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Mark Zetzer May 7, 2013 at 02:01 pm
Not bad, except that the district's property tax rate is probably in the top ten in the country. The…Read More cost/performance disparity is huge. As such, a full performance audit of the Shaker School system should be conducted before any new levies are considered.
The district should also consider abandoning the property tax in favor of a school income tax. The property tax is an anachronism that does not reflect a taxpayer's ability to pay, especially as incomes and property values decline or fail to keep up with the cost of living. Furthermore, renters do not pay the property tax directly and may not be paying their fair share of the public school cost burden, yet still get to vote for the property tax levies.
Derek Abbott May 7, 2013 at 02:29 pm
This is a very poorly researched article. Last year (2012), Shaker High School was ranked 505.…Read More This year, it was 1050. Some of this might be methodology, but why the drop? Why not report on the trend over time?
Also, I grew up in rural Maine and looked at the rankings from near my hometown relative to the amount of money spent per pupil. Here's what I found:
Yarmouth High School - Rank 305 $14075 per student per year
Falmouth High School - Rank 344 $12404 per student per year
Greely High School - Rank 835 $13645 per student per year
Shaker Heights High School - Rank 1050 $15697 per student per year
While Shaker isn't egregiously higher than top ranked schools, given that the school board is coming for another levy in 2014, it would be nice for them to explain how other schools can get better results while spending 10-20% less per pupil.
Cindy Courtright April 26, 2013 at 02:56 pm
i would appreciate someone editing articles before they go to press. to wit: "More than 50…Read More years have passed since May 4, 1970,". today is april 26, 2013. simple math says 2013 minus 1970= 43... NOT 50.
Jason Lea (Editor) April 26, 2013 at 03:39 pm
Please pardon the typo. You are absolutely correct and I apologize for my error.
AM April 30, 2013 at 10:40 pm
Tracy is the spouse of a former school board member, he is not referring to you, Elizabeth! Mary…Read More was a very caring and positive school board member, who truly had the best interests of the community and students in mind. Shaker has many tough issues to deal with and the current board needs to stand up and practice fiscal responsibility and accountability. They need to hold administrators accountable. I believe most of the teachers in Shaker are hard working and do everything in their power for our students. The problem with Shaker schools is a bloated administration.
Elizabeth May 1, 2013 at 01:23 am
I realized that, AM. I was acknowledging it, pointing out that I wasn't, and asking a follow-up.…Read More It's certainly a complicated issue about which many people care deeply, and all of Shaker benefits from strong civic engagement with the schools. (And I think that includes celebrating the accomplishments of the students.)
Cavs May 1, 2013 at 03:25 pm
I believe that comments like "this community is on the brink of destruction" can sometimes…Read More make it difficult to have a serious and meaningful discussion. Just my opinion. Thats as bad as the scare tactic fliers that the city sent out regarding the need for the income tax increase. I think the schools have a serious need for improvement especially regarding the achievement gap. I would like to see some fresh ideas from the new superintendent. I however don't think the city is on the verge of destruction as some here do. If I did I wouldn't choose to live here.
Shaker High's Astronomy Teacher, Planetarium Director…
Comment Recommend Nikki Ferrell (Editor)