re: Mall of Louisiana

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But like I said before, if little Johnny gets in a gifted or magnet program who cares about the other kids who do not?

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Nonsense. Since we both acknowledge that magnet schools are good, why don't we keep building magnets until the waiting lists for magnets are only a small handful? As long as your kid is qualified (and the bar for magnets is very low; as opposed to gifted) you should have a 99% shot to get into a magnet school.

That could attract families of all races and locations to get their kids into good public schools which is good for everyone.

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Kip's people moving in, I'm moving out

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At least someone on your side has the guts to admit racism is driving their ire.

Not all of "Kip's people" are trying to rob you. Good luck with the meth heads in Livingston.

The effort to incorporate St. George is a reaction to the parents living in the unincorporated areas of East Baton Rouge Parish wanting to improve the public schools their children attend. They approved tax increases in 1998 to pay for improvements. Improvements did not occur, and they made specific requests to the East Baton Rouge Parish School System regarding improvements. Those requests were rebuffed, and the tax revenue the voters approved was used in a manner that they did not feel addressed their concerns in the least.

The parents then sought to establish a separate independent school district covering a limited geographic area within the unincorporated areas. They worked within the system, and sought the necessary approval from the state government. Politicians representing Baton Rouge fought the effort, and the legislature voted them down, and gave the reason that the independent school district wouldn't represent a community/city. The legislature told those requesting a separate school district to incorporate first, and a school district would be approved.

It was only after being told that incorporating was the only way to get local control of their schools that the effort to incorporate St. George came about. So the way they've gone about it was the way they were told to do it by the people with the power to give them what they wanted. Are you saying the St. George organizers were lied to in order to guarantee that local control of the schools will never happen?

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It was only after being told that incorporating was the only way to get local control of their schools that the effort to incorporate St. George came about. So the way they've gone about it was the way they were told to do it by the people with the power to give them what they wanted. Are you saying the St. George organizers were lied to in order to guarantee that local control of the schools will never happen?

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A lie? Well I don't want to get into semantics, but definitely an overstatement.

Several legislators voted against the ISD. One of many reasons given was that there was not an incorporated area that went along with it. That is a far difference than "we promise to change our votes from nay to yeah if you get a city."

And even if it was a "promise", the size and scope of the city is VERY different than most of the discussion of the ISD.

Now that said, I do think that there needs to be some infrastructure improvements in SE baton rouge. I would like to see a new school or two built there, especially if they are magnets


However, I also just accept as fact that poorer areas get a disproportion amount of funding. Look at the recent cuts at EBR: 4% for schools with a lot of students with free and reduced lunch; 8% for others. Is it fair? Dunno, but I understand it.

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Nonsense. Since we both acknowledge that magnet schools are good, why don't we keep building magnets until the waiting lists for magnets are only a small handful? As long as your kid is qualified (and the bar for magnets is very low; as opposed to gifted) you should have a 99% shot to get into a magnet school. That could attract families of all races and locations to get their kids into good public schools which is good for everyone.

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So your solution to the situation is to divide the students in the parish into the magnets and the regular kids.

So how does that work and aren't we supposed to be better together not better separated, right.

Oh and if you have read recent reports there are not enough openings for all the gifted and magnet students right now.

From recent articles I have seen it indicates that people who felt they were insured a seat do not have one at the next level. I've also read they are short of funds and they need more money for more magnets.

My philosophy is different from yours . I believe every high school should have a college prep curriculum inside the school where kids chose what courses to take, any disruptive students or students who could not take discipline would not be welcome. They'd go to alternative schools as not to interferre with the learning process.

Teachers would be evaluated by principals who would be responsible for putting a top staff together.

I wouldn't have a system where some schools got the best teachers and others the leftovers.

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it's a large groups of the parents of the students who act like elitists.

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I hope you're referring to me. If not, I'm disappointed.

Those "magnet elite" parents are the ones who volunteer to work at their kids school on Saturdays painting, cleaning, building, repairing, etc. so that their kid and other kids can have better facilities.

They are the ones who use a day of vacation from work so they can chaperone their child's class on a day long field trip to the state capitol or Avery Island so their child can be safe and learn and experience something outside the classroom.

They are the ones who the teachers call when they need some additional funding for equipment or supplies that their budget won't provide.

They are the ones who ride in a bus for 30 hours going to and from Disney World as a chaperone for their child's senior class trip because if they didn't volunteer to do it, the class could not go.

They are the ones who sit in the hallway all night at a hotel where their child is attending a club convention because the principal of their school says that's the only way he will allow his students to attend the convention.

They are the ones who offer their house for a meeting place when their child has a group project assignment, even taking the other kids home after the assignment is done that night.

Yes, I've done all of those things. And I'm proud I did it.

And my kids academic and professional success reflects the time and attention I gave to their education.

"Magnet elite"?? Yep. You damn right I am. The question is, why weren't YOU one of us if you're so obsessed with your child's education?

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So your solution to the situation is to divide the students in the parish into the magnets and the regular kids.

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It's one solution among many.

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So how does that work and aren't we supposed to be better together not better separated, right

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It divides people by ability rather than geography. I am OK with that.

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Oh and if you have read recent reports there are not enough openings for all the gifted and magnet students right now. From recent articles I have seen it indicates that people who felt they were insured a seat do not have one at the next level. I've also read they are short of funds and they need more money for more magnets

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Duh. To me that demonstrates a need. Let's meet that need.

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My philosophy is different from yours . I believe every high school should have a college prep curriculum inside the school where kids chose what courses to take, any disruptive students or students who could not take discipline would not be welcome. They'd go to alternative schools as not to interferre with the learning process.

Teachers would be evaluated by principals who would be responsible for putting a top staff together.

I wouldn't have a system where some schools got the best teachers and others the leftovers.

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But that is exactly what you are guaranteeing if Southeast Baton Rouge breaks off. They would get the best students, the best funding and eventually, the best principals. The rest of Baton Rouge would get the leftovers. How is your system built on geography and wealth better than my system built on ability?

All that said, I like neighborhood schools and I don't think everyone should need to go a magnet. It's not an either/or thing.

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And you are wrong in assuming me or my family didn't do the very things you say you have done

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I don't know about your "family" but I know with certainty you weren't that involved in your children's education.

Hell, you're so uninvolved with their education you don't even know who your school board representative is!!!

That's pitiful....