School superintendent requests school be turned into prison
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School superintendent requests school be turned into prison
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Re: School superintendent requests school be turned into prison
#2Great article. Not really hacker news-worthy though, is it?
Re: School superintendent requests school be turned into prison
#3Great article. Not really hacker news-worthy though, is it?
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Re: School superintendent requests school be turned into prison
#4Not at all what I expected when I saw the title. And I tend to think that spending that amount per student now would result in a future with (a) less prisoners, (b) citizens with the tools to really improve themselves and the world around them, and (c) taxpayers able to pay more.
Re: School superintendent requests school be turned into prison
#5First I agree the cost Michigan pays per prisoner is too high. Texas manages to get by at $13,000 per prisoner Michigan shouldn't need $40,000. But that's for all the expenses to keep them alive (room, board, medical, etc...). So the comparison isn't an accurate one.
But let me ask this:
Michigan is a state where the average teacher makes $57,958 per year BEFORE benefits (http://www.teacher-world.com/teacher-salary/michigan.html). Benefits that include a lifetime pension after retirement. This is in a state with a median income of $44,627 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michigan)
Yet they rank 30th in education: http://tinyurl.com/5wwq8ep.
I'm not saying teacher's shouldn't be well paid. If they were making 10% over the median income I would have no complaints. But they're well above that and that, as much as the prisons, is why the schools in Michigan have no money.
Re: School superintendent requests school be turned into prison
#6Kudos to the superintendent for doing his job. Whatever validity you think his point has, there's no doubt he'll get a lot of attention thanks to the clever way he's approached the problem.
I'm one of those people that, whenever they hear about economic problems, always thinks individuals are responsible. I want to know, am I wrong? Nowhere does it say you need a house with a spare bedroom and a bathroom for each person. You aren't entitled to a car, let alone two. It isn't some birthright that you go on vacation or buy a flat screen through credit.
Education is important. It's also expensive and difficult. Why aren't parents more on the hook? Yes, some parents really, really can't. But most could. It might take substantial life style changes, but the amount of money an average westerner can free up is staggering.
I know michigan is particularly hard hit, so this might not be the most sympathetic example to ask, but I just can't help feeling this way. (and that doesn't change the fact that I think the superintended did a great job, whether I think it's the states problem or not).
Re: School superintendent requests school be turned into prison
#7First I agree the cost Michigan pays per prisoner is too high. Texas manages to get by at $13,000 per prisoner Michigan shouldn't need $40,000. But that's for all the expenses to keep them alive (room, board, medical, etc...). So the comparison isn't an accurate one. But let me ask this: Michigan is a state where the average teacher makes $57,958 per year BEFORE benefits ( http://www.teacher-world.com/teacher-salary/…
If having good teachers is a priority, then teachers should earn whatever is required to lure qualified people away from private-sector employment.
Re: School superintendent requests school be turned into prison
#8First I agree the cost Michigan pays per prisoner is too high. Texas manages to get by at $13,000 per prisoner Michigan shouldn't need $40,000. But that's for all the expenses to keep them alive (room, board, medical, etc...). So the comparison isn't an accurate one. But let me ask this: Michigan is a state where the average teacher makes $57,958 per year BEFORE benefits ( http://www.teacher-world.com/teacher-salary/…
That is not entirely fair. Median income is the position of low-skilled labor, not work that requires a college degree and a position of trust and responsibility for children.
Income is closer a power law distribution, not a normal distribution bell curve.
Re: School superintendent requests school be turned into prison
#9Worst title ever? Possibly.
Re: School superintendent requests school be turned into prison
#10Kudos to the superintendent for doing his job. Whatever validity you think his point has, there's no doubt he'll get a lot of attention thanks to the clever way he's approached the problem. I'm one of those people that, whenever they hear about economic problems, always thinks individuals are responsible. I want to know, am I wrong? Nowhere does it say you need a house with a spare bedroom and a bathroom for each per…
Most parent that can already do send their kids to private school. But we have to admit that public schools often get the short end of the stick in most state budget discussions. Even if parents contribute more (taxes) it ends up not being used properly. Also, the bigger the house usually means the more taxes you pay to the school board ;p