Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
Instead of assigning schools letter grades, Jones prefers a student growth model that was developed in Colorado while he was education commissioner.
More gimmicks. More $450/d consultants. More empire building. More $300K+/y Superintendents. More deck chair rearranging. How many more generations of young people are we prepared to ruin before we admit the obvious: public education is a CATRASTROPHE and CANNOT be reformed.
We homeschool. No consultants, teacher days, vouchers, whatever.
No PhDs, MBAs, CFAs, etc.
No constant whining about underfunding and calls for more taxpayer dollars.
No football chit-chat, special ed, lesson plans, analyses, ratings, federally funded presentations, photo-ops, whatever.
The kids are doing just fine, thanks. And we do it all for a *fraction* of what CCSD is charging.
Showing posts with label Contractors. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Contractors. Show all posts
Friday, December 17, 2010
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Disenfranchisement NOW!
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
Anyone who receives a direct, material benefit from the governement should NOT be allowed to vote. I don't mean citizens who use the roads, parks, courts or swim in Lake Mead. I mean those who have a financial stake in BIG government.
No more federal voting rights for those who work for (or retired from) Uncle Sam or its contractors. No federal voting rights for those who receive FICA or Medicare, Section 8 vouchers, food stamps, etc. No more federal voting rights for workers/retirees for/from the DoD (or its contractors), the Depts of this-&-that, etc. Active duty US Military OK (it's debatable).
No more state voting rights for workers/retirees of the NV government (or its contractors). Disenfranchise CCSD employees/contractors, NSHE employees/contractors/students, UMC workers and ER patients, employees/contractors of NVDOT/NHP/NVDMV/etc.
No more state voting rights for members of special interest groups which receive government-sanctioned, monopoly protection which affords them economic advantage. Deregister union members, Attorneys, Physicians, PE's, RE brokers, etc.
The coalition for BIG government counts all these favorees as members. In toto ~10% of voters in this state. An unbeatable, self-interested bloc.
Actually, that 10% figure is just the BIG government, inner-orbit coalition (employees, contractors, & PERS). Many more voting bodies are in BIG goverment outer-orbit.
NV VOTING AGE POPULATION: 1.87M
# of NV VOTERS WHO ARE PUBLIC EMPLOYEES: ~123,000
In FY '07, in this state, on avg, each month, 92,353 people received gov benefits such as Mental Health services & food stamps. No way of knowing how many of them are current public employees.
168,197 were eligible for Medicaid.
According to NSHE's budget request, in FY '07 NSHE served 61,322 students, > 90% undergraduates. ~85% of them are NV residents.
~250,000 of our residents are eligible for FICA/Medicare.
Small government doesn't stand a chance!
** Statistics taken from gov pubs, NPRI, RGJ, etc.
Anyone who receives a direct, material benefit from the governement should NOT be allowed to vote. I don't mean citizens who use the roads, parks, courts or swim in Lake Mead. I mean those who have a financial stake in BIG government.
No more federal voting rights for those who work for (or retired from) Uncle Sam or its contractors. No federal voting rights for those who receive FICA or Medicare, Section 8 vouchers, food stamps, etc. No more federal voting rights for workers/retirees for/from the DoD (or its contractors), the Depts of this-&-that, etc. Active duty US Military OK (it's debatable).
No more state voting rights for workers/retirees of the NV government (or its contractors). Disenfranchise CCSD employees/contractors, NSHE employees/contractors/students, UMC workers and ER patients, employees/contractors of NVDOT/NHP/NVDMV/etc.
No more state voting rights for members of special interest groups which receive government-sanctioned, monopoly protection which affords them economic advantage. Deregister union members, Attorneys, Physicians, PE's, RE brokers, etc.
The coalition for BIG government counts all these favorees as members. In toto ~10% of voters in this state. An unbeatable, self-interested bloc.
Actually, that 10% figure is just the BIG government, inner-orbit coalition (employees, contractors, & PERS). Many more voting bodies are in BIG goverment outer-orbit.
NV VOTING AGE POPULATION: 1.87M
# of NV VOTERS WHO ARE PUBLIC EMPLOYEES: ~123,000
In FY '07, in this state, on avg, each month, 92,353 people received gov benefits such as Mental Health services & food stamps. No way of knowing how many of them are current public employees.
168,197 were eligible for Medicaid.
According to NSHE's budget request, in FY '07 NSHE served 61,322 students, > 90% undergraduates. ~85% of them are NV residents.
~250,000 of our residents are eligible for FICA/Medicare.
Small government doesn't stand a chance!
** Statistics taken from gov pubs, NPRI, RGJ, etc.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Don't Fill Out That Census Form
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
for every person not counted in Nevada, the state will lose $917 in federal money every year
"Federal" money is simply redistribution (to political cronies) of the tax dollars we pay to Washington. The "loss" is money the crooked politicians stole from us in the first place.
