| January 21, 2010
Editorial
The race for education dollars is on
By Jim Blow
Editor
There's a race that began on Tuesday that I'm wondering if many people in Montana are aware of. It's a "Race To The Top" program that President Obama claims will revitalize and reinvent our education system.
 Jim Blow
Unfortunately, there are more questions than there are answers at this point, which is why Montana had its school districts are, so far, opting out of the competition. What that means is Montana may not be "competing" for parts of a $4.35 billion pie that the Obama administration hopes to have funded by the Congress in 2011.
The Race To The Top Fund is a $4.35 billion competitive grant program designed to encourage and reward states that are creating the conditions for education innovation and reform, achieving significant improvement in student outcomes, and implementing ambitious plans in four core education reform areas. Those areas include:
• tough academic standards;
• recruiting and keeping effective teachers;
• tracking student performance with refined data collection methods; and
• turning around the lowest performing schools.
It's an interesting incentive-based program that dangles federal funds like a carrot on the end of a stick. But, it's one gigantic carrot.
Though the program was proposed at part of the stimulus programs announced in the summer of 2009, some states, including Montana, are saying they'd like to see more details before agreeing to requirements of the grants.
States with so many small rural schools especially are concerned they may not be able to comply with the requirements of the new grants. To be eligible for these dollars, states must meet a number of requirements, including allowing more charter schools, submitting plans to improve their worst-performing schools and committing to tie teacher evaluations to student test scores.
The Obama administration views this program as a way to get states on a common plan with common goals. Not surprisingly, states are addicted to the federal money but states like Montana are hesitant to give up control of testing, teacher evaluations and decision-making on charter schools.
This isn't a new way of ramming a new, progressive program down the throats of states. The 55 mph speed limit is a good example of how withholding federal dollars from states that don't comply is a powerful tool.
The question, however, is whether it's the right thing to do. Just as the Bush administration and Congress rammed No Child Left Behind down our school's throats, this program has the same effect of withholding needed funds from states that don't comply with Washington's edict. The only difference is the Race To The Top is being touted as a voluntary grant program.
States and school districts that don't apply are merely left to fend for themselves as federal education budgets will inevitably be pared down to pay for such "voluntary" incentive programs.
While others race to federal trough, school districts in Montana are being left in the blocks.
Maybe what we need is a simple restart of the race, without booting anybody off the track.
Letters to the editor
Spay/Neuter Clinic planning is underway
Editor,
Once again the Lake County Spay/Neuter Task Force is planning a two-day spay/neuter clinic for dogs and cats sometime in late May. Our team includes the Mission Valley Animal Shelter (MVAS), Life Savers Animal Rescue (LSAR), as well as support from Polson Animal Control, Tribal Animal Control, local veterinarians and volunteers.
Last spring we hosted a highly successful two-day “free” clinic in Polson and 230 dogs and cats were sterilized. Many of the females were pregnant and vets estimated 605 births were avoided. Unfortunately, a second clinic planned for last fall had to be cancelled because we had no funds, which makes a clinic this spring even more vital in preventing unwanted litters.
However, in order to provide this essential service, the Task Force needs financial support from the businesses and residents of Lake County. Each two-day clinic costs between $7,000 and $9,000 to fund a specialized spay/neuter MASH-type mobile unit and team of vets, vet techs., medical supplies, food and lodging to travel to our area and provide this service.
This combined effort has been successful in keeping animal overpopulation under control in our communities for the past three years. We will post dates for the clinic as soon as funding is ensured. If you can help with a donation, which is tax deductible, please send to the address shown below. If you have questions regarding financial matters, please call Pam Gibson at 883-3336 or 250-9479.
Thank you for your support.
Linda Crawford
for the Lake County Spay Neuter Task Force
Polson
Thanks for a great event
Editor,
I would like to thank the group "Calling All Conservatives" for the great event they put on Tuesday evening at the Ronan Community Center.
The crowd was large (I'm sure at least 300), enthusiastic, and very polite. Regardless of your political affiliation, there were very informative speakers and a video that put things in perspective. The section about the Federal Reserve was an eye opener. There are enough shenanigans coming from both parties. If people are willing to educate themselves about our history, our Constitution, and how our elected officials are conducting business, they can become informed and decide for themselves which way to vote.
I was also impressed with focus groups they have started that will meet separately from their main monthly event. This will give people a chance to dig deeper into issues they are interested in. I don't remember each group, but there was a Second Amendment focus group, Tenth Amendment, Preparedness, Property Rights, Voter Issues, and Constitutional Studies (I can't remember the others). People can attend these focus groups that I believe will meet at least once a month at different nights and locations. What a great way to become informed and involved in issues that interest you the most.
I was told these will be monthly events held on the second Tuesday of each month, with the next being Feb. 9 at the same place.
I encourage everyone who is concerned about the direction of our government, be it local, state or national, to attend and become involved with a great bunch of people from all walks of life. No one will agree on 100 percent of the issues, but regardless of party affiliation, I think most people can agree on most of the things that are either hurting or helping our great country. Thanks to everyone who had a hand in putting on this wonderful event.
It's been long awaited.
John Rayford
Polson |
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