Consolidation of schools is the best way to save money long term. The increase in educational opportunities is a big plus also. The biggest complaints I hear from people is about sports. This is a sad comment on where their values are.
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Consolidation of schools is the best way to save money long term. The increase in educational opportunities is a big plus also. The biggest complaints I hear from people is about sports. This is a sad comment on where their values are.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: IndianYouthCoach</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Somebody better call the law to watch over the Bush's from Appy. I'd say they are fit to be tied, LOL!!!
Seriously, I hope the consolidation passes. The schools are long outdated and need replacing. Better electives for our kids to better prepare them for college, who wouldn't want that? I'm for it 100%. Like most parents, I want what's best for my boys. Let's give our kids the tools to make changes in our world. That chance starts with consolidation, IMO. </div></div>
I'm gonna play devil's advocate here....but when block scheduling was implemented, the rallying cry for it was MORE ELECTIVES....when the actual number of electives at the schools actually dropped after the new schedule was implemented. So, do you guys really think there will be any improvemnet besides a new building...cuz I sure don't........... Don't swallow the same hook, line, and sinker twice.
At the rate this area is declining, in 25 years you'll have 3 new schools with 200 kids in each...and probably still be paying for them. Face it folks it isn't just the schools that are dwindling in #s, it's the entire area as a whole.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Milk3</div><div class="ubbcode-body">We need consolidation for the future youth. I saw the meeting on tv and heard people talking about history and kids in school speaking about sports and being safe. Education should be before sports and people don't realize that and it's very stupid. This whole thought that Appy/Pv kids or the other kids from other schools hate each other is crazy. </div></div>You hit the nail on the head. Colleges look at your education and how well you did in school. Not the tradition of your football team.
There are some Appy students who will despise the ground you walk on the minute they find out you are from PV but, they're young. I'd say that some of the parents may influence that. People take high school rivalries way too far. That can be potentially dangerous.
Nobody in college or the real world will care how good your football team is or what kind of tradition your school has in athletics.
I can see it now in an Education course "Write a 9 page paper about teaching." "My high school had a great athletic tradition. (then 10 pages about that and hating Powell Valley.)" "Sir, this is about your teaching philosophy. I don't care about your high school athletic program nor do I care about the rival school."
Elp6n posted a similar example a few years ago.
What does consolidation have to do with individual study habits and performance?
Nothing. Either kids pay attention to their teachers and parents and learn how to study or they don't. A brand new school is not going to improve anything. All this is going to do is create more problems, not to mention, there is no money to pay for it. Property taxes are so high right now, it is ridiculous, so I just don't see how this is going to happen. I'm also pretty sure that the BOS has to approve of it, they have to get permission from the state, and if I'm not mistaken, there has to be a referendum put on the ballot to o.k. the tax increase to build these new schools.
If the school board would have looked into repairing or building new schools where they're at, no consolidation, they would have saved a lot of headaches and money. Yeah some of the schools might have to share facilities for a while but at least it would get done and people wouldn't lose their schools and in some cases their towns. The schools bring in a lot of revenue for a town, and to just be able to get together and watch a game, have a hot dog, and talk to people that you might not get to see everyday, means a lot to folks. I just don't think that it will be the same with a consolidated school.
The biggest thing that I have heard from people from Wise is the lack of air conditioning. This really gets under my skin. What are we raising, a generation of whoosies. I went to Kelly, and we did not have heat schedules, yeah, we sweated, sometimes we had classes outside, but we did it, and our grades didn't suffer, we didn't get sick. I think that it is a ridiculous excuse to close a school down. I know that there are other problems, but I still think that they could be more easily fixed than putting up with all the crap that will happen now.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Sportsfan</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Property taxes are so high right now, it is ridiculous, </div></div>
They are?
This whole "taxes are too high already" just has NO merit...the taxes in this area are NOT high at all!!! I say this having moved from eastern Pennsylvania where a home the size I have with the size of land as well would have my taxes be at the minimum 10 times higher...then the western side of Pa. where it is pretty much exactly the same type of rural economy except it has many more hills in topography the property taxes are still 5 times as high as they are here as I know how much my mother pays there for less house and land!!
I couldn't believe it the first time I heard of a 'heat schedule' four years ago...just goes back to how people baby kids these days -- they get too hot without A/C, we can't keep score at sports until high school or they may face some adversity of losing, everyone gets a trophy and not just the teams that are the best that would earn them--let the kids face some adversity and being unfortable for once.
After the consolidation happens, the curriculum does need to switch from the Block Scheduling where the students get 1/2 the amount of instruction as they do with Class Periods.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cuuvapitt</div><div class="ubbcode-body">This whole "taxes are too high already" just has NO merit...the taxes in this area are NOT high at all!!! </div></div>
My sister lives in southern NY. Her real estate taxes alone are $5500.
Who wants to be NY? Ask her what the avg income is.
Sir, nobody can take away my Dawg Pride. We should form our own school district. We will not be told what to do, the elites of Wise and Big Stone can't hold us back! I hope the people of St. Paul and Pound will join with us and overcome these terrible tyrants called school board members! Kyle Fletcher and Mark Hutchinson will save us all!
