PreK4

[FuzzyLumpkins]

The 4 centers plan creates an additional hardship that isn't present with the current system......you have to transport the children to 1 of only 4 centers.
There was sufficient pre-k already offered. This was never an issue of access. Nobody wants to underfund the pre-k program. But it's completely absurd to duplicate existing infrastructure, and to do so in a less efficient manner.
If a tax initiative was truly needed, then great. Funnel that additional money to the existing, completely operational, structure...public schools.

TB, this sounds like an echo of the heritage foundations playbook against head start in the nineties. Why put together a whole new infrastructure for head start when the public schools are already there. Now its head start and the public schools are there. Head Start has a pretty damn good track record in regards to dropout and literacy rates.

There are 4 major school districts in San Antonio. So you are proposing dividing the tax initiative amongst them because that would be efficient? I know that a popular refrain has been to claim that htis is just the product of Castro's political ambitions but given the rhetoric from various representatives of the school districts i get the feeling that there is all manner of political wrangling going on. While CC looks at that map and thinks 'look for the idiots cause they disagree with me' what I see are clear delineations around the school zones ie NISD and NEISD vs SAISD ans SSISD. Class warfare goes both ways.

[DPG21920]

Completely fair point too and an obvious reason to be wary.

Ok I'm done playing devils advocate.

I think the idea has some merit but the lack of details is a big question mark. I'm not sure how I would have voted had I been in San Antonio. I think this is a really good form of leadership though. I was not a fan of Castro in the past but I really like the type of "big idea" thinking he's brought in for San Antonio. Some of it may flop but some of it may lead to city programs that are incredibly beneficial.

Really? I think he has gotten progressively worse. Given, I am probably not as informed as you are when it comes to politics, but it's alarming to me that he seems to be turning into an Obama clone. I mean, his voice even sounds like Obama's now and it's as if he's practiced the presidential body language and mannerisms in a mirror. I never get the "big thinker" tag some people get when in reality they just throw random stuff out there without a lot of data or a sound plan (which in this case I think is the case). It does not take a genius to just talk about the kids and throw together a really half baked plan that you can get passed because you are SA's Dark Knight.

[MannyIsGod]

I bet the NFL won't come to SA now

Who cares about the NFL? SA needs the MLS!

[MannyIsGod]

Really? I think he has gotten progressively worse. Given, I am probably not as informed as you are when it comes to politics, but it's alarming to me that he seems to be turning into an Obama clone. I mean, his voice even sounds like Obama's now and it's as if he's practiced the presidential body language and mannerisms in a mirror. I never get the "big thinker" tag some people get when in reality they just throw random stuff out there without a lot of data or a sound plan (which in this case I think is the case). It does not take a genius to just talk about the kids and throw together a really half baked plan that you can get passed because you are SA's Dark Knight.

Oh I'm not really very informed on San Antonio politics but I like the things that are getting national attention such as the Solar initiative and now this. Both may flop, but unless SA tries to do things of this nature its never going to be much more than it is now.

[CosmicCowboy]

I bet the NFL won't come to SA now

[DPG21920]

I agree, but I almost feel as if Castro is being used as the token minority hero/leader by the Obama campaign and he is allowing it to happen because it gains him or his city (or both) recognition. Means v ends.

[MannyIsGod]

There's NO DOUBT that the national democratic party likes Castro because he's a young hispanic who doesn't look like death. The national parties love them some tokens. But thats the reality of iden y politics we live in and I am talking more about the programs.

[DPG21920]

Well between the pandering and the half-backed, lack of data plans such as these that are getting passed, that is why I do not like the direction he's going IMO.

[FuzzyLumpkins]

There's NO DOUBT that the national democratic party likes Castro because he's a young hispanic who doesn't look like death. The national parties love them some tokens. But thats the reality of iden y politics we live in and I am talking more about the programs.

What's irritating is that Castro being liked by the Democratic party as a whole is being tossed out as a red herring instead of talking on merit.

[MannyIsGod]

Thats part of what comes with national exposure. It cuts both ways. The exposure gets you clout which you can then use to get help and pass things but it also gets you backlash and more criticism.

[DPG21920]

That is true - but when you start to examine these things to evaluate whether or not you like the direction a public figure has taken, you look at everything. It's understood that Castro took the next step due to his role in this year's election, however, just because you have clout and can do things, doesn't mean you should cut back on the quality of your visions just because you have said clout is my point.

[MannyIsGod]

Fair point. You guys see him far more than I do. I pretty much never do, ha.

[DPG21920]

I have not lived in SA for 9 years, but always stayed close and my fam all still lives there so I am there quite often.

[Drachen]

I agree, but I almost feel as if Castro is being used as the token minority hero/leader by the Obama campaign and he is allowing it to happen because it gains him or his city (or both) recognition. Means v ends.

Ok, I know what you meant here, but that doesn't mean that it isn't hilarious.

[Drachen]

BTW, my problem is twofold, it covers those already covered, and it is inefficient.

I don't like the firing of the final tax bullet, but they might have begrudgingly gotten my vote if they used the tax increase as block grants to the existing infrastructure and administration rather than having to fund a San Antonio Dept of Education, in addition to the education of children. They might be able to actually educate more children by not wasting money. The way I have been describing it is a "very well meaning, but very poorly thought out program"

[boutons_deux]

"They might be able to actually educate more children by not wasting money."

What if taxpayers quit paying for non-academic activities, like HS sports?

If you want to play, eg, football, your parents buy your uniform, pay the coaches' salaries, pay a fee for building/maintaining the dressing rooms/stadiums, pay the team travel costs, etc, etc. Game tickets would also be higher. Same with band, etc.

Then taxpayers' would pay only for academic/training activities/extracurriculars that affect ALL students.

[Drachen]

I KNOW!!!! ing VRWC wanting our children to be indoctrinated with arts education and extracurriculars.

[boutons_deux]

I KNOW!!!! ing VRWC wanting our children to be indoctrinated with arts education and extracurriculars.

non-sports extracurriculars? ok

computer club
chess club
woodcraft club
newspaper club
cooking club
politics club
debating team
radio club
band/music club (not marching band)
etc, etc.

(expensive) sports? you pay to play

[leemajors]

it's been a long time since I was in HS, but don't boosters pay for a lot of sports?

[TeyshaBlue]

it's been a long time since I was in HS, but don't boosters pay for a lot of sports?

They pick up pieces of extra-budgetary stuff here and there. In all, not much percentage-wise of the athletic budget.

[TeyshaBlue]

non-sports extracurriculars? ok

computer club
chess club
woodcraft club
newspaper club
cooking club
politics club
debating team
radio club
band/music club (not marching band)
etc, etc.

(expensive) sports? you pay to play

not marching band? wtf?

Unless you're tying it to athletics via football game halftime shows. Then, I get it.

[boutons_deux]

not marching band? wtf?

Unless you're tying it to athletics via football game halftime shows. Then, I get it.

band, orchestra, ensembles, ok.

marching band + uniforms + travel expenses, etc, no.

[TeyshaBlue]

band, orchestra, ensembles, ok.

marching band + uniforms + travel expenses, etc, no.

Ok...understood. However, there are travel expenses associated with concert band, orchestras, choir, enesembles, etc due to the UIL strictures placed upon these programs. If you are going to offer these programs, you must enroll in the UIL sponsored activities. That takes a lot of the local decision making out of whether or not to travel, etc....

ie...if a school is traveling to a UIL sponsored event, and the distance is over xxx miles (can't really remember anymore and it's probably changed by now), the school must provide a meal for the students participating.

[TeyshaBlue]

Dont get me started on the UIL.

[z0sa]

ty.