A4 - THE PERKINS JOURNAL, Thursday, January 26, 2012
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It Makes Sense To Me
I send a hearty "Thank You" to Superintendent Janet
Baressi for the article she wrote in last week's Journal.
It was a rare look into the workings of our education
system.
Having been raised in the best system in the world, I was
shocked to read that educators are striving to reform the
present curriculum which is still far below the integrity
iKhad in years past. Apparently, the massive educational
rdfonns of the 50' s and 60' s were allowed to "strip" excel-
lence from a system which has become mediocre at best.
It is not education's role to assure that each student is
college, career and citizen ready. The school's role is to
educate. The well-rounded citizens of America's past were
built in the home, the church and the school.
Social promotion of non-reading students did not exist.
Now we need a law to end social promotion of non-read-
ing students by the end of the third grade, as well as "a
new A through F grading system that will make it easier
for parents and community members to know how their
school is performing in terms of the measurable growth
of its students ..."
According to Baressi, this year's graduating seniors will
be required to pass four of seven final exams to receive a
high school diploma and she is calling this the Classroom
Excellence Standards. Is this intended to impress?
Does anybody out there get this? What has happened
to' us.91 've mentioned the "dumming down" of American
students before. These "new" standards are why we can
no longer compete in a world market mathematically and
scientifically.
very year more and more money is funneled to edu-
cation. Yet, 1 see the money adding five-year old and
four-year old programs. The money has been used to add
sChool lunch programs and now they've added a breakfast
program. We are told that parents are not sending well
balanced, nutritional lunches. They just can't handle it all,
ad our rationale is forced to agree.
Government intervention is NOT the answer. What my
children eat is none of"Michelle's" business.
0bserving this problem for many years, I have wondered
wy the Sylvan Learning System is not added to every
school in the country. Teachers and tutors should be pro-
vii:led on an after school or during school basis.
The success of the Sylvan Centers and others is proof that
some students need more help than others. My tax dollars
ace being spent in many frivolous ways and it makes sense
to me that the children of, America need more dollars placed
in education not "thrown at it."
Eran C. Miller
Perkins
"AG You cAN MITT, WE GTILL NEEP TO AI::>P00EG ME IcS00UEG Wl114"rlE RIll"
Are Oklahoma's children prepared for the 21st
Century?
Are they prepared to enter a workforce filled with
high-tech demands or to compete with peers across
the world for jobs?
In Oklahoma we can no longer take for granted that
students graduating from high school are entering
the same kind of job market they would have 10, 20
or 30 years ago. So, how do we prepare them?
That's why Oklahoma passed the bipartisan
Achieving Classroom Excellence standards seven
years ago, which require this year's seniors to pass
four of seven end-of-instruction exams (EOIs) to
secure a diploma. In November, I announced that
about 84 percent of all high school seniors have
met ACE requirements, putting them on track to
graduate.
There are some in our state who say this require-
ment is too strenuous. I believe, however, that an
Oklahoma high school diploma should show students
have developed the critical thinking skills that are
crucial in the 21st Century. It should mean they
are ready for the demands of college, career and
citizenship.
Granting a piece of aper without the demon-
strated mastery to make it valuable won't increase
a graduate's chances of passing a college or military
entrance exam or being able to perform well in a
job. By pressing forward with ACE, we honor the
children, parents and educators who have worked so
hard to prepare for this moment.
Many superintendents across the state are leading
the way with this reform.
At Marlow Public Schools, Superintendent George
E. Coffman Jr. said only one of his 90 seniors has
not yet passed all four EOIs. But teachers are doing
everything possible to ensure the student's success.
They come in early for tutoring and are constantly
evaluating progress.
In the much larger Bartlesville Public School Dis-
trict, Superintendent Gary Quinn said 31 of his high
school's 357 seniors have yet to pass all four EOIs.
What struck me is that his staff knows each of these
students by name and each need. Quinn said in the
past, some of these students would have dropped
out, but his educators have made every effort to keep
them in school.
"We're worried about each and every kid, and my
staff is working hard to make sure each is success-
ful," Quinn said.
That's the take-away. Without ACE these students
would graduate. They've met their course require-
ments; they've done their seat time. But they can't
yet demonstrate mastery of required subjects. But
because of ACE they are getting individual attention.
When they get their diploma, they will appreciate
its valuable.
LEGAL NOTICE
LEGAL NOTI(;E
LEGAL NOTICE
LEGAL NOTICE
LEGAL NOTICE
LEGAL NOTICE
Legal notice in The Perkins Journal Jan 26, 2012
The Payne County Commissuoners met in a regular meeting,
Thursday, December 29, 2011. Notice of the meeting was made in
accordance with the Open Meeting Law. The following were pres-
etl: Gloria I-lesser, Chairman; Jim Arthur, Vice-Chairman; Rocky
Blasier, District #1 Road Foreman (1st Deputy) and Linda Hatfield,
County Clerk.
The meeting was opened with Prayer and Flag Salute.
Btasier made the motion to approve the agenda as printed. Arthur
Perkins, OK 74059-0667
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seconded. Blasier, aye; Arthur, aye; Hesser, aye.
Arthur presented a road name request from Bryan Larison on behalf
of J. Douglas Dunivan. The name requested is Norris Prairie Lane
and the road is located in the NE/4 of Section 15, Township 18 North,
Range 2 East. Arthur reported the $50.00 sign fee had been paid.
Arthur made the motion to approve the road name request with no
maintenance by the County. Blasier seconded. Arthur, aye; Blasier,
aye; Hesser, aye.
Hesser presented the following 2011-2012 reap grant contracts:
1) Cottonwood: installation of new circuit, a waterproof outlet, fluo-
rescent fixtures in' the sheltered areas and kitchen areas, replace
bathroom fixtures and add outlets, raise and support sagging floor,
repair and replace facia on the North side of the building, install metal
sheeting on East porch awning, place luan on upper cabinets, replace
back porch and install and paint hand rails on porches on East and
West side. Amount: $5,000.00
2) Ingalls: purchase handicap toilet bowls and grab bars. Amount:
$350.00
3) Diamond Valley: purchase and install a hot water heater, run new
circuit to kitchen sink area andpurchase 4 externor sngns. Amount:
$2,000.00
4) Elm Grove: cover all woodwork with vinyl and replace existing
siding with vinyl siding. Amount: $15,000.00
5) Progress: paint the community center, rep ace damaged mo d ng
on doors and windows, replace plywood on North wall, brace cupola
ad repair minor damage on cupola. Amount: $5,000.00
Arthur issued a thank you to Gloria Hesser, Chairman, who plays
a big part in the reap grants being submitted. Hesser reminds the
Community centers to apply for the grants thereby enabling them
with upkeep and improvements. Arthur made the motion to approve
the contracts as presented and authorize the Chairman to sign on
behalf of the County. Blasier seconded. Arthur, aye; Blasier, aye;
Hesser, aye.
Blasier presented the appointment letter of Derek Sosbee to the
Sales Tax Advisory and Oversight Committee. Blasier reported Mr.
Sosbee resides in the Yale area. Blasier made the motion to accept
the appointment as presented. Arthur seconded. Blasier, aye; Arthur,
aye; Hesser, aye.
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Blasier presented a resignation letter from Sallie E. Frazier to resign
from the Sales Tax Oversight Committee effective December 31,
2011. Frazier stated she has been honored to serve and had an old
and respectful relationship with the late Commissioner Bill Deering,
both always keeping in mind what was best for the District. Frazier
thanked the Commissioners for making her service a pleasure.
Blasier made the motion to approve the resignation as requested.
Arthur seconded. Blasier, aye; Arthur, aye; Hesser, aye.
Arthur presented a load posting report for 5 bridges in District #3.
Arthur made the motion to approve the load posting as presented.
Blasier seconded. Arthur, aye; Blasier, aye; Hesser, aye.
Hesser recognized Charles Lawson, Emergency Management
Director. Lawson reported Payne County Emergency Management
has received a $10,000.00 grant beginning October 1, 2011 and
terminating September 30, 2012. The grant is to be used for disaster
preparedness, response and assistance plans, programs, capabili-
ties and organization. The grant will be paid quarterly. Arthur made
the motion to approve the agreement presented and authorize the
Chairman to sign on behalf of the County. Blasier seconded. Arthur,
aye; Blasier, aye; Hesser, aye.
The Clerk presented a resolution to dispose of a Canon file printer
and remove it from inventory. Hatfield explained the printer was
junked. Arthur made the motion to approve the disposal and removal
from inventory as requested. Blasier seconded. Arthur, aye; Blasier,
aye; Hesser, aye.
Hatfield presented the following transfers:
1 ) Solid waste M&O to solid waste salaries: $20,000.00
2) General government solid waste to solid waste salaries:
$23,244.00
3) General government floodplain to floodplain cash: $2,500.00
4) General government jail operations sales tax to
jail operations: $300,000.00
Arthur made the motion to approve the transfers as presented.
Blasier seconded. Arthur, aye; Blasier, aye; Hesser, aye.
Hatfield presented January 2012 blanket purchases orders for
District #1, District #3, District Attorney, Sheriff, Treasurer, Asses-
sor, Revaluation, Election Board, General Government, Building
Engineer, Solid Waste, Emergency Management, Fairboard and
the Health Department. Blasier made the motion to approve the
purchase orders as presented. Arthur seconded. Blasier, aye; Arthur,
aye; Hesser, aye.
Haffield presented the minutes of December 19, 2011. Blasier made
the motion to approve the minutes as printed. Arthur seconded.
Blasier, aye; Arthur, aye; Hesser, aye.
Arthur made the motion to approve payroll purchase orders for
the month of December for 201 employees in the amount of
$556,685.91. Blasier seconded the motion. Arthur, aye; Blasier,
aye; Hasser, aye.
The following bid was opened:
Bid #2012-31, concrete products
1) Dolese, P.O. Box 677, Oklahoma City, OK 73101
2) Kerns Ready-Mix Concrete, Inc., P.O. Box 902, Stillwater, OK
74076
Arthur made the motion to accept low bid subject to availability and
destination. Blasier seconded. Arthur, aye; Blasier, aye; Hesser,
aye.
The meeting was adjourned.
Linda Hatfield
Payne County Clerk
