There have been many erroneous things said about the AP grant that the Dartmouth school system turned away. I think much of it is misleading and none more so than the letter in today's Standard Times.
Go and look for yourself at what these grants have been able to do. This link is about other school districts in Massachusetts that did accept the grant and their results. Follow this link to find out what the AP grants are intended to do. Follow this link to find out who funds the grants and why.
Today's letter in the Standard Times by Mr. Koot is either ill informed or disingenuous. The AP grant program has a proven track record across the country. Read for yourself ...
... what the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI) has accomplished.
In closing his letter, Mr. Koot says, "unfortunate that The Standard-Times has chosen to judge Dartmouth High School, and educational progress as a whole, through the lens of a fundamentally flawed and ideologically driven AP grant program without doing a bit of homework on the issues. The title of its editorial on the subject was "An 'F' for Effort." Unfortunately, The Standard-Times deserves an F, for it failed in its duty of investigating and reporting on the issues in a serious manner. Is it possible that The Standard-Times editorial on this issue is all ideology and no evidence?"
ET TU, Mr. Koot? What grade did you earn?
Monday, May 11, 2009
Find out what this AP grant really was!
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Most grants are 'ideologically driven' as they are monies given by people who want to see it spent their way, no big shocker there. The government does the same thing.
As far as 'fundamentally flawed,' I would like the fundamentals defined, and then have the flaws identified. After reading the materials from the grant, I don't agree with his assessment. There are some aspects that would benefit from some tweaking, but that is what negotiation is for. The head of the grant is quoted as saying he is willing to compromise on some parts. I wish the DEA had taken the time to talk to him.
Mr Koot is just another town meeting member without a clue. Dartmouth almost never provides just minimum net school spending and in fact has a track record of usually providing millions more in school spending. His reference suggesting that Dartmouth citizens don't is insulting.
This Blog does not work well for Dartmouth. I am not sure a Blog is a good idea for the topics we discuss. Bill if what your are trying to do is get correct information out into the community then this is being accomplished. However the postings run the gambit of tones, but the minority of them are nice thought provoking statements. No matter the topic or the poster we attack it. I really wish you would stop letting people post. I visit your Blog less and less. No one makes me read the posts, but I am human so I live and hope to see people communicate with civility to each other. I am continually let down by this Blog.
I wrote about comments in this post. I still feel the same way.
If you don't like the comments, don't read them. If you don't like this blog, don't read it.
I don't know why you would be so upset about anonymous comments on an obscure blog. I think that some of the reactions may be due to cognitive dissonance.
Once again Bill you display your arrogance to your constituents and why you should no longer represent us as a Select person in this town.
You have done a great job. Your Blog is the only legitimate source of information about Dartmouth available. Bill, hate and anger beget hate and anger. This is not just a statement it is a metaphysical reality.
Arrogance toward constituents? I respond to an anonymous comment by saying not to read here if you don't like it and that is arrogance toward my constituents? You have some serious issues that have nothing to do with this blog. Lighten up.
Bill,Why has Lara resigned from the Lincoln Park Overlay District? It has been said that she had a conflict of interest. If so, she should have recused herself from the vote taken by the Select Board. This is very serious and concerns me greatly. All this controversy after such a short time in office. This could be a legitimate reason for a recall initiative.
To Anon 3:58pm, Lara Stone lied to get elected. Now she is embroiled in a development scandal after only two months in office. These are unfortunate facts that will affect our town for the foreseeable future. Mind your manners and things will stay civil but I assure you the days of your dirty politics going unanswered are over. You can rest assured that Stone's high pitched baby talk voice is irritating to more people than me.
Bill is this what you wish to perpetuate on your blog attacks on the character of your fellow select board members?
Why do you only complain when Lara gets attacked but remain silent when Trimble does? You don't like it when others use your own tactics against you? Too bad and get used to it. It will happen each and every time someone I favor gets attacked.
Lara's integrity is getting attacked because she has none.
Lara Stone definitely misrepresented herself. "A broader perspective on fiscal responsibility" What does that mean? I'll tell you what it means. Anything she wants it to. During the election it was meant as an appeal to the voters. It sounds good right? Fiscal responsibility. Now that the election is over it can take on a whole new meaning. Perhaps what she really meant was that a town must be fiscally responsible and have all services and amenities available for its citizens. A town's citizens should be fiscally responsible and provide the funds to pay for them. "Broader perspective" can be interpreted any way you like so maybe deception would be a better term.
By the way, I didn't see any comments to Bill criticizing him for not removing comments made about fellow board members when it was Diane Gilbert being attacked. Those complaining about Stone comments are very selective when it comes to negative postings.
Great blog Bill, name calling, false accusations and attacks on your fellow select board members character. This is not productive, not to mention unprofessional.
How would you feel if these comments were being made about your spouse, close friend, sibling, parent, child, etc. As they may only appear in writing here but unfortunately people are talking about them elsewhere and the gossip gets back to the individual eventually.
Think about it Bill as it is getting out of hand.
I guess calling Stone a liar is like calling Gilbert divisive or commenting on Gilbert's body language. It depends on what the person making the comment sees.
Wow, all of a sudden some people are concerned about the comments Bill allows regarding fellow board members. Where was the concern when Gilbert was being attacked or when Trimble or Michaud are attacked?
Bill - your 4:48 comment. I think it was the "cognitive dissonance" reference that came across as "arrogance towards constituients". You come across as dismissive, and your psycho-analysis as condescending and disrepectful.
I would suggest that Greg Jones create a blog. I believe he would set a tone for diplomacy as he exemplifies it.
This blog has proven to lack the tone many are craving in order to discuss important issues without egos entering in.
Thanks for the wealth of information Bill. When I go through the posts, I find some I agree with and other I don't. It's just like when I read the opinion page in any paper. All voices need to be heard, even if I don't agree.
Thanks again, great information on your blog!
momof3 has already created such a blog. You'll find Greg Jones posting there quite a bit. I think that says a lot.
Thanks 3:02 - will check it out and pass it on.
Shut it down Bill!
Back to the subject at hand. The AP grant will cost the town mony. The grant writer said that the the town will have to pay 50% of the $100.00 per student/teacher. Bill, what is the real amount that the town will be paying on this grant over the 5 years? We cannot spend one dime on a grant for a chosen few. We need books and technogy for ALL classes and schools.
To anon 10:32am, Why don't you stop with the ridiculous attacks against Trimble and come clean about Lara Stone's conflict of interest scandal. Only two months in office and she has probably already caused more damage to the town in order to benefit her 40b development buddies than any select board member in history. Lara Stone is a liar and scam artist but you ignore that. It sure didn't take long for us to figure out what her ties to McClean were. So anon 10:32, you may want to mind your manners in the future. Bill Trimble has never been anything but respectful. Bill Trimble works for the best interest of the town not the crooks that Lara Stone works in the best interest of.
What are her ties to McLean and the development of Lincoln Park?
I like this blog Bill and I'm a liberal. So keep it going.
10:20 - Trimble has shown disrespect by allowing your post to go through.
Trimble doesn't filter the posts and you know that but attempt to blame him for what I wrote. You refuse to mind your manners and have again attacked someone I favor. How come you don't get it? Are you stupid like Lara? You must be one of the crooked 40b developers that Lara is helping to ruin our town. Mind your manners and things will stay civil.
Spare us, Bill.
Bill Thank you for this valuable blog. We get more info. from your blog than our town website. Keep up the good work!
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