Tom Trigg
Employees of the Blue Valley School District have got to enjoy the chronic editorial handwringing about the alleged underfunding of public schools…
In between calls to their stockbrokers and money managers, this has to be a subject of great amusement among them.
For the record, they are doing quite well.
The benefits are solid and their vacation days are the envy of the working world.
Top pay goes to Superintendent Tom Trigg with a salary north of $300,000.
Although most of the 74 six-figure folks are administrators of some sort, a few of them are teachers. Many of them are principals but just as many administer programs that didn’t exist a generation ago, things like “Enterprise,” “Professional Development,” “Car Tech Education,” “Caps,” and “C & I”–whatever those are. Another 32 employees make more than $90,000, and most of those are teachers.
Workers in the private sector in Kansas are not doing nearly as well.
I could be wrong, but my guess is that none of them gets his or her summer off.
Rich Steele is a citizen journalist and head of the NSAAS (Non-Smokers Against Anti-Smoking).
Teachers are contracted for a certain number of days and are not paid for any days off (including summer). The salary is spread over 12 months.
Some even have the option of getting their salary over the 9 months school is in session.
At least they did at Blue Springs back when I attended (70’s & 80’s).
Still 100 grand a year is is 100 grand a year, DPW…
If they don’t have to work for two months, it’s still effectively the same as getting paid for the summer off.
My teacher friends all considered that they were being paid a full salary AND they could make a ton of money freelancing during the off months.
My wife’s ex is the perfect example of this.
Well, at least they are teaching our kids the basic information that will be needed in the new Amerika to succeed.
http://theeconomiccollapseblog.com/archives/20-completely-ridiculous-college-courses-being-offered-at-u-s-universities
Those look like electives as opposed to requirements. Also, I had a couple of friends take a class on Harry Potter at MU several years back. I scoffed at it as well but the class was being used as an examination of popular tropes in fiction and looked closely at how well Harry Potter followed the hero’s journey. The books also had several references to mythology. Just because a class isn’t teaching Joyce doesn’t mean that critical thinking when it comes to reading is not being applied. The goal of that class was to teach how to read deeper than the plot and narrative through a very accessible book. Once you learn those principles you can then apply it something a bit more difficult (Joyce for example is filled with references to mythology…some obvious and some not so obvious). Teaching accessible popular fiction (or topics on pop culture in general) does have value if it can be used in a way to teach how to read or view art at a more critical level.
I will give you a push on Potter by way of juxtapositioning him next to Joyce who is outta my pay grade. There were other example however–
“Interrogating Gender: Centuries of Dramatic Cross-Dressing” (Swarthmore) – Do clothes make the man? Or the woman? Do men make better women? Or women better men? Is gender a costume we put on and take off? Are we really all always in drag? Does gender-bending lead to transcendence or chaos? These questions and their ramifications for liminalities of race, nationality and sexuality will be our focus in a course that examines dramatic works from The Bacchae to M. Butterfly.
You’re up.
First things first, I don’t have the time or the inclination to defend every single class from that list and argue with you about the merits of rap and hip hop. So, I will give you my take on this class and then be done with it for now.
Second thing, what exactly do you think that class is going to do? Watch RuPaul’s Drag Race or something? Since the link to Swarthmore goes to available English classes then it is pretty same to assume that this is an English class. You mentioned classical music artists below and yet you complain about classic Greek tragedies such as The Bacchae being taught? Do you object to Shakespeare as well? I would imagine Twelfth Night would be in the reading list since the play features cross dressing characters and because it is also famous for having male leads play female characters. Young male actors cross dress to play female characters and the female characters cross dress and pretend to be men…are you following me?
Believe it or not, the themes of identity, gender confusion, race, masculinity, femininity, sexuality, etc. etc. have been around a hell of a lot longer than either of us have. What looks like the goal of that class is not to specifically defend cross dressing. It is a class that, again, teaches critical thinking by looking at provocative themes from classical and modern literature and theater.
Very nice.
I leave you the field.
Here at the University of Missouri, you can acquire the necessary credits (And Intellectual chops needed in the new Amerika for those in depth discussions at “da club”.) to further your education by plumbing the depths of two great men of their times and their “work”, heroes to us all, Jay Z and Kanye.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/26/college-course-jay-z-kanye-west_n_4661573.html
Again, this does not appear to be a blow off class where college kids can come to class stoned and listen to rap music for an hour. Whether you like it or not, Jay Z and Kanye West do have running themes in their music and lyrics that go beyond swagger and bragging. I know you could cherry pick a few lyrics and say something snarky about it but the point is that these are successful and eccentric artists who are important to the larger social conversation. I mean, look at what the class looks to achieve: 1) the history of poetic form in English, and how it does and doesn’t apply to rap; 2) the history of rap as a new art form; 3) how to do research into popular culture; and 4) most importantly, how to become a better, more knowledgeable listener to rap music.