Redistricting is a dirty business, the political equivalent to making sausage. One reason why it's hard to unseat incumbents is because almost all districts are noncompetitive.
The Nevada census is going to be off by at least one.
for every person not counted in Nevada, the state will lose $917 in federal money every year
"Federal" money is simply redistribution (to political cronies) of the tax dollars we pay to Washington. The "loss" is money the crooked politicians stole from us in the first place.
Redistricting is a dirty business, the political equivalent to making sausage. One reason why it's hard to unseat incumbents is because almost all districts are noncompetitive.
The Nevada census is going to be off by at least one.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Motorcyclist Killed By CCSD Bus
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
Another victim of public education.
Don Gustavson (R-Sparks) is the only pro-freedom guy in Carson City. Every session he sponsors a motorcycle helmet choice bill. It never gets out of committee. He can't even get votes from legislators who identify themselves as "pro-choice".
Don is resigning his Assembly seat to run for state Senate. He deserves our support.
Another victim of public education.
Don Gustavson (R-Sparks) is the only pro-freedom guy in Carson City. Every session he sponsors a motorcycle helmet choice bill. It never gets out of committee. He can't even get votes from legislators who identify themselves as "pro-choice".
Don is resigning his Assembly seat to run for state Senate. He deserves our support.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Eliminate UNLV Sports
Originally posted in a LVRJ forum
$280K/yr AD Livengood said: A good development person [like its $109K/yr ex-head fundraiser, Bill Brady] can quadruple what you pay them just because they're that good at raising money.
This outrage cannot pass unconfronted.
When a beggar asks you to donate to a charity (like UNLV) you might expect him to be uncompensated. After all, you want all of the money to go directly to the nominal beneficiaries (ie students). Then you find out that "Whoa!" The money is used to pay the $100K+ salary of the hustler.
I've actually met a couple of jokers like that. They were full-time fundraisers for some of those BIG charities you probably heard of. Each was making ~$400K! That's right.
UNLV is like all the other big charities out there. Probably ~96% of its charitable support goes to pay for executive salaries, wine-&-cheese parties, and Lake Tahoe chalets. Virtually NONE of the money goes to *real* students who truly need assistance. The "charity" is reserved for athletic scholarships for jocks who couldn't care less about education.
Sorry. UNLV accepts federal funds. It can't escape Title IX. The cost of Men's football is WOMEN'S football.
$280K/yr AD Livengood said: A good development person [like its $109K/yr ex-head fundraiser, Bill Brady] can quadruple what you pay them just because they're that good at raising money.
This outrage cannot pass unconfronted.
When a beggar asks you to donate to a charity (like UNLV) you might expect him to be uncompensated. After all, you want all of the money to go directly to the nominal beneficiaries (ie students). Then you find out that "Whoa!" The money is used to pay the $100K+ salary of the hustler.
I've actually met a couple of jokers like that. They were full-time fundraisers for some of those BIG charities you probably heard of. Each was making ~$400K! That's right.
UNLV is like all the other big charities out there. Probably ~96% of its charitable support goes to pay for executive salaries, wine-&-cheese parties, and Lake Tahoe chalets. Virtually NONE of the money goes to *real* students who truly need assistance. The "charity" is reserved for athletic scholarships for jocks who couldn't care less about education.
Sorry. UNLV accepts federal funds. It can't escape Title IX. The cost of Men's football is WOMEN'S football.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Consultants to the CCSD Contractors
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
Henry King, a consultant who oversees criterion reference tests for the state.
Charter schools are PUBLIC schools. They are government funded. So are "magnet" schools, "empowerment" schools, and all the other structural gimmicks.
Teaching the 3R's to poor kids -- pubic education's original, constitutional role -- is an intrinsically simple and inexpensive task. How many consultants do you need to accomplish it?
BTW. We homeschool. No endless testing. No teaching to the test. No consultants. NO GOVERNMENT FUNDING. Our kids are doing just fine, thanks.
Henry King, a consultant who oversees criterion reference tests for the state.
Charter schools are PUBLIC schools. They are government funded. So are "magnet" schools, "empowerment" schools, and all the other structural gimmicks.
Teaching the 3R's to poor kids -- pubic education's original, constitutional role -- is an intrinsically simple and inexpensive task. How many consultants do you need to accomplish it?
BTW. We homeschool. No endless testing. No teaching to the test. No consultants. NO GOVERNMENT FUNDING. Our kids are doing just fine, thanks.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
LV Chamber of Commerce
Originally posted in a LVRJ forum
The Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce (LVCC) supports:
The Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce (LVCC) supports:
- improving the performance of the state's K-12 educational system. LVCC members are CCSD service providers. LVCC has a financial stake in maintaining and expanding public education, not *improving* (privatizing) it.
