Our Opinion: The elephant in the public school district

Thursday, October 14, 2010

The "elephant in the room" soon will be addressed in district-wide discussions by patrons of the Jefferson City Public Schools.

A second public high school is the proverbial elephant in the idiomatic expression that refers to an obvious concern no one wants to address.

As an interesting aside, the Oxford English Dictionary attributes the first recorded use of the phrase to the topic of education. According to the Wikipedia website, the dictionary cites a New York Times story from June 20, 1959, that reads, "Financing schools has become a problem about equal to having an elephant in the living room. It's so big you just can't ignore it."

Informal conversation about a second public high school has existed for some time.

Superintendent Brian Mitchell told board members Monday he intends to institute more formal discussions beginning this spring.

To that end, he formed a task force last year of about 40 members to begin studying options for improving education from 6th grade through high school, including adding a second high school.

Mitchell has asked the committee for three options, including: keeping the existing single high school system; building and maintaining a second high school; and a hybrid that combines both.

The task force has been asked to draft those three models by winter break so public meetings can begin in the spring. The superintendent envisions community forums that will be similar to those held about two decades ago to consider building the two middle schools opened in 1993.

The elephant within the elephant may be the price tag. Mitchell said all options likely will involve seeking voter approval of a bond issue and permanent tax increase.

The existing high school facility is not overcrowded at this time, according to David Luther, director of school-community relations. The building, designed in 1964 for 2,400 students, now has 1,830 students. Based on large kindergarten classes, however, projections indicate future population increases.

We commend the district for publicly acknowledging the elephant.

This beast will prove difficult to tame, which is why a serious, community-wide exchange of ideas and discussion is needed.

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wcywing 2 years, 5 months ago

i don't see a new school anytime soon. it took years for JC to get the new Middle Schools.

JCLifer 2 years, 5 months ago

JC built two middle schools and spent all that money, but yet they still have to use that old dump Simonsen.

Oh yeah, JC people are not quite sharp are they?

pegassuss2525 2 years, 3 months ago

It's been proven time and again that you can split a high school and either remain competitive or become competitive. Drop the football whine and do what's right for our children's education.

pegassuss2525 2 years, 3 months ago

I wasn't misinterpreting anything. I was simply stating that in every single article or discussion on this issue; someone makes the statement that the sports teams will no longer be competitive. I for one, am tired of it. It's been proven that the teams can remain or become competitive for all of the high schools. They will have a bigger group to pull from. This discussion should not come down to sports. It's about education and doing what is right for the children of this area. Why we can't just "man up" about it and make the decision, I don't understand. Another high school is needed so get it done. Make a comprehensive plan, put it on the ballot, promote it as it should be.

JMO 2 years, 3 months ago

JC Lifer, I have to ask, do you actually live in JC? Because you seem to hate everything about this town from the stupid people who live in it, to the greedy, whiney state workers, to the awful places to eat, to the very air we breathe here. You constantly insult the people of this town as a whole (in just a few posts I’ve seen you call JC residents “good ol boys” “bullies” “bottom-feeders” “bigots” and now “not quite sharp”.) And you always seem to say these things about the people, not the government that runs the town. If you do mean the government, perhaps you could try making some concrete suggestions about how to fix things, instead of telling the people who live here how backwards and worthless they are, huh?

JCLifer 2 years, 3 months ago

This town has so many missed opportunities and advantages, but yet it cannot seem to grasp how good it has things and cannot seem to harness the input of all the citizens to make it better. The focus is always on the very short-term with no long-range planning, and is always about protecting the status qqo.

There are lots of good people here, but they are silent and submissive to the good-ol-boy bullies who control everything and hold down the successes.

I believe very strongly in JC, but we have got to get our heads out and see the bigger picture, and also need to open up governance and get open and honest discussions from all. We need to start saying "yes" to new businesses, entrepreuners, and investors, and stop regulating them to death. We need to start enforcing the laws on the books instead of trying to make new ones all the time. We need to clean up the decaying infrastructure in this town and start showing some pride and and attitude of never-ending improvement, instead of its good enough or that is always how we have done it so it is good enough.

