Dear McCrabby,
I just heard on the news that federal stimulus money was going to pay $49 million to fund 40,000 laptop computers for Detroit Public School (DPS) students and 5,000 desktop computers for DPS teachers.
You may read it here first.
Need a good deal on a laptop? Find one of the 75.1 per cent of DPS students who will never graduate, and make an offer.
Don't misunderstand; McCrabby is all for education and we need to educate our young people and enable them to make a difference. But the thought here is that this is another type of enabling.
Let's look at the Detroit Public Schools history. DPS is hopelessly mired in red ink, the school board spends most of its time in-fighting and in conflict with parents, and we have an "emergency financial manager" (Robert Bobb), who received an $81,000 raise earlier this year, boosting his annual income to $425,000. No wonder they need a financial manager.
McCrabby note: Michigan's governor earned $177,000 last year and was the third highest paid governor in the country.
Bobb's been on the job for two years, and the Washington Post, praising Bobb's efforts last week, admitted, "Under his watch, the DPS deficit has grown from $219 million to an estimated $327 million."
And, while we're talking money, did anyone take the time to calculate the average PC cost on this "handout?" McCrabby has been looking for a laptop for awhile now and is waiting for the $499 price tag to come down a bit. Our government is spending $1,088.89 per computer!! Huh?? Who negotiated that price for our middle school kids?
So, back to the free PCs; does McCrabby think it's a good idea?
Sorry to be pessimistic, but it's been a pessimistic couple of years. The bet here is that the loss of PCs through theft and resale, will be higher than the graduation rate.
McCrabby thinks the money we've all contributed (read: federal stimulus) coud be better spent in other ways to enhance our schools. And, while McCrabby may not have the solution, our job here is to point out the absurdities.
We'll watch the results and will be eager to eat our words if we're wrong.
__________________________________________________
McCrabby can be reached by email (mccrabby@humantransitions.com)
I just heard on the news that federal stimulus money was going to pay $49 million to fund 40,000 laptop computers for Detroit Public School (DPS) students and 5,000 desktop computers for DPS teachers.
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| By: Mike Wright -- PostedIn Detroit Free Press, 12/8/10 |
That seems like a really nice gesture from our government. Do you think that's a good plan?
Upset, unemployed and uninsured in Utica
___________________________________Dear Triple U:
You may read it here first.
Need a good deal on a laptop? Find one of the 75.1 per cent of DPS students who will never graduate, and make an offer.
Don't misunderstand; McCrabby is all for education and we need to educate our young people and enable them to make a difference. But the thought here is that this is another type of enabling.
Let's look at the Detroit Public Schools history. DPS is hopelessly mired in red ink, the school board spends most of its time in-fighting and in conflict with parents, and we have an "emergency financial manager" (Robert Bobb), who received an $81,000 raise earlier this year, boosting his annual income to $425,000. No wonder they need a financial manager.
McCrabby note: Michigan's governor earned $177,000 last year and was the third highest paid governor in the country.
Bobb's been on the job for two years, and the Washington Post, praising Bobb's efforts last week, admitted, "Under his watch, the DPS deficit has grown from $219 million to an estimated $327 million."
The Post went on to say "That's not to say Bobb hasn't accomplished a great deal during his short time in Detroit. But to say he's restored order to the district may be a bit of a stretch. His resume could win over a future employer, but he's largely failed to win over Detroit."
And, while we're talking money, did anyone take the time to calculate the average PC cost on this "handout?" McCrabby has been looking for a laptop for awhile now and is waiting for the $499 price tag to come down a bit. Our government is spending $1,088.89 per computer!! Huh?? Who negotiated that price for our middle school kids?
So, back to the free PCs; does McCrabby think it's a good idea?
Sorry to be pessimistic, but it's been a pessimistic couple of years. The bet here is that the loss of PCs through theft and resale, will be higher than the graduation rate.
McCrabby thinks the money we've all contributed (read: federal stimulus) coud be better spent in other ways to enhance our schools. And, while McCrabby may not have the solution, our job here is to point out the absurdities.
We'll watch the results and will be eager to eat our words if we're wrong.
__________________________________________________
McCrabby can be reached by email (mccrabby@humantransitions.com)
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