As a recently elected member of the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and father of two, I read with great interest your publisher’s view regarding the upcoming tax election—and his opposition—for the East Baton Rouge Parish public school system. My interest was further heightened this weekend following The Advocate’s editorial in favor of the school tax. I agree with Mr. McCollister.
Quite frankly, I found The Advocate’s editorial in support of the school tax disturbing. The essence of their argument seems to be that the East Baton Rouge school system can’t be held responsible for poor performing schools because of “the challenging demographics of the student population, which includes many poor children from single-parent families.” While I admit the challenge is greater, others have been successful teaching at-risk kids. Furthermore, it should be noted that the state does compensate the district for having to educate at-risk kids by providing an additional 21% for at-risk kids versus “non at-risk.” We can do better, and we must, but continually funding the same system that is totally resistant to true change and innovation is a waste of money and a proven failure.
The Advocate continued by describing the system’s results as a “mixed bag.” The evidence strongly suggests that while it may be mixed, it is heavily weighted toward underperformance. The latest published results show that 30% of the schools in East Baton Rouge score 60 or lower on the state’s school performance score—the scale goes from 0 to 140-plus. A score of 60 is deemed “academically unacceptable,” and in practical terms is the equivalent of a middle school’s student body reading on the third-grade level. Shouldn’t we have higher standards than that? If the bar was established at 70, an astonishing 50% of the schools in East Baton Rouge would fall below that mark. Moreover, when you grade East Baton Rouge’s success with educating kids who are on free and reduced lunch programs, we fall well below the state average—scoring on average a 66.1 while the rest of the state averages 75.4. Thus, East Baton Rouge’s results of educating poorer kids are worse than the state average.
Taxpayers are now faced with the proposition of either sending more money to the same system or being labeled as “against the kids.” Nothing could be further from the truth. I, for one, will vote against the tax—not because I’m against spending the money, but because I am against wasting the money. I would support any number of different approaches and, in fact, could support sending even a greater amount of money to a system that I believed put the kids first and not “the system.” I have witnessed firsthand the system making decisions that protect them while sacrificing potential opportunities for our kids. For example, the system turned away KIPP Academy—a nationally recognized charter school provider that specializes in serving urban kids. They turned down the Children’s Charter School in their attempt to expand—despite that their student body is 98% at risk and scores above the state average on school performance scores. Children’s Charter operates an 11-month school year with extended day for the same amount per pupil as the system. Furthermore, for years the Children’s Charter operated exclusively out of temporary buildings. Why can’t the system do some of these same things?
Now the system wants us to send more money because that’s what is best for the kids? Nonsense. We know what more of the same gets us—poor results. What is best for the kids is innovation and change.
As individual items the tax seems to make sense, but what about the other $380 million the system spends on an annual basis? I would ask the school system to come back to us with an alternative plan—one that goes beyond pointing out how they will improve buildings. I want to know what the system plans on doing with the dozen or so schools that are eligible for state takeover next year. Will the system commit now to a plan of chartering these schools or another innovative approach to give these schools and kids a chance? Will the system start now implementing a policy of merit pay, which would bring teacher pay above the southern average, to reward those teachers that show up early, stay late and are the key to teaching our kids? This approach might even send a message to the rest of the country that East Baton Rouge is serious about our commitment to quality teachers. This approach would help retain teachers who are highly motivated and attract new professionals who have gone into other disciplines. Will the system further its commitment to Teach for America and alternative teacher and principal certification to bring more highly capable resources to our schools? These are just few ideas among many.
The school system should outline these alternatives and others prior to asking us for more money. I would ask they outline those plans and suggest to us a tax that gives us the opportunity to evaluate their commitment to change—perhaps a five-year renewal. I have confidence that if they can successfully achieve true innovation and change, the taxpayers of East Baton Rouge would line up to give additional resources. Until then, I would expect neither more support nor better results.
