Tulsa Public Schools Project Schoolhouse

[RecycleMichael]

http://www8.tulsaschools.org/4_About_District/project_schoolhouse.asp

This is an effort to be more efficient with limited school dollars. There are public meetings and they include potentially closing schools.

There are meetings including one tomorrow night at Webster High School.

For all those who want equity, efficiency and effectiveness in government, this is your best example. I suspect whatever comes out of this project, people will be upset. As much as I love the schools I went to, there are no sacred cows now.

If you have an opinion, go share it.

[ZYX]

I don't understand why some people are against closing and consolidating schools. Why should we continue to pay for a school when it is not needed? I guess some people would rather see the neighborhood school continue to struggle than bus their kids to a school where they could flourish. But just like RM said, there will always be those that complain.

I hope whatever plan comes out of this is a good one...I think it will be.

[AngieB]

I hope Webster doesn't land on the chopping block. It's the only H.S. west of the river. To lose it would really kill the community.

[ZYX]

A new article:
http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=332&articleid=20110221_11_0_Rsdnst694614

It doesn't make sense to me, why these people are so intent on keeping their schools open...

[Conan71]

If the people quoted in the story are products of the schools in the area, they are making a strong case at closing underperforming and under-utilized schools.  I have a feeling some of them are the same people who write in the reader comments section of the Tulsa World.  Whew!

[DTowner]

It's amazing how the people fighting to "save" their school have never done anything to improve the school they want to save.  Where were they on back-to-school night and parent-teacher conferences, and how active are they in the PTA?  Yes, I'm painting with a broad brush, but talk to teachers at poor performing schools (and not just TPS, but the surrounding suburban schools districts as well) and they describe poor turnout for conferences and how little involvment they can get out of parents.

[Townsend]

It's amazing how the people fighting to "save" their school have never done anything to improve the school they want to save.  Where were they on back-to-school night and parent-teacher conferences, and how active are they in the PTA?  Yes, I'm painting with a broad brush, but talk to teachers at poor performing schools (and not just TPS, but the surrounding suburban schools districts as well) and they describe poor turnout for conferences and how little involvment they can get out of parents.

Ain't muh job.  Dat's edumacator's job.

[guido911]

It's amazing how the people fighting to "save" their school have never done anything to improve the school they want to save.  Where were they on back-to-school night and parent-teacher conferences, and how active are they in the PTA?  Yes, I'm painting with a broad brush, but talk to teachers at poor performing schools (and not just TPS, but the surrounding suburban schools districts as well) and they describe poor turnout for conferences and how little involvment they can get out of parents.

Interesting point. It seems there is a night and day difference between public and private schools when it comes to parental involvement.

[Townsend]

Interesting point. It seems there is a night and day difference between public and private schools when it comes to parental involvement.

Writing a check to the school makes a parent want to make sure cylinders are all hitting.

Getting taxed just makes the rest of the parents feel like they have the right to complain about anything whether they take part or not.

[Conan71]

Writing a check to the school makes a parent want to make sure cylinders are all hitting.

Getting taxed just makes the rest of the parents feel like they have the right to complain about anything whether they take part or not.

Or for people who breed responsibly, they show up at their kid's public school events and volunteer in the classroom.

[RecycleMichael]

I think the article wasn't a clear showing of north Tulsa attitude's toward schools. Instead it was a clear display of north Tulsa's attitude toward "the establishment".

The same people go to all meetings in north Tulsa held by the city, the school district, INCOG or any other government group. They all say the same things at all the meetings.

There is some clear distrust between a vocal faction in north Tulsa and the rest of the city and there are some good reasons from past dealings. Unfortunately, the reason for this meeting was about the future and not the past.

[guido911]

Writing a check to the school makes a parent want to make sure cylinders are all hitting.

Getting taxed just makes the rest of the parents feel like they have the right to complain about anything whether they take part or not.

You are probably right. Also, private schools seem to have a more comfortable, almost familial feel about it. In fact, it is not unusual to have e-mail correspondence with a teacher late into the evenings (although this may happen in public schools).

[RecycleMichael]

My kids are in Tulsa PUBLIC Schools and I get my kids grades and assignments mailed to me on a very regular basis.

I get spelling and reading assignments by e-mail for my daughter every Sunday night and on Wednesdays. I get my son's grade for every assignment mailed on Sundays from each of his six teachers and an e-mail showing attendence and grade summary once-a-week as well.

[Townsend]

My kids are in Tulsa PUBLIC Schools and I get my kids grades and assignments mailed to me on a very regular basis.

I should've clarified and I meant no disrespect. 

I know many friends with kids in public school around the area and take part in their kids' activities/Parent-teacher/grades and school work.

The system has gotten better imo.  Information is so much easier to get now than ever before.

I'm dissatisfied with the parents out there that pass all blame to everyone/thing but themselves

[DTowner]

My kids are in Tulsa PUBLIC Schools and I get my kids grades and assignments mailed to me on a very regular basis.

I get spelling and reading assignments by e-mail for my daughter every Sunday night and on Wednesdays. I get my son's grade for every assignment mailed on Sundays from each of his six teachers and an e-mail showing attendence and grade summary once-a-week as well.

I think there are a number of TPS schools with active and engaged parents.  Probably not coincidentally, those are also the higher performing schools.