Streetvoice
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How Smart Are Our Schools?
by Kia Wood
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Buffalo Superintendent James A. Williams recently unveiled a plan for a new high-standards math, science and technology high school to provide more a challenging curriculum to students. Seems like a good idea, but a dispute is inevitable between Williams and the Buffalo Teachers Federation over the superintendent’s plan to hire teachers through an interview process, as opposed to staffing it by seniority. As another round in the Williams v. BTF prizefight unfolds, who do you think deserves to win? And do we really need all this fighting anyway?
Name: Paul Byrd
Occupation: Unemployed
Residence: Lockport
Do you agree with Williams’ plan to staff the new math and science school by interviewing teachers instead of by seniority? I think it should be by interview, and have the most qualified people.
BTF President Phil Rumore recently alleged that Williams implied he was a racist. How is their bad relationship affecting our schools? If they want to improve school situations and the environment, it’s not going to go forward unless everyone works together. I think Williams is on the right path, it’s something different and it’s a change, and that’s what Buffalo needs.
If you hire the best math and science teachers for this new school, who’s left teaching at the other schools? I think it’s going to leave the other schools with the teachers that they had previously. I don’t think any other teachers that they have will leave the positions that they’re in for the new school. I think there are plenty of good teachers to hire.
Name: Liz Koklen
Occupation: Owner, Quaker Bonnet Cafe
Residence: Buffalo
Do you agree with Williams’ plan to staff the new math and science school by interviewing teachers instead of by seniority? I think it really doesn’t matter how they choose the teachers, what matters is they get the commitment from the children going to the school, and the parents of the children going to the school, that they’re going to the school to learn and to be committed to learning. The teachers in the school be chosen on their commitment to teaching the children.
BTF President Phil Rumore recently alleged that Williams implied he was a racist. How is their bad relationship affecting our schools? I think they’re both setting a horrible example. Neither of them seems to be interested in a meaningful dialogue and they’re both more interested in calling each other names and having a “my boat is bigger than your boat” fight. Neither one of them is right, and neither one of them is behaving like mature adults.
If you hire the best math and science teachers for this new school, who’s left teaching at the other schools? Even if you hire the best math and science teachers at this school, unless you have children who are willing to learn and parents who are willing to make a commitment to this school, nobody’s going to learn, because it’ll just be another glorified babysitting service.
Name: Colleen Rogers
Occupation: Line cook & barista
Residence: North Tonawanda
Do you agree with Williams’ plan to staff the new math and science school by interviewing teachers instead of by seniority? I think they should interview teachers to give the best education possible.
BTF President Phil Rumore recently alleged that Williams implied he was a racist. How is their bad relationship affecting our schools? I don’t really know if it’s affecting the schools or not. I think the superintendent’s lead should be followed.
If you hire the best math and science teachers for this new school, who’s left teaching at the other schools? I think that it’s not the best idea to staff the school with the best teachers. I think the teachers should be dispersed evenly throughout the school district so everyone gets an equal education. Because all it’s going to do is create a whirlwind of things that will be said about the new school, and if you don’t go there, are you not smart?
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