The Emporia Gazette

Invest in teachers

Goodjoss
Sorry if I struck a nerve. My point was that this article/editorial, in my opinion, was very poorly researched and written. (Notice I stated that this is my opinion, something Mr Johnson did not do).
Anyone who has had training in Journalism, debate, public speaking, etc. should know that if you want your opinion to be taken seriously you need to provide some facts and the basis of that opinion. Without a basis your opinion will not change anyone's mind and all you have done is waste paper and ink.
For the record, I am NOT in favor of reducing the number of teachers or reducing the spending on education. I am however tired of hearing some school districts complaining about the "funding cuts to education" and the loss of teachers and eliminating classes, while at the same time spending MILLIONS of dollars on new gymnasiums, football fields, landscaping, etc. As Richie said "Time to ask, "what are our priorities?"

In my opinion (there I did it again) we should be spending the money on the teachers, instructional materials and classrooms--not on sports facilities.

February 1, 2012 at 5:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Invest in teachers

WOW! Just WOW!
An entire article that contains one fact (the number of teachers has declined) and one quote from almost 50 years ago. All the rest is merely repetition of "coffee shop talk" that is presented as common knowledge. "The assertion that something is "common knowledge" is sometimes associated with the fallacy argumentum ad populum (Latin: "appeal to the people"). The fallacy essentially warns against assuming that just because everyone believes something is true, it is." (Wikipedia)

There is NO empirical evidence presented that the reduction in the number of teachers has resulted in reductions in student performance or learning. There is also NO evidence provided that "Kansas public schools cannot afford to lose anymore teachers".

What is the basis for your statement that "Therefore, America and Kansas cannot compete with the rest of the world in education and industry."?
I could go on, but I think you get the point.

I do agree with one thing though. We obviously need MORE journalism teachers!

January 31, 2012 at 7:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

REG still interested in Emporia plant

If the company has already spent $18 million on this plant and it is 25% complete, how do they plan to finish the other 75% for $12 million?
Plus they are holding $74.5 million for working capital and capital improvement? What capital improvements should you need to make in a new facility?
Just Wondering?

January 20, 2012 at 5:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Property program needs enforcement

Commissioner Phipps should check his facts before making comments about church groups, Habitat for Humanity, and Rebuilding Together doing repairs for all these properties. Alan Sewell corrected him that Rebuilding Together is a non-profit group that helps handicapped, elderly and disabled veteran homeowners. Habitat for Humanity builds homes for low income families and does not do home repair or maintenance. Most of the church groups do repairs and maintenance for elderly, disabled, and low income families that unable to do this on their own.
There are no groups that I know of that will do repairs for landlords or people who can afford the repairs on their own. If Commissioner Phipps knows of any I would be interested in having him list them.

January 12, 2012 at 10:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

First vote cast under new ID law

What does the headline have to do with this story?? I was expecting to read about a vote being cast in some election I was not aware of. Instead, the story is about the new requirements for the NEXT election.

January 12, 2012 at 10:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

The city’s scrap metal dealer ordinance took effect Sunday

Advantage metals is already cooperating with the police whenever they request help. They are also paying by check and keeping records of customers including the vehicles driven and photos of the customers.
The only thing I can see that this ordinance accomplishes is making the dealers pay a $100 fee to register. If this is indeed a crime prevention tool, then the costs should be borne by the police department NOT the private businesses!

January 2, 2012 at 8:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Schlobohm steps down as PIO for Reading

Thank you Barb! People will never know all the things you have done from helping volunteers make the right contacts, to organizing fundraising events, to keeping Reading's story in the news and most importantly keeping everyone informed.
Thank you for your service to the community.

December 13, 2011 at 6:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

School cuts shortchange kids

Americus:

I did not say that funding does not have an impact. What I am saying is that there are many other factors that have at least as much, if not more, impact.
While the schools are bemoaning the loss of funding and the impact on classrooms (fewer teachers, etc.) they are spending millions of dollars on new gymnasiums, football fields, new buildings to replace currently operating buildings, etc. There is a disconnect between what they are saying and what they are doing. The schools in this article bemoan the loss of teachers yet their enrollment is dropping. Should it take the same number of teachers to educate fewer students?

When our system starts to focus on the quality of education instead of who has the fanciest building/facility and the newest technology, etc., then we will see an improvement in our system. Create is correct that this is going to require some involvement on the part of the parents in developing the students desire to learn.

December 4, 2011 at 1:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Annual Seasonal Celebration returns to White Auditorium

The "season" being celebrated is CHRISTMAS! If we have to be so politically correct that we cannot call a Christmas celebration a Christmas celebration, I have a few more suggestions:
News Years Day = The next holiday after the "Seasonal Celebration" Day.
Martin Luther King Day = Civil Disobedience Day (We can't use Dr King's name because after all he was a Minister and a Christian and often referred to God!)
President's Day = World Leaders Day (We don't want to offend ANY other country or their leaders.)
Easter = Rabbit Egg Hunting Day (Can't use Easter as that refers to the Christian Faith).
Independence Day = Founders Day or Founding Day (we don't want to offend the British by reminding them that we won the war.)
Labor Day = Fall Holiday (don't want to offend those who can't or don't work)
Thanksgiving = Turkey Thursday (this would remove any reference to giving God thanks for all that we have).

P.S. The Constitution provides for the Freedom OF Religion NOT the Freedom FROM Religion as it has been misinterpreted lately.

December 3, 2011 at 8:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

School cuts shortchange kids

Nulton said "Every one of the states that’s ahead of us spends more on education. It’s clear that you get out what you put in."

It is probably true that those states spend more on education. But tell us the rest of the story. How many of the states that are ranked LOWER than Kansas spend MORE money? How many schools and students are being supported in those other states compared to Kansas? ????? There are just way too many factors not being considered to be able to make the statement that "It’s clear that you get out what you put in." when the only variable being considered is financial.

December 3, 2011 at 7:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )