ”
“ Reader response 8: Learn how to balance bank accounts, keep a budget, type, spell, basic math, divisions of government and why, how to look up candidates and their voting records, how NOT to vote (because my friends/parents/etc. do it like this). I am sure there is more... ”
“ Reader response 9: Schools MUST teach CRITICAL THINKING, CIVICS, how to tell FACT from fiction. ”
“ Reader response 10: To teach civics in a more in-depth fashion. ”
“ Reader response 11: Include curriculum covering the nation's foundational documents in grades 7-9, and for grades 10-12 include curriculum introducing classic philosophers and contemporary commentators/authors on the rights and obligations of citizens. Courses should be mandatory, not optional. ”

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February 14, 2024: "Having Student Board Representatives join the board, elected by students, with full participation in public board meetings, including advisory votes."
“ Reader response 1: We hold our monthly workshops in an "open forum" format, where we relax Robert's Rules and invite community members, students, staff, and guardians to participate in the discussions (as long as they stay on topic). ”
“ Reader response 2: Making students responsible for their actions. ”
“ Reader response 3: No answer at this time. ”
“ Reader response 4: PLC learning. Are teachers and administrators being taught this learning at in-service days and morning prep meetings? It has helped us retain staff post-COVID. ”
“ Reader response 5: Having Student Board Representatives join the board, elected by students, with full participation in public board meetings, including advisory votes. ”

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January 17, 2024: "What are the top issues facing your school district in 2024?"
“ Reader response 1: Competitive salaries and benefits for licensed and classified staff. ”
“ Reader response 2: Budget for 2025-26. In part due to lack of students. ”
“ Reader response 3: Budget. ”
“ Reader response 4: Decreasing state revenue, and hiring a new superintendent. ”
“ Reader response 5: Leftist Propaganda (DEI, CRT, wokeness, LGBTXYZPDQ, Anti-American Rhetoric). ”
“ Reader response 6: Absenteeism, loss of state support, and staffing shortages. ”
“ Reader response 7: Parents should be involved with the education of their children and know what their children are being taught while they are in school. We need to return to the fundamentals of teaching reading, writing, and arithmetic. Homemaking like cooking and sewing should be available. Physical education like basketball, track, tennis, all sports should be available. We also need counselors to help with social issues. Help our youth on a pathway to help them in the path they choose for their life. ”
“ Reader response 8: Decline in enrollment; student behavior. ”
“ Reader response 9: Students are at least 1+ year(s) behind in education. Math and ELA scores are way too low. ”
“ Reader response 10: Teacher shortages, especially in the Special Education areas. ”
“ Reader response 11: Redistricting of Cobb County (which is now a majority-minority county) in Georgia maintains a strong conservative hold on the School Board makeup, leadership, and policies. Some issues that concern me most are school board meetings that don't allow multiple opinions to be heard, firing a teacher over a book one mother found objectionable, and banning library books, which is happening in many school districts. I'm strongly opposed to the Georgia voucher system that is draining money from public education for private schools under the guise that the vouchers are for parents whose children have special needs or are attending low-performing schools to move to a private school. There is no real accountability for who gets the voucher or student statistics. We know that parents who can afford private school know how to access the program and are getting the most benefit. Sadly, the legislature wants to increase funding for vouchers. It advances separate and unequal education in the state. As you well know, there are too many issues that affect public education to mention more. ”
“ Reader response 12: Budget issues, thanks to low enrollment. ”
“ Reader response 13: Availability of teachers and school staff as minimum wage for fast food workers goes to $20 per hour. ”
“ Reader response 14: Funding. ”
“ Reader response 15: Search for a new superintendent by July 2024. Controversial book in one of our school libraries. New board member being elected this spring that was a retired principal from our district. ”
“ Reader response 16: Book bans; nefarious far-right actors looking to control school administration for deleterious effects. ”
“ Reader response 17: Employee absences and resulting sub costs, employee retention, student behavior/discipline, finding ways to better meet the varying learning needs of all students, and increasing parental involvement. ”
“ Reader response 18: Budgets, qualified staff, and bus driver shortages. ”

2023

Click on the date before each question to read the issue of Hall Pass in which the question was featured.

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October 18, 2023: "Districts are grappling with the rise of generative AI tools, like ChatGPT, Google Bard, and others, which can, with varying levels of accuracy, answer questions, compose poems, write computer code, and even draft whole essays on any imaginable topic. Teachers and education scholars have spoken about the promise and perils of such tools in classroom settings. How should districts respond to generative AI tools like ChatGPT, Google Bard, and others?"
“ Reader response 1: In a respectful manner. ”
“ Reader response 2: School districts should introduce these tools with a discussion of responsible use, pros/cons, and the manner content is reviewed and created in a technology class for middle and high school students. ”
“ Reader response 3: Just like any other tool...Learn how to use them and why someone should use them in an academic setting. ”
“ Reader response 4: Teach students how to use AI and then to find a way to defend it. ”
“ Reader response 5: It should be embraced and made part of the curriculum. This is a tool that students should be taught how to use to their best advantage. If they phrase their prompts correctly, they will get an outline/first draft that they can review for accuracy and correctness. Then they can complete the assignment by fleshing out the draft and adding their own perspectives. ”
“ Reader response 6: Don't know much about the topic. I hear the cautions toward AI, and I believe anything can get out of hand without safeguards. This is a complicated subject and will need more investigating and research as to the benefits and downfalls of AI. Keep the research coming. Fact-based research. ”
“ Reader response 7: I think it is up to the administration in the school to evaluate if the teachers are trained to implement and understand AI, and then decide whether to implement it or not. I think there are applications for AI, and some areas where AI will destroy creativity. ”
“ Reader response 8: Whether we like it or not, AI is here to stay and will have a large impact on the world moving forward. I do still want children to learn the proper education without the use of AI; however, I am not sure how to get that done. We can't expect students to write an entire essay while sitting in the classroom away from AI tools, so it may come down to being able to detect it. ”
“ Reader response 9: Incorporate it into learning and future career opportunities. ”
“ Reader response 10: Let students use carefully for research purposes only. Don’t let this AI write whole papers. ”
“ Reader response 11: Boards must address this issue, possibly by purchasing software for educators to be able to automatically identify any student’s submitted work for the use of AI. ”
“ Reader response 12: Don't use it. Make it unavailable. ”

