School officials air concerns over Luna's plan

Part of Luna's plan is combine districts to help save money. This would mean that Supt. Tim McMurtrey and Asst. Supt. James Gilbert's jobs are at risk. I think that they should be concerned.

From what I read the Mountain Home District would not be one of the districts considered for consolidation. I am concerned with Luna's suggestion to increase class sizes to finance his plan.

Of course Mtn Home School District Official are concerned. Bringing education in Idaho into the current century means change. Education has been significantly impacted by technology. Idaho must participate or handicap our students. 'Online' education is a fact. To adequately prepare our youth to compete in the world of education or employment, we need to broaden the mindset and relize learning must go beyond the classroom. Kids already spend a large amount of time 'online' - and learn far more than most parents can fathom through the internet. Public education needs to make use of the medium and allow many students, who are quite capable, to progress at their own rate with available online courses. This will require students be actively involved and responsible for their education, but it also provides greater options for learning. To those who really want an education, there will be no geographic limits.

It is always all about the money.

In 1998, when I graduated from college (for the second time), the school had classes by TV. The teacher was in another place and it was sent to where we were. We could ask questions and watch as class went on in another place. It allowed the school to teach 2 classes at one time (good for the budget). We learned that way just fine. But, as someone said above, these "kids" will have to take ownership in their education. If they want to fail, they will. If they want to be something, they will do it.

As for online classes, we had those too. They work fine. Education is what you choose to make of it. These parents, teachers and our school board as well as the students need to be accountable. It is not the job of the public/taxpayers to make sure Johnny goes to school and once there that he learns. That is the job of Johnny and his parents.

The current school board needs to go but will the good ole boys allow it? Time will tell.

Why is it that some of you continue to vent your frustrations at school officials and teachers when most of you re-elected Mr. Luna to another four years of slash and burn tactics regarding public education.

Idaho is pathetic in all areas regarding the funding and support of it's public schools...meanwhile, we as tax payers flip part of the bill for "charter schools"..why?

We have a charter school in this community, with brand new facilities, meanwhile our local public schools facilities are crumbling...just look at our high school...it's shameful that the youth of our community have to learn in such an facility...where's the community pride?

I for one understand that we MUST be fiscally responsible and to ensure we spend taxpayers money wisely...but education is NOT cheap, and I as a taxpaying citizen would not mind paying a little more for the youth of our community.

OpinionMissy is right to say that it's all of our responsiblities...we are ALL accountabile, and we do our community a disservice buy allowing our public schools to fail.

Mr. Otter along with his good friend Mr. Luna have one and only one goal for public education in Idaho...do away with it, and fund charter schools. It has become very evident that this state's public leaders do not have the public's interest when it comes to education in this state!

So, if you like the current status of Idaho's public education, 48th out of 50 in funding, graduating students and just about every other category, then Idaho is your state, but I think the rest of us want better from our state officials...we can do better and it's our obligation to our children and their children to do better.

Let's put away party affliation polictics and put our best foot forward and make education in our state "TOP PRIORITY"

Regarding our local charter school, which by the way provides a great education to their students...

They did build a new facility. They saved for it and got a LOAN for the remainder of the monies needed. They have since or soon will pay that LOAN off---AHEAD of time.

Their teachers are paid based on the number of students. If the number of stdents falls...teacher pay falls. If the number of students is up...teacher pay is up. WOW! Kind of an incentive for those teachers to really keep those kids in school. Performance based pay in a way.

I have known several "kids" that have gone to McKenna. They did not do well in our local public schools but thrived at McKenna.

McKenna tends to teach their students some of the things needed for real life while the public schools push sports.

I did not vote for Otter nor did I vote for Luna. Our education system is broken much like our healthcare system. As long as we continue to pour money into the black hole...it will NEVER be better than what it is.

More taxation without representation (just like another group in this community). What did OUR schools do with all the money for all these years that SHOULD HAVE gone toward repairs? Where has all the money gone?!?!

Charter schools are for those who don't want to put the time and energy to support their public schools...Of course the loan is almost paid off, they have one facility and are subsidized by our state...The Mtn Home school district has numerous facilities and very limited funds to keep the maintainance of those facilities...

You talk about teachers pay in charter schools are based on enrollement...so the less students, less pay...who wants to work in a place like that...especially when teachers are scrutinized and overworked and way underpaid. I am a teacher, and hold both a undergraduate degree and a graduates degree, plus I have to attend mandatory certifications on a contunues basis...I've been a teacher for over 13 years and make peanuts...however my number #1 priority is the education of my students...

In some cultures, educators are held in high esteem, however within the last 30 years, teachers for the most part get paid less then most blue collar jobs...most teachers will tell you that they wouldn't mind getting a pay decrease if it were to benefit our students, but why should we even get to that point

I also don't have an issue with doing away with tenure and replace it with performance, most teachers support this, but it must be done fairly and without polictics.

Lastly, I agree with academics as being a priority, but sports also play an extreme role in the development of our children, it teaches leadership, character, teamwork, sacrifice...sports goes hand in hand with academics. I for one am deeply fortunate to be part of athletic teams in high school and college, it enhanced my development. I stongly

disagree with your "black hole" comment...that money is being spend on our children, the only problem is our state continues to give us less and less each year...plus polictics as NO place in education