Open Letter to the superintendent

Mr. Runcie,

I have written this letter mentally for the past three years, but finally decided to put it on paper. Like you, I began my education in Jamaica. At age 10, I entered the Broward County Public School system by enrolling in Plantation Middle. I continued my education at Plantation High School, where I graduated in 1987. Upon my graduation, I attended Davidson College, graduated in 1991 and returned to Broward County.

My teaching career began at Cooper City High School in the fall of 1992, where I spent 4 years teaching several subjects under the dropout prevention umbrella. The next 7 years were spent teaching Algebra at Flanagan and McArthur. My last seven years were spent as an assistant principal at Stranahan High and my current location of Northeast High School. As this is my 19^th year, one year was spent as a behavior specialist at Stranahan High School.

That’s enough of my story. I’m writing to share my thoughts with you regarding the state of education in Broward County and, so some extent, the nation. I don’t claim to have every answer, but I have an answer to a significant question, that everyone seems to be dodging.

How do we serve the roughly 25% of students who enter kindergarten at age 5 with great potential but dropout somewhere along the way? Nationally, 40% of Black and Hispanic students do not graduate on time. I have long disliked the term dropout. We make the incorrect assertion that a child would just want to give up and quit on their education. However, that is what dropping out means to me. I prefer to call them unserved, instead of dropouts. Though unfortunate, it appropriately places the blame on the producer, us, rather than the consumer, the student. As I previously stated, no one just “drops out” and quits on their future. We have not been able to meet their needs.

Everyone is not going to college. I know, that’s not a very popular or politically correct thing to say. If we want to be honest with students, parents and each other, we would find it hard to disagree with that assertion. If I told all my students that they all capable of running the 100 meters in the Olympics and defeating the likes of Usain Bolt, everyone would call me insane or state that I have unrealistic expectations. I believe that those who think every child has the academic, social or economic support system that a college prep curriculum requires, bare that same level of insanity.

South Florida has the largest private marine industry in the world. South Florida is also the choice of millions who seek a warm climate to spend their retirement years. South Florida, the Sunshine State, is very hot, all the time. Do we have vocational programs that support those three industries? Can a child graduate high school with the skills required to gain employment in any of those areas?

I would answer no to all those questions. I say no, not because students are not applying themselves and pursuing those interests, rather, we have failed to identify those who have a particular vocational interest and steer them in that direction. A child who graduates high school with training and certification in the marine industry, air conditioning repair or home health service would never want for employment. Instead, we push students towards a goal or path that they neither want nor are capable of attaining. Furthermore, it is not until they have failed miserably that we reach out to them and provide adult vocational courses, like the ones at Northeast High School.

Northeast High School offers welding and AC classes to adults through the community school program. Imagine a freshman student who is able to study either or those programs throughout their high school career. At age 18 they would have a marketable skill and the ability to earn a comfortable income. A high school diploma has no earning potential because we have placed all our eggs in one basket, graduate high school and go to college.

I envision a district with vocational centers in each of the three areas. Vocational centers that cater to all students, instead of simply focusing on the high tech careers, like McFatter and Atlantic Tech.

My initial assertion was that I wanted to increase the graduation rate. I am looking beyond that. I would like to see the students graduate with true earning potential. We celebrate graduation rate and ignore the millions of students who wake the morning after graduation and realize the paper in their hands is worthless. They have no career, no marketable skills, no means of earning a living, and most depressing of all, no direction. They are essentially back to square one. Yet, we boast and beat our chests about graduation rates.

Mr. Runcie, I hope in moving forward, the Broward County Public School system will seek to serve all children. With the aid of a heavy hammer, we can force a square peg into a round hole. Unfortunately, both the hole and the peg will be damaged. Students and schools are being battered and beaten everyday by a system that needs a change of focus and direction. Schools are viewed in a less than flattering light and parents are seeking other educational alternatives.

Hopefully this honest reflection of my educational and professional thoughts positively serves the district and our Broward County families.

