Four-day week back on school board's table

See! L M.
Duluth, MN     11/25/2009 7:57 PM

If the number of seconds in 12.67 years each represent a $1 dollar bill, then, using that marker, if a person threw one dollar into a barrel every second for that many years:12.67, the total amount of the Red Plan of $400 million dollars would have been collected there in the barrel! This is the exhorbitant amount that $400 Million dollars equates to!!!

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Dave J.
Duluth, MN     11/23/2009 10:42 PM

It's for the "children" - Well the children aren't the ones getting rich off the Red Plan, they are the ones suffering as this out of touch Administration shifts them this way and that - anything to complete the "plan" -And if these schools were such a mess, then why is it they are repairing the ones that need it the least first?

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mark d.
Duluth, MN     11/23/2009 12:18 PM

Bob w, Other districts merge resouces? You mean like how Hermantown, Proctor and ? districts paid ours so thier students could attend the STC's at Central subsidizing the costs, which the board wouldn't answer when I asked that, Its not to late, 3 schools 7-12 5 days a week

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Brenda B.
Duluth, MN     11/23/2009 9:02 AM

So the school board will probably ask for another increase in the operational levy "for the kids." Hmmm . . . it seems like that's what they asked for last time with the promise that they wouldn't take that money to pay for the Red Plan. Once the levy was passed, they "borrowed $5 million to pay for the Red Plan." I guess "borrowing" is different than "taking." If that money hadn't been used to pay for the Red Plan, the operations budget would be $5 million richer and I don't think we'd be hearing about 4 day school weeks, elimating the zero hour and combining schools.

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bob w.
Duluth, MN     11/22/2009 8:47 PM

To All, it is time for ALL School Districts to start merging assest to eliminate duplication. Who will be the first to step up to the plate and start the game? Many sports have joined together, surely only one administration could handle numerous Districts. Duluth is not the only District with money problems and building issues. Only thing getting into the way of merger is egos now.

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See! L M.
Duluth, MN     11/22/2009 12:43 PM

C.T. from Cloquet. The post with regard to the "SLIDE" at Spirit was a satirical comment. It did not state 'that the Slide at Spirit Mountain was taking money away from the School District'. It was a slight attempt at humor. Sorry that you did not understand that! Please re-read the comment. There was a greater message there!

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Dave J.
Duluth, MN     11/22/2009 9:32 AM

More "threats" from a Superintendent and School Board gone wild. Running without any checks and balances or anyone who will reel them in and make them accountable to the people that pay for this. They had extra money - they have built in up to 30% buffer in the Red Plan contracts with OUR MONEY., When they go under that figure such as in the East middle school pool apparently - they don't put it back to help the citizen's overall cost, they just add more lanes to the pool! 2300.00 curtains for nurse's offices, extra pool lanes, smart boards costing 15,000-17,000 each in EVERY SINGLE CLASSROOM. The list goes on and on of the ineffective and uncontrolled spending and yet they give this sob story as they spend, spend, spend with one hand and hold out the other hand expecting more money. It is laughable that these clowns think the people of this community are so stupid not to see it. Yep, they have made Duluth a circus, with the Superintendent the Master of Ceremonies and there are plenty of Clowns on the School Board who juggle our money until it disappears! I really like the idea of three 7-12 campuses at Denfeld, Ordean (east) and Central. That cuts out two schools right there but keeps the schools in each neighborhood. But of course, that makes too much sense for this Administration and not enough money for Johnson Controls.

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Karen H.
Duluth, MN     11/22/2009 7:56 AM

Vern, you are so right. Dixon and his best friends at JCI are certainly going to add a "for the kids" levy when they must follow the law and put Plan B on the ballot (notice how Ms. Wasson just hates to follow that law but didn't mind the loophole that got them into this mess). Those folks should look to the real future of education like Jonathon. His words echo the former superintendent of the year who predicted education will be anywhere, anytime learning NOT bricks and mortar.

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bob w.
Duluth, MN     11/21/2009 10:32 PM

Okay C.T. tell me why the need for remedial education if the students are being properly educated and receiving diplomas?

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s p.
Duluth, MN     11/21/2009 8:36 PM

Specifics on how a four-day week would save money are necessary. For instance, if you close the school one day a week, you would be able to save on utilities, but that's about it. What else would be saved? Would teachers and staff drop down to part-time employment? I don't think that makes any sense. So where do the savings come from? Transportation? Bring on the DTA passes.

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