Dallas ISD began cutbacks on spending weeks ago, when it became rather clear that the Texas Lege would come after education with lots of knives and cleavers. The layoff of 700 teachers two years ago was tough; we face a loss of 3,000 teachers by next fall. Morale and spirit among the teachers bottoms out, with just a couple of weeks to the first test in the battery of the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS).
Good timing, Lege!
In a district that has more than 400 buildings, getting stuff to work at all can be a challenge. The blower for the classroom I’m in has not worked right in two years. On a very hot day in the classroom last fall, on a not-very hot day, I got the attention of our school’s administrators.
Follow-up is less than satisfying, shall we say. There was the guy from downtown who told me that the blowers weren’t supposed to blow. I noted to him that building standards for schools require a complete turnover of air more than once a week. There was the guy who warned me that any air coming out would not be cool — this while the classroom across the hall dipped to 55º F in a similar, but opposite “out of control” situation (Six Sigma need not apply in education.).
We had a couple of comfortable days in the last two weeks, but they were extremely cold days outside. We also had five days out for ice storms and snow.
This week my classroom has been an even 80º F when I arrive, between 7:00 and 8:30. Then the blowers kick in with warmer air. The classroom climbs to more than 85º in the afternoon with the windows wide open. Even windows didn’t help much today, when it was 78º outside.
Piffles. This guy, at Dying man’s daily journal, has a brain tumor and congestive heart failure. He was given a terminal prognosis four years ago.
Today he’s blogging about keeping a positive attitude.
Yeah, we all need to do that. Is that more woo than we need? Is it acceptable woo?
When I was a child, my first Cub Scout Den Mother had a framed quote on her wall: “I had no shoes, and complained — until I met a man who had no feet.”
Barefoot is cooler, you know?
(Drop by Dying Man’s Journal, leave a comment — it helps him keep a positive attitude.)
Millard Fillmore's Bathtub 
Thank you, I appreciate you mentioning blog, dying man’s daily journal. The comments do help me keep a positive attitude and my head straight.
I really liked the quote, I complained about having no shoes……
Bill
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