Jobs vs. Profit = GREED

When I drive by the car dealers I see the same number of cars on the lot as there were before the financial crisis. When I walk into the supermarket, the shelves are fully stocked. Public schools are still open and accepting everyone who walks in the door. I have not been anywhere and faced disappointed because there is a shortage or lack of supplies.

So, if unemployment is at 9.2%, who is making all these things and providing services? What a great question. Hope to answer it shortly.

Businesses laid-off thousands over the past two years. The workers that were left had to pick up the slack, because production couldn't suffer. So, fewer workers are creating the same number of products and services. Companies are now charging more for the same goods.

What does this all mean?

Businesses now have smaller payrolls...smaller overhead.

Though they cut employees, production is still at all time highs.

Businesses are charging more for the same goods and services...larger profits.

How can these same companies claim that times are tough and they can't afford to expand their workforce. I believe they need to come clean and state clearly what's going on. Let's try this statement...We are not hiring more workers, because the ones we have now are working their butts off and profits are through the roof.

"Everyday you go a well, one day the bottom a go drop out." Bob Marley

No Brainer

In March 2001 I treated myself to a birthday present. My cousin had a Jetta and I was amazed by all the options the of VW at that price. So I test drove the car a bought a silver bullet. Couldn't stop there...changed the suspension and added 18" rims with low profile tires. The stereo needed no upgrading, because VW has a great sound system. Because this was a new model and body style, the VW sales people would actually come outside to see the car when I came in for service (New model, customized, but not overboard).

Ten Years Later

Fast forward 10 years and my need to impress everyone who sees me driving down the road is at a lifetime low. Basically, been there done that. Repairs...there's nothing easy or cheap about fixing a VW. All the parts that need repairing are tucked well inside the engine and require hours of labor. At $99/hour, mechanic labor on an import car ain't cheap. Every trip to the mechanic was a car payment and the number of trips were becoming more frequent.

Civics lesson

This isn't your ordinary civics lesson, nor does this have anything to do with education. A month ago I sold the Passat for $2000 and bought a 2002 Civic for $5000. As some used cars would have it, the Civic took all that $2000 to become reliable and ready for the road. It still aint no peach but it gets me from point A to B. I had plans to do minor cosmetic repairs, paint the exterior and add rims to the civic. Let's just say that I installed a stereo, four speakers and had the window tinted, nada mas. Since all the bumps and bruises are on the passenger side and I rarely go over there, no more repairs needed. Out of sight out of mind. Rims...yeah right. As stated previously, been there done that.

The No Brainer

The Passat had a 14 gallon tank, which had to be filled every week, with Super Unleaded. The Civic's tank is 10 gallons, which I fill every two weeks with regular unleaded. The passat gas bill was approximately $2,800 annually. The civic will cost me $949. That's already an $1800 savings.

No so happy ending

We also bought a used 2001 Yukon fit for a presidential motorcade, but we'll use it for the twins and mommy to ride in. I couldn't have momma and babies in no Smart car, tin can. So all the gas calculations will be poured into that beast. For a brief moment, I thought some extra pocket change was coming my way.

Consignment

Many US congressmen are upset that tax dollars are being spent on the missiles that are being fired in Libya. I guess the weapon manufacturers are selling bombs and missiles on consignment. We only pay for them after we use it. How can someone speak such nonsense every day and have people who believe it.

We do not want to use tax payer dollars on this war!!!!!!

Hello...all the bombs, missiles, jets, ships, and weapons are already paid for. Whether the US fires them or not, they have already been bought. Sadly enough, there are those who really believe this nonsense. Also, whether we are at war or not, the members of the armed forces get paid and the ships use fuel.

What if the US did not join the humanitarian mission and thousands were slaughtered? I could just hear them now...President Obama is soft and needs to get tougher. How could he sit by while innocent citizens are being killed. So, it didn't matter what he did. There will always be those who will say black when he says white.

