Thursday, May 21, 2009

What are the consequences of drops in enrollment?

http://downstatede.blogspot.com/2009/01/parking-improvements.html

Way back then I posted of the number of students that we've lost over the past year or so...and somewhere, I indicated that I thought the numbers would continue to drop.

I've been hearing that the numbers for next year are bad...so bad, in fact, that they may well be getting rid of teachers for next year. Maybe that is why they've had all the "input" from parents regarding options for specials...maybe soften the blow by saying that it is what "we" wanted.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

I hear we are switching some teachers around. Is this in order to minimize damage control for teachers who should be getting walking papers instead of a new teaching assignment? How many religion teachers do we really need? So unfair to the competent teachers when the poor teachers get the easiest assignments.

The Quizzinator said...

I've heard there are some staff changes that have been announced, done in her usual "friendly" way.

I suspect some of the changes are just more of her modus operandi...don't fire someone, but make enough changes in what they were doing that you hope they quit.

The Quizzinator said...

I think it might be a bit more then that.

First, moving people around makes it look like you are actually doing something. I do think that some moving of teachers around is not a bad idea, especially if a teacher has gotten into a rut. However, large scale changes simply for change doesn't do anything but annoy people.

Second, moving teachers around might be masking changes in program. Again, not a problem, if your are honest. I suspect that the survey of options for kids for next year was designed to get the results that were wanted to make some changes.

Anonymous said...

Hearing voices quiz? Or er did you not mean to sign in the first time?

The Quizzinator said...

Is there anyway I could prove that it wasn't me the first time? All I can say it isn't. I don't even understand all aspects of the posting - I have no clue how many religion teachers we have, or should have, for that matter, or if it is any easier to teach then English.

I've read enough postings to know, even with people logging in as anonymous, to know who is who, and to a certain extent, their agenda.

The first posting here comes from someone who has posted here before; someone, I believe, who is a teacher, and NOT one of my regular sources. I hear things, but I don't always get all the details, and sometimes people posting have some very good information.

For instance...the switches that the person refers to (that I heard about over the weekend over a few beers) I had not heard about. There were rumors, but nothing I could really go on.

I've also not commented too much on the specifics of teachers, even those she hired. I generally give them the benefit of doubt...in many cases they are replacing those with years of experience and training, so it would not be fair to put down someone who got hired and try to compare them to their predecessor with training and certifications...not fair to the person, but certainly fair enough to pass judgement on Denise.

Anonymous said...

A big reason for the moving about last year was to get "weak" teachers out of regular classroom settings and put in positions where they could do the least amount of damage. Don't you think teaching religion would be less stressful than teaching 6th grade or 1st grade? I'm thinking that it would be - not a lot of pressure. Sit back and watch and see what moves take place this year. See if there are any similarities.

I agree with what you say about the new teachers. They certainly should be given the benefit of the doubt but some have a long way to go to match what we lost. Thanks Denise.

Anonymous said...

Didn't Denise also teach religion at her old school? Hmmm ....

The Quizzinator said...

I went back through, and to be honest, I see what you meant. I posted something back to back, but both responses were to the same first posting, but I had a few more thoughts on the subject.

However, it doesn't change the overall issue, does it? Enrollment, and especially re-enrollment, has dropped over the past couple of years, with more and more families deciding that what is being offered isn't worth the money. I've said time and time again that the economy makes an easy excuse for both those leaving and those justifying the losses, but Denise certainly has a role in that.

Anonymous said...

Interesting teacher moves mentioned in the Crusader Notes. Is that what "anonymous" suggested about sitting back and watching for moves this year?

The Quizzinator said...

The moves ARE interesting, especially as they come before some teachers may flee the coop.

I doubt that many of them are happy about the moves, and it didn't help that the moves were probably handled with the usual amount of Jacono subtlety, sensitivity, and compassion.