ee a a _. She 3 po I EY ah ‘ ; mA Ee 55 BE SS a a protest that it raises taxes ~ too much and others believe ~ to maintain quality educa- / 4 The Dallas Post Dallas, PA Wednesday, June 26, 1991 Te SDALLASCP0ST Quality education isn't primarily an economic issue The directors of the Dallas School District will meet later this week to finalize the district's budget for the 1991-92 school year. At issue will be whether to adopt the tentative budget that includes a 15 mill property tax increase, or to spend less or more than that budget al- lows. Objections have been raised against the proposed budget as some residents DALLAS SCHOOL DISTRICT BUDGET MEETINGS June 28—8 PM, Middle School Auditorium, work ses- sion open to the public. June 29—7 PM, Adopton of final budget, Administration bldg., Church St. that more spending is needed tion. The district's teachers have been among the most “vocal groups supporting the latter, claiming that at least a 22 ~ mill tax hike is needed to avoid the layoff of needed teachers and curtailment of important programs. Whatever position you support, some facts are unassailable; that state and federal contributions to education are not growing as fast as they have in the past, that over-reliance on property taxes brings hardship to some who can least afford it, and that quality education is important to our society's growth and prosperity. What is not clear is the relationship between the size of school budgets and the quality of education. Much has been written of late about the superior test scores racked up by students in Catholic schools and other private institutions. An article in the Wall Street Journal focused on the Diocese of Scranton in asserting that parochial school students were receiving a better education than public schools offered, and at substantially less cost. Certainly private school teachers would be surprised to hear that bigger budgets mean better education, since their com- pensation is about half that paid to their counterparts in the public schools. The starting annual salary for a teacher with a bachelor’s degree in the Dallas School District is now $20,715. The average salary is $41,775 (average length of service is 21 years). Add to that the value of summers off and benefits most people can only dream of (including payment for the college courses that lead to a higher salary) and you have a package that far exceeds what most private sector workers will ever receive. The point isn’t that public school teachers are e overpaid—the good ones certainly aren't given the responsibility they bear. But they aren't all good; as in any human endeavor, there is a wide range of competence and effectiveness between the worst andthe best. There's the crux of the matter and one that money - won't solve. If bigger budgets and higher salaries guaranteed superior performance, it wouldn't be hard to justify high taxes. But just the opposite may be true; attention focused on budgets and salaries has distracted everyone in the public school systems so much that their true function—teaching children to be productive citizens—has been displaced by self- centered concerns. It’s time to face up to the facts; our public educational ~ systems have become bogged down in bureaucratic squabbling and their mission to provide a proper education for all children “has been compromised as teachers and administrators argue over superficial budget items. No wonder teachers are said to ~ be unhappy; instead of gaining satisfaction from helping young men and women on their journey to adulthood, they're focused on whether or not they got as large a raise as their counterparts across the state. Meanwhile, administrations are unable or ~ unwilling to enforce standards on teachers or students. “Back to basics” has become a rallying cry among education reformers, but they're missing the point. What schools need most today isn’t a change in what is taught, but in the attitudes of administrators, teachers and students. Bring back the basics, yes, but make them basics of behavior and discipline, purpose and pride. Start by demanding that students treat their time in school as more important than anything else they do. Institute dress codes so they don’t miss the message that school is not like home or a friend's house. Reward teachers who are able generate a hunger for knowledge among their students and invite those who fall short of acceptable stan- dards to seek work elsewhere. Highlight academic achievement above achletics. It all boils down to changing the value system at work in our schools. More taxes or less will not turn public education around; higher standards and new values will. That change must begin at home with parents who inculcate an appreciation for learn- ing, and who