Reader Comments

" I think that we need to consider some cost effective measures for our district. Although our calendar is "innovative" it could stand for some improvement. A four day week is even being considered for some of the nation's top industries, if it works there, it will work for us. Not only would that save the district money but also the teachers and staff that have to drive to work each day. As for home visits, I truly believe that they are a good idea, but with the rising costs of fuel it is not feasible for the district to require teachers to spend their own time and gas to visit students attending Mason county schools. The $150 stipend that is added to our check, and of which taxes and retirement are deducted, will certainly not cover what it will cost to visit students this year! We give enough of our own funds to make our classrooms the best they can be...As an elementary teacher I can't imagine what I actually spend on my job when it's all added up.
Why not have an open house for everyone prior to starting school? We need to prioritize our needs and reconsider the massive amount of funds spent on athletics in this district and worry about spending more on teachers and improving learning for our students!! "

" Here's a few suggestions : cut out home visits, non-education standards related field trips, consolidate traveling sports teams into 1 or 2 buses, conserve gas by making centralized bus stops (no more dropping each child off at his/her driveway), and finally charging parents of bus-riding students $5-10 per month for every child like they do in larger cities. Considering a 4-day school-week instead of considering minor common-sense changes is ridiculous. "

" These parents who don't want their honors or AP students to do more should take their child out of the classes and stop whinning. MCHS is trying to do what is best! "

" Shouldn't we look at taking every chance of saving money that we can. There are kids that need these buses. A lot of times these field trips are the only way they get to experience things other than their home life. It's my understanding the teachers paid out of their budget for gas and drivers. During these times why don't we look at cutting out clothing budgets and paying for vehicles and gas for employees at the district office. I mean drastic time call for drastic measures. I don't see where suits, company cars, beach basketball tournaments, or even astro turf should be funded when the money is needed elsewhere. Just a thought. "

" What does MC do that's fair? From the homework to selection of teams. I don't know how as parents we are suppose to teach our children ethical and moral values when MC/coaches doesn't uphold their end of it. Selection of the cheerleading squad was a joke. Team was posted 5/15...tryouts weren't until 5/16. Appears squad was already choose. How ethical or moral is that? Maybe the kids are getting so much homework during the summer is so they don't have the time to see what's really going on with the athletics in MC. "

" As MCHS is known for its sports,why not eliminate some of those sports and all the transportation needed to and from them and you can save on gasoline in this way.Stop the field/school trips.Forbid bus drivers to use the school buses for personal use.Schedule more efficient bus routes so there will not be the need of just a handful of students on so many different buses. These are only a few suggestions to be taken into consideration. "

" Home visits?? Are they effective? My district does not do them... "

" No comment on the home visits my wife still has to make this year. Her school still has not been told what she will receive to pay for her gas and time.
Need artificial turf? "

" I dont understand why the cheerleaders and ball players cant ride on the same bus. When they attend away games there is a bus for the band one for the cheeleards and one for the ball players...Hmm I wonder why we cant save money. Instead of wanting the bus drivers to "buspool" together why dont you think about how many buses it takes to haul these kids to ball games. That's all Mason Co is about is sports anyways. "

" I`m sure first thought will go to how to provide transportation to the ball team instead of making sure students make it to classes. Watch to see if they don`t combined routes instead of cutting back on ball trips. "

" Dont keep the children busy enough through the school year but yet give extra homework through the summer. GO FIGURE! Oh yea its Mason County "

" I see so often school busses running with just a handfull of kids on board... Why not buy some extended 15 passanger vans instead of running a 70 passenger bus to some of the events thats students attend... "