How in the world can USD 497 afford to turn down a new tax dollar source?

Simply because the Masonic Temple was tax exempt is no reason to turn down a new source of support for the public schools.

“Reading literature out of a book is not where are students are anymore,” said Kim Young, a curriculum specialist for language arts. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

WOOHOO! Were getting a new Library!

Straining eyes by constantly staring into a screen might increase the cost of health insurance.

Getting hooked on electronic devices can be a costly endeavor = the next IPAD will have more bells and whistles plus new software because the old software is not compatible.

Books can go everywhere with or without electricity.

"...juniors in literature classes, so that they can read stories available for free electronically instead of lugging around large texts."

"Lugging around large texts?" Something that millions of students have done for centuries all over the world? The obsession that public education has today with mollycoddling students and begging them to learn instead of kicking their butts if they refuse to learn is mind-boggling.

"'Reading literature out of a book is not where are students are anymore,' said Kim Young, a curriculum specialist for language arts." That's one taxpayer-funded U.S.D. 497 employee who ought to be fired tomorrow. Good grief.

The kids at my house gave this a thumbs down and said it was a bad use of funds needed elsewhere such as fixing things that are broken and hiring better teachers. Evidence presented were the dismal reading scores reported in the class of 2011.

If it was me, and I am not a professional teacher, I would prefer that they offer kids more practical courses such as;

Computer Hardware Class: You are required to take apart and rebuild a computer. During this training you will learn the Binary Number system and how it is applied in software programs. You will learn all the components of a computer and learn how to actually take command of a PC including the reformating of hard drives, etc. You will be taught how to create a functional network and a simple website and understand how the internet works. To do all of this, the class will be very fast paced.

For those who fall below a certain grade level, you will be required to run a mile and pushups until you show improvement.

Given the world we live in, I would think this kind of class should be required.

I remember working with some engineers on a special machine to manufacture water pumps for an automotive company in Detroit. This was back in the early 90's. We were always getting involved in the latest and greatest CAD/CAM programs and looking for faster and faster processors. An engineer I was working with completed all the drawings and models and they were magnificent. I asked him what kind of software he was using and he said Microsoft Paint, the free program that comes with windows. I just about fell out of my chair.

The problem with technology is that it can hide deficiencies and new technology is very seductive. When you use basic tools to achieve a great result, it demonstrates your real capabilities and at times can magnify genius.

We have to be careful about forgetting to teach fundamentals and lighting the fire of genius present in all of our kids, not covering it up with beautiful graphics and shiny new computer screens.

“Reading literature out of a book is not where are students are anymore,”

"Reading literature out of a book is not where OUR students are anymore."

Also, dontsheep they said- " 172 iPad 2s and related hardware, software and training services from Apple for $122,230."

This implies that they are purchasing a little more than just the iPad 2's. So I doubt they are paying $710 per iPad.

Just saying.