Call the zoo!!!
In browsing online today on freep.com I couldnt help but notice the wonderful article about Detroit shutting down 34 schools. Of course there is an amazing amount of outrage from "concerened parents" who dont want their schools shut down. This is a problem, but not a gigantic one, in looking at the diagram of schools closing many appear to be small money drainers with 250-500 students or in some cases less. The term closing might not be the best, it may be better called consolidation in an attempt to right the sinking ship that is Detroit and its finances. I believe that only around 60% of Detroits citizens even pay their property taxes which has helped to result in the lack of funds for the city and the educational system.
Of course another part of the problem is the school board itself which is as inept and corrupt of an organizational body as could be found. It is amazing to me that the state nor federal goverment have not stepped in to solve the problem that is the Detroit Public Schools. Each election they elect the same members to the board and every time they strive to line their pockets and do nothing to help schools and the students, that is where the true disservice lies. The fact of the matter is that now there are the same number of schools for 119,000 students as there were for 180,000 students ten years ago. The other aspect that concerned citizens seem to overlook is that Detroit is losing its population base day by day, this is not a growing city that needs more schools, it is a declining city that needs better schools. By elminiating some of the underperforming or under populated schools they can better alocate fundsfor the schools that are left.
Why do the parents of Detroit take no blame for the poor education of their children. The schools are there but students arent going, this is a city with a 51%, thats right 51% dropout rate. Parents dont know about this, are they schocked? If the parents truly cared they would be taking an active role in the childrens education themselved rather than not acknowledging the fact that there is no financial ability to keep the schools open so that their freshman can drop out the next year and leave just one more empty seat in the school.
The most embarassing aspect of the whole closings is the action of parents. The way that the parents at these meetings conduct themselves is absurd. With parents shouting and humming with all sorts of carrying on to interupt the meeting and needing securtiy officers to maintain control. This last meeting was highlighted by the throwing of grapes at council members. Not that I feel the council members do a good job, but by the same token that is no reason to assault the members or embarass yourself or the city.
Lastly the City of Detroit, its citizens and politicians need to look at themselves. The mayor is and has been corrupt since Archer left office, essentially admitting he is a crook which is a far cry different than Coleman Youngs reign pre Dennis Archer. They city was on a steep and steady decline with Young in charge but the citizens kept reelecting him. It is as if the city doesnt care what happens to it and doesnt care who leads it as long as they know who they are. The police department is in shambles with a terrible chief and underfunded. The problems lie within and until the citizens of Detroit take the initiative and care what happens to their city the people of the suburbs and surrounding areas are going to continue to turn their noses at the city and wonder what went wrong.
Of course another part of the problem is the school board itself which is as inept and corrupt of an organizational body as could be found. It is amazing to me that the state nor federal goverment have not stepped in to solve the problem that is the Detroit Public Schools. Each election they elect the same members to the board and every time they strive to line their pockets and do nothing to help schools and the students, that is where the true disservice lies. The fact of the matter is that now there are the same number of schools for 119,000 students as there were for 180,000 students ten years ago. The other aspect that concerned citizens seem to overlook is that Detroit is losing its population base day by day, this is not a growing city that needs more schools, it is a declining city that needs better schools. By elminiating some of the underperforming or under populated schools they can better alocate fundsfor the schools that are left.
Why do the parents of Detroit take no blame for the poor education of their children. The schools are there but students arent going, this is a city with a 51%, thats right 51% dropout rate. Parents dont know about this, are they schocked? If the parents truly cared they would be taking an active role in the childrens education themselved rather than not acknowledging the fact that there is no financial ability to keep the schools open so that their freshman can drop out the next year and leave just one more empty seat in the school.
The most embarassing aspect of the whole closings is the action of parents. The way that the parents at these meetings conduct themselves is absurd. With parents shouting and humming with all sorts of carrying on to interupt the meeting and needing securtiy officers to maintain control. This last meeting was highlighted by the throwing of grapes at council members. Not that I feel the council members do a good job, but by the same token that is no reason to assault the members or embarass yourself or the city.
Lastly the City of Detroit, its citizens and politicians need to look at themselves. The mayor is and has been corrupt since Archer left office, essentially admitting he is a crook which is a far cry different than Coleman Youngs reign pre Dennis Archer. They city was on a steep and steady decline with Young in charge but the citizens kept reelecting him. It is as if the city doesnt care what happens to it and doesnt care who leads it as long as they know who they are. The police department is in shambles with a terrible chief and underfunded. The problems lie within and until the citizens of Detroit take the initiative and care what happens to their city the people of the suburbs and surrounding areas are going to continue to turn their noses at the city and wonder what went wrong.
posted by the meathaus at 12:41 PM
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