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- Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Archives Revels Classifieds Real Estate Menu Guide Wedding Weather Subscribe Contact Us May 6, 2005 Agenda is about more than Lincoln By Pat Turner Ashland I watched the April Ashland School Board meeting and was dismayed by some of the comments from the speakers. They don’t want Lincoln Elementary to be sold or leased. Instead, they want it to remain open while creative ideas are brainstormed by the community. Unfortunately, there are other areas in the school district that also need attention. I believe that there are educational opportunities that have been cut or never existed that would benefit students. The high school in 2002 cut its class schedule from eight to seven periods. This affects all of the students because existing classes are larger. Also, there are fewer classes offered to the students who want to expand and explore their learning beyond the core requirements. The class limitation impacts others who may have academically struggled early and need to make up credits. When I was in high school, a long time ago, we had two counselors for every class year. At the present time, there are three counselors for approximately 1,200 AHS students. Because of this understaffing, the students may not receive adequate curriculum advice for their present or future needs. Another relic from my past is the required four years of P.E. class in high school. Presently, only one year is required to graduate. Many of our students are overweight. More time spent in physical activity will benefit our students. There are various reasons why reductions have been made over the last 10-plus years. Voter legislation, for example Measure 5, and the national economic downturn combined to necessitate large cutbacks throughout the district. Families with elementary school age children living in Ashland have declined, or some Ashland families with children have chosen alternatives to public school. These were not events we could plan for and may not be able to change. Over the years, all of the students, their parents, and the schools’ staff throughout our district have all been negatively impacted. It is important that we realistically view the requests to have Lincoln Elementary remain open versus the needs of the entire school district. DailyTidings.com Home Page Archives | Revels | Classifieds | Real Estate Guide | Weather | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2005 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Free Musick Downloads Slippers Ceramic Piggy Banks Heloc Calenders 2005 Women's & Men's Slippers Accelerate Weightloss Products Memory Foam Mattress tcg student loan consolidation Home Equity Loans teleconferencing W2 Forms cortisol weight loss Diamonds Paris Hilton Mesothelioma Free Home-Loan Referrals Tatoos Website Design & Marketing Student Loans African Safari Conference Calls - $50/Month Security Systems Helzberg Diamonds Currancy Exchange Online Casinos Community Student Loans Tatoo Poker Games Homeschooling Auto Insurance Mortgage Calculator Mailing Lists Payday Loans Click Here .:Advertisements:. Site Search: RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams