Thanks For The Votes

Posted on April 5, 2011 by Troy avatar

I humbly say “Thank you” to all of you that voted for school board. As a newcomer, it has been difficult to run against the status quo. Unfortunately, I missed a seat on the USD 204 school by a few hundred votes.

Sometimes we can be more effective at fixing a problem if we are not part of the problem — it’s easier to fix from without rather than from within. I’ll continue to advocate for efficiencies and reducing overhead. Only I’ll do it as a taxpayer, not as a school board member.

Thanks again for everyone that considered me worthy of a vote. I’m truly humbled.

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My profile in the Bonner Springs Chieftain

Posted on March 29, 2011 by Troy avatar

The Bonner Springs Chieftain profiled all the 2011 school board candidates. View my profile at http://bit.ly/ePCLfo. My picture was taken, but didn’t make into the paper. I hope that was due to space constraints, and not because it was a bad picture… :)

The questions asked by the reporter were different from the questions on the Midwest Democracy Project, but both interviews dealt with the funding (or lack of ) issues that all districts are experiencing. As I said in the interview, I don’t think we necessarily have a funding issue- we have an efficiency and spending issues.

Continue reading →

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Survey from Midwest Democracy Project

Posted on March 28, 2011 by Troy avatar

I was contacted by the Kansas City Star to participate in a survey project they are sponsoring. It’s called the Midwest Democracy Project. The Star’s objectivity is questionable at times, but it is an opportunity to reach an audience that candidates may not otherwise reach. I completed their survey.

You can read my answers at http://midwestdemocracyproject.org/candidates/troy-thompson/survey-results/. Overall, I didn’t have a problem with the questions, although one or two of them seemed to be loaded questions. For example, this question: “Do you support the leadership and work being done by the superintendent?”

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Keep The Focus On Students and Parents (Taxpayers), Not Salaries

Posted on February 19, 2011 by Troy avatar

From the Cato@Liberty blog:

There is nothing inherently wrong with trying to get well compensated (though the portrayal of teachers as just trying to get a “fair wage” is a little rich given that on an hourly basis they make more than such professionals as accountants and insurance underwriters). But please, spare us the heroic tripe about this being about “defending” students. Teachers paying relatively little for their benefits, and even worse, allowing unions to maintain a monopoly over teachers — some of whom probably deserve to get paid much more than the union-negotiated rate — is not at all about defending students. It’s about teacher, and especially union, self-interest, pure and simple.

The teachers always use the ‘we’re doing this for the students’ argument, but the public is getting tired of hearing it. Now, to be fair to many (most?) teachers, they only go on strike when their union leadership tells them. But that’s the main problem with collective bargaining- a minority can overwhelm the majority. Furthermore, the individuals that benefit the most is the union leadership. I’m not talking about the teachers that act as bargaining reps for their local school districts. I’m talking about state and national leaders whose salaries are paid by union dues. Think about that for a minute- the individuals responsible for guiding negotiations at all levels are the ones who benefit the most by maximizing what school district’s spend on teacher salaries.

If union leadership was compensated according to student performance, you can be sure they the truly would be ‘doing it for the students’. Poor teachers would be pressured out of the system, new teaching methods would be embraced, and we would likely see an increase in student performance across the board.

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I’m a candidate again in 2011!

Posted on January 22, 2011 by Troy avatar

2009 was a trial run. I’m trying this whole ‘elected official’ thing again. So if you live in the Bonner Springs-Edwardsville school district, please vote in the upcoming election on April 5. I’d appreciate your vote, but at least vote for somebody. The our education system isn’t working (from the top on down), and we need to work together to fix it.

Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Troy Thompson

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Common Sense Solutions From States’ Education Reform Agendas

Posted on March 17, 2010 by Troy avatar

In Florida, the State Senate has proposed legislation in two committees to strengthen merit pay for teachers and end tenure.

via blog.heritage.org

It’s about time that state legislatures starting addressing the inefficiencies in the education system. I wish more states would do this.

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Many programs face extra funding woes

Posted on March 1, 2010 by Troy avatar

It’s too bad that the first programs to go during a budget shortfall are the special education programs — especially the programs for gifted students.

At least the State Superintendent is saying the right things:

“Sometimes so much of the federal and state laws focus on lower- and underachieving students, and we should be focused on them,” State Superintendent Nancy Grasmick said. “But we cannot reduce the opportunities for our students who can achieve at very high levels.”

We’ll just wait and see if the school district changes its mind…

Many programs face extra funding woes | Washington Examiner.

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No Child Left Behind

Posted on March 16, 2009 by mashawna avatar

When we use the phrase “at grade level” in terms of achievement…challenges arise.  A “one size fits all” approach is not ideal.

No Child Left Behind requires that 95 percent of special education students be tested, and most of the students in that 95 percent must take the same test as regular education students. At least 50 percent must pass reading, math and science.

This is a huge expectation to put on schools.  Teachers need to be provided with a ton of support, resources and training to be able to accomplish this.  And unfortunately when we put so much of our focus and so many of our resources on the lower achieving students, often we completely leave behind our highest performing students.  For some students, expecting them to perform work “at grade level,” means holding them back…students who have the potential to soar far beyond grade level.

In delivering a 21st century education to students, we must be certain we are providing that to students at all achievement levels.  We must be willing to differentiate the curriculum and modify our expectations.  A 21st century curriculum for one student may not be a 21st curriculum for another.

“Expecting all children the same age to learn from the same materials is like expecting all children the same age to wear the same size clothing.” – Madeline Hunter

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Local Districts Invoice Government for Unfunded Mandates

Posted on March 10, 2009 by Troy avatar

What exactly is an ‘unfunded mandate’ anyway? Well, according to Wisegeek.com:

An unfunded mandate is a statute or regulation that requires a state or local government to perform certain actions, yet provides no money for fulfilling the requirements. When a federal government imposes a law or regulation without necessary funding, it becomes the responsibility of the state or local government to pay for the implementation of the law. In the end, it is local taxpayers who end up footing the bill.

Some provisions of NCLB and other educational requirements handed-down by the US Dept. of Education are examples of unfunded mandates. These requirements place undue hardship on school districts, especially in times of economic uncertainty. As a member of the school board, I would ask that we review every ‘unfunded mandate’ to determine our compliance requirements. If we accomplish the same goals without extra compliance requirements, we are providing a better product and ultimately improving our community.

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Image via Wikipedia

Districts all over the country are fed up with ‘unfunded mandates’ and some of them are even billing the federal government!

Concord Monitor – District sets out to collect on fed pledge

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Candidate for School Board

Posted on February 12, 2009 by Troy avatar

I have decided to run for the USD 204 school board. I figured this would be the best way I can positively impact the quality of education not only for my kids, but for all children in the district.

Obviously, we are facing difficult times (I hesitate to use the word ‘crisis’- it’s used way too much these days). When the economy is in a downturn, governments expect schools to cut spending. Most schools are running at barely break-even anyway, so any budget cut is detrimental to a quality education.516694_70475120

As a member of the USD 204 school board, I’ll do everything I can to ensure that the district operates as efficiently as possible. It is imperative that we don’t cut essential services.

I’ll use this site to keep you informed about local education issues, as well as campaign progress. There will not be any school board vote in the primary elections on March 3, 2009. The general election is on April 07, 2009. Even if you don’t vote for me, please vote!

To kick things off, I’ve included a poll to get your thoughts on the issues facing our district. Let me know what you think!

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