Survey: Nearly half back new high school

Timothy 7 months, 1 week ago

This is a permanent long term decision having profound impact on the youth of our community. The school board has decided (through questionable procedures) to limit the number of students that can participate in school sports. We have a perfectly good High School and we should be adding another. What surprises me is the apathy of the public in general. It shouldn't though, because the pressure from the affluent in this area has proven to have the same effect as a very effective shock collar. That is why you will never see this issue on a ballot.

RobHunterJohnson 7 months, 1 week ago

Thats is true Tim, 33 years ago the schools system came to the VOTERS wanting to have 4 Jr high playing into one high school, that got voted down! They finally got the 2 JR highs they have now. Two High Schools would greatly benefit the students with smaller class size, more chance to achieve at sports, and other school activities, to abandon the new stadium is not the way we should be spending our Tax Dollars. They could renovate the existing bldg, by doubling up one year! Time is a wasting. Rob

Gotigers 7 months, 1 week ago

I am still baffled as to why a 'Super Size' high school is the goal. Columbia, Blue Springs, Lee's Summit, Parkway school, Hazelwood schools, Springfield, Liberty, McCluer, etc...every single one added another high school. What logic am I not following?

RobHunterJohnson 7 months, 1 week ago

Go Tigers, I went to Parkway back in the late 60s and early 70s, the growth of students was incredible, Split shifts, Hight schools and Jr high doubling up, POD style class room, (NO INTERIOR WALLS) the campus idea is not good either. What happened to 3 Rs and small class size? Rob

JCLifer 7 months, 1 week ago

This town is so cheap and poor. District officials know that voters will not approve any new tax increases because the voters are living from paycheck to paycheck. Costs have gone way up over the past ten years, but wages have barely budged. Gasoline, food, utilities,insurance, school tuition, other taxes, etc. Now we will have Obamacare to pay for too.

This town really needs some better jobs. Until wages grow and good-paying jobs come to this town, we can expect for tax increase after tax increase to be voted down. Meanwhile the streets and sidewalks are crumbling. We have severe infrastructure needs and years of differred maintenance.and repair.

People are really hurting, and the elites who run this town don't see the problem or understand how bad it is for many families these days. There are few opportunities for meaningful wages, and there are few opportunities for promotions even with years of experience and advanced degrees. The countryclub crowd needs to come down and see how common people are barely making it. People are hurting and our children have needs that we cannot fill. Paying more taxes right now is not an option for most people.

When the country goes off the financial cliff next year, and many government jobs are cut due to sequestration, things are going to be very much worse. We will be fighting more wars in the Middle East. We will have to bail out more countries due to the global ecomomic crisis. The pain and suffering will really come. People are not able to pay any more taxes. By this time next year, the devestation and economic collapse will be horrific.

dokeus6 7 months, 1 week ago

Don't forger Lifer this town is a right wing, conservative strong hold for the Republican party.

Now After reading that statement, re-read your post again and tell us who is at fault for this town's ills.

spelchek 7 months, 1 week ago

That would explain the democrat governor and AG.

RobHunterJohnson 7 months, 1 week ago

No the good people of Missouri did, not the Jefferson City, Cole co bunch. Rob

JCLifer 7 months, 1 week ago

Who cares which party? They are both incompetent, evil, and corrrupt. Both parties are responsible for the decay of this once-great country.

dokeus6 7 months, 1 week ago

I believe both parties are to blame too but which party is wanting deregulation of Wall Street again? Which party is wanting to return to the economic model that lead us to the shape we are in? Which party is wanting to put more of the tax burden on what's left of the middle class? Which party is for the extension of the tax cuts for the rich so they can hoard more of their money? Which party is wanting to get cut Social Security? Which party is wanting to cut education funds? Which party is wanting to cut all of the domestic programs that the lower and middle classes need to exist and spend trillions of dollars to fund the defense of this country? Which party is against equal pay ? Which party is against the American worker, cutting wages, cutting benefits?

him 7 months, 1 week ago

Jeff City has a lot of athletic talent that don't get the opportunity to play sports. Most don't even try out. Instead of JC having one great team, JC could have two great teams.