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September 20, 2023: "How can districts best support and advocate for students with special needs or disabilities?"
“ Reader response 1: Follow the spirit of IDEA, make it everybody’s job to make sure every student receives an appropriate education and is provided the services and accommodations they need. ”
“ Reader response 2: Special education resources are widely available to schools and students through internal and external certificated resources (NPAs, NPS, credentialed providers, etc.). The issue is that the funding available to schools to pay for these services is limited and schools are forced to minimize these necessary services to the lowest budgetary minimums while accommodating the needs they are mandated to provide. This is not serving the needs of the students in the best possible way; rather, it ensures that the bare minimum is being provided. Even then, every school seems to be forced to encroach on funds that are earmarked for general education purposes in order to meet the mandated services. A reevaluation of earmarks for SPED services is necessary so that funding keeps pace with the rising costs of these services. ”
“ Reader response 3: Hire support staff and give parents the option to choice out of their local school. ”
“ Reader response 4: By implementing better IEP. ”
“ Reader response 5: You need to get to know the parents and the students and do what’s best for the student, not the school. ”
“ Reader response 6: Hire quality teachers who can develop a relationship with each and every student to help them thrive. ”

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August 16, 2023: "How should board members address policy disagreements with others on the board?"
“ Reader response 1: They should be civil. ”
“ Reader response 2: Suggested Mission Statement Mission Statement, Board of Education, RE-1 The RE-1 Board of Education is committed to providing educational guidance for the schools in the district. The Board of Education will reflect pride in our students, along with their families, including: religions, veterans, military, local police, farmers, ranchers, citizens, and business owners. Within our district, we particularly look for opportunities to encourage people, especially parents, in supporting different aspects of our educational system. The intent of this focus on community is to inspire Americans to recover our country’s greatness on a local level and to hold fast our belief in the Constitution of the United States of America. Our freedom is a gift under God, not granted to us by politicians or governments. Freedom demands responsible behavior of all, consistent with the truths expressed in the great moral and governing guides, such as the Ten Commandments, the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. These principles guided our founding fathers and are still relevant. These principles will guide our Board of Education actions and are the foundation of our views. The RE-1 Board of Education will focus on educating all students regarding the four pillars essential for maintaining our Constitutional Republic: 1. **MILITARY** – We need the best or we will be overrun. 2. **LEGAL** – We are ALL EQUAL under the law. 3. **EDUCATION** – A family responsibility, not government; learning the basics, critical thinking, and job skills. 4. **RELIGION** – Religion is not to run a government, but morality impacts all other pillars. This Board will be guided by truth, facts, logic, and common sense, and will hold fast to these principles in decision-making. ”
“ Reader response 3: Conflict resolution processes should be defined and clear. The board should act as a team. When they disagree, they should go through a process to find a reasonable middle ground. We need to find resolutions and work together on behalf of the students we serve, not fight over our politics and beliefs. Keep the main thing the main thing, and have a clear vision, mission, and purpose that guides the decision-making process. If people get nasty, fire them and bring in team players. ”
“ Reader response 4: They should address their opinions in open meetings (work sessions if necessary). They should not contact other members of the BOE in serial one-on-one meetings to sidestep state sunshine laws. Once the BOE votes on the issue, all members should support the majority view. If they can’t, they should resign. ”
“ Reader response 5: Peaceably. ”
“ Reader response 6: We have a policy committee of four, including our superintendent, who monthly scrutinizes policies and brings in MASB for clarification if needed. Policies are presented to the board for two readings. In the first, members state their opinions, and the policy committee presents findings. By the second reading, there is group consensus, which eliminates board conflict. ”
“ Reader response 7: All directors should be given an opportunity to express their personal opinion. Then they get one vote like the rest. Majority rules. ”
“ Reader response 8: Openly discuss differences and try to reach compromise. ”
“ Reader response 9: Discuss disagreements while following laws. ”
“ Reader response 10: With honesty, no political agenda, transparency, empathy, sympathy, respect, professionalism, and speaking from a place that represents the community's concerns/questions. ”
“ Reader response 11: Transparently, in open session for the public to hear all discussions, including disagreements. ”
“ Reader response 12: Workshops and group discussions at work sessions or other non-formal events provide an opportunity for discussion. Board members need to recognize when they are defending and persuading others rather than listening and comprehending the viewpoints of those opposed to their ideas. ”
“ Reader response 13: First, create a circle with a vase of flowers in the middle. Second, read the rules of respect for conflict resolution. Third, each member takes a turn expressing their opinion and feelings. Fourth, brainstorm to arrive at consensus. Fifth, resolve by voting. Sixth, shake hands and leave on a positive note. ”
“ Reader response 14: Our Board policies are developed in the Policy Committee and presented at public meetings (first as a discussion, followed by an action item to adopt at the next meeting). Any disagreements are handled in either session, and policies can be sent back to the Policy Committee if needed. ”
“ Reader response 15: In writing – Issue, existing policy/rules, analysis of the issue, recommendation/conclusion. Serialized and retained for public inquiry. Board members, depending on their role (e.g., curriculum, finance), should handle issues. Special interest groups should not be consulted. ”
“ Reader response 16: By talking about the issues openly, then voting. ”
“ Reader response 17: Respectfully. Each member should be willing to hear what others have to say. We should agree to disagree and recognize that polarization exists. When disagreements occur, don’t try to "convert" fellow board members. ”
“ Reader response 18: All discourse should be civil and respectful. Members need to voice concerns and feel heard without berating others who disagree. ”