Some current property tax rates found online (trying to find real estate rates):
Wise County: $0.57 per $100
Fairfax County VA: $0.92 per $100
Sullivan County TN: $2.53 per $100
Montgomery County VA: $0.71 per $100
Giles County VA: $.72 per $100
Lee County VA: $0.65 per $100
My grand daughter rides the bus home from PVPS to my house daily. I live 5 miles away and it takes her and hour and fifteen minutes to travel that distance by school bus. Why do I let her ride? We all pay the taxes to run these buses, so we should get some use out of them.
Sir, if this happens your taxes will be higher! Will you force your grand daughter to ride the bus more to account for the tax dollars? No New Taxes!
She would have to double back to get home when we consolidate high schools. Imagine band practice.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SportsJunkie</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sir, if this happens your taxes will be higher! Will you force your grand daughter to ride the bus more to account for the tax dollars? No New Taxes! </div></div> "No new taxes"- are you George Bush?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: elp6n</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Some current property tax rates found online (trying to find real estate rates):
Wise County: $0.57 per $100
Fairfax County VA: $0.92 per $100
Sullivan County TN: $2.53 per $100
Montgomery County VA: $0.71 per $100
Giles County VA: $.72 per $100
Lee County VA: $0.65 per $100
</div></div>
One good thing about raising the property taxes [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif[/img] the ones that aren't paying for schools ...still won't be. I can't wait till this hits the paper and the bunch that farms in the Valley see taxes are gonna double.
Sir, I'm for smaller government. I'm for preserving my community of Appalachia and others like it, we can't let this happen to us. We must save our schools! I couldn't imagine a Friday without Appy Football. This is our passion, our heritage, our money! Why waste 40 million? I will never forget what the Appy girl said, if they close my school I will quit. We should all stand behind her and urge her on, Appy Pride!
Sign on up.
Well the average income where my family lives northeast of Pittsburgh in rural Western Pa. is exactly what it is here in SW Va. as far as average income levels... the only difference is that the property taxes are 5 times higher along with having to pay township taxes as well which goes to making sure the winter roads are drivable compared to the clueless road crews and ways the roads are taken care of around here in the winter.
When the taxes of Wise County are pretty much lowest around then a little more to make our kids education better then let's do it...it sure sounded like a lot of the students who talked on the tv broadcast of the school board sure could use a lot more education.
What is our avg income?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">When the taxes of Wise County are pretty much lowest around then a little more to make our kids education better then let's do it...it sure sounded like a lot of the students who talked on the tv broadcast of the school board sure could use a lot more education. </div></div>
Sir, several Appalachia residents have went on to accomplish remarkable things. I take offense to you talking down to our kids, they are just like the kids in Wise and everywhere else around here. I would take my Appalachia education over a Pittsburgh Education any day. You obviously must think the opportunities are better here, you came here didn't you? So, why knock our way of life? You don't understand Appy Pride, you left your town for greener pastures, the greener pastures of Appalachia!
http://www.ers.usda.gov/Data/Unemplo...ist2.asp?ST=VA
County-Level Unemployment and Median Household Income for Virginia (2005)
Wise County $29,854
So for a family of 4 that comes out to 7500 per person? If you wereto use per capita figures.
You know the thinking of taking your Appalachia Education over any other is one the main problems with the thinking around here...if you can recite only several of the residents that have accomplished remarkable things from Appalachia HS over the past decades that is not much of an accomplishment. If you could take off your blue and yellow colored glasses for any length of time and actually get out to other areas of the country and see how far behind our graduating seniors are.
I didn't come here because I thought the opportunities were better at all...I came here because my job I accepted was here and grew up in a small rural area.
I have no allegience to Appy, PV, Kelly or any of the Wise County schools but do have the knowledge and foresight to see what would give my kids a better education without sports coming into the picture.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> I have no allegience to Appy, PV, Kelly or any of the Wise County schools</div></div>
Sir, if you don't stand for something you will fall for anything! Have some pride, one of the keynote speakers at UVa-Wise graduation was an Appy grad. Small schools are better for our children. You have to account for sports, many kids will be left out of many extra-curricular activities with larger schools. Oh, and by the way my Appy education taught me how to spell allegiance! We had to learn that in the first grade when we were taught the Pledge of Allegiance!
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SportsJunkie</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sir, I'm for smaller government. I'm for preserving my community of Appalachia and others like it, we can't let this happen to us. We must save our schools! I couldn't imagine a Friday without Appy Football. This is our passion, our heritage, our money! Why waste 40 million? I will never forget what the Appy girl said, if they close my school I will quit. We should all stand behind her and urge her on, Appy Pride! </div></div>Stubbornness at its finest.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SportsJunkie</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> many kids will be left out of many extra-curricular activities with larger schools. </div></div>
How?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cuuvapitt</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Well the average income where my family lives northeast of Pittsburgh in rural Western Pa. is exactly what it is here in SW Va. as far as average income levels... the only difference is that the property taxes are 5 times higher along with having to pay township taxes as well which goes to making sure the winter roads are drivable compared to the clueless road crews and ways the roads are taken care of around here in the winter.