JCLifer 2 years, 3 months ago

People, do really we have to get so personal? I'm all for freedom of opinion, but I think it's time to stop commenting and reading comments when you start bashing each other on a personal level.

JMO 2 years, 3 months ago

Thank you for quoting me - I had hoped people would be more civil on that thread as a result.

I didn't bash you or call you a name, I asked you a question. Perhaps I should have sent a message instead, but I didn't - too late now. It was your name-calling I was questioning. I didn't mean to make you feel like I was attacking, I just wondered. I agree with much of what you just said in your previous post. It's been your frequent comments about "JC people" that got me wondering if you were in fact a JC person. So now I know.

JCLifer 2 years, 3 months ago

Attack the poster instead of the subject. That's the tradition around here.

JMO 2 years, 3 months ago

I already told you that was not my intent in any way. I simply asked a question and pointed out what you'd said in the past to make me ask. I apologize if you took it more personally than it was intended. I couldn't fathom why you keep making comments about how stupid JC people are if you, in fact, are a JC person. The next time I wish to ask a question of anyone, I'll send a private message.

For what it's worth, I totally agree we need a new high school.

Gotigers 2 years, 3 months ago

I think JC has alot to be proud of...don't get me wrong, of course there are many things that could and should be better. Our schools are no different. They to need to do things better (discipline, drop out rate, etc). That mainly falls on the shoulders of the last superintendant and school board. They watched as tons of people moved to Blair Oaks, watched a new elementary school start up (Concord Christian, which already has over 100 students) and also watched Calvary Lutheran High School open. They watched all these families leave and did ABSOLUTELY zilch!!! Now we have to pick up the pieces. according to David Luther, director of school-community relations. The building, designed in 1964 for 2,400 students, now has 1,830 students. Overcrowding is not the issue. Learning and discipline are the issue.

wcywing 2 years, 3 months ago

when did the schools start falling apart?

JCLifer 2 years, 3 months ago

The building, designed in 1964 for 1964-style learning for 1964 careers is just not good enough for 2011. Our students deserve much better.

Do you drive a 1964 car or use a 1964 computer? Perhaps you would like to have 1964 surgery performed on you?

Gotigers 2 years, 3 months ago

BUT, many of us live in homes built in 1964 or earlier. It is not the structure but what goes on in it that determines the success. A new building is just a waste of money.

jeffcitygirl 2 years, 3 months ago

I agree gotigers. Americans are spoiled with newer, nicer, bigger, better...learn to make do with what we have and use it to the best of our abilities. Kids used to learn in a one room woodshed, it's about what goes on in the building, not the building itself.

JCLifer 2 years, 3 months ago

Then why did we need to build a big nice fancy state-or-the-art jail and MSP for our prisoners?

Shame we value the felons more than we value our children and our country's future.

Bet your house has 50-year old wiring, appliances, and carpeting. If it was good enough for people 50 years ago, it will be good enough for you now.

whatif 2 years, 3 months ago

Maybe we value the people who protect us from the felons is the reason the new jail was built, not for the felons. The old jail was pretty dilapidated and easily escapable. Why can't older buildings be upgraded, repurposed, rather than building new? Why isn't learning more important than the facade we learn in? Until we educate, educate, educate our children -- a new building will not make a darn bit of difference. Like several people have stated "it's what goes on inside that matters" and should be the one and only priority.

pegassuss2525 2 years, 3 months ago

So according to you, it's ok to take children from approximately eight elementary schools and move them to two middle schools then cram them into one high school. That by definition is overcrowding. The current building's age is not the issue but the number of students that will be attending.

muleman 2 years, 3 months ago

OK, Lets put the cons in the school and the kids in prison

tonto_goldberg 1 year, 5 months ago

Take a tour of both places. It would appear that's already been done.

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