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June 28, 2023: "What is the single most important thing your district should do to address learning loss?"
“ Reader response 1: Focus on academics!!! Enough with the social justice and SEL focus, outcomes are continually decreasing as we steal precious time away from academics and high academic expectations. ”
“ Reader response 2: Obtain/provide teacher aides to help with students who need extra attention or focused help. ”
“ Reader response 3: Small group and 1:1 reading help for grades 5 and below. ”
“ Reader response 4: Get students off laptops and devices unless you are going to test students on how to use them. When students can use the internet, phone apps to solve most problems, is the test necessary? Asking a student to show knowledge of solving math problems using a computer is more like saying do you know how to use the online calculator. ”
“ Reader response 5: Employing qualified teachers and staff to deliver highly engaging curriculum in multiple ways. ”
“ Reader response 6: Look beyond the state for direction. Michigan, under Democratic leadership, is not focused on student education but rather pushing social programs and standards. This is clearly not working as test scores and student proficiency continue to plummet across the state. ”
“ Reader response 7: Return licensed media specialists to each school in the school district in order to take part in each student's education. ”
“ Reader response 8: Critical thinking can be based on teachings that involve proper debate. Teaching to respond to adverse scenarios with hypotheses and solutions. ”
“ Reader response 9: Must have an urgency and intentionality in providing real-time literacy intervention for African-American students in grades K-3 to increase declining reading levels of this student group. ”
“ Reader response 10: Financial stability; finding certified teachers (teacher shortage), many positions go unfilled so substitutes and long-term subs are utilized. ”
“ Reader response 11: Our district should be using data on all its decisions to drive our goals towards improving attendance and graduation rates. ”
“ Reader response 12: Provide individual help as needed on a case-by-case basis. ”
“ Reader response 13: Our district needs an all-hands-on-deck emphasis on consistency for the sake of the students. The closure of in-person learning for more than a school year obviously tore apart young people's expectation of consistency, which will have academic and psychological implications for decades to come that we haven't even imagined yet. However, the students' return has been met with more instability every day in the classroom – start times moved last minute, teachers shifted to different schools without notice, lesson plans abandoned for SEL and sex ed expansion, whole class periods replaced with mental health surveys, expansion of two days off for elections, new programs canceled because of expiring grants, and even entire schools closed AFTER the buses brought students on-site – because too many adults called in sick. The stability of knowing what to expect, what the schedule will be, and what homework is due when helps students respect authority (because they are also being respected), know which standards they must uphold, and know where to invest their effort (or not) for expected success or failure. Academically, most subjects cannot be mastered except with consistent, daily application building on known concepts. Mastery cannot be crammed all at once, but must be inculcated regularly. In a five-day week, there is never a five-lesson week scheduled into our academic calendar anymore, and even that is being reduced from four, to three, to two at times. When students become more used to the rug being pulled out from under them on a regular basis, why should they work? We are training them to expect chaos and purposelessness instead of order and meaning. There are many other things that must be done to recover from a very real learning loss, but I believe that addressing the policy and leadership environment that produces an unstable academic experience must be dealt with before any other solutions can be effective. In my opinion, it's a conversation we're not having enough. Thank you, Jared. ”
“ Reader response 14: I think we need to focus on improving attendance rates by improving school climate, making students not only want to go to school but to stay in school. ”
“ Reader response 15: Throw out teaching to standardized tests and support the teachers and whole child. ”
“ Reader response 16: Community-based collaboration and partnerships. ”
“ Reader response 17: Learning must be more student-focused. Individualized learning that addresses required content and standards will get each student to his/her highest potential. ”
“ Reader response 18: Regular, standardized annual testing starting at Pre-K. ”
“ Reader response 19: Support the teachers and principals when their goal is to make the children's education applicable to not only test results, but applicable to adult life; relatable to how the content may open further interest into a well-rounded understanding of the topic AND how the topic relates to a variety of future career choices. Creative teaching methods that blend the topic to be learned with child-to-adult growth focus will lead to learning loss. ”
“ Reader response 20: Identify and address schoolwide and individual gaps in student learning. ”

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May 31, 2023: "Should the law allow school districts to hold partisan elections?"
“ Reader response 1: NO! ”
“ Reader response 2: No. Partisanship on school boards is detrimental to good educational decisions. ”
“ Reader response 3: Good luck stopping them. It appears that in most elections people are already aligned with a party. ”
“ Reader response 4: No. They should not be partisan. Doing so would necessitate candidates labeling themselves, perhaps even joining a party, to be categorized. As currently structured, candidates may choose to affiliate themselves with a party but, on the ballot, they are not identified as such. Voters must vote for a person, not a party. This encourages voters to learn about the candidates and not make assumptions typically associated with party affiliations. ”
“ Reader response 5: No, never, absolutely not. IMO, partisan elections should be reserved solely for State legislative and executive races and above. ”
“ Reader response 6: No ”
“ Reader response 7: Absolutely NOT ”
“ Reader response 8: Absolutely NOT ”
“ Reader response 9: No ”
“ Reader response 10: No ”
“ Reader response 11: No, and I would go farther and prohibit parties from even endorsing candidates. Things are already divisive enough in education, and bringing political parties into the process would just make the polarization even worse. ”
“ Reader response 12: No, the last thing we need is more partisanship. ”
“ Reader response 13: Yes ”
“ Reader response 14: No ”
“ Reader response 15: No ”
“ Reader response 16: No ”
“ Reader response 17: What is partisan? ”
“ Reader response 18: Nooooo! When you get into small counties like us, people vote party and not conviction! Please make all school board votes non-partisan!!!! ”
“ Reader response 19: No. School board policies should focus on the needs of students instead of political advantage. Our municipality allows "cross-listing," that is, registering as a candidate in both parties, which local parties use as a means to confuse voters (who's the real Dem/Rep?) and gain more board seats for the party. This definitely places the interests of students behind partisanship. ”
“ Reader response 20: Yes ”
“ Reader response 21: No; school boards should be non-partisan. Our jobs are difficult enough without nationalizing the issues we have to deal with. Just under 29% of registered voters identify as independent, according to Ballotpedia, citing data from Ballot Access News. It is difficult to get on the ballot as an independent, and it is difficult to get access to the data required to run a sophisticated campaign as either an independent OR a member of a bipartisan or nonpartisan slate. I had to change my party registration from Independent at age 52 or my county party wouldn't sell us data, even though we had Democrats on the slate. That's all due to the laws here, and the behaviors of county parties. ”
“ Reader response 22: No ”
“ Reader response 23: No ”
“ Reader response 24: Absolutely not ”
“ Reader response 25: No ”
“ Reader response 26: No ”
“ Reader response 27: No ”
“ Reader response 28: Absolutely not. ”
“ Reader response 29: Yes ”
“ Reader response 30: Yes ”
“ Reader response 31: Yes ”
“ Reader response 32: No ”
“ Reader response 33: No. However, a non-partisan election simply means you do not need to declare a party or have a party primary. A candidate can still state their political affiliation/ideology and get support from a political party. Everyone has a political ideology, philosophy, or belief as to the role of government, and a candidate should not hide their ideology behind the label "non-partisan." ”
“ Reader response 34: Yes ”
“ Reader response 35: Yes ”
“ Reader response 36: No! ”
“ Reader response 37: Yes ”
“ Reader response 38: Yes ”
“ Reader response 39: No ”

