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Post by Chris_Wendt on Dec 7, 2009 14:01:22 GMT -5
Newsday & News12 Reported:
LI whiz kid wins Siemens Competition
(12/07/09) NEW YORK - An East Setauket high school whiz kid took home a $100,000 scholarship at the Siemens Competition in Math, Science and Technology.
Ruoyi Jiang, a student at Ward Melville High School, won top honors. His project examined resistance to chemotherapy drugs.
"I sort of am in a state of shock right now," said Jiang, 17, after winning. "I didn't think I'd get past the regionals, to be honest . . . I think we're all winners at this competition."
This story was written with Associated Press and Newsday reports.
No Wantagh kids won any prize in this competition, not because Wantagh kids aren't smart enough, and not because there are no 'whiz kids' here. No Wantagh kids won anything because no Wantagh kids entered, because, the Wantagh School District does not participate in this competition. Why? The usual excuse went something like this: "We don't have enough money to cover the cost of the staff, materials, equipment and fees that would allow us to compete successfully; allocating so much money to a very few students would be at the expense of a larger number of other students and other programs." Those were essentially a true statements. At one time we actually hired a Dr. Black at a very high salary to head the Mathematics Department and to take Wantagh High into the Intel Scholarship Competition. Unfortunately, Dr. Black suffered a reversal of fortunes with this personal health and left Wantagh before we ever got Intel off the ground. But this state of affairs needs to be looked at anew, especially in the light of the District's spending priorities, and most urgently now, at the dawn of teacher contract negotiations. Seems we have always had enough money, or we could find enough money, or we could raise enough money by raising taxes to pay for salary increases, step increases, grade increases, cost of living increases, health insurance cost increases, retirement fund increases, perks for former administrators, and for such niceties as hiring a PR firm and to continue to employ a District Photographer. Those have been the district's spending priorities, because we always spend and we always spend more and more on these items. So, what about the kids? What about the tax-paying parents of Wantagh's kids? Where is the district's spending priority for them? - NO Full-Day Kindergarten
- Bare-bones science labs
- Outmoded technology
- NO Siemens (formerly Intel) Science, Math & Technology Scholarship Competition
- Out-of-date textbooks
- No BOCES Summer Arts program
Another area of "competition" with academics and arts programming for spending priority is our sacrosanct sports program. Sport spending is usually defended, without bringing forth any supporting data, with the hue and cry that more kids are better served by spending (nearly $1 Million) for sports than for things like arts and the Siemens competition. So the "PRIORITY" question to be answered concerning the sports program is this: How many kids on each team, what is the total cost to field each team (coaching, supervision, transportation, league and use fees, equipment, uniforms, and awards) and what does that distill down to in terms of the actual cost per player per team/sport? How does that compare with the BOCES Arts Program and with competing in the Siemens Competition? We are a school district, not a union hall, and not a farm team for any major league sports. Aren't we? Congratulations to Ruoyi Jiang, and to Ward Melville High School! Chris Wendt |
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Post by lilly on Dec 8, 2009 18:24:11 GMT -5
Good post.
Just a few facts.
The BOCES Summer Arts Academy is not a factor in your list since it is at ZERO COST to taxpayers. Although there are no sound reasons for doing so since it is "no skin off their noses", the district chose to deny Wantagh kids participating in this program for the first time summer '09. (And yes, there were upset kids/parents who sorely missed the program.) Applications for the program are supposed to be submitted by their home district (guidance) since BOCES won't take them from parents.
You may be confusing the Summer Arts Academy with the school year BOCES arts program, which again the district CUT while the sports spending is at an ALL TIME HIGH.
Last year, the BAC voted in an overwhelming majority to reinstate the school year LIHSA/BOCES arts program for Wantagh kids. (In fact, not once but voted to reinstate it about 3-4 times out of the 65 reco's.)
The district fell back on the "high cost of the program" when pressed (or just ignoring it completely most of the time) despite an analysis that showed arts program costs were comparable to what we spend on our sports kids when the construct of the different programs are considered. Also, comments at those BAC meetings were to the effect that Wantagh has a heritage of encouraging all our kids to excel and develop their their talents/career paths, not just favor one type of kid - and that we should continue that rich tradition. The BOE and administration, however, completely IGNORED this clear recommendation(s), as well as 64 other recommendations.
Claims that "contingency" status last year negatively affected the district and will take "years" to recoup are total BS. Not only were full sports reinstated for this year, they added MORE SPORTS (separate 7th & 8th teams, and drumroll..... elementary intramurals). That mis-statement is actually comical IF I didn't live here, pay taxes with my kids attending these schools. Sometimes I think you really can't make this stuff up about Wantagh. Quid pro quo anyone?
And the sports spending you're mentioning excludes the expensive bond payment for the SPORTSPLEX in the back of the HS. You know, the one that "the community wanted" demonstrated via revotes and an extremely narrow margin at least for the astroturf.
Bear in mind, we are paying for the new tech on credit due to lack of short/long term planning. And while we're paying that off, which is too little/too late, that area will need continual investment since we are still BEHIND where other districts are (pix of BOE trustees in front of a smartboard on the district website aside).
I believe other taxpaying parents notice and are disappointed in the priorities in district budgets. I know it's a complicated statement but I also know I am not alone. Getting the contracts in check with reality will go a long way in alleviating continuing cuts to the kids (except of course if recent history is any indication, sports) at unaffordable tax increases. Wasn't "It's the value stupid" a political slogan? And d**n, that's without considering the current economic reality.
Now to figure out who to call at the district to replace my kid's science text - broken binding, ripped spine and loose pages. It's not going to make the year. And no, my kid didn't abuse the book, it was recvd in poor condition.
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Post by Chris_Wendt on Dec 9, 2009 12:46:31 GMT -5
Lilly pointed out:
"The BOCES Summer Arts Academy is not a factor in your (my) list since it is at ZERO COST to taxpayers. Although there are no sound reasons for doing so since it is "no skin off their noses", the district chose to deny Wantagh kids participating in this program for the first time summer '09. (And yes, there were upset kids/parents who sorely missed the program.) Applications for the program are supposed to be submitted by their home district (guidance) since BOCES won't take them from parents."
I guess you will have to chalk that up to just good old-fashioned, mean-spirited vindictiveness on the part of the former administration against...whom? Against a small contingent of Wantagh kids whose parents had the unmitigated gall to challenge the district over their fair share of the Boces Aid from that program! That would beg the question, then...were the kids penalized for their parents challenging the district's sense of fairness over that money, or, was the punishment meted out to them for their parents winning the point on that issue, and getting their fair share of the BOCES rebate money back from the District? Of course, we are talking about the ARTS, and not about SPORTS. Had this been a SPORTS issue, then this whole thing would have been settled to the parents and kids complete satisfaction, no expense having been spared, in the name of SPORTS. This line of thinking could result in a perspective being formed that, in Wantagh, SPORTS rules, fairness notwithstanding. I wonder how the new district leadership is going to deal with this same issue in 2010? ...and beyond? With keen interest, Chris Wendt |
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Post by lilly on Dec 11, 2009 10:29:29 GMT -5
"Winning" is such a distasteful word in this matter.
Maybe the "for the kids" mantra should be changed to "do the right thing for the kids".
This whole situation is unfortunate, sad and unnecessary.
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Post by Chris_Wendt on Dec 11, 2009 12:58:11 GMT -5
"Winning (the point on this issue)" was not from the perspective of any kids, nor from the point of view of the parents who paid the money for the prior summer's program which money had netted the school district a handsome rebate in BOCES Aid which Wantagh, unlike neighboring school districts did NOT share with those parents.
I recall that the former regime, the prior leadership, was standing pat on impractical and untenable legal advice which they believed told them that all those other districts, and the effected Wantagh parents were all wet, and the Wantagh School District was pristine in its contrary decision to keep all the money (BOCES Aid rebate from the Summer Arts program). So, therefore, the concept of "winning" was from the perspective of the school district, who lost the point in the end, by virtue of some parents having finally gotten whatever money those parents had coming to them from the school district (those parents "winning", on the obverse).
More than anything, this sorry episode showed a dramatic example of poor judgment and almost arrogant insensitivity by the former regime, thus serving as a fitting epilogue to their having been replaced by the current, new leadership regime.
Maybe not almost.
The other aspect which bolsters the appropriateness of the illation of winning, is what had obviously been an exercise in SCORE-KEEPING, and the ultimate PAYBACK:
You win but you lose!
"Here's your #@%* money; program cancelled."
So, there!
Chris
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renee
New Member
Posts: 13 
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Post by renee on Dec 11, 2009 21:34:26 GMT -5
Wow The way I take this conversation and I could be mistaken, It seems that you would be very happy If sports were taken from the children in Wantagh. Like an eye for an eye. Maybe if everyone worked together for the kids then we might not be where we are today. It is sad that the arts program was taken from those kids Would you feel better if there was no boys soccer or no girls track??The problem is everyone seems to be out for themselves and their own. SAD!!!!! This is also why very few people want to be involved. There is so much bitterness and hatred. Wantagh should stand together for all the kids not just well they took from mine but not yours.
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Post by bnjasper on Dec 12, 2009 11:08:52 GMT -5
Hey Renee
There is some truth to what you are trying to get across. However, Wantagh does not exist solely for the kids. All of Wantagh working together to provide the best education for our children must include the seniors, the taxpayers, the teachers, the parents and the children. The BIG issue for all is how we spend our dollars to provide that elusive best education. This writer continues to strive to reduce the bureaucracy. I’m sure your Social Studies teacher has defined bureaucracy as something that continues to try and grow itself. I also think contract is a synonym for bureaucracy. If we can get more of those dollars into the education process and less into the bureaucracy then maybe there would be that harmony you believe should exist. Thanks for joining in on the discussion.
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Post by Chris_Wendt on Dec 13, 2009 10:07:25 GMT -5
Renee opened up with this qualification:
"The way I take this conversation and I could be mistaken..."
...being mistaken most certainly is the case. Renee, attempting to paint my remarks (or me, personally) as being anti-Sports when she mused:
"It seems that you would be very happy If sports were taken from the children in Wantagh." Of course, nothing could be further from the truth. As a Board of Ed Trustee, I supported the bond propositions which led to the construction of the new track, the new football field, the new gym, and the new tennis courts. I was an athlete all through my school years in every season. My daughter played varsity volleyball at Wantagh, and my grandkids are involved in sports from PAL through Varsity Football and Wrestling where they live. My brother held the Pole Vault record at Wantagh for a few years in the 1960's. I coached PAL soccer and basketball for several years when my kids were growing up, here. Renee hit the target with this truism:
"Maybe if everyone worked together for the kids then we might not be where we are today." Unfortunately, and relying upon the correctness of that logic, we are where we are today precisely because we do NOT all work TOGETHER for ALL the kids. We have bureaucracy-builders working on building and maintaining an administrative staff and the non-teaching organization, rather than streamlining, modernizing, belt-tightening, or consolidating any services or positions. We have a really unfortunate rift between "sports parents" and parents with goals and objectives and hopes and dreams for their kids which are not sports oriented. THIS THREAD is in the ACADEMICS section of this board, and it is about a major SCIENCE PROGRAM which, due to spending priorities, Wantagh kids do NOT get a chance to participate in. Renee provides a very typical example of this chasm:
"It is sad that the arts program was taken from those kids."
Sad? Not sad, a travesty. It is on par, the moral equivalent of the taking away of Seventh Grade Sports, which was not "SAD", but an "OUTRAGE!" People were outraged over that, as some people have been outraged over the "TAKING AWAY" of the Summer Arts Program. Renee is back on-track, noting appropriately:
"The problem is everyone seems to be out for themselves and their own. SAD!" Which, because we are us, is truly sad. We have a Board of Education and a new leadership team in Wantagh, and it is or should be their mandate to provide leadership which insures ACADEMIC and ART and MUSIC opportunities are as attainable to Wantagh kids as are SPORTS. KIDS FIRST! Administrative staffing, non-teaching positions, large salaries, and numerous perks and benefits must come only...AFTER WE PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE KIDS! Wantagh, the community, the people who live here, the kids who go to school here and their parents, and those who pay the taxes to run the schools, "WE" MUST rally together with the interests and needs of all of us, "WANTAGH" at heart and in mind. Respectfully, Chris Wendt PS - Who are you, Renee? |
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Post by lilly on Dec 14, 2009 9:20:46 GMT -5
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Post by lilly on Dec 14, 2009 9:26:36 GMT -5
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Post by Chris_Wendt on Dec 16, 2009 9:57:05 GMT -5
Thanks for posting this, Lilly.
Inspirational, to be sure!
Chris
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