You start with a section about poetry! So, again, you are asking students to critique popular and accessible forms of media and then compare it to something that is, for the most part, rather esoteric. So, while you might not find much value in rap music that doesn’t mean that it is not a valid form of expression and art. This class asks students to compare and contrast two different forms of art/communication and then to think critically when engaging with those two different forms. How is that not a valid form of teaching critical thinking skills?
I’m with you, Jimmy…
All that glitters in higher education is not math, science and exact job skills. Art and culture – and yes, even pop culture – is an important part of our heritage as well.
I wouldn’t have to “Cherry pick” . The value of Kanye and Jay Z’s oeuvre when contrasted and compared to musicians, composers and singers from Brahms to the Beatles speaks for itself.
Indeed, I am not at all surprised, that in the halls of Academe, in 2015 America, it is of value, to, “… become a better, more knowledgeable listener to rap music.”
Studying rap music, that glorifies violence, murder, rape, misogyny, cop killings and the entire pantheon of execrable, activities glorified by thugs, criminals and their apologists is, in my opinion, not just a waste of time, but downright pernicious.
Chuck, we’re both old guys. Interesting that we now put the Beatles in a category with Brahms and criticize Kanye. When we were kids, our parents were criticizing the Beatles and saying they paled next to Sinatra and Crosby. If the class on Rap is what reaches and motivates kids to attend, take part in discussion and research, and learn critical thinking skills, who are we to criticize.
To borrow a phrase from the left, “False Equivalence”.
The incessant paeans to violence, murder, rape, misogyny, cop killings etc. translate into a sub culture in the inner city abattoir that encourages that same behavior. Rap music is the cri de Coeur of the Hip/Hop/Holocaust that as we speak, lionizes and encourages insane, counterproductive results all over America.
I am sure, there must be examples of country music or the Beatles that might, in a reach, be considered promoting violence. But it is at best disingenuous if not downright lying to pretend that there is not a straight line reference from rap to violence and the encouragement of same.
That is my opinion.
“I wouldn’t have to “Cherry pick” . The value of Kanye and Jay Z’s oeuvre when contrasted and compared to musicians, composers and singers from Brahms to the Beatles speaks for itself.”
It doesn’t actually “speak for itself” and that isn’t even an argument. You just made an easy generalization about art as opposed to actually engaging with the question. You masquerade as having an elitist opinion about art (or, specifically, white art) when you don’t have any way to compare your taste in music to rap and hip hop because you don’t actually engage with the music. Also, are you actually a classical music fan? What about opera? I must run in to you at the Performing Arts Center quite often.
“I am sure, there must be examples of country music or the Beatles that might, in a reach, be considered promoting violence. But it is at best disingenuous if not downright lying to pretend that there is not a straight line reference from rap to violence and the encouragement of same.”
Do you know the difference between correlation and cause and effect? I mean, you sound like Tipper Gore right now. Were you one of those people who thought Rob Halford was trying to get teenagers to commit suicide? You must think Black Sabbath were actual murdering satanists, huh? Did you sign a petition to get Marilyn Manson cd’s removed from retail stores? God help you if you ever listen to a Slayer record. What is that awful metal music doing to our fine upstanding WHITE sons and daughters? When will the WHITE parents finally take control of their kids? Same freak out. Different genre.
Yes it does, “speak for itself”. My subjective opinion on art is just as valid as your subjective opinion on art, even if we don’t run into each other at the “Performing Arts Center”.
I personally didn’t care for Manson, Slayer and Black Sabbath. I don’t know who Rob Halford is. My taste in music, while no doubt serving to entertain those more refined readers here at kcconfidential who also are patrons of the “Performing Arts Center”, are of no consequence. Those “Artists” mentioned are a Red Herring in this argument based on the reality in the streets. False equivalence.
You question my ability to understand the difference between correlation and cause and effect. Your arrow misses the mark and strains credulity.
Lets make sure we are clear. You are saying, as I understand it, that the hundreds of thousands of violent, misogynistic, lyrics and songs on the market now, which encourage murder, rape, the killing of cops, theft, assault and a real time thrill ride in a real life Heironymus Bosch painting has no cause and produces no effect with anyone who, is vulnerable to those types of “songs”?
Me, I bought Beatle shoes. Wet by every rain and blown by every wind, I tried pot for the first time after hearing “Strawberry Fields”.
The position, the denial, that there is no symbiosis, no cause and effect from the pig ignorant, blood simple violence in Rap and the pig ignorant, blood simple violence in the streets is, in my opinion, preposterous and untenable.
I am going to work, give my best to your peeps at the “Performing Arts Center”. It’s Friday Jimmy, I will slug down some cheap whiskey later and have one for you with my peeps…, er…, plebes.
We think that Jimmy got all the brains in Harley’s family. Still… come on…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Murdered_rappers
college education is not just about skills for a job. Its about getting skills for
a life.
There was classes that sounded even worse but were excellent classes
But at 20k per year a mizzou student deserves some fun.
that’s the way it is at all schools…they’re called electives.
if they students are willing to pay inflated costs for that education (and remember
mu has a huge number of out of state students_) for the highlyesteemed
majors that they can throw in a fun class for the students to really enjoy.
Maybe chuck could teacha course up there..’RACISM IN AMERICA”….