- extension of renewable energy tax incentives. Corporate welfare. The US Tax Code is the GOP's favorite device for distorting the economy. It also generates fees for LVCC members who are CPAs and lawyers.
- Reauthorization of SAFETEA. Government highway construction contracts.
- Healthcare reform. More regulations and tax code manipulations.
- Immigration reform. Restrictions on competition from low-priced firms (but more billable hours for Member immigration lawyers.
- Land Use reform Government seizure of private property for the benefit of politically connected Members who are developers, construction contractors, Engineers or Architects.
- Scrapping Yucca Mtn Waste Site Because not enough project money would go to Members.
Friday, January 29, 2010
CCSD Inc.
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
10 positions in [CCSD's] telecommunications department
CCSD operates a telephone company, a mass transit agency, a law firm, a lobbying group, sports leagues, a real estate management firm, restaurants, health clinics, a police force, and numerous other businesses.
The only business it avoids is TEACHING.
BAHAHAHA. ROTFLMAO.
10 positions in [CCSD's] telecommunications department
CCSD operates a telephone company, a mass transit agency, a law firm, a lobbying group, sports leagues, a real estate management firm, restaurants, health clinics, a police force, and numerous other businesses.
The only business it avoids is TEACHING.
BAHAHAHA. ROTFLMAO.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Applied Analysis
Originally posted in a LVRJ forum
This firm does a LOT of business with our state and even individual politicians. Who's their lobbyist?
This firm does a LOT of business with our state and even individual politicians. Who's their lobbyist?
Monday, January 18, 2010
NSHE Bookstores
Originally posted in a LVRJ forum
- Follett Higher Education Group operates on CSN's three local campuses
- Barnes & Noble College Booksellers operates on UNLV
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Too Many Consulting Contracts
Originally posted in a LVRJ forum.
the research firm Applied Analysis, which analyzed data for Sandoval ..
This politically connected firm does a LOT of business with our state and even individual politicians. Who's their lobbyist?
Why did Sandoval even need to hire a consulting firm to divine what shoud be obvious? Nevada government is way too BIG and needs to be drastically CUT. Certainly Applied Analysis' recommendations did NOT include elimination of service contracts for politically connected firms such as itself!
the research firm Applied Analysis, which analyzed data for Sandoval ..
This politically connected firm does a LOT of business with our state and even individual politicians. Who's their lobbyist?
Why did Sandoval even need to hire a consulting firm to divine what shoud be obvious? Nevada government is way too BIG and needs to be drastically CUT. Certainly Applied Analysis' recommendations did NOT include elimination of service contracts for politically connected firms such as itself!
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Why Architects Support CCSD
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
Here we go again. Public education is a *political* institution.
Here we go again. Public education is a *political* institution.
- Architects see design concepts.
- Unions see jobs at prevailing wage.
- Municipal bond underwriters see fees.
- Lawyers see cases.
- on and on and on.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Why Public Schools Exist
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
Public education in this state was set up as a "safety net". The constitutional minimum is one little red schoolhouse per district (18 statewide). Attendance was optional by default. Yet
The special interests should save your political activism for your private clubs or RJ Forums.
*Public* schools should do one thing and one thing only. Teach the 3R's. Let me know when CCSD figures out how to do that.
Public education in this state was set up as a "safety net". The constitutional minimum is one little red schoolhouse per district (18 statewide). Attendance was optional by default. Yet
- veterans want it to build memorials
- union members want it to make jobs
- football fanatics want it to score touchdowns
- consultants and municipal bond underwriters want it to generate fees
- (Draft) Board members want it to make "statements"
- and on and on and on
The special interests should save your political activism for your private clubs or RJ Forums.
*Public* schools should do one thing and one thing only. Teach the 3R's. Let me know when CCSD figures out how to do that.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Derelict Rulffes
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
Rulffes said We would be derelict in our duties if we did not aggressively go after grant money for our students.
I don't care about the bureaucratic derelictions CCSD will be guilty of in the future. CCSD is now, always has been, and always WILL BE derelict in its primary duty to teach the 3R's. Maybe if Rulffes wasn't so busy chasing after unconstitutional federal education grants he would recognize that.
Rulffes said We would be derelict in our duties if we did not aggressively go after grant money for our students.
I don't care about the bureaucratic derelictions CCSD will be guilty of in the future. CCSD is now, always has been, and always WILL BE derelict in its primary duty to teach the 3R's. Maybe if Rulffes wasn't so busy chasing after unconstitutional federal education grants he would recognize that.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
What The Chamber of Commerce *Really* Wants
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
Hundreds responded with calls for (the GOP's favorite device for controlling the economy: the US Tax Code)
Hundreds responded with calls for (the GOP's favorite device for controlling the economy: the US Tax Code)
- tax relief of all kinds
- easier access to capital (more federal regulations)
- expanded federal loans and grants (bailouts)
- more spending on emerging green industries (corporatism)
Monday, November 2, 2009
CCSD Gimmicks
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
[CCSD] is spending $617,500 in federal stimulus funds to expand Advanced Academics to eight high schools this year.