refuse to accept mediocre performance in the classroom from either their children or educators. Education isn’t primarily an economic issue, but failure to achieve aca- demic skill will deal the greatest blow to our society and the individuals within it. Letters invited The Dallas Post encourages readers to share their opinions with the community by writing a letter to the editor. All letters for publication must be signed and include a telephone number so that we may verify their authenticity. We will not publish anonymous letters. Send letters to: The Dallas Post, P.O. Box 366, Dallas, PA 18612. Letters received by Noon on Monday may be included in that week's issue. Te SDALLASCP0ST Published Weekly by Bartsen Media, Inc. P.O. Box 366, Dallas PA 18612 Telephone: 717-675-5211 Ronald A. Bartizek Charlotte E. Bartizek Editor and Publisher Associate Publisher Peggy Young Charlot M. Denmon Advertising Acct. Exec. Reporter a Rich Johnson Pou Rismiller Reporter Olga Kostrobala omposition . Classified/typesettin Jean Hillard yp g Office Manager MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL NEWSPAPER ASSOCIATION AND THE PENNSYLVANIA NEWSPAPER PUBLISHER'S ASSOCIATION Horses near Machell Avenue, Dallas (Photo by Charlotte Bartizek) Letters Asks that Dallas music program be maintained Editor's Note: The author of this letter asked that The Post print it so that his thoughts would reach the entire community. Board of Education Dallas Area School District Dallas, Pennsylvania 18612 Dear Members of the Board: I am writing to formally protest the news that the secondary cho- ral music program at Dallas is being discontinued. As a member of the Class of 1974 , some of my most valuable lessons were learned under the direction of Mrs. Florence Sher- wood, director of this program. As I understand, Mrs. Sherwood is leaving on sabbatical, which in itself is a great loss, however there are many qualified and gifted music educators, some of which are Dal- “las graduates, who will be willing to try to fill her shoes! As an active member of the choral program at Dallas, I was exposed to discipline, hard work and many personal experiences that one can never learn in the regular classroom, such as visit- ing nursing homes, hospitals and Veterans Homes. It was through this music program that I learned about what would be the most valuable two years of my life, trav- eling with the international cast of “Up With People!”, for my senior year of high school and first year of college. There is also the valuable les- sons that were learned as stu- dents throughout the years at- tended district, regional, state and nationwide choral events repre- senting Dallas. What a remark- able experience that was! Many Dallas music students went on to further their careers in music, in such fields as music education and music therapy, as well as celebrated professional musicians, such as my friend, Dr. William Cutter of Boston. Also, many people that I work with at local community theaters, are graduates of Dallas, and to this day can still feel the impact this program had on their lives. I realize economically that times are dillicult, however, should not a compromise be made? Has the funding for Athletic Programs been affected? Emphasis on sports has always out-weighed the importance of fine arts, not only at Dallas, but many otherarea schools. Although Living Will law moves ahead in Pennsylvania Senate Pennsylvania moved a step closer to passing a living will law, as the Senate approved a bill al- lowing residents to choose, in advance, what type of life-sustain- ing treatment they would accept in cases of serious illness, according to Sen. Charles D. Lemmond (R- 20). Sen. Lemmond, who voted in favor of the bill, said passage of living will legislation is long over- due and would help to address many of the difficult legal and ethical questions surrounding the right to die. He said work on the legislation has been underway for more than a decade, but has been slowed by differing viewpoints on how such a law should be drafted. “I commend all the groups who worked together to get this bill through the ' Senate,” Sen. Lemmond said. “It’s an issue that is important to everyone who is concerned about ensuring that everyone has the right to death with dignity.” Currently, the Commonwealth is one of only three states that does not give legal standing to “living wills,” which allow people to deter- mine what kind of heroic meas- ures they are willing to accept in cases of an advanced terminal ill- ness or irreversible coma. Sen. Lemmond said Senate Bill 3 meets the test of the Supreme Court ruling in the Cruzan case, which specified that patients must give “clear and convincing evi- dence” to allow doctors or family, members to take a patient off life support. it would apply only to people who have executed living wills. The document would have to be witnessed by two people and pro- vided to the patient's doctor. The bill includes a sample declaration that would allow patients to check a box to the forms of life support they do not want to be used. I am not suggesting cutting sports programs either, I am asking you to take a look into programs which benefit those whose talents do not excel on the football field or bas- ketball court, and give those stu- dents a chance at quality, creative education. Stephen F. Hartman Kingston Says 'thanks'’ for the coverage Editor: We at the Idetown United Meth- odist Church Couples Club wish to thank you and the Dallas Post for the wonderful pre-auction cov- erage. The photograph and the write- up were tops. It helped to make our auction the best ever. Henry Bergstrasser Send The Post to a friend, it makes a great gift. Call 675-5211 to find out how. Only yesterday 60 Years Ago - July 3, 1931 BUS SERVICE SLATED AT HARVEYS LAKE The Hemlock tree has been declared the official state tree by the State General Assembly. Effective Monday new bus serv ice willbegin around Harveys Lake. Dallas junior baseball team of the American Legion lost its chances to participate in the state contests by two runs, losing to Forty Fort 2-1 and to Pringle 13- 12. The Secret Six, starring Wallace Beery, played Friday and Satur- day at the Himmler Theatre. 50 Years Ago - July 3, 1941 UNION STARTED AT NOXEN TANNERY Thirty three new names were added Tuesday to the Dallas draft rolls. The U.S. Army invited Mr. and Mrs. David Brace of Dallas to Get- tysburg to watch the maneuvers in a mock air raid by the 71st Regi- ment of which their son Samuel is a member. n Tannery workers organi} a union at the Noxen plant. — Fireworks and boat parade high- light July 4 at Harveys Lake. Engaged - Cathlyn Parkinson and George Lewis. Wed - Claudia Jones and N.F. Montross; Helen Anthony and William Carr; Mary Alice Johnston and William Kishbaugh, Jr. 40 Years Ago - June 29, 1951 LAKE LIONS CLUB GIVES FIRE EQUIPMENT The Barn teems with activity as goods are delivered but more used goods are needed for the Library Auction. Harveys Lake Lions Club buys a resuscitator to be housed at the Daniel C. Roberts Fire Company building. Engaged - Bernadine Michael and George Remetz; Eliza Decker and George McCue. Wed - Mary Ruth Robinson and Howard Stillwell; Lenore E. Pascoe and William Dymond. Jackson Little League is in first place in the league with a 6-2 record with Dallas close on Jackson's heels with a 5-2 record. 30 Years Ago - June 29, 1961 ALEXANDER NAMED ROTARY PRESIDENT 3 Everybody in the area wax led Friday and Saturday at Charlie Gosart's 2-day open house. Dallas School District by 4 tablish a summer recreation fgro- gram for children over six in the Dallas area. James Alexander to be installed as president of Dallas Rotary. | Residents hear report on Dallas School changes to be made this summer to relieve pressure on other schools in the district. Daddow Isaacs team defeats Duke Isaac team 9-6 in Back Mountain Baseball for Boys. Engaged - Arline Misson and John Anzalone. 1 Wed - Barbar Ann Cooney: ‘ind Larry William Farr; Ruth Marie Waldow and Joseph D. Stachnik; Marian Theresa Elenchikand John Edward Kern. 20 Years Ago - July 1, 1971 : NO MILLAGE INCREASE IN SCHOOL BUDGETS The 1971-72 budget of the Dal- las School District was approved with no tax increase foreseen. Residents of Shavertown com- plain about bad taste of the water. No millage rise seen for Lake- Lehman budget. Magistrate Frederick ani is elected a state director. ) East Dallas continues to ead Teeners League. Wed - Pattie Larson and Gre- gory L. Hicks; Linda Hagenbaugh and Kurt D. Schneider; Myra Berti and Frederick James Gosart; Susan Carol Oppenheim and A. John Dimond. ; Engaged - Susan Ellen Sipple and Matthew P. Gillis, III. Legislators directory STATE REPRESENTATIVE PHYLLIS MUNDY Suite 109 Park Office Building Kingston, PA 18704 283-9622 or 655-3375 In Harrisburg: 104B East Wing State Capitol Building Harrisburg, PA 17120 (717)-783-1614 STATE SENATOR CHARLES LEMMOND 701 Market St. Kingston, PA 18704 287-0475 In Harrisburg: Room 459, Main Capitol Harrisburg, PA 17120 1-800-722-2251 or (717)-787-7428 STATE REPRESENTATIVE GEORGE HASAY 2261 Sans Souci Parkway Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702 542-7345 or 735-2794 In Harrisburg: Box 59 Main Capitol Building Harrisburg, PA 17120 (717)-787-1117 U.S. SENATOR ARLEN SPECTER 116 S. Main St. South Main Towers Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701 826-6265 In Washington: 303 Hart Building i Washington D.C., 20510 (202)-224-4254
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers