Lies, Damn Lies, and Pro-