Band Clamp

[XLFD]

A proposed change for the 2020/2021 Ludington OJ DeJonge Middle School schedule is creating a controversy, particularly as it affects the exploratory classes offered to students.  Rather than explain and explore the issue clinically, I offer the band director's synopsis of the problem that could be created if the middle school 'cuts a class' each day.  He has offered this open letter on the Facebook 'Ludington Bands' group, and has stimulated the discussion which seems to be universally favorable at this point for the 48 people who have commented on the page.  

Dear Band Family,

Normally, I try to keep this page strictly informational and upbeat. So please know that I do not post the following lightly. I have been made aware of many Facebook posts already on this issue and believe that the best course of action is to get the correct information out there. Because of this, I’m sharing the following with you.

Today, I found out that there is an issue that is severely threatening the future of Ludington Bands, as well as the LASD Performing Arts Department and is extremely detrimental to our students. It was shared in a meeting with the Ludington Education Association this morning that they want to change the schedule at OJ DeJonge Middle School from a 6 class day to a 5 class day. This would lengthen each class but most importantly, would only allow each OJ student to take one exploratory class daily which includes Band, Choir, Art, Physical Education, Shop and more.

Even further, each student is required to take a Physical Education class during each grade level. Simply put, this would be the end of year round Band for our OJ students as they would need to leave Band for a trimester for PE. Students that take a remedial Math, Reading or ELA class would not have an option for any Exploratory classes. Those students that love Art and Shop? Band and Choir? They would need to choose. Does your student currently take Band? They will need to choose between Band and other Exploratory classes.

Please know that this is not COVID related, even though it may be framed this way. It was stated this morning that this would be a permanent change at OJ. This contract needs to be approved by the LASD teachers and is being voted on shortly. However, this change is also tied to other negotiations that will benefit teachers. Therefore, I know that for many of my colleagues, this will be a very hard one to vote no on. Please know that they are not voting on only this measure, this is a yes or no to the contract as a whole. If this contract is approved by the LASD teachers, the vote will lie with the LASD School Board on if they approve it or not.

You know me, I am a fierce advocator for what’s best for students. I fully believe that the needs of students always come first and have demonstrated that throughout the years with the Band. This is not the first time that this issue has been brought to the table and research has been done in prior years on how detrimental this would be for middle school students. This is NOT a good thing for our kids.

Please know that this is not a stance I take lightly and this is not something that I share lightly. However, I feel that you as parents have a right to know. This is trying to be pushed through 3 weeks before school starts and it is wrong.

Simply put, Ludington Bands needs your help. If this is upsetting to you, if you know someone that this would affect, if you are against this change, please contact the LASD School Board. Please, for the future of the Ludington Band program, make your opinion known and heard. This will be approved if it is not loudly protested.

Love,
Mr. K (Keith Kuczynski)

We welcome, as usual, discussion on this topic, whether you agree or disagree with him, in the comments; however, we would also appreciate school leaders addressing the controversy.  Mr. Kuczynski appears to be a rather courageous individual for speaking out on this topic and potentially facing repercussions from those with authority at the school and the union who want this change from six to five classes per day implemented.   One would hope that Mr. Kuczynski and the public could get the reasoning behind the change and why they feel its advantages would overcome the noticed disadvantages. 

Public entities are ran better when all sides come to the table to express their honest viewpoints.

[Willy]

I don't get what the fuss is all about. The main problem I can see, if I were a teacher, is that one less class a day means the need for less teachers. Also this should be a parental decision first not a "board or union decision. It seems that those in charged consider parents as a nuisance when decisions are made. Heck, let's make the kids happy by having all classes "exploratory". We used to call them elective courses.

[XLFD]

Here's what the school and union put out as ajoint statement earlier today

, it may explain a little more of the hullaballoo.  I agree. Willy, the parents seem to be out of the loop on this, and Mr. K's overtures to other teachers and parents seem to have had an effect on the 'principles' (no pun intended) involved:

August 19, 2020

Joint District Statement on Schedule and Contract

Please read the following joint statement from the Ludington Education Association and Superintendent Kennedy:

We are writing this in response to misinformation that has been put out on social media about the proposed LEA contract and its supposed detriment to the arts programs at LASD. Both the union and the administration strongly support the arts and believe they are an essential factor in our students’ growth and well-being. In fact, the proposed schedule increases elective opportunities for students in the middle school.

This is quite the opposite of what has been shared with our community. The LEA has been grateful to work with a district that has continuously supported the arts, even through times when other districts have cut the arts.  Jason Kennedy has demonstrated his enthusiastic support for all the arts – whether it be Quiz Bowl, Robotics, BPA, Choir, Art, Band, etc. The proposed contract change for the middle school is being done for the following reasons:

• It allows scheduling to meet the needs of in-person and virtual learnings.
• It allows us to address a variety of problems that the 6-period day in the middle school created for the building as a whole, specifically an equity issue that needed to be addressed for staff.
• It makes it easier to share staff among the high school and middle school, especially during the start of the day and the end of the day when it can be most difficult to find coverage for classrooms where substitute teachers are needed.
• It increases elective opportunities for middle school students. These opportunities are imperative in helping our students grow and experience multiple pathways.
• It focuses instructional time in a manner that will help the district support student growth after a school building closure due to COVID-19.
• It increases safety procedures in the buildings for students and staff, namely by allowing us to reduce class sizes and maintain social distancing, as much as possible. This also provides a greater ability to meet health department mandates.
• This is simply a new way of thinking about how the instructional day is scheduled.
• It promotes the financial stability of the district.

In the times of COVID-19, we are faced with unprecedented challenges in how to best teach our kids.  This will allow us greater flexibility to best meet these challenges, while improving opportunities for students.

A variety of schedules have been looked at for a 5-period day that honor the middle school experience, exploratory classes, and the arts. The A and B classes will be approximately 45 – 50 minutes in length, while the other hours will be approximately 62-72 minutes in length. This allows the high school and middle school schedules to align for much of the day, while allowing for elective and lunch flexibility in the middle of the day. A few samples of the new schedule that is being developed are outlined below, as examples:

We have supported the arts in a 5-period day in the past, and will always continue to support them. Our children have been in Ludington Area Schools and participated in the arts.  It is an invaluable part of their experience.

We hope that this helps clarify this issue and clear up much of the misinformation that has been communicated with the community.

In summary, students will be able to continue taking the elective classes that they are accustomed to taking, while also taking additional elective classes. This was a tremendous effort put forth by both the Association and the District and we are committed to balancing the health, safety, and well-being of our students and staff, with the need to provide high quality programming to our students. This agreement is a win-win solution for both our students and our staff, and we are committed to the continued placement of value on the arts and elective programming for students. 

[Willy]

Keith may be satisfied but the notice sent out by the board raises many more questions that need to be answered. There is no explanation of why or how this change will be good for the students. It gives no details regarding any concerns. Below is a copy of the memo with my comments.

• It allows scheduling to meet the needs of in-person and virtual learnings. How?
  
• It allows us to address a variety of problems that the 6-period day in the middle school created for the building as a whole, specifically an equity issue that needed to be addressed for staff. What problems? How are they being addressed?
  
• It makes it easier to share staff among the high school and middle school, especially during the start of the day and the end of the day when it can be most difficult to find coverage for classrooms where substitute teachers are needed. How does it make easier and what is difficult about finding coverage for classrooms? Substitute teachers is another topic all it's own that needs a full review.
  
• It increases elective opportunities for middle school students. These opportunities are imperative in helping our students grow and experience multiple pathways. How will it increase electives?
  
• It focuses instructional time in a manner that will help the district support student growth after a school building closure due to COVID-19. How will this better focus time? Which school was closed? Who made the decision and why?
  
• It increases safety procedures in the buildings for students and staff, namely by allowing us to reduce class sizes and maintain social distancing, as much as possible. This also provides a greater ability to meet health department mandates. In what ways?
  
• This is simply a new way of thinking about how the instructional day is scheduled. Who's thinking? This needs a lot more explaining.
  
• It promotes the financial stability of the district. You must be joking. Will it give us our 100 million dollars back?
  Without any in depth explanation, what do the charts mean to taxpayers  After reading this notice that said virtually nothing about why and how this change will be good, I'm seeing red flags here. If they are flirting around with this it makes me wonder what they are doing with that 100 million dollar ball and chain the voters approved.

[XLFD]

Great analysis of the bullet points they present, Willy.  Still a lot of generalizations fed to the public and not a lot of specifics.  If Mr. K had not capitulated and tacitly supported the response, I would probably look for more.

[Freedom Seeker]

I agree, Willy.  Thanks for your astute comments.  It worries me that the whole national education system may decline due to the hysteria over pandemic if we don't get back to normal .  I know instructors in medical and other universities struggling themselves with new learning issues and teaching methods (many in their 50s and 60s and struggling with a learning curve to export the curricula with technological problems).  This in itself is hard, then seeing a reduction in standards in some instances to get "qualified" students on board.  It seems in the medical field, especially, the need has increased and so the qualification standards have been reduced, at least in two medical university programs I am aware of.  This may be good for the really self-motivated individual, but I personally fear a reduction of the output.  We are living through crazy, hysterical times .  Will a reduction of standard educational standards trickle down into state and lower education? 