Chas Roemer
State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, 6th District
Comments
Posted by nuchitchu on March 4, 2008 at 2:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Mr. Roemer's youthful perspective is full of action, but it is also myopic and irresponsible. We should be reducing the salaries from Mr. Roemer and the other politicians, like his father, who make/made the policies in our communities which have placed EBRP school system in the state that it is in today; not the teachers. Do a little more research, son.
Posted by nuchitchu on March 4, 2008 at 2:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Also, what teacher does not "show up early and stay late", sacrificing personal and family life for our community? In a state where legislators are looking for lifetime personal and family health benefits in exchange for public service, what do we offer the teachers, their families and the future of our state when our representatives make such short sighted commentary. It reminds some of Louisiana's failed leadership of the late 90's.
Posted by Dean on March 5, 2008 at 7:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This article is irresponsible. I am tired of reading the opinions of BESE members that have little or no experience in the classroom (Has Mr. Roemer ever taught? If so, where?). The majority of teachers I work with over my 15 years experience work overtime, especially if they coach or run and monitor the many clubs offered at the high school level. Personally, I work about 70 hours per week between October and February coaching. I run the student newspaper and teach multiple subjects. I also fundraise for the school because it's the right thing to do. Last week I broke up a fight between three male students which caused me and another student to fall to the ground, was cursed by a 16-year-old female for asking her to tuck in her shirt, and was "stood up" by a parent for a conference who cannot understand why her child is failing my class, despite his 14 unexcused absences since January. Another student became angry with me and turned my classroom garbage can over before leaving my room because I would not let her sleep during instruction. That person was suspended, but refused to attend the Discipline Center. Of the 101 students I teach, 23 have missed 10 days of school just during the spring semester. The overwhelming majority of students do not study and the parenting is a bad joke. These type events are normal and I expect the same type behavior from "my" students next week and the week after. If the tax does not pass the public expects me to do the same job for about $3,500 less next year. Rolfe McCollister and Chas Roemer do not live in the real world of public education. They live in a world where a theory explains and creates a remedy for the many social ills our public school teachers deal with each day. Bottom line: for the inner city public school teacher there is SO MUCH OUT OF OUR CONTROL. Oh, yes, we try very hard, more than you could ever imagine and refuse to accept. And we will continue to do so. It's a job many would not and cannot do. At least support those of us who try.
Posted by nopars on March 5, 2008 at 12:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Dean - The system you're toiling in does not work and hasn't worked for generations.
Every year we see teachers revolt against the EBR school system - they leave teaching, go work in other school systems or go teach in private schools FOR LESS MONEY.
Why do you and others defend gross failure? When will you revolt and say changes need to be made?
Posted by Dean on March 5, 2008 at 12:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am not willing to "revolt" at the expense of the children. Obviously, you are. You are right, we are losing many good teachers every year. But some of us are hanging in there despite our refusal to revolt. You make it sound as if I am against change. How wrong you are. While we argue, the lives and futures of children are at stake. Despite the overwhelming problems, these kids need me. Cut my pay and I am leaving the profession, too, and not for a private school and slave wages. A revolt will not teach the kids, and they MUST be taught by someone. That someone is me and the many I teach with each day. You can thank us by not cutting our salaries. Somebody has got to do this job. Will you? Are you qualified to do it? If so, come join me and show me how it is done. I'd love to watch. And for the record, I have never met a teacher that has left the public schools for private schools and less money. In fact, in my experience, unless a public school teacher retires, it is always the other way around. Our school has five former private school teachers. You are frustrated with the system. I understand that. I really do. Remember, teachers are part of the community too. But your target of frustration is aimed at me and my contemporaries. You need to help teachers, not hurt them. And on March 8, I am certain you will hurt us.
Posted by CTNDC on March 5, 2008 at 6:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Mr. Roemer rightly points out that a high number of students served by the East Baton Rouge Parish School System (EBRPSS) come from single parent homes and live below the poverty line. In fact, The EBRPSS currently serves 45,000 students. Of that number, 36,100 live at, or below, the poverty line. This is 80% of the students that the School System serves daily. Of the 90 schools in the school system, 38 serve a student population where 90% or higher of their students live at or below the poverty.
The writer points out that “others have been successful at teaching at-risk kids”. In fact, the Louisiana Department of Education recently highlighted schools that have had success teaching “at-risk” children. 20 public schools, out of the 1,572 public schools in Louisiana, have reached this success. Let me repeat that again…only 20 out of 1,579 public schools. 19 of those schools are Elementary schools.
And while the Zachary School System should be applauded for the success they have in being ranked number one in the state after reaching three stars. I think the fact that the top school system in the state ranks only three out of a possible five stars says more about the failure at the state level than anything else.
Is it any wonder the state keeps loosing the best and brightest? Is it any wonder that the state ranks at the bottom of all the good lists, and the top of the bad? This is not only a local problem, this is a state problem.
Posted by phs51ebr on March 5, 2008 at 8:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I read with interest all of the comments posted and must say that many of you are right on target, Mr, Romer has never taught and he references comments that can be traced back to the BR owner. He indicates that the school board blocked changes to the system which is far from the truth. The school board elected in 1995 and up to the present has done more to change EBR programatically than an other board in its history. Mr Romer has to be relating his information to a comment that Mr McCollister uses all the time relative to the KIPP Charter. He (McCollister) has consistently stated that I along with the former board VP blocked KIPP from coming to EBR. Well I can now set the recored straight that he had the wrond AA female. Mrs. Jackie Mims was the board member that refused KIPP not Pat Smith. EBR began Charter schools when no one else did. We started programs for the overaged students and the autonomous zone schools. We expanded our magnets and ENDED THE DESEG CASE. It is unfortunate that the system isn't experiencing the growth necessary to move it up but growth is occurring. The students who have participated in the LA4 program are showing more progress that those who attend any other pre-K programs. It will indeed take time for those at risk students to make a total change on the system.
I encourage you to vote for the tax. It includes dollars for BR HS, Lee HS and other new construction. We have some wonderful teachers and it is important to keep the funding included in the renewal. For those who haven't been to an ebr school, it's easy to criticize. When was the last time you did visit one of the schools in your community? I encourage you to do so and I encourage you to vote for the renewals on Saturday
Posted by informed on March 7, 2008 at 12:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
PHS51EBR-
I'm very involved as a volunteer in our public schools (no less than 50 hrs./month volunteering & organizing volunteer teams). In addition, I watch every school board meeting & monitor public education by talking to teachers, parents, students, “experts”, & community leaders regularly. When was the last time you went to a school board meeting? I don't support this tax renewal mainly because it has bad policies. Have you even read the Facilities Improvement Plan or looked at the system's budget & the % of costs kept at the administrative level?
Don't blame public servants like Chas Roemer. 1 reason teacher pay is in jeopardy is because teachers defend a school system that disenfranchises them & hordes $ at Foster Drive.
-The "Pre-K" portion of the tax only builds a building. They're going to propose additional millages later this year to actually staff the Pre-K program. READ THE PLAN!!!
-I speak frankly with teachers often, & a few of my friends are teachers in EBR. They are for MERIT pay. My understanding is that most good teachers are for merit pay.
The funding from this tax approved in '03 does not expire until 2010. If the tax is rejected tomorrow, there is plenty of time for the school board to put out a better proposal that the community would approve. Please explain to me why it's bad to send the school board back to the drawing board for a better plan?
When I share my opinion below with my friends who are teachers in EBR, they get it. They are voting NO.
Opinion: The only way EBR responds to demands for reform is if their power or $ are threatened. Many people have said that the school board members who rejected collective bargaining did so only because they knew it would hurt the tax renewal. When the school board discussed the state takeover last month, most members seemed more concerned as to how the takeover would affect the tax renewal than they did about the thousands of children affected. If we as a community want reform, we better demand it prior to the tax renewal or we will be SOL until we can replace the school board in 2010. I'm voting against Prop. 3 for teacher pay. The school board will go back to the drawing board and write a better plan, just like they did when we rejected the tax in 1997. The community demands merit pay so the school board can enact a merit pay component concurrently with the revised plan and we'll pass it in the Fall. All this time, the '03 tax hasn’t expired, so teachers will never receive a pay cut & we all get a better deal. Please tell me how this logic & my vote against Prop. 3 tomorrow are bad for good teachers. I can give you similar examples for the other propositions, but am confident you get the point.
Posted by informed on March 7, 2008 at 12:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
PS---The autonomous schools are NOT reform because the district still has not allowed the schools to function with true autonomy. Again, go inform yourself.
Posted by elson4 on March 7, 2008 at 7:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I appreciate the comments, but would like to point out a few facts just so that everyone has the same information:
(1) I do not get paid to be on the BESE board other than a per diem that I give to charity.
(2) I have in fact visited many of our schools and in the last 30 days alone visited all of the schools in EBR that the state has taken over.
(3) Finally, it seems to be ignored in my letter that I make a case for even higher pay for teachers and more support for public schools. To achieve this, the system must be willing to make changes.
I ran for BESE because I believe quality education in our state is the single most important issue impacting our ability to improve and grow. It impacts all aspects of quality of life. If we truly care about the kids, we will demand change.
Once again, I asks the system outline how they are going to change to improve the schools to help the kids.
Posted by 4ourfuture on March 7, 2008 at 11:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Trying to make changes in our public school system is like trying to make major repairs on an airplane while it's flying. Even a minor mistake could have devastating effects—not just for the crew and passengers, but also for those on the ground below.
This Saturday, voters will consider three school tax renewals. On its website, the school system explains how revenues will be used if measures pass, but what happens if they fail?
1. Failure of the school tax renewals will cause the school system to lose its greatest asset: teachers. If your employer asked you to take a 20% pay cut, but do the same job you’ve been doing for five years, would you? Experienced, award-winning teachers and principals face this question if the compensation proposition fails. New recruits are watching.
2. Failure of the renewals will push back progress made in the last five years. Of the 32 schools where at least nine out of ten kids live in poverty, roughly half of those schools demonstrated academic growth. 23 schools—that’s over 1/3 of our schools—have student populations that are 95% in poverty. In people-terms, that’s 10 out of 10 students living in poverty. Imagine cutting resources to these children.
3. Failure of the renewals will damage our community’s reputation. Louisianans elected a reform governor and up-ended politics-as-usual with unprecedented ethics reform. Now, we’re at another critical crossroads. If we defeat school tax renewals, we say to those knowledge workers, entrepreneurs, and world class academicians we’re trying to attract to our community, “We support public education, we just don’t fund it.”
4. Failure of the renewals will undercut progress toward real racial, social, and economic diversity in our community. White, middle class families abandoned public schools during the last several decades, resulting in an almost single race public school system. In the last three years, however, this demographic is showing interest in EBR’s academic magnet schools—racially diverse schools created as part of the consent decree that ended court-ordered desegregation. Tours, applications, and long waiting lists at these national award-winning schools signal renewed confidence and an appreciation for the value of diversity. This is a watershed for our community.
Our public school system is a critical part of our community. There are no simple answers. There are no quick fixes. We are seeing progress. If we want that progress to continue, we cannot expect teachers and principals to do more WITH less. Nor should we expect them to do more FOR less.
Posted by catch22 on March 7, 2008 at 1 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Of course we should not vote for a new tax WITHOUT ANY RESULTS!!! We have had too many increases without any improvement. I do not believe in excuses or playing the blame game, but something has to give. I for one, am sick and tired of being ranked last on our country's list for education. I understand that the public school system is working with underpriveledged children, but who, that can afford to either put their child in a private school OR move to a better district, ie, Zachary or Livingston would not do so??? I would not want MY children in the EBR system. I am hopeful for and pray for change in the system, but until we some type of improvement, why invest MORE?? It would be like investing in ENRON!!