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April 26, 2023: "Do you think your district is using the best possible reading program?"
“ Reader response 1: Our reading program is touted as being aligned with "Science of Reading", but the scores of our black and brown students and those who are economically disadvantaged prove it's not working. ”
“ Reader response 2: Not yet. Maybe not ever, but board members promise that the newly created, not yet advertised job of Director of Literacy will help current teachers introduce more phonics into this (MVWSD) K-8 system. The job description mentions whole language, but not phonics. ”
“ Reader response 3: Not when so many children are one or two grades behind. ”
“ Reader response 4: No ”
“ Reader response 5: No ”
“ Reader response 6: I think it definitely has room for improvement. ”
“ Reader response 7: No ”
“ Reader response 8: Absolutely not! Our district, the Beaverton School District in Oregon, is still using Lucy Calkins' Units of Study. This program has been thoroughly discredited/debunked dating back to at least 2020. Other neighboring districts, like Portland Public Schools, have removed/replaced this curriculum already given the poor outcomes it produces. However, the Beaverton School District has told the community that they will continue to use it through the 2023-24 school year. They are looking to augment it with some smaller phonics-based programs, but it is ridiculous they are still using such a terrible program and have been for years now. Keep in mind this is not a small district that lacks resources. BSD is the 3rd largest district in Oregon and has many administrators and TOSAs (Teacher on Special Assignment) who focus on curriculum adoption, support, training, etc. ”
“ Reader response 9: No ”
“ Reader response 10: No ”
“ Reader response 11: Only if the district is using multiple tools of teaching, such as phonics, meanings in context, common word recognition, reading for pleasure, etc. ”
“ Reader response 12: Test scores have been declining over the last decade. The administrator says we are using a phonics-based approach to reading, so why the decline is a mystery to me. I’m wondering if the handoff each year as children progress is consistent, or are we losing something in the transfer each year? ”
“ Reader response 13: Yes ”
“ Reader response 14: No. ”
“ Reader response 15: No ”
“ Reader response 16: No ”
“ Reader response 17: Absolutely NOT! With all the Science of Reading buzzing around, our new program is the total opposite of that! ”
“ Reader response 18: No ”
“ Reader response 19: I don't know, have not heard about the reading program. ”
“ Reader response 20: Have no idea what they are using. ”
“ Reader response 21: No – I really wish they would explore other options such as EBLI – Evidence Based Literacy Instruction. The state needs to be putting resources directly into heavily staffing reading interventionists in elementary schools. Our elementary school children are either barely proficient or below standards. ”
“ Reader response 22: It is difficult to determine. ”
“ Reader response 23: I'm not sure. ”

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March 15, 2023: "Do you believe teacher compensation should be based on merit, seniority (which usually includes level of education), or a combination of both merit and seniority?"
“ Reader response 1: Combination ”
“ Reader response 2: Merit! ”
“ Reader response 3: Combination ”
“ Reader response 4: Both. Unfortunately, Florida is a DISGRACE and UnAmerican. ”
“ Reader response 5: A combination of both. ”
“ Reader response 6: Merit only ”
“ Reader response 7: A combination ”
“ Reader response 8: Teachers have usually reacted viscerally to proposals for merit compensation. They will tell you they believe that such plans are subject to cronyism and favoritism. Almost as bad, they will tell you that objective measures do not capture essential aspects of teaching. What's more, schools are communities which succeed or fail together. Any effort to consider merit should be considered on a school level. ”
“ Reader response 9: I have believed for many years that merit should play a role in compensation. We introduced a modest merit pay element in our professional staff contract a few years ago in the form of a merit bonus, and it created so much negative impact that it was removed from the contract when renegotiated. One teacher awarded the merit pay refused to accept it. Staff and administration could not identify a worthwhile metric. Deep discussion with staff representation revealed that our teachers value the certainty of a traditional step table with predicted income rather than introduce any uncertainty or atmosphere of competition. Finding an appropriate metric that was truly a measure of teacher performance seemed to be the greatest obstacle. I expected resistance from the staff but was surprised by the passionate opposition from our highest performing teachers, including those who had received the additional pay. ”
“ Reader response 10: Combination ”
“ Reader response 11: Seniority ”
“ Reader response 12: Combination of both merit and seniority. It’s long past time to reward those that have a proven history of getting students to excel, and not solely because they have tenure. ”
“ Reader response 13: Merit 70, seniority 30. ”
“ Reader response 14: A combination of both. Weight should also be given to the breadth and scope of continuing professional education that the teacher has achieved in the current pay cycle. ”
“ Reader response 15: I believe teacher compensation should be based on level of education and years of experience. It is a fact that there are some teachers who always go above and beyond and those who do only the minimum. Some believe that's a good reason to implement a merit-based system of compensation. As a retired special education teacher and now a school board member, I have yet to see a quality rubric for determining how "merit" is measured. If that could be created so that special education teachers are fairly and equally "compared" to classroom teachers (for example), I would consider the idea of merit-based pay for my school district. ”
“ Reader response 16: Combination of both merit and seniority ”
“ Reader response 17: Combination ”
“ Reader response 18: Yes ”
“ Reader response 19: I believe teacher pay should be based on seniority, continuing education, and “merit,” in that order. The trick is that “merit” is so very hard to measure, and is often subjective and thus subject to favoritism. ”
“ Reader response 20: Merit ”
“ Reader response 21: Merit ”
“ Reader response 22: While merit-based teacher compensation sounds like a smart idea, it turns out that measuring merit is highly subjective. Test scores, for instance, are based on a number of factors teachers cannot control, just as much as those they can—student anxiety, home life, commitment, etc. While school administrators have rubrics for performance reviews, it has been our experience that what the rubric measures depends entirely on who is doing the evaluations. Two different administrators will give opposite feedback on the same lesson, for example. Fads play a role too—you’ll get a good score for group projects one year when it’s “in,” but another year they’ll say it isn’t rigorous enough. Some of these rubrics try to force all teachers into the same teaching style, rather than allowing them the flexibility to play to their personal strengths. ”
“ Reader response 23: Merit and level of education, not seniority. I have amazing teachers making real strides in closing the learning gap and making $60K and other tenured teachers who are very checked out and the students suffer for that. Schools are a business, and our business is educating children with taxpayer dollars. We need to be fiscally responsible while educating kids. We don’t exist to employ teachers. We exist to educate kids. If our practices around collective bargaining don’t benefit the children and encourage complacency, then we need to change how we are doing things. ”
“ Reader response 24: Combination ”
“ Reader response 25: Both ”
“ Reader response 26: A combination of merit and seniority. ”
“ Reader response 27: Merit ”
“ Reader response 28: Combination of both ”
“ Reader response 29: Absolutely a combination. ”
“ Reader response 30: I believe both merit and seniority should be a factor. However, without achieving merit, seniority should also be diminished in salary consideration. ”
“ Reader response 31: Both ”
“ Reader response 32: Combination. ”
“ Reader response 33: A combination of both. ”
“ Reader response 34: It should be a combination based on merit and seniority. Let's face it, we all remember that some teachers are better at teaching than others, and it isn't always incumbent upon one or the other. One teacher having low seniority but with a proven track record of results and ability to relate to students may be better at it than one that has been there a long time but is basically getting stale at it. On the other hand, some do better and better as the years go by. There should be a way to combine both in some sort of point system. We've all had teachers that have been at it for a while that aren't very good at presenting lessons in a way that keeps us engaged, and others that are almost fresh out of college but have a knack for keeping young people interested and have a fresh approach. There's also the opposite, where some experience makes them more effective with tried-and-true methods. Teachers are people too, and we all learn and perform at different rates at any given point in our lives. Most businesses use this combination for decisions about advancement from my experience. ”
“ Reader response 35: Combination ”
“ Reader response 36: Teacher pay should be based on both merit and seniority. ”
“ Reader response 37: Combination of both ”
“ Reader response 38: Merit ”
“ Reader response 39: Merit ”
“ Reader response 40: Both ”
“ Reader response 41: I believe teacher compensation should be based on a combination of merit and seniority. ”
“ Reader response 42: Both, but the merit has to be on some sort of achievement that is objective and not subjective. It should not be test scores, as that leads to mindless test-taking-based teaching, but based on growth or catch-up growth. ”
“ Reader response 43: A combination of merit and seniority/level of education. That said, there needs to be a major overhaul so that good teachers are not penalized because their students do not perform well on standardized testing—ESPECIALLY since those results often are tied to socioeconomic reasons that are not properly calculated. ”
“ Reader response 44: It should be based on mostly merit, but seniority should be taken into account. ”
“ Reader response 45: A combination of merit and seniority ”
“ Reader response 46: A combination ”
“ Reader response 47: I think teacher compensation should be a combination of merit and seniority. I have seen older teachers who are just biding their time until retirement and not continuing to grow and teach with excellence. I have seen young teachers who act on the students' level and do not earn their respect and are not teaching with excellence either. ”
“ Reader response 48: Merit ”

