Magnet School Sibling Preference

The Westerville News & Public Opinion newspaper recently published an article about the magnet school sibling preference policy that was initiated for the first time this school year.

Apparently, the district now wants to know what citizens think about this change. There will be a meeting on Wednesday, September 8, 2010 at 3:45pm at Fouse Elementary School to discuss. Not to get off-point here, but why did they decide to have the meeting at 3:45pm instead of in the evening so working parents could attend?

Anyway.....I actually like the sibling-preference. Last year, I had one child attending Whittier, one child attending Emerson, and one child attending Hanby. Morning drop-off was a nightmare!!! Not to mention the schedule conflicts that I encountered with curriculum nights, classroom parties, school events, etc.. But, my Whittier child (now a first-grader) was able to get into Emerson with the sibling-preference and that was definitely a relief for me (only because that was one less school to attend to).

However, I can see how frustrating this preferential treatment could be for parents that do not have children currently enrolled in a Magnet school. With the sibling preference there are definitely fewer spots open. Being a magnet school parent, I only really hear one side of the issue and would love to hear from others as well.

For those in favor of the sibling preference, there is a petition that you can sign that will be presented to the board.

New District Calendar

The Westerville School District has made the decision to change the academic calendar effective for the 2011-2012 school year. Instead of students starting school the third week of August, they will start school a week earlier on August 17th, 2011. The last day of classes for the school year will be on Thursday, May 24th, 2010. This date is before Memorial Day (which falls on May 28th).

Apparently, a lot of people like the change because it allows two more weeks of instruction prior to graduation tests, AP exams, etc. Also school exams will be given before the winter break rather than afterward in January. Last year, parents were given the opportunity to voice their opinions about this change. Since I was not one of the parents who did, I really shouldn't voice an opinion either way about whether or not I like this change.

I've also heard comments that the change in our calendar would be consistent with other area district calendars. Just out of curiosity, I checked out 2010-2011 academic calendars from other local districts and this is what I found:

Olentangy - first day of school: August 25, 2010 ; last day of school: June 7, 2011
Big Walnut - first day of school: August 25, 2010; last day of school: June 8, 2011
(2011-2012 calendar similar)
Gahanna - first day of school: August 25, 2010; last day of school: June 8, 2011
(2011-2012 calendar similar)
New Albany - first day of school: August 30, 2010; last day of school: June 9, 2011

These neighboring school districts actually have a calendar that is similar to the one Westerville has now. I'm interested in hearing what everyone thinks about this change.

Smart Meters

I've been reading so much lately about Smart Meters in Westerville that I think my brain now needs a meter! If, unlike me, you've somehow been able to avoid all of the media hype surrounding this issue, you can read about it on the following blog:

www.columbuscastles.com/westerville-electric-smart-meters

Also, there is an article in the Westerville News & Public Opinion dated September 1, 2010.

My only concern about this issue is the cost. From what I can gather (and please correct me if I'm wrong) the Federal Grant money will only pay for 50% of the cost to install these. So, the rest of the cost will get passed on to us taxpayers. Considering the current economic climate, is this really what we need RIGHT NOW? Plus, it's my understanding that the initial "estimated" cost to install these meters usually ends up being significantly lower than the "actual" cost.

The Westerville City Council will be voting on this issue this coming Tuesday (Sept. 7th). My question is, if this is going to affect all of us in Westerville, shouldn't all citizens be able to vote on it? Shouldn't it be on a ballot?

From what I have read, this technology is ever-changing. IF the council decides to move forward with this, chances are, the meters will need to be upgraded within 5 years. Apparently, this issue is popping up all over the U.S.. I recently found a snippet about Maryland voting down this very same issue.