I'm as anti-violence and anti-war as the next person, but I understand why this country does what it does at times. When the US does it with the consent and partnership of the UN, that's a far cry from the missions of the past.

What's the difference between a team owner and a player? The ability to walk and think clearly after the age 50.

I love football as much as the next person. Far too many people are on the side of the owners and look at the players as greedy. When owners look for more money it's good business. On the contrary, players who want their piece of the pie are plain ole greedy.

Roll Call of Owner's worth:

Jerry Jones...$2B

Robert Kraft...$1.5B

Dan Snyder...$1.1B

Athletes

In May 2009, Forbes magazine estimated that Tiger Woods's total net worth is $600 million. His career earnings total over $1 billion. Forbes has forecast that by the end of 2010 he will be a billionaire. There are no football players that are remotely close to the net worth of Tiger or any football owner.

There have been studies related to football that address the violence of a tackle. A football collision or tackle has been compared to a car crash. How many owners are willing to withstand the damage and abuse of repeated car wrecks? How many are willing to put their bodies in danger ever snap of the ball. Most of them sit in private booths with air conditioning and catered meals.

I won't owner bash without pointing out the lavish life style of the players as well. But, if I have to put the money in the hands of those who put it on the line everyday, I'm for the players every time.

I almost forgot about all the workers at the stadiums who will have no jobs this year. For all I care, they can just play college basketball and football all year.

None of Your Business

As I listen to the various talking heads, all I hear is business, business, business. What ever happened to people, people, people. As all the tax breaks and tax credits are given to businesses, what will the people get?

Sorry, you just get higher prices, lower wages and more worker rights.

There are presently representatives trying to lower the minimum wage in their state. Not only are you not able to collectively bargain, but now you'll also get a lower wage. Almost forgot; when public school is destroyed, you'll have to pay for private school.

How much money is too much? A great question that many of us will never have to wrestle with. When politicians talk about their state being "open for business", it's as if these companies and their executive officers are starving. The tax breaks and other compensations don't lead to more hiring or new job creation, it means more profit. #10, 20, 21 and 22 on the Forbes world billionaire list are all Walton's...as in Walmart.

When a gallon of gas hits $6 and a loaf of bread cost $5, who can afford it on $3/hour minimum wage? I'm all for profits and maximizing your worth. But, when everything is slanted on the side of the corporation, who will be able to buy their goods and services. You can only make so many cars and refine so much oil, before you're left with massive inventories and no one to buy it.

I listen to the Hannity's and Rick Scott's of the world and wait for the second shot that will be heard around the world. How much can people take? How many times can you punch and jab before there's retaliation? Egyptians weren't upset about government, they were upset about the price of food. We, America, slant every disagreement around the world and make it about democracy.

"Everyday you go a well, one day the bottom a go drop out." Bob Marley.

Translation: Everyday you go to the same well. One day it will dry up.

Third world or bust

Let me see if I can remember a few things that I learned about economics, during my Davidson days. Some stuff I'll just make up or assume to be true. You'll have to judge for yourself which arguments come from my own lack of intelligence.

The wave of privatization is strong and in full effect. Can you afford it? That's the question that no one seems to ask or think about answering. The purpose or premise of capitalism is very simple; maximize profits. If your police department has to post a profit, officers would be encouraged to write more tickets. Departments may even reward them with bonuses for large volumes of tickets written. Would the fire department come to your small apartment fire, when a 3,00o square foot house is ablaze? The larger the house, the greater the profit.

Many may think this sounds crazy, but just wait and see.

What if everyone had a job and no one was on welfare? Sounds like a great idea, but if that were a reality, inflation would be so high, you couldn't afford a head of lettuce. See, the more people employed, the larger the payroll. The larger the payroll, the higher the price of a good. Remember, this is capitalism. Though the government has no interest in a profit, private companies do.