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February 15, 2023: "Should districts adopt a four-day school week?"
“ Reader response 1: Yes ”
“ Reader response 2: Yes ”
“ Reader response 3: No ”
“ Reader response 4: No ”
“ Reader response 5: No ”
“ Reader response 6: No ”
“ Reader response 7: No, it would disrupt society as a whole and create other problems. It should be a local vote if anything. ”
“ Reader response 8: No ”
“ Reader response 9: No ”
“ Reader response 10: Yes ”
“ Reader response 11: Absolutely NO ”
“ Reader response 12: We cannot cover the material in the 180 days allotted. It will cause havoc with childcare and increase time children are at home alone. ”
“ Reader response 13: No ”
“ Reader response 14: Yes, like many districts, mine operated on a four-day class week with one asynchronous Wednesday in the middle during the 2020-21 school year. Having that day for prep and remediation was a game-changer that helped make such a disruptive year more bearable. It might seem counterintuitive as we recover from learning loss, but it's about the quality, not the quantity of instruction. As other industries move towards four-day work weeks, why not education? ”
“ Reader response 15: I think if we added 60 minutes more of instruction per day (4 days) and gave the students an additional day off to recharge their batteries, I believe they would be more productive. Colleges typically have their courses spread out, and often a student has just one class on a certain day or is handling a four-day school week. Businesses are doing it with great success. ”
“ Reader response 16: No, for many reasons, including but not limited to keeping kids in a safe environment 5 days a week where they have access to regular measured learning experiences, meals, positive mentoring relationships, appropriate supervision, educational opportunities, and extracurricular options. ”
“ Reader response 17: This is an option worth considering, especially a staggered 4-day work week for teachers and a 5-day school week for students. ”
“ Reader response 18: NO! ”
“ Reader response 19: No ”
“ Reader response 20: The requirement is 180 days per year, however you want to arrange it. ”
“ Reader response 21: Yes ”
“ Reader response 22: No ”
“ Reader response 23: No—too long of days, and kids lose interest already by 2:00 PM! Could you imagine getting home after 5:30 PM? From school? Yikes. ”
“ Reader response 24: Yes ”
“ Reader response 25: Perhaps, I think this decision must be based on individual districts' needs. ”
“ Reader response 26: No ”
“ Reader response 27: No ”
“ Reader response 28: Yes, limit the contact and influence of the woke board of education, teachers, and students. ”
“ Reader response 29: If the 4-day school week meets their needs, then yes, they should adopt that move! ”
“ Reader response 30: No ”
“ Reader response 31: No ”
“ Reader response 32: Yes, if four 10-hour days. ”
“ Reader response 33: No ”
“ Reader response 34: NO ”
“ Reader response 35: Yes ”
“ Reader response 36: Yes. There are so many benefits for staff and students when a district implements a four-day week. ”
“ Reader response 37: Yes ”
“ Reader response 38: No! ”
“ Reader response 39: No ”
“ Reader response 40: Maybe for some districts. This is a local control issue. In my district, this would not work well. Kids need time to absorb the information and skills they are being taught. Parents need a consistent schedule. ”
“ Reader response 41: No ”
“ Reader response 42: Some districts do need to adopt 4-day weeks to meet in-district needs of personnel recruitment-retention, finances, and other local issues. A deeper look at many of the districts adopting 4-day models indicates they have poor state ratings and have been struggling academically. This change may result in better long-term outcomes for their students and communities (and though I wish them success, I am skeptical). However, districts without retention-recruitment or budget concerns shouldn’t abandon successful academic outcomes and ratings to follow a trend that currently affects less than 10% of Texas school districts. Parents with transfer capabilities might prefer a successful, traditional district program to a weaker district trying to gain traction under a new 4-day model. Careful tracking of students in foundational grades achievement, low-income families, and SPED/504 modifications should take place in the new 4-day settings. ”
“ Reader response 43: Sure, as long as teachers and staff agree to a 20% pay cut. ”
“ Reader response 44: No ”
“ Reader response 45: Yes ”
“ Reader response 46: Depends. I have heard that some districts still require teachers to report to work on the day kids aren't there. In that case, absolutely not, unless there were significant pay increases involved. I would have no problem giving two extra hours a day to have the fifth day off, but at what cost? I would really want to know what the union in my district has to say before I go all in. ”

