Klarinet Archive - Posting 000426.txt from 2001/05

From: "Buckman, Nancy" <nebuckman@-----.us>
Subj: [kl] FW: Beyond our wildest dreams
Date: Thu, 17 May 2001 15:49:57 -0400

Check out the letter below that arrived in my inbox just moments ago. I
hope the info will help some of you who are struggling with this issue in
your own school districts.

Nancy

Nancy E. Buckman, Technical Assistant
School of Health Professions, Wellness and Physical Education
Anne Arundel Community College
Arnold, Maryland 21012 USA
Phone 410-541-2316 Fax 410-541-2233
nebuckman@-----.us

> Subject: Beyond our wildest dreams
>
> You won't believe this--or maybe you will. But the war is not yet
> over--not
> at all! This evening at the school board meeting, which began 1/2 hour
> late, Board Member McNelly stood up after the pledge and made a very
> solemn
> announcement that on this date a letter had been received by the Board of
> Education from the State Senate. Signed by Senators Astle, DeGrange,
> Jimino, and Neall (a former County Executive), the letter told the Board
> of
> Education that never in all their years of experience had they ever
> witnessed such a huge outpouring of public discontent regarding a
> curricular change. The majority of this discontent revolved around two
> issues: 1) the cuts to the elective programs, and 2) the requirement that
> all children participate in the additional reading period and lose
> elective
> opportunities regardless of reading ability. Because of this public
> outpouring, the Senators respectfully requested that any further action on
>
> this program be deferred until the following three events had taken place:
>
> 1) the middle school committee had met with the CAC, scheduled for the
> 24th
> of May; 2) the County Council had made its final decision on the school
> budget; and 3) a discussion had taken place between the Board of Education
>
> and the entire Anne Arundel County delegation to the House and Senate to
> discuss this very important subject.
> On the basis of this letter, McNelly proposed that the following
> two agenda items be removed from the night's agenda: 1. Middle School
> Language Arts Curriculum, and 2. Middle School Program--Physical
> Education.
> At this point four speakers gave public testimony, including
> Allison Thompson of Maryland City and Beth Slikker of Severna Park, both
> of
> who spoke clearly, intelligently, and passionately in reiterating the
> basic
> CBEE position (including the need for a 7-period day and a well-rounded
> education that complied with state regulations).
> Obviously we have some thank-yous to send and some rethinking of
> strategy to consider. All input would be much appreciated. This letter
> came
> at the behest of Leslie Cowing of Benfield Elementary, who apparently
> pushed Neall over the edge (I know many of you have called these Senators
> as well, so they were definitely primed).
> I also received an offer tonight--totally unsolicited--from a fan
>
> in Crofton who says she can get us a letter of protest regarding cuts to
> arts education from Conductor Leonard Slatkin. So tonight our cup runneth
> over. The deal is clearly not yet done.--Terra
>
> Terra Ziporyn Snider, Ph.D.
> 945 Old County Road
> Severna Park, MD 21146
>
> ziporyn@-----.net
> 410-975-9759
> Fax: 410-975-9740

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