When the taxes of Wise County are pretty much lowest around then a little more to make our kids education better then let's do it...it sure sounded like a lot of the students who talked on the tv broadcast of the school board sure could use a lot more education. </div></div>
There are 14 counties in Pennsylvaina that list incomes below 35,000 out of 68 total. Might want to check your math. [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif[/img]
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: NotSoSilentBob</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SportsJunkie</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> many kids will be left out of many extra-curricular activities with larger schools. </div></div>
How?</div></div> I'm seeing your point.
At larger schools there should be more extra curricular activities because there are more students to work with.
But Wise County needs to go ahead and do this. Help the bands at those schools get better instruments, uniforms. Get better facilities.
They are talking about having 3 less of everything- sports, pace, band.
Sir, you have no idea of what pride I do or don't have...I have great pride in the high school and colleges I attended and have diplomas and degrees from just as you are yourself. There is talk of consolidating all of the elementary schools back in my home district in part from the declining population in the area to take advantage of the newer buildings and phase out the ones that are now outdated and were built around the same time as all the high schools here (there is no county school system and closest schools are every 20 miles...in the largest busing school district of Penn. to takes kids living in part of 2 counties where I had many friends ride buses over an hour each day as it was just accepted as the way it was.)
On the subject of extra-curriculars which in the correct terminology is very general--with the slightly larger schools there actually would be more extra-curricular participation with much improved band opportunities, different types of clubs that could be made and hey maybe even soccer teams formed since the youth leagues are always packed with kids with no where to play once they get to a certain age in this area...which again makes that arguement void of merit.
Oh and sir your Appy Education must be vastly superior if you were being given words such as allegiance (which I did hit a wrong key God forbid) are taught in the 1st grade.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: trumpet1988</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: NotSoSilentBob</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SportsJunkie</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> many kids will be left out of many extra-curricular activities with larger schools. </div></div>
How?</div></div> I'm seeing your point.
At larger schools there should be more extra curricular activities because there are more students to work with.
But Wise County needs to go ahead and do this. Help the bands at those schools get better instruments, uniforms. Get better facilities. </div></div>
I thought this was about education? Sure don't need a band to learn. [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif[/img]
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cuuvapitt</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sir, you have no idea of what pride I do or don't have...I have great pride in the high school and colleges I attended and have diplomas and degrees from just as you are yourself. There is talk of consolidating all of the elementary schools back in my home district in part from the declining population in the area to take advantage of the newer buildings and phase out the ones that are now outdated and were built around the same time as all the high schools here (there is no county school system and closest schools are every 20 miles...in the largest busing school district of Penn. to takes kids living in part of 2 counties where I had many friends ride buses over an hour each day as it was just accepted as the way it was.)
On the subject of extra-curriculars which in the correct terminology is very general--with the slightly larger schools there actually would be more extra-curricular participation with much improved band opportunities, different types of clubs that could be made and hey maybe even soccer teams formed since the youth leagues are always packed with kids with no where to play once they get to a certain age in this area...which again makes that arguement void of merit.
Oh and sir your Appy Education must be vastly superior if you were being given words such as allegiance (which I did hit a wrong key God forbid) are taught in the 1st grade. </div></div>
Hahahaha, he thinks Bob is a "Dawg". [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif[/img]
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Spuds</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cuuvapitt</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Well the average income where my family lives northeast of Pittsburgh in rural Western Pa. is exactly what it is here in SW Va. as far as average income levels... the only difference is that the property taxes are 5 times higher along with having to pay township taxes as well which goes to making sure the winter roads are drivable compared to the clueless road crews and ways the roads are taken care of around here in the winter.
When the taxes of Wise County are pretty much lowest around then a little more to make our kids education better then let's do it...it sure sounded like a lot of the students who talked on the tv broadcast of the school board sure could use a lot more education. </div></div>
There are 14 counties in Pennsylvaina that list incomes below 35,000 out of 68 total. Might want to check your math. [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif[/img] </div></div>
I don't have any math I have to check as you can throw out all of the Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Harrisburg and many of the other areas just as you could do the same here in Virginia as I guarantee the average income in the majority of Virginia is the very same with taking into account all of the Tidewater and Northern Virginia and other regions so your research really proves nothing.
I know what the standard of living is from the area I grew up and can tell you the county I grew up in has an equal average income of $29,000 the same as Wise but with more taxes.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Spuds</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
I thought this was about eduaction? Sure don't need a band to learn. [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif[/img] </div></div>
The subject of extra-curricular activities was brought up before that.
And what is "eduaction"? [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif[/img]
Probably my fat fingers on the wrong key.
Hitting a wrong key is different than being wrong on all of your points to this point.
Look it up dude . I used elpn's link for the figures.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cuuvapitt</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hitting a wrong key is different than being wrong on all of your points to this point. </div></div>
So you should quit posting- I accept your apology.