July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Argument against second JCHS gym (12/07/07)
Letters to the Editor
To the editor:
Another gym? That seems to be a hot topic these days with residents of Jay County.
My first reaction to this topic is "What are we thinking?' Our real attention should be focused on the academic/security problems in our system - not another gym. I realize that there are many excellent athletes in the Jay School Corporation, but what percentage actually are awarded scholarships in sports or go on to be professional athletes? Would not our efforts in changing the academic and security issues in our system serve more students, long term?
It seems to me that when a school corporation has a graduation rate of 76 percent, a new gym is the least of its worries. Why is our rate so low? The way the current block scheduling is set up where a student can "recycle" him/herself several times, our rate should be in the 90 percent range. Are the standards being taught? Is not enough time allowed to teach them properly? Why are our scores on the ISTEP in the high school in the 60 to 70 percent range?
That is at or slightly above the state average. Is that what we want to be - just above average?
Why has the number of students who have dropped out more than doubled since 2003? Over a year ago a man was brought in to evaluate our school system - block scheduling in particular. If I remember correctly, he surveyed teachers, students, and parents. What happened to the results of that survey? Were there any recommendations given or implemented? What is going on? (Editor's note: Indiana State University professor emeritus Greg Ulm opted not to complete the Jay County High School study because of other commitments. No payment was made for the portion of the research that he performed.)
If the community truly wants to know how to attract business, industry and new people to the community, try improving the academic situation. A new gym is just "curb appeal" to people looking to relocate to this area.
One would be amazed how much potential investors and others who have families pay attention to academic scores, not just sports records and gymnasiums.
I would like to address the issue of security in our buildings. Do the administrators really know who comes and goes at any given moment? Why is it so easy to enter a building after hours? Does each building have a lockdown/intruder plan in place? Has this plan been practiced like fire and tornado drills? If not, why not? What about security cameras in the buildings and badges to identify staff/visitors? Are the buildings locked after a certain time?
It is about time our school board started listening to all the people of the county. The board complains when people do not show up for meetings or take heed of notices posted about certain issues. When you ignore - or seem to ignore - their real concerns, they stop caring because there seems to be no point.
Why is this gym so important? The school system is supposed to act in the best interest of the students it serves. Are our students being served to the best of our abilities?
Building a new gym will not fix what's wrong with our corporation. It has been stated that the gym will be used for "family" activities. Our familes do not need for more things to be planned for us. It is tragic now that we have to choose between sending our children to a sporting event (game/ practice) or to religion class on Wednesday nights.
Why can't we have a "family night" where no practices or games are scheduled after 6 p.m.? Other communities have adopted this practice. Those in favor of a new gym say that the practice time will be reduced if another gym was built. I highly doubt that. In fact I feel the schedule/times will increase. Has anyone ever looked at how much the elementary/junior high gyms are used? Year round?
Before $98,000 is spent to draw up plans for a new gym, let's try drawing up new plans for academic success in our corporation.
Karen Schwieterman
Portland[[In-content Ad]]
Another gym? That seems to be a hot topic these days with residents of Jay County.
My first reaction to this topic is "What are we thinking?' Our real attention should be focused on the academic/security problems in our system - not another gym. I realize that there are many excellent athletes in the Jay School Corporation, but what percentage actually are awarded scholarships in sports or go on to be professional athletes? Would not our efforts in changing the academic and security issues in our system serve more students, long term?
It seems to me that when a school corporation has a graduation rate of 76 percent, a new gym is the least of its worries. Why is our rate so low? The way the current block scheduling is set up where a student can "recycle" him/herself several times, our rate should be in the 90 percent range. Are the standards being taught? Is not enough time allowed to teach them properly? Why are our scores on the ISTEP in the high school in the 60 to 70 percent range?
That is at or slightly above the state average. Is that what we want to be - just above average?
Why has the number of students who have dropped out more than doubled since 2003? Over a year ago a man was brought in to evaluate our school system - block scheduling in particular. If I remember correctly, he surveyed teachers, students, and parents. What happened to the results of that survey? Were there any recommendations given or implemented? What is going on? (Editor's note: Indiana State University professor emeritus Greg Ulm opted not to complete the Jay County High School study because of other commitments. No payment was made for the portion of the research that he performed.)
If the community truly wants to know how to attract business, industry and new people to the community, try improving the academic situation. A new gym is just "curb appeal" to people looking to relocate to this area.
One would be amazed how much potential investors and others who have families pay attention to academic scores, not just sports records and gymnasiums.
I would like to address the issue of security in our buildings. Do the administrators really know who comes and goes at any given moment? Why is it so easy to enter a building after hours? Does each building have a lockdown/intruder plan in place? Has this plan been practiced like fire and tornado drills? If not, why not? What about security cameras in the buildings and badges to identify staff/visitors? Are the buildings locked after a certain time?
It is about time our school board started listening to all the people of the county. The board complains when people do not show up for meetings or take heed of notices posted about certain issues. When you ignore - or seem to ignore - their real concerns, they stop caring because there seems to be no point.
Why is this gym so important? The school system is supposed to act in the best interest of the students it serves. Are our students being served to the best of our abilities?
Building a new gym will not fix what's wrong with our corporation. It has been stated that the gym will be used for "family" activities. Our familes do not need for more things to be planned for us. It is tragic now that we have to choose between sending our children to a sporting event (game/ practice) or to religion class on Wednesday nights.
Why can't we have a "family night" where no practices or games are scheduled after 6 p.m.? Other communities have adopted this practice. Those in favor of a new gym say that the practice time will be reduced if another gym was built. I highly doubt that. In fact I feel the schedule/times will increase. Has anyone ever looked at how much the elementary/junior high gyms are used? Year round?
Before $98,000 is spent to draw up plans for a new gym, let's try drawing up new plans for academic success in our corporation.
Karen Schwieterman
Portland[[In-content Ad]]
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