Posted By: Okemos parent of three

First I would like to say this is a great site, and it is refreshing seeing some other folks "chime in" in this public comments section, and know that I am not alone in my opinion on the Bond and the OPS Board.

I would like to say a few things about a very insightful comment made by Superintendant Dr. Gerrard at last night's board meeting. Dr. Gerrard made the comment that "textbooks are part of the infrastructure of the schools" (implying much like internet access networking etc.). Wow, this is quite a statement. Reeeaaaallllllllyyyyyy???? Well then is it not quite shocking to learn that the OPS Board has been delaying textbook purchases for "years" and that some middle school textbooks are literally "falling apart" in Okemos. (a teacher at last week's meeting made this comment). The same board is trying to push through this bond issue for millions to be spent on computer technology all the while textbooks at Okemos schools are literally falling apart! Not only that, but at last night's meeting I heard discussion as to "what programs do we cut?" in order to "free up funds for new textbook purchases". THERE IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE !!. SERIOUSLY WRONG, PEOPLE !!!!

If the Okemos Board has somehow lost it's regard, appreciation, and/or budgetary prioritization for good textbooks as one of the educational foundations in our schools, God help our kids!!

Let's consider some FACTs about Good Textbooks. While some of these may appear obvious, as "common sense" to some of us, just realize that "common sense" is not all that common these days.

FACTS WE SHOULD ALL KNOW ABOUT USING GOOD TEXTBOOKS IN OUR SCHOOLS
  1. Their depreciation rate is quite low
  2. They rarely become obsolete, and hardly ever, "worthless"
  3. They take no batteries
  4. They take no AC power
  5. They are not affected by any viruses
  6. They require no maintenance contracts
  7. They require no warranties
  8. They require very little training to use them
  9. They can be used quite easily with virtually no supervision or other instruction
  10. They never "freeze up" or "stop working" so as to bring classroom instruction or learning to a stand-still
  11. They are extremely portable and can be taken virtually anywhere
  12. They do not require internet access in order to access their data
  13. You can abuse them severely (such as dropping them on the floor) and they will still work, with virtual certainty.
  14. They require no particular climate, humidity, or temperature control in order to still work
  15. They generate no heat, and use no energy (they're "Green"!)
  16. You can still use them as references years later, without having to buy "upgrades"
  17. Some of them have even been known to have lasted for hundreds of years, and still work.
  18. They can be disposed of without polluting the environment. They are biodegradable.
  19. They are relatively inexpensive
  20. Most all of them are MADE IN THE USA !!
(I might note that many of these same arguements can be made as a basis for continuing to use Chalkboards, instead of switching to those new Interactive WhiteBoards).

I am definitely VOTING NO on the Tech Bond. YES for Common Sense !

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