Like the article stated, these virtual academies are PUBLIC schools. Sooner or later this fad will prove to be no different than other forms of public education: high costs, poor results. Get the government OUT of K-12.
We homeschool. Yes, we've heard (good things) about these online academies. Yes, we qualify for "free" goodies. Yes, we could choose the "minimal CCSD involvement" plan. Etc and so forth.
We STILL won't sign up. We don't want to be a burden to our taxpaying neighbors. We don't want to give the government the front door keys. We don't want the government snooping on our broadband connection.
[CCSD] is spending $617,500 in federal stimulus funds to expand Advanced Academics to eight high schools this year.
Like the article stated, these virtual academies are PUBLIC schools. Sooner or later this fad will prove to be no different than other forms of public education: high costs, poor results. Get the government OUT of K-12.
We homeschool. Yes, we've heard (good things) about these online academies. Yes, we qualify for "free" goodies. Yes, we could choose the "minimal CCSD involvement" plan. Etc and so forth.
We STILL won't sign up. We don't want to be a burden to our taxpaying neighbors. We don't want to give the government the front door keys. We don't want the government snooping on our broadband connection.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Las Vegas Academy Conceit
Originally posted in a LVRJ forum.
LV Academy kids ought to be less condescending towards their poorer CCSD counterparts. Poor parents might start to resent your attitudes and lobby their Assemblymen to provide equal opportunities for *their* kids. Then your little club will start to look more like *other* public high schools.
I don't know how much parents pay in LVA fees and after-school private instruction, but they're getting away cheap. Private *elementary* arts schools go for $20-$25K per year! None of you ever send me so much as a "thank you" note.
Your public school can't be as great as you all seem to think. It must be quite bureaucratic. It must embrace affirmative action, diversity, and other left-wing notions. It must inculcate a fair amount of uniformity, especially in thought. Seems like *none* of you have been exposed to ideas such as the government which governs least, governs *best*. Indeed, the opposite must be true. Your principal is a double-dipper at the public trough. LVA by day, and NEA/NEH by night.
LV Academy kids ought to be less condescending towards their poorer CCSD counterparts. Poor parents might start to resent your attitudes and lobby their Assemblymen to provide equal opportunities for *their* kids. Then your little club will start to look more like *other* public high schools.
I don't know how much parents pay in LVA fees and after-school private instruction, but they're getting away cheap. Private *elementary* arts schools go for $20-$25K per year! None of you ever send me so much as a "thank you" note.
Your public school can't be as great as you all seem to think. It must be quite bureaucratic. It must embrace affirmative action, diversity, and other left-wing notions. It must inculcate a fair amount of uniformity, especially in thought. Seems like *none* of you have been exposed to ideas such as the government which governs least, governs *best*. Indeed, the opposite must be true. Your principal is a double-dipper at the public trough. LVA by day, and NEA/NEH by night.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Public Education Is A BAD Deal for Taxpayers
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
Most of you seem to know how *awful* the CCSD schools are. Even if Las Vegas Academy is exceptional (and I don't concede that), the price of maintaining one good CCSD school is the cost of (I think) hundreds of bad ones. That's a bad deal.
The Nevada Constitution requires at least one public school per district. If it will make you feel better, I would not object too strongly if LVA were it.
Most of you seem to know how *awful* the CCSD schools are. Even if Las Vegas Academy is exceptional (and I don't concede that), the price of maintaining one good CCSD school is the cost of (I think) hundreds of bad ones. That's a bad deal.
The Nevada Constitution requires at least one public school per district. If it will make you feel better, I would not object too strongly if LVA were it.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
CCSD OUT of Arts Education
Originally posted in a LVRJ Forum
During a recent lunch period, one student was .. playing a classical melody on her clarinet while in transit.
There are plenty of private music conservatories to choose from. You can get a clarinet teacher to come to your house for as little as $25 a lesson. These arts magnet schools are just political schemes to provide patronage jobs to left-wing fine arts teachers, and to incubate a constituency for future unconstitutional state arts commission grants. If these kids want to study theatre there must be any number of community groups and summer camps to choose from. Leave the taxpayers out of it.
During a recent lunch period, one student was .. playing a classical melody on her clarinet while in transit.
There are plenty of private music conservatories to choose from. You can get a clarinet teacher to come to your house for as little as $25 a lesson. These arts magnet schools are just political schemes to provide patronage jobs to left-wing fine arts teachers, and to incubate a constituency for future unconstitutional state arts commission grants. If these kids want to study theatre there must be any number of community groups and summer camps to choose from. Leave the taxpayers out of it.
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