For1NewJCHS 7 months, 1 week ago

The 3 Rs are still very important, but there are 3 more Rs that also have to be in place in today's schools. Kids need Relationships, they need to know why school is Relevant to real life and they need a variety of classes to provide Rigorous coursework. The way kids learn today is changing and evolving, and the way we teach our kids has to change too. In the Academies - class sizes will be smaller. All students in each academy will have the basic 3 Rs, but in a smaller learning environment with other students that have similar interests.

I think there would be a huge disconnect in this community with two public high schools. Other places mentioned like Columbia, Blue Springs, Springfield, etc. are larger communities. I believe the district is doing what it feels is best for the this small, unique, Capitol City community. Extra curricular activities are great, but I do not think we should let that drive the wealth of academics that can occur in one high school. Perhaps in one high school there can be new opportunities for additional sports and clubs to include more kids.

JCLifer 7 months, 1 week ago

Crazy talk. There is only ONE football team. ONE basketball team. ONE track team.

Your entire first paragraph is excellent arguement for two high schools.

Academies is a totally separate discussion from school size. The district is trying to mix apples and oranges to confuse the voters.

The district did their survey. Guess they will find out the real opinions when the voters mark their ballots.

newone 7 months, 1 week ago

Sadly it will not matter what the people vote, if they vote it down they will still find a way to do it, they have spent millons of dollars on land for a school that hasn't even been put to a vote yet by the people, I am half tempted to vote it down for this reason alone!!

jpfelix 7 months, 1 week ago

JCPS has a history of beginning projects without public support and continuing them without the wanted increases in funding. The funding then comes at the expense of employees (diminished benefits, pay freezes, etc.) and the students (less services and resources).

Enjoy your new school JC!

John 7 months, 1 week ago

Yes, the approach you explain is indicative of today's approach to education across this great country.

Unfortunately, the test scores, especially when compared to other countries, seem to indicate that the approach you mention to "relationships," "relevancy," and "variety" does NOT WORK.

RobHunterJohnson 7 months, 1 week ago

Where I went to school there were 50 kids in a shop class, or 70 kids trying out for the soccer team, or to many kids in a classroom setting? Here in jefferson City there will be the walk across campus, just like the big kids at college? cm on! Somewhere we are losing it, There were 800 something kids in my graduating class, and we all lost. Small class rooms, small teams, so more kids can, develop,accel. and enjoy. Rob

TrueStory 7 months, 1 week ago

I don't think they called me or anyone I know. A second high school is WANTED. The more buildings you build for your academies the more it costs. You say facilities would be duplicated. So you are planning on kids walking in coats, through the snow, to classes and lunch. Think of the HUGE lunch room, or will kids be in lunch shifts from 10am to 2pm. The early ones starving at the end of the day and the late ones hungary till lunch. The more kids you have in one school the more hidden bullying the more unseen violence. This is a social fact, did you take sociology iin college? The more unseen drug deals. The more gang activity to help the students feel they belong to something....because the teachers don't even know who are students on the campus. How are you planning to protect these kids from someone that decides to invade the campus? A large fence? I just don't like the idea.

JCLifer 7 months, 1 week ago

Very good points, True Story. Most all backed by research too.

What the heck are these current school board members and superintendent thinking? Do they want our kids and our town to fail?

jcguy25 7 months, 1 week ago

So if Columbia, Blue Springs, Springfield, etc. are larger communities, then why would it make sense to build the largest High School in the state in Jefferson City? Also, it will be interesting to see what happens if voters defeat the bond proposal to pay for it since the land is already purchased.

JCLifer 7 months, 1 week ago

Don't worry, Soon they will leak a communication that the football and band programs will be cut if the tax increase doesn't get approved. That will assure its passage.