What if the same company owned the police force and the jail? I think a small conflict of interest would exist. I heard the best argument in support of collective bargaining on an evening talk show. At that moment it all made perfectly good sense to me. How can a politician bargain with a union, when that exact union will be making donations to their campaign? So, it's not that collective bargaining on its own that costs everyone. The politician who needs a donation probably will cave instead on standing firm. Now we're getting to the root of the problem...corruption and greed.

Want to find where the bodies are buried, stomp out waste and fraud. If a government worker wants an item, they could purchase it for much less down the street. Unfortunately, in the name of fairness, approved vendors get all the business. Most approved vendors are mini-monopolies who charge ridiculous prices, well above a fair market price.

What's an Oligarchy?

The oligarchy is a form of power structure in which power effectively rests with a small number of people. These people could be distinguished by royalty, wealth, family ties, corporate, or military control. The word oligarchy is from the Greek word that means "a few" and the verb for "to rule, to govern, to command". Such states are often controlled by a few prominent families who pass their influence from one generation to the next.

Hmmm, I thought this was a democracy?

Perspective

All dressed up and ready to go.

It doesn't matter how close you stand to someone, you're never able to see the same thing from the same angle. Also, we can look over the neighbors fence and imagine what life must be like in their shoes. As the adage says, you're never sure of someone situation until you spend a day in their shoes. Man...I was walking in those shoes today and things have never been clearer to me.

I have been in education for 18 years, and for the first time, my eyes were opened a way that caused me to really reflect. Tanya and I took the boys to their first day of daycare today. WOW! You take your child and leave them with a complete stranger. Many of us wouldn't let a stranger drive our cars or borrow $5, but we gladly hand our children to them. To be honest, she isn't a total stranger, Tanya and I met with their "teacher" last week. I still wouldn't let her drive my car. We dropped them off and went to breakfast. I dropped tanya off at home and swung by the daycare. When I saw that they were just fine, I got back in my car and drove to work; to take care of other people's children with a new sense of purpose.

Everyday, parents drop their children off to school and trust that the adults in the building will protect and keep their child safe. I never knew what those emotions were like or how parents must really feel. Sure, I've met with parents and tried to give them a sense of comfort, safety and security, but with today's revelation, I will take every necessary step needed to allay all their fears.

I can still see my mother's face as my plane taxied away from the terminal, as I left for college. She had the same tissue in her hands that had been drying her tears all morning. For the first time that morning, I actually saw her wiping away the tears she had been hiding all morning.

I'm gonna shed my share of tears for Jacob and Amari.

Check one box below

Ever been asked your race? What about your gender? Ever had to pause before answering any of those questions?

Let me start with the gender question. Gender has nothing to do with your ability to procreate. Gender is a subjective term where one is defined as masculine or feminine. Sex on the other hand relates to your biological ability to either produce sperm or eggs. Sorry for the digression, but my main purpose was to talk about race. But, if we can't agree on something that is objective and genetic, how can we agree on race.

When Tiger Woods embraced ALL essences of his racial character, he was chastised. Chastised mainly by black people who felt that he was dissing his black roots. On the contrary, he was rising above the pigeon holing and truly giving a testament to his mother and father.

This brings me to my own twin boys; children of a Puerto-Rican and Ecuadorian mother and Jamaican father. Do I wait and see how dark their skin becomes and decide what box to check? Maybe we'll just cop-out and pick multi-racial. I have already come to the decision that "African American" is one of the most ridiculous title every created.

Race should not be determined by location. Whatever race I am shouldn't change when I move to another country. Why would America have its own race?

In this "post-racial" era, let's not ignore race. Rather, let's focus our attention on culture and ethnicity; a measure of a people's common interests. Mobility and migration have mixed us in a soup that isn't so confined to 200 year old definitions. My children will share a rich Caribbean and Hispanic heritage. One that has strong roots and influences on our food, music, dance religion, language...My children will be able to articulate all that they are and are not. They will stand strong and refuse to be pigeon holed. Unfortunately, I may have to resign to the multi-racial title until another more appropriate one becomes available.

According to the slave codes, one drop of black blood made you black.

More ramblings from the head of a thinker...lol