Posted By: Newbie parents
My first negative experience with the OSB ...
My husband and I were thrilled that we could afford a home in Okemos a few years ago and were so excited to show our friends and family where our children will attend school someday, as we gave them the tour of the neighborhood. I never thought that I would attend my first school board meeting a couple years ago when my son was just a little over 1 year old. I wanted to show support to my neighbors who were fighting to make sure the school board didn't accept a proposal of dividing our subdivision that would send one group of children to a new school that did not adjoin our neighborhood. This move would make room for "school of choice students" and new students that might be generated from the "starter mansions" down the road. It just didn't make sense to me. Thankfully nothing came of it, and I keep my fingers crossed that in in two years my son will be attending that school that we show our friends and family.And the negative experiences have continued. The Montessori issues, the school board election scandals, now the bond issue...
The school board wants to ask for more money out Okemos tax payers without clearly outlining what the money is being spent on? What they have disclosed I find ridiculous. Things like PDA's, elaborate phone systems, white boards? C'mon... Will a child learn any more from a "white board" or a "Power Point" presentation than a good old fashioned presentation used with a chalk board, or (gasp!) an overhead projector? And the cost of some of these items? Maybe the board needs some "budget shopping" training workshops... now that would be money well spent. There have to be companies out there that will provide the computers, the software, the tech support, the future upgrade support, and all at much more affordable prices. Did the board seek bids from such companies? I think technology is important, but in this economy we need to look at the bare necessities. Kids do need to know how to function with technology for the career world but think about how much experience they already have with e-mail, phone, using your home computer? I think it's a weak argument for buying a bunch of gadgets for the classroom--and overpriced gadgets at that!
I also think it's disgusting that they tied in the school bus funding with this bond. Yes, it's important to maintain buses, replace buses...but again, is it the most cost efficient. Given the track record for spending, I doubt it.
I'd like to thank the citizens who started this site, it's really helping shed some light on the subjects at hand for us "newbie" parents.