Sequoia 7 months, 1 week ago

What was the population of Columbia when they built the second high school? What is the population of Jefferson City now?

Jefferson City is not that small anymore, and I don't think the number of high schools has much to do with how "unique" the community is.

Somewhere on here Lifer made a good point about the quality and reputation of schools related to property values and desireability of the community. The perception that Jefferson City schoos are a shallow jock-ocracy is not helpful.

John 7 months, 1 week ago

It is interesting that the survey was only a telephone survey where the call recipients can be picked and chosen. No info on what the specific questions were. No info on what polling agency helped to write the questions. No info on the interpretation of the data. AND, the biggie is the survey was taken by an organization that had pre-conceived notions on what THEY wanted to do.

And I really like the result; "NEARLY half ..."

JCLifer 7 months, 1 week ago

Yeah, the only supporters are the 47% who don't think they will have to pay for any of it.

The rest of us know better.

tonto_goldberg 7 months, 1 week ago

How can I join them? I am tired of paying taxes.

Crump 7 months, 1 week ago

The idea that Lincoln and Linn Tech are going to buy the present facilities is a joke. They have no money. The good old tax payers will be asked to do this also. It's time for new leadership in all aspects of life here in JC. As newone said, they will try to find another way to do this after it is defeated, like the repeated efforts for that silly convention center.

Gotigers 7 months, 1 week ago

For1NewJCHS-- you seem to be very informed so I do have a question that I would like to know if it is rumor or accurate. I was told the other day that included in the plan is the district administrative offices will be built by this school as well? Is that accurate.

connor 7 months, 1 week ago

Now wouldn't that just figure :)

For1NewJCHS 7 months, 1 week ago

Gotigers - No that is not accurate. On the concept drawing there is a building that says Administration and Food Services, but that is for principals, vice principals and other high school office staff. The district board office will remain where it is on Dunklin Street.

RobHunterJohnson 7 months, 1 week ago

Why should staff be in a bldg all by their self? It would kinda be like out of Touch? Should not the Principals be out in the hall at class change? Not standing on the side walk in the snow and rain! Rob

wow 7 months, 1 week ago

Supporting the new school....the headline shouild read "Most people support the buliding of a second high school". It makes no sense to build a new HS only to stuff all the JC kids in it, because the classes will still be over crowded. What about the two high schools is so hard to understand. Look, close down "Simo-sin", ya build the second highschool on the westside. Everyone on the westside will go to that new school. The kids on the eastside will still go to the old highschool. After a few years, a new high school can be built on the east side. Thing is the one high school concept does nothing to benefit the people who matter the most.....the students. Stop penny pinching and do the right thing.

JCLifer 7 months, 1 week ago

Wow for school board!!!

RobHunterJohnson 7 months, 1 week ago

Jc Lifer, I and alot of other people do not even know these people on the school board, (most of the time I leave it blank at the ballot) people with kids should become more active in these discussions, because we need more info besides adds in the NT, and mailings on these school board members? I have no stake in this except to see my tax money spent wisely! Rob

JCLifer 7 months, 1 week ago

My stake in this is that good schools are a strong reason employers locate good-paying jobs in an area. If we have a bottom-feeder school district, chances are we will have bottom-feeder paying jobs. A good school district can also help raise property values too. Ask any realtor in private about the poor reputation Jefferson City has earned because of its poor school system. They will tell you how people with school age kids do not want to purchase houses in Jefferson City. Some will go to Wardsville, but most will go to Columbia because the high schools are smaller and there are so many more opportunities for kids. If they have kids with special needs, they will definately move to Columbia because of the modern and excellent services and support Columbia has for special needs kids.

RobHunterJohnson 7 months, 1 week ago

I agree, JCLifer smaller class size will improve the learnig atmosphere, my grandkids go to a smaller school in the Bootheel, they both have been able to participate in sports, cheer leading, ect. The student to teacher ratio is great, the Grandson went on to college, and the Grand Daughter just started high school this year. 2 high schools is what we need. If the buliding needs to be remodeled, half the students would be better to schedule work around, if the old bldg needs work. Rob

melbrooks 7 months, 1 week ago

Columbia High Schools are similar in size to JC. K-12 enrollment, according to DESE's website:

JC--1,957 Hickman--1,882 Rock Bridge--1,790

We certainly do need a strong school system. The academy model is meant to make learning more relevant to students. I'm amazed how people proclaim to know so much about the academy model but obviously have not talked to any of the committee members who represented the community in this process. There are pros and cons to any educational model, but I see no thoughtful discussion here--just staking out territory.

JCLifer 7 months, 1 week ago

That's why Columbia is building a 3rd highschool. They are well aware that Hickman and Rock Bridge are WAY TOO CROWDED.

melbrooks 7 months, 1 week ago

Jefferson City's population is approximately 43,000. Columbia's population is approximately 110,000--nearly 3 times bigger, is growing faster and is younger to boot. Thus their need for 3 high schools.

The fact remains: JC's and Columbia's schools are currently comparable in size.

JCLifer 7 months, 1 week ago

The fact remains that Jefferson City needs 2 high schools. The research overwhelmingly is in favor of smaller high schools. Large schools are horrific for student learning.

"...the ideal high school, defined in terms of effectiveness (i.e., learning), enrolls between 600 and 900 students. In schools smaller than this, students learn less; those in large high schools (especially over 2,100) learn considerably less. Learning is more equitable in very small schools, with equity defined by the relationship between learning and student socioeconomic status (SES)." -EDUCATIONAL EVALUATION AND POLICY ANALYSIS September 21, 1997 vol. 19 no. 3 205-227

"There is remarkable consistency among the research studies that have been reported on school size; smaller is better." - Henderson, A.T. (1987). The Evidence Continues to Grow. Columbia, MD: National Committee for Citizens in Education.

"Achievement gains in mathematics and reading over the course of high school were found to be largest in middle-sized high schools (600–900 students). Schools of this size were also favored in terms of social equity, in that they had weaker relationships between student socioeconomic status (SES) and achievement." - Lee, V. E., & Smith, J. B. (1995). Effects of school restructuring and size on gains in achievement and engagement for early secondary school students. Sociology of Education, 68(4), 241–270.

asb 7 months, 1 week ago

Good cites, and thanks for sharing them.

JCLifer 7 months, 1 week ago

People in Jefferson City don't care about their kids or their future. They don't care that wages are so low in this town. They don't care that this town cannot attract employers paying even an average wage. All these people want is some Trolleys to pick them up from the Country Club or the Chamber meeting to drive them around as they drink their wine and take $100 barge rides on the river.

rodinman 7 months, 1 week ago

Those studies are 17 and 25 years old. Perhaps things have changed.

JCLifer 7 months, 1 week ago

JC high school building is 50 years old. Perhaps things have changed.

jpfelix 7 months, 1 week ago

Past public participation in JCPS activities has been limited and often times openly dismissed. Unless BIG money is backing the parent that is interested, the school board is minimally concerned with public opinion.

I was told by past board members that their job was to hire the superintendent, and only that. The rest of the time they voted for his agenda because to disagree was to admit they didn't choose the right super. How pea-brained is that!?

Wetsu 7 months ago

See facebook.com/jcschooltax

Crcknup 7 months, 1 week ago

The HUGE high school they are trying for is just plain stupid!! If you think that kids are segregated in the current facility, just wait and see what happens with the "academy" idea! Do we plan on hiring security to monitor the campus? Do they plan on moving that multi-million dollar, BRAND NEW football stadium BRICK BY BRICK to the new location? And as far as giving more kids the opportunity to play sports, etc. that won't change one bit with the new "academy" layout! The poor kids, or the kids who don't have the right last name will continue to sit on the bench! Come on people...do you forget where you live?!

JCLifer 7 months, 1 week ago

I forsee a Medical/Doctor Academy and a Legal/Lawyer Academy for the country club set. Then there will be a BS Academy for dumb sports team players, and a couple of academies for the rest of the students like Fast Food/Dishwashing Academy, and maybe a Lawn Mowing Academy.

The Cliques and Castes will not go away with the academy model. In fact they will be strongly reimnforced, as one or two academies get the best teachers and best students for the best families.

Crcknup 7 months, 1 week ago

I completely agree! It is going to separate the kids even more than they already are! Anyone who has lived in this town for any length of time KNOWS this is true! My only saving grace in this whole mess is that my youngest will have graduated even before ground breaking begins!! Thank goodness!!

Crcknup 7 months, 1 week ago

Rob and JCLifer, I and both my older sister and brother are all graduates of JCHS and I have put 1 child through and currently have a junior there and believe me "people with kids" aren't welcome to speak their minds about the way things are "handled" at the high school. I actually had a meeting with Principal Dodson regarding a situation with my youngest daughter and he referred to me as...and I quote, a "helicopter mom" ready to swoop down and protect my child. Really? Isn't that exactly what a parent's job is! I was also told at that same meeting...and, again I quote "it's good for kids to sit on the bench sometimes because it makes them STRONGER". Wow!! I wonder if Coach LePage would agree with that statement if it were HIS "star football player son" sitting on the bench, so he could become "stronger"?! I highly doubt it!! :)

Wetsu 7 months ago

Crcknup, Our school board has hired some real dandys to work for us. Mr. Dodson is one of them as is Myron Graber and in my opinion now Brian Mitchell. No one is too important that they can't be let go. Look what Columbia did. They fired their superintendant a couple of years ago. They probably also got rid of some board members. These are our tax dollars they are playing with and we have a right to voice our opinion. As far as Dodson is concerned just ask Ashland school district why he left. Hallsville as I understand was glad to see him go. For him to call you a helicopter Mom or any other name is not acceptable. Go to .ratemyteachers.com/jeff-dodson/845468-t and see if this reminds you of him. Also check out facebook.com/jcschooltax.

MO4LIFE 7 months, 1 week ago

JC is the most corrupt city in MO as far as politicians, councilman & school board all you have to do is have the right name and you are in. My friend and i applied for state jobs at the same time, same qualifications and same degree but i had a little more experience than he did. His last name is Kliethermes and he was hired in three weeks. It took me more than three years to get in and he hired me in. (Corruption & Nepotism at its finest in all aspects of JC Life.

Sequoia 7 months, 1 week ago

Just to be clear, you had your friend hire you for a job you didn't get the first time around, and at the same time, you're complaining about corruption and nepotism? Isn't getting hired by your buddy an example of that?

Anyway, what does your experience with a STATE job have to do with Jefferson City council and school board politics?

centerguy56 7 months, 1 week ago

Sequoia: well said! i grow weary of all of these over the top RANTS!

spelchek 7 months, 1 week ago

"all aspects of JC Life" -- They summed it up in the last sentence, that was the point. Woooooooooosh!!!!! Flew right over........

centerguy56 7 months, 1 week ago

Really flew right over?! How silly. The last sentence was a SILLY RANT! "all aspects of JC Life" ! OMG that comment should have "flown right over". Discuss somethng important PLEASE!

MO4LIFE 7 months, 1 week ago

not about that about the old money corruption in jc

mikemojc 7 months, 1 week ago

If there are questions or concerns about the way the school board is conducting business, by all means, show up at the meetings and voice those concerns. Discussing here is one thing, but speaking up during meetings would certainly get the board members attention at least as well as some paid survey.

BTW, why are school board dollars going out of state for a survey?

Survey: Nearly half back new high school

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