I had this weeks column all ready for print, but swapped for this one. Why? An article in the newspaper, about a situation in one of our local school districts.
We’ve got Crowded Classrooms out there! (but Not with kids).
Good thing I hadn’t sent that other column to the printer! I flew home, well, no airplane, but I (mighta) exceeded the speed limits gittin’ home to write this one!
I decided that other column had to be “left back” (held back?) so I could write this one! Same thing the Jersey school system did me me, (twice!) Lo, those many years ago in grade school.
Eventually I saw the error in my ways, deciding maybe Doing my homework might actually be better than standing on principals (oops, not the headmaster), my “principles”. I’d believed I had more important stuff to do than homework! (ahh, youth).
Seems I never learned (all) my lessons even with those (extra couple) years spent in grade school? Years later I attended a school here for a while, then “dropped out” anyway. Car wreck, no insurance..., somebody had to pay..., long story, another time maybe?
Suffice to say I was “suppose” to be the first of a new generation in my family who actually graduated. Up ‘til then, most folks in my (and many) families prior generations never quite made it all the way through high school.
Eventually I did kinda make up for that (in my parents eyes at least) by graduating college, after army service. Deans List, Honor Society and all didn’t hurt, (I loved homework by then). So I was the last (we hope) dropout and will Always be the first college graduate!
Besides, bread (dough?) takes time to rise. So holdin’ onto that other column an extra week won’t impair the gist of it anyway. You’ll have to read next weeks column to get the full meaning of that.
The news article said they’re thinkin’ (?) about reducing the teaching staff! Reducing?! My first reaction? Shock!
I read big corporations are goin’ hog wild with current layoffs because of the “economic downturn”. Layoffs nearly always cost more (in the long run) than they “save” in the short run.
So I thought..., Why would this school system lay off teachers?!
You’re familiar with my feelings about school system “budget” gurus! IF you’ve read the little series (and web site commentary it inspired) I wrote awhile back, about the multimillion dollar boondoggle (oops, investment) on “Ball Fields”.
I oughta be jumpin’ up, shoutin’, “Lay ‘Em Off! Undoubtedly we’ve got too many!” (Contradicting my belief that layoffs are usually a bad thing in the long run).
As I read the newspaper article about the school board “considering” layin’ off teachers..., One little set of numbers caught my eye!
You’re aware from my references in prior columns to “math-a-matiks”? (don’t like ‘em). However, havin’ spent many years as a banker, I do have some rudimentary knowledge of the relationship some numbers have with other numbers.
Before I demonstrate that expertise in math, (long-division anyway), I’ll highlight some other numbers, whose relevance Will become apparent shortly.
As a young feller I attended school in New Jersey. We averaged 27 kids per classroom. How can I be sure? Counted heads from my old class photos! And the education system there was considered “top notch”(at the time anyway).
I transferred up here, and discovered I was about two years ahead of my classmates in nearly every category. (Didn’t help much, no one "got" my humor, consequently I hated school here (another story, another time).
Further back, my father and his ancestors classrooms (all 22X26 feet of ‘em) held somewhere between 8 to 30 students. To deduce this, I counted heads in contemporary one-room schoolhouse photos (whoa, usin’ addition!).
Surprisingly they too, averaged about (ta-da!) 27 kids! (‘course that included All the Grades!). And yet, somehow they became the “Greatest Generation” Meanwhile...,
Most school districts around here, continue growing (crowded) at an alarming rate. But Western Wayne, is apparently shrinking?! Wow! Who knew?!
Therefore, (realistic) discussions about teacher layoffs (not administrative jobs? go figure).
So far discussions don’t include janitors, kitchen staff an’ groundskeepers. Say..., don’t they make the “Big Bucks” too? Includin’ seniority, benefits, tenure, etc.? (right).
Now then..., Let’s (finally) get to the “MATH” embedded in that news article!
THE NUMBERS: Current student enrollment is (down to) 2395. Current teaching staff? 220 (220!). Dividing those numbers reveals: Under Eleven (11!) Pupils per Teacher!?!
For years, Classroom Crowding has been a School Revenue (Taxes) raising Mantra!
I Don’t Know About You..., I’m thinkin’ it’s the teachers lounge that’s crowded?
Cal Teeple, still found three stools down. Or At: wayneindependent.com/cal Or At: calteeple@gmail.com Founder of the Observational Cogitation Consortium, he may be ignored, accosted or contacted at all three.