I’d SIGN UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WHY NOT COMBINE OLATHE/SHAWNEE MISSION AND BLUE VALLEY
SCHOOLDISTRICTS AND SAVE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS ON WASTE
AND A BUNCH OF OF ADMINISTRATORS ALL DOING THE SAME THING?
Seems to me there’d be some economies of scale, clearly…
On the other hand, the three big districts combined would still require far more staffing than just one. And how do you get around the politics of the different cities? And obviously the people making those fat paychecks at the top are gonna fight it.
In other words, it’s a lot easier said than done
Combining three districts into one would NOT require more staffing. That is a position taken by government when they don’t want to consolidate.
Government worries about job loss when companies merge…because they know that consolidation leads to efficiencies…but they ignore those facts when they are the subject of consolidation.
So Dave, safe to say you regard government as the enemy?
Not at all. Just pointing out the flaw in the argument.
Ok, I think what Hearne was saying is that combining the three districts into one would require more administrative staffing than currently exists for just one district, but certainly not more staffing than exists now for all three districts. Currently Olathe has almost 29,000 students, SMSD over 28,000, and BV at over 22,000. Wichita is far and away the largest at over 49,000. KCK rounds out the top 5 with about 20,000. Out of 100 school districts in the state, 55 have less than 2,000 students. I’m no expert but consolidation of districts at least needs to be on the table. Top priority needs to be student performance but if we are looking to save money and make what dollars we have go as far as possible, looking at top heavy administration costs clearly looks to be a logical target for scrutiny.
I agree in other western counties in Kansas where you have sparse population schools should be consolidated to save money. Kansas has one of the highest administrator to student ratios in the country. What Valentine did not bother to address is Blue Valley has the top four rated public schools in the state of Kansas. And if the citizens of that school district really had a problem with their salaries I think they would do something about it.
Methinks they (Blue Valley residents) are OK with the salaries and the results. Should a high rated school district not be paid for good performance?
High performance should be rewarded but that’s not how the system runs in Kansas. Teachers are paid based on seniority rather than effectiveness, which is why the highest paid teachers in most districts are in Phys Ed, Music, Art and Drama. Check the payrolls at the link in this story. The unions vehemently oppose pay-for-performance and school boards generally either side with the unions or are afraid to oppose them.
School boards and administrators pay beginning teachers a paltry $35,000 (roughly) by using the one-size-fits-none salary scale. But look at those payrolls and see what they choose to pay other school employees like secretaries and custodians…who routinely make more. Some custodians collect more than $60,000.
Good piece Rich and you do bring up a valid point. Many school districts appear to be a bit top heavy in administrative costs and that would be a necessary focus going forward as Kansas struggles to excel in education with less money available to do so. I have no trouble with cutting fat but get concerned when we have to cut muscle and bone.
I guess where I have a little trouble with your perspective is that there seems to be an undercurrent in your view that merely working in the “private sector” makes one substantially more important to our economy than one who works in the “public sector” regardless of the job description. Not saying all teachers should be making $90,000 but the value of the work performed by those who teach our young people far exceeds the value of many office managers, HR managers, and operations managers, in my humble opinion. Many of those who work in the public sector do important work, critical work, and to generally imply that public sector workers are overpaid and worthless when compared to the private sector is grossly unfair and inaccurate.
Just sayin’
Right on!
If people demand teacher accountability, that comes in the form of increased administration that did not exist in an earlier time — for example, the mentioned roles in “Professional Development” and “C&I” (almost certainly Curriculum & Instruction).
Administrative spending at Blue Valley last year was $24.2 million. That’s a 42% increase since 2005. Blue Valley also spends more per-student on administration than any other Johnson County district, at $1,137 per-pupil. De Soto only spends $742 per-pupil. If Blue Valley spent at that level, admin spending would be $8.4 million less.
Blue Valley is one of the best school districts in the state. Coincidence?
Yes, just a coincidence. While BV spends $1,137 per pupil on Administration, Kansas City KS spends $1,398. There is no relationship between spending more and achieving more.
Blue Valley has high overall scores because it is probably the Whitest and most affluent district in the State. There are large achievement gaps for low income students and minorities…and BV’s overall score is pushed higher by their demographic differences.
But look at how the picture changes when you look at individual student cohorts. These numbers come from the 2013 state assessment (2014 wasn’t publised) and reflect the percentage of low income students who read grade-appropriate material with full comprehension:
Blue Valley 59.3%
De Soto 64.4%
Gardner Edgerton 68.5%
Olathe 55.4%
SMSD 49%
Spring Hill 54.1%
Now let’s look at students who are NOT low income…percentage of students who are usually accurate on all grade-level math tasks:
Blue Valley 69.8%
De Soto 76.4%
Gardner Edgerton 81.1%
Olathe 74.0%
SMSD 70.1%
Spring Hill 59.9%
I’m not saying that Blue Valley isn’t a good district…just showing the facts, which are dramatically different from what parents are told.
great post dave….
the facts don’t prove the perception.
thanks for your time and effort.
Harley