Posted by 4ourfuture on March 7, 2008 at 2:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Change and progress in our system? In February, two more of our public schools were recognized for achievement.
RYAN ELEMENATARY, one of only 20 schools statewide, was declared a MODEL SCHOOL by the State Department of Education (LA DoE). Ryan was recognized by educational leaders from DoE and BESE for its ability to help guide a school performance score of 80+ while overcoming challenges, such as the high number of students that qualify for free or reduced cost lunches. Ryan principal Darlene Brister gives credit to the school's team effort. Some might also point to the school's determination to succeed, clearly expressed in their school motto: “every child, whatever it takes.”
WESTDALE HEIGHTS ACADEMIC MAGNET ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (WHAM) , one of only 22 schools nationally, was named a School of Excellence by Magnet Schools of America. WHAM, established as an academic magnet in 2004, is THE ONLY SCHOOL IN LOUISIANA recognized at this level. WHAM has been recognized as a "School of Exemplary Growth" for its consistent increases in its students’ performance on LEAP and iLEAP tests. It currently holds a four star rating, out of five, in the state accountability rankings. Principal Cheryl Singer says the mission of the school is to educate the WHOLE child by providing a learning environment that encourages the development of "critical thinking, social skills, citizenship and responsibility to others, health, the arts, and preparation for future education and tomorrow’s workforce."
Our public school system IS helping to shape the development of highly honored and award-winning schools -- schools that hold statewide significance and capture national recognition.
Posted by CTNDC on March 7, 2008 at 7:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
catch22 wrote "Of course we should not vote for a new tax WITHOUT ANY RESULTS!!!"
This is not a new tax. This is one penny renewal. Please, at least when you make a statement, make a correct statement.
Posted by kgs on March 9, 2008 at 2:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am sure the school system is thanking, Rolfe “Big fish in a little pond” McCollister. It seems that every time he comes out against the school system, only good things come of it. Keep it up Rolfie boy!
Returns for the EBR school system one cent tax renewals show all three passed by about a 2-1 margin.
With 277 of 277 precincts reporting the tally is:
Proposition No. 1: 29,090 64% YES; 16,083 36% NO
Proposition No. 2: 27,938 62% YES; 16,886 38% NO
Proposition No. 3: 28,832 64% YES; 16,079 36% NO
I am sure the school system also needs to thank BESE member, Chas “Fortunate Son” Roemer. His “fair and balanced” editorial surely did not cross some sort of ethical line, now did it? Only in Louisiana would the sibling of the Director of the association that represents State Charter Schools be allowed to write what was basically an advertisement for the charter schools.
EBR should also thank citizens like “Informed”, the person who is in the school system 50+ hours a week. I guess between helping all the students, you didn’t have enough time to “Educate” as many teachers as you think you did. Exactly how many did you say you spoke with again who would vote against the renewal?
And finally, Fred “ole crazy” Dent. He did more for the passage than anyone. While he has no following, what-so-ever, each time he spoke on the subject he was so misinformed that I am sure it caused hundreds to for in favor of the tax. Do people still actually listen to this guy?
In the end, the renewal was successful because all of you who urged the public to vote against it never offered a glimpse into what would happen, or what you would do, if it failed.
Have a nice day!
Posted by Dean on March 10, 2008 at 6:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The call to shoot down the tax failed because Rolfe McCollister did not write a good enough editorial against the tax renewal. Yes, that's it! A better editorial would have better influenced the voters. He did not reach them. I, for one, am sick and tired of reading editorials by McCollister that do not get the job done. When do we get tired of mediocrity? We do we rebel against substandard editorials? When will he show courage and reinvent the editorial process? I expect better results. He needs more innovation in his writing.
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