Locally, what concerns me is the last bullet point, "financial stability of the dustrict" bs line.  This surely needs explanation.

[XLFD]

Apparently it was a misunderstanding due to the incomplete transparency of the process, undoubtedly.  Keith Kuczynski has made a statement tonight:  

"I have chosen to delete the previous post for many reasons. Please know that it was posted with absolutely no ill-intent and was in response to the information that we were given at the time. That information has since changed. I’m sorry that this has exploded in a way that was not intended and I’m sorry for any disruption that it has caused.

I will always stand on the side of what I believe is best for students. My hope is that this will be worked out to benefit our students, as well as our fine arts program and I fully appreciate the support that you have all expressed for the arts in our community."

[Freedom Seeker]

This is hard to express, but I feel your pain, Lake Lady, regarding the desire to cash out due to hefty expansion of the quaint town of Ludington (Rowe Lofts and the associated results of big-city living), and without even knowing you, I appreciate your posts and standards. The very sad thing is that, losing good citizens does very little to help the situation, and in fact, may be beneficial to the city of Ludington, especially if you have appreciated your property; the city will gain a tax base and will be minus one citizen who will stand up and challenge them and care for a small community living that most loved. I deal with the same considerations. In the end, peace of mind and a feeling of personal freedom is by far an overriding factor, and to shake a tyranny that removes personal liberties is a freedom that makes one feel free and soar the great skies.

[Freedom Seeker]

Nothing like seeing young people run, striving to better themselves!  I've watched the political situation around ludington long enough to know that the embedded forces are deep, and although I'd be tempted, to run for mayor, it would have to be a pretty desperate situation, where many more could understand the feeling of where Ludington may be heading, as most on this forum do.  Unfortunately, there are many evil forces out there that lie and corrupt and manipulate to keep any but their own agenda known to the general public.  I will be watching as well to see if this new staff can turn what i feel is an unfortunate ominous future around.  There could be a slight hope with a change in the council this coming year, to be a slight optimist.  Maybe age will mellow the overbearing thinking, humility would certainly help.

[Freedom Seeker]

P.S. Lake Lady, wishing you all the best if you are being forced into the decision to escape the surly bonds of Ludington.  Breathe free that you will not be responsible for a crazy debt, and watch out for the other townships in the area who may buy into the education zone and similar bonds with Ludington and Mason County.

[Freedom Seeker]

Interesting thoughts and analogies, Lake Lady, I had never thought of or considered such analogies before, but it makes sense, being too lazy to train a dog.  My Dad always said, "a person has to be smarter than the dog to train it!"  Ha ha.  He was a great animal trainer, too.

I have thought a lot about this tourism sprawl, being a native Michigander and through for years seeing a lot of ups and downs economically.  I feel for our whole state and nation.  For Ludington, I think there might be a wakening up in spending when the state wakes up a bit, but can we "fix the damn ... governor"?  Yesterday announced $600 million for a portion of the Flint water settlement (not her fault), but, imo, Tittabawasee River dam breaks were Dana Nessel's fault.  Four Lakes homes values plummeted some up to 30% overnight, plus destruction of many in Sanford and Midland.  It will takes years of litigation to pony up and set this right, Boyce (dam owner) blaming Nessel, Nessel blaming Boyce, a terrible mess.  Major roads washed out for thirty miles along the river basin are starting to be repaired, alone in the hundreds of millions.  I'm wondering if our Great state of Michigan is a good place to flee?

[Freedom Seeker]

Lake Lady, your thoughts are so much mine that we might get accused of being an anonymous clone in order to boost X's readership.  Or are you really me?  Just kidding!

Exactly about the dems destroying Trump in order to become heroes to claim that they will fix everything.  I've already been so disgusted by their propaganda, I can only laugh at it now if I can tolerate ti watch any more.  I've never seen such divisiveness and I pray to God that He will fix it because it seems it is coming to the time when man can't overcome haughty, evil temptations, politically, nationally and locally.  It's really sad.

I haven't been to TC or AA for many years since they've been overly congested.  I can only hope the influx of tourists and new residents is good for state coffers, but I personally feel no benefit.  So many states with a lot of natural beauty and less taxes and not having to climb out of a crater of debt.  It's really sad that our beautiful, pure Michigan's resources are being horribly polluted.  I believe we have lived in the best of times in Michigan in the past.  Thanks for your insight and thought about what has caused the current situation.  I'm still trying to figure it out.  It seems like we fell off the wagon about the time Milliken was no longer governor.

[stump]

MR. kucznski made a statement that didn't set well will the leftest leaders.  Will another teacher be in  the unemployment line because he went outside THEIR VEIWs ?