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January 11, 2023: "What are your thoughts on the current and the proposed budget for your school district?"
“ Reader response 1: I have mixed feelings. Clearly teachers could benefit from an entire day of planning, professional development, and/or collaboration. At the same time, I'm not sure how much benefit the students would get in a shortened week. The increased pressure of completing projects, homework, reading, etc., could create a heavy strain on their young, not yet fully developed psychological minds. I'm particularly sensitive to the addition of stress into their lives. While some students work well under stress, I think those most vulnerable—in my opinion, ages less than 12—could do poorly. ”
“ Reader response 2: Our current budget is barely making it, and the upcoming proposed budget is propped up by remaining COVID relief funds (ESSER). The town is seemingly oblivious to the impending cliff that is coming. ”
“ Reader response 3: The schools do not get enough money to do the job they need to. Money needs to come to meet all requirements for schools. The federal government should pay 50% with the other 50% divided between state and town/city. No public money should go to private or religious schools unless a special needs student cannot get their needs met in a public school in the county or state. Money should NOT go to charter schools at a greater rate than to the local school. It is OUTRAGEOUS that children attending a charter school take $15k with them going to a MA charter school but $5k to a different town public school. It all should be $5k! ”
“ Reader response 4: Ok ”
“ Reader response 5: I would love to see a greater focus on funds directed towards long-term capital improvements. There are not enough allowable funds to support our students and buildings. ”
“ Reader response 6: I am in New Jersey. We are experiencing about 7% inflation but are limited to no more than a 2% raise to the budget. Services will have to be cut, class sizes will grow, and new teachers will have to find employment elsewhere. ”
“ Reader response 7: School budgets in Stanhope, New Jersey, in my view, the board voted without resident approval to remove public involvement in voting for the budget. They put a cap of two to three percent on budget escalation. They elected to establish Capital improvement bonds for future use, as the chairman stated, so as to maintain the present tax levy ratio and only initiate Capital repairs on an as-needed basis for select capital projects. The bonds are voted on by residents un-itemized, meaning voters were not allowed to pick and choose which specific items they supported for a bond. The Stanhope board did not elect to have the vote take place at the same time as a general election, intentionally so as to minimize voter turnout. This is the same practice used when school board elections take place, intentionally to minimize turnout. Voters in the town are about 2,480, and some 300 voted, with 200 approving the bond. How unrepresentative can an election be when voter turnout is roughly 10%, and approval is 8%? It is time to remove school boards and place control in the hands of the county or state because school board members do not bring any special expertise to the board, and members are manipulated by its chairman, an ex-vice principal, along with the superintendent. Charter schools and parent choice should be the only consideration given by states so as to educate the children of that state. ”
“ Reader response 8: The proposed budget includes a 5% salary increase partially funded by the state, which is nice, but a greater increase would be nice in the face of a retention crisis and inflation. Greater increases are being discussed at the state level, so we'll see what happens. The budget also addresses mental health services and maintenance needs, which are both needed expenses. ”
“ Reader response 9: We need to cut staff in order to provide salary increases for the survivors. ”
“ Reader response 10: Inadequate. ”
“ Reader response 11: We are a small district with about 420 students and shrinking. Faculty and learning support staff continue to grow to the point where our employed adults-to-students ratio is 1:3, and our per-student costs exceed $30,000! We are only able to ask tuition for 67% of our per-student costs, yet much of the Board is willing to bet that voter indifference will enable the continuation of this spiraling upward cost cycle. The change back to in-person town meetings versus inclusion of all voters by mail underlies their assumption that a budget increase in excess of 10% will continue to fly, and we see elementary classes of less than 10 students with three teachers in the room. How can we provide quality education on a smaller scale? Private schools seem to be able to do so. Why can't we? ”
“ Reader response 12: Our community expects legislation to fully fund all schools without levies. Small school districts are forced to go to the community to pay for basic needs that larger school districts never experience. This is not fair and equitable. ”
“ Reader response 13: We will not have enough in the budget to support our operational needs. Cuts will need to be made to balance the budget next year. We are looking at almost a 7% increase proposed just to keep the positions we have now and keep up with the rising utility and special education tuition costs. ”

2022

Click on the date before each question to read the issue of Hall Pass in which the question was featured.

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November 30, 2022: "What book or essay best reflects your philosophy of education?"
“ Reader response 1: New to all this but in my limited research I like the book The Core: Teaching Your Child the Foundations of Classical Education. ”
“ Reader response 2: Huck Finn. ”
“ Reader response 3: Classical and Contemporary Readings in the Philosophy of Education. ”
“ Reader response 4: Outbox of The Box: How Innovative Learning Models Can Transform K-12 Education. ”
“ Reader response 5: Glow Kids tells fact-based data about the effects of technology on brain development, etc. ”

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October 12, 2022: "Recent research suggests public school enrollment has declined since 2020 as parents, concerned about things like pandemic-driven learning loss, have shown an increased willingness to consider alternative educational arrangements. What should districts do to address the challenge of declining enrollment?"
“ Reader response 1: More parent involvement and less telling parents they don’t have rights! Especially when teachers and administrators were stating during the pandemic (conveniently) that THEY are not babysitters or in charge of students. The hypocrisy needs to stop at their whim. ”
“ Reader response 2: Embrace it and facilitate "alternative educational arrangements." ”
“ Reader response 3: Schools should focus on actual academics. ”
“ Reader response 4: Build collective action and increase advocacy level across districts regionally. ”
“ Reader response 5: Continue to offer strong academics (in the end, that's what I think most parents want), but also ongoing (PK-12) pull-out classes/electives in art, music, computer science (or how to use computers for younger students), and great extracurriculars. These are interesting and/or fun classes and activities that draw in a lot of students (and are often hard for a parent to provide without a lot of expense) as well as being community-building for the students. You simply can't have the experience of Homecoming in an online environment, for instance. Although our district (which is unique - we are 4 high schools only) has had declining numbers, I think that's mainly because of the expense of buying a house in most areas of this district, as well as the ability of some of the parents to set up life in a vacation home or easily work remotely from a vacation-like destination. I think it will take a couple of years until enrollment moves back closer to pre-pandemic numbers. Those numbers will come back though, because attending school with your peers (especially for teens) is so important developmentally and desired by the majority of students, along with having all the experiences that typify high school for most people and which we often say are the most memorable part of our high school years. Activities/experiences that you just can't have on your own or online. ”
“ Reader response 6: Keep standards high. Keep students and staff as top priorities. Educate ALL students. Work with local governments and businesses to bring more businesses and high paying jobs to our rural areas. ”
“ Reader response 7: Be more active and much more visible in the community as a respected community leader. Educators tend to be somewhat myopic, parochial, and insular. As a result, our schools tend to be "that building down the street with a fence around it that kids go to every day." The community at large hears from schools only when there is a bond issue or budget override that needs to be passed, or a scandal of some sort that makes the paper. Educators, including teachers, administrators, school board members, and advocates, need to be involved in Kiwanis/Rotary/Lions and the like, have frequent positive mention in local news media, and be far more visible. ”
“ Reader response 8: Districts should return to what their primary focus was when the government began the public school system: academics. Schools are not educational institutes anymore, they're social and mental institutes. Students are more than "encouraged" to put their personal lives on display for everyone to see the minute the doors are opened each day. The school environment is the biggest distraction and obstacle that students have, and parents know it. Teachers leaving by the masses know it. Why can't the administrators and government get clued in? We know why... agenda. The second biggest problem is that the school system is untrustworthy. They sneak in curriculum that indoctrinates students and make decisions about students behind parents' backs, all in the name of mental health. ”
“ Reader response 9: This is an incomplete question, as while the power of individual districts varies by state, in most cases it is limited to a significant degree as other entities, including local governments, the federal government, and several state-level actors (including governors, state legislators, and state department and boards of education), all have power over this situation as well. All of these entities first and foremost need to focus on recruiting and retaining the best teachers. We are in a crisis, and parents will not want to send their children to schools without enough teachers. To do this, we need funding for pay increases, and administrative and support staff need to focus on taking as much as possible off of each teacher's plate so that we can fully focus on teaching. Solving the burnout crisis would go a long way to getting kids back into public schools. Beyond that, public education has become far too politicized. We need to remember that while parents ultimately have authority over what is best for their child, schools and teachers want to work with parents to provide the best possible education for all children. Greater opportunities for career and other programs to prepare children for life after high school would go a long way towards helping public schools to live up to their mission to prepare every child for adulthood. ”
“ Reader response 10: The pandemic didn’t drive learning loss—tyrant mandates did. Schools need to just focus on academics. No more pushing this gender ideology, no more Black Lives Matter propaganda and teaching students to protest, stop forcing COVID shots, and stop forcing masks. I personally witnessed why the staff shortages started in my district and surrounding areas, and that’s because of the mask mandate and COVID shot mandates, which King Inslee is still pushing. He is discriminating and alienating educational staff when the science has finally been acknowledged—neither work against viruses!!! The tyrants need to just STOP!! Let each district have local control, let schools teach academics, no more of this mandated CRT training & forced gender ideology letting males in females' bathrooms, locker rooms, etc. Our children are being put at more risk going to public schools than homeschooling—public schools are just not safe anymore. Not because of guns/weapons, but because of tyrant power trips and forced propaganda & ideology being shoved down our throats. Well, we've had enough!!! And that is why public schools have declining enrollment. ”
“ Reader response 11: The only answer is to give parents the choice to place their children in schools that will educate, not indoctrinate!! Let the money follow the child, rather than the child having to follow the money now taken from taxpayers via local taxing bodies!! ”
“ Reader response 12: Increase transparency and academic rigor. Families want to know what their kids are being taught, and they want their kids to have a solid educational foundation. ”
“ Reader response 13: In our district, families are leaving because of the state's agenda they are pushing down students' throats. What may work in the city does not work in these rural districts, but you have taken most local control away. At this point, until our district can make decisions that are best for the students in our district, the school's hands are tied. ”
“ Reader response 14: We must continue to provide a safe learning environment and do the best job we are able to educate our children and prepare them to move on to either higher education or the labor market. More and more, we have to teach morals and ethics because so many parents have abdicated their parental duties. ”

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September 14, 2022: "School boards are responsible for setting policies around books—including which books to select and whether to ban or prohibit certain books. What are your views about how school boards should set policy surrounding books in school districts?"
“ Reader response 1: Books are going to be selected. All books cannot be used, there are too many. Someone has to set the criteria for how and what books are selected. The community through its elected school board should set the criteria. This is not book banning or censorship. ”
“ Reader response 2: There should be full transparency with Parents around the policies by which curriculum and books are selected. It appears that much is hidden from the parents/public around what is required to be incorporated into curriculum and books based on funding (government & private). ”
“ Reader response 3: I think school boards should put parental advisory on books with gender ideology and critical race theory. Parents should have to opt their child IN to being able to access those books in school libraries. If they are not opted in, the librarian should not allow them to access those books. ”
“ Reader response 4: I do not feel the board should be spending time banning books. Students should have access to a wide variety of books available in the library with little interference from the school board. Books used in the classroom must be part of approved curriculum. The curriculum is approved by the school board after being available for the public to review and comment. Once the curriculum has been adopted, we have a process to challenge items. This process seems to work well for our district. ”
“ Reader response 5: Yes. Books teaching anything of a sexual nature, CRT, or SEL should not be in the curriculum. ”
“ Reader response 6: Education means learning about everything. Teachers should not teach what parents find acceptable. They must teach about the world and everything in it, and that includes both the good and bad things. Children’s worlds open up by reading and studying. By limiting what they read, we limit the children’s ability to grow. If they are only allowed to learn about things their parents find acceptable, they will become very one-sided individuals. Some of my best discussions with my children happened when they learned something I didn't know and shared it with me. I encouraged them to challenge ideas so they could process the information they were given and make their own decisions. ”
“ Reader response 7: Generally, students should be exposed to a wide spectrum of ideas. Grade-level books in a wide variety of fields should be available in school libraries. Of course, some restrictions on appropriate content might be required, but this should be minimized as much as possible. One good compromise could be automatic alerts sent to parents each time their child checks out a book with its title and author. ”
“ Reader response 8: Boards should have little or no involvement in book issues. Policy should allow parents to challenge books and create a committee including librarians, teachers, parents, and students to hear such challenges and make written recommendations to the superintendent. Appeal to the board may be unnecessary to include in policy. And boards should not become activists in book selection! This would be micromanaging of the worst kind! ”
“ Reader response 9: No transgender books and get back to the three R's! I don't want "Johnny has two Daddies," I don't want this stupid crap in the schools. ”
“ Reader response 10: I do not believe that the board should ban or prohibit any books. I believe that the curriculum director along with the staff will pick the books that are appropriate for the students, taking into consideration the age of the student. ”
“ Reader response 11: Since most board members are not teachers or educators, I urge them to defer to the state education department. This should offer consistency and standardization. Rather than ban a book, leave it on the shelf! ”
“ Reader response 12: Committee that includes both teachers and parents. ”
“ Reader response 13: School boards should rely on the school's professional staff to make these decisions. ”
“ Reader response 14: I think that in schools, the conversation on what material to ban or restrict should include the students. Perhaps the students could take a survey, and the results could be considered by the school board. Another option is for the school to have students take a vote, which would count as one or multiple votes on the school board. Children aren't unintelligent, and they deserve the chance to represent their interests and values. ”
“ Reader response 15: School boards should be focused on improving education in reading, writing, arithmetic, and loyalty to our country. ”
“ Reader response 16: School board policy should be based on the children's learning ability, not because the state governor dictates the school board to change the policy. ”
“ Reader response 17: Parents should have input and opinion on the books and educational materials used in classrooms. ”
“ Reader response 18: We need a commonsense approach. Books should be age-appropriate and include all classics like "Huckleberry Finn," etc. No books should be allowed that border on the pornographic and push agendas of any kind except what it means to be a good upright citizen. ”
“ Reader response 19: Boards should defer to the librarians and teachers for knowledge of age-appropriate content and what interests the students. There is no justification for a board to determine the subject matter of books. ”

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August 10, 2022: "What is the biggest change you've seen in your time working in or observing the public education system?"
“ Reader response 1: Implementation of PBIS and restorative justice thereby taking away teacher autonomy in their classrooms. Also, it releases students from accountability and consequences. ”
“ Reader response 2: Parental response to teachers. They are the enemy if something needs to be addressed, whether it is behavior, or learning. Parents used to partner with teachers for the benefit of their child’s education. ”
“ Reader response 3: The downward spiral of education of the children and lack of respect the teachers have by students and administration. I am located in a rural county with only 2 high schools left after integration from way back in the seventies and some of our kids are traveling sometimes as much as two hours each way to high school. The schools that are in the county are rated D and F. Simpson County School Board has set into motion a consolidation of the two schools to move those rural students even farther away from the school!! The voters turned down a bond issue and the board said it did not matter they were going to do it anyway and just raise our taxes. Inflation is through the roof now under the democratic reign of government and the citizens are fighting the school board. Why we can't get someone to intervene I don't know. It is no longer about the kids at all. It is all about power and spending!! We are a sparse and poor county now. I wish the state would take it over NOW. ”
“ Reader response 4: The stress levels have risen fairly dramatically. With COVID, virtual learning, and behavior issues with kids returning to school, it has been a very difficult time for educators. ”
“ Reader response 5: Lack of parental involvement. ”
“ Reader response 6: I feel there needs to be more emphasis placed on reading and math, as well as teaching more to the trades such as welding, auto mechanics, etc. Too many students are graduating and are not proficient in reading and math. Reading opens the world and its possibilities to children. As a board member, I am happy to see parents becoming more involved in their child’s educational process. ”
“ Reader response 7: The switch to standards-based grading. ”
“ Reader response 8: Respect for teachers. Changes from textbooks to computers. ”
“ Reader response 9: Dumbing down our students. ”
“ Reader response 10: America now is ranked in the lowest worldwide quartile of student achievement ratios, a deplorable situation when once we were ranked number one in each category. ”
“ Reader response 11: Schools are focusing on things that don't help students to succeed. They are focusing on CRT and Sex education instead of math, writing and reading. Plus, common core math is as worthless as the previous mentioned. ”

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July 13, 2022: News outlets have reported that some districts face a teacher shortage heading into the 2022-2023 school year. Is this an issue in a school district near you? What challenges does it present for the district? How is the district dealing with these challenges, if they exist?
“ Reader response 1: The Hartford Public Schools (Hartford, CT) district suffers through a teacher shortage. Best estimates are that more than 100 certified positions remain unfilled. Non-certified positions, including substitute teachers, bring that number to nearly 300 unfilled positions. Students obviously suffer the most, many losing precious class time. In one school, a K-8 global communications themed school, the only foreign language teacher is assigned to cover other classes, including art, due to the lack of substitute teachers, resulting in his students missing nearly 30% of class instructional time. Their prime challenges in recruiting teachers are that they offer one of the lowest teacher salary packages in the area, one of the lowest sign-on bonuses in the area, and they are the worst performing district in the area. To overcome these challenges, the district has contracted with an outside marketing firm to recruit teachers. The district has also reached out to teachers in Puerto Rico, bringing 15 teachers to Hartford with their "Paso a Paso" program. They have also recently launched a "Caribbean Connection" program to bring teachers from the Caribbean to Hartford. ”
“ Reader response 2: Yes, my district is struggling to staff special education, English as a Second Language, and paraprofessional positions. ”
“ Reader response 4: Me have a teacher vacancy rate of 9%. Our HR department is trying to get creative. We are supporting people with degrees to become licensed and adding video classrooms to name a couple. ”
“ Reader response 5: Yes, this has been an issue with my school district, where some schools have lost close to half their staffs. Being fully staffed will be a huge challenge. My district has mainly responded through financial compensation, including a salary increase, signing bonus, and a $2000 bonus for all teachers. The district is also looking to improve substitute pay as we have a shortage there too, which leads to teachers losing their planning time to cover for colleagues. ”
“ Reader response 6: Not in our district. We started searches early, pay reasonably and provide an atmosphere teachers enjoy teaching in. ”
“ Reader response 7: Yes, Marion County School District, Florida, is facing a big need for teachers; the district is having a hiring fair. The problem that I see is twofold: the district has too many 6-figure administrators with a big staffing apparatus, and to my knowledge, the district has very little, if any, parental input and advisement on any educational issues. The Board has problems with Conservatives elected or appointed to the Board. ”
“ Reader response 8: Yes, it is a big issue. The superintendent, though, is not willing to publicly admit it is an issue. She spent a good deal of time a few weeks ago verbally dismissing “the misinformation.” However, the public records of Personnel Reports show a different story. We believe there will be big issues in staffing at the start of the school year as there were all year last year. The district has offered a $10,000 sign-on bonus and implemented several programs to bring in lateral entry recruits. ”
“ Reader response 9: Virginia ”
“ Reader response 10: I haven't heard about teacher shortages. The biggest problem is buildings for students and busing. My suggestion is using the huge COTA/city transit system. (They're mostly empty, 1 or 2 passengers on board, what a huge waste!) Columbus OH is not like DC, NYC, or Chicago where large oversized buses are needed, ever. The driver on the bus goes around town. ”

See also

• School board elections, 2024
• School board recalls, 2024
• Conflicts in school board elections, 2021-2023
• State policies on cellphone use in K-12 public schools

Footnotes

School districts in the United States

Districts by state

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Elections

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School board recalls

Elections by state

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Analysis

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Lists

Largest school districts in the United States by enrollment • List of school districts in the United States • Glossary of education terms • Analysis of spending in America's largest school districts • United States school shootings, 1990-present • School board salaries in America's largest school districts

State
agencies

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