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Smucker does his homework on school spending
#1
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Posted 21 October 2008 - 02:03 AM
| QUOTE |
| Smucker does his homework on school spending By JEFF HAWKES 2008-10-21 02:03:00 Intelligencer Journal |
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#2
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Posted 23 October 2008 - 02:50 AM
In the interest of full disclosure I am the Campaign Manager for Bill Neff the write-in candidate for this same seat.
I found this article fascinating for several reasons, not the least of which was that it praises Lloyd Smucker leaving the impression he was the only candidate who supported educational funding at this forum. It appeared to me that the true point of the article was to show the contrast between the way he "was" and the way he now "is". Still it appeared to say Mr. Urdaneta and Mr. Neff had it all wrong by virtue of their exclusion and the glowing reviews of Mr. Smucker's newly enlightened viewpoints.
This is particularly interesting since there were several areas in which Mr. Smucker just plain got it wrong.
Bill Neff is a strong proponent of funding education and repeatedly emphasized his commitment to assuring that future funding is there for our children. He put education at the top of his list of priorities in the state. Plus he was the ONLY candidate who pointed out where Pennsylvania ranked with regard to cost per student spent--#44. And he was the only candidate who presented a plan for "recession" proof school funding, a challenge issued to the candidates by Dave Pidgeon of the Intell.
Also it was actually candidate Jose Urdaneta who originally presented all of these same conclusions, including the inequities in educational funding, last spring. Mr. Smucker's comments are almost verbatim repeats of Mr. Urdaneta's. Mr. Urdaneta, who has children in Lancaster City schools has been consistent in his viewpoints.
None of the candidates spoke out against the costing out study or the new funding forumula that was adopted this year. In fact they praised it.
On another front, Mr. Urdaneta and Bill Neff both came out against "No Child Left Behind" which Mr. Smucker supported "with some minor tweeking". This statement seemed surprising given how negatively NCLB is viewed by educators and administrators--especially in urban schools.
It's a shame that the viewpoints of the other 2 candidates could not have been presented as well.
I found this article fascinating for several reasons, not the least of which was that it praises Lloyd Smucker leaving the impression he was the only candidate who supported educational funding at this forum. It appeared to me that the true point of the article was to show the contrast between the way he "was" and the way he now "is". Still it appeared to say Mr. Urdaneta and Mr. Neff had it all wrong by virtue of their exclusion and the glowing reviews of Mr. Smucker's newly enlightened viewpoints.
This is particularly interesting since there were several areas in which Mr. Smucker just plain got it wrong.
Bill Neff is a strong proponent of funding education and repeatedly emphasized his commitment to assuring that future funding is there for our children. He put education at the top of his list of priorities in the state. Plus he was the ONLY candidate who pointed out where Pennsylvania ranked with regard to cost per student spent--#44. And he was the only candidate who presented a plan for "recession" proof school funding, a challenge issued to the candidates by Dave Pidgeon of the Intell.
Also it was actually candidate Jose Urdaneta who originally presented all of these same conclusions, including the inequities in educational funding, last spring. Mr. Smucker's comments are almost verbatim repeats of Mr. Urdaneta's. Mr. Urdaneta, who has children in Lancaster City schools has been consistent in his viewpoints.
None of the candidates spoke out against the costing out study or the new funding forumula that was adopted this year. In fact they praised it.
On another front, Mr. Urdaneta and Bill Neff both came out against "No Child Left Behind" which Mr. Smucker supported "with some minor tweeking". This statement seemed surprising given how negatively NCLB is viewed by educators and administrators--especially in urban schools.
It's a shame that the viewpoints of the other 2 candidates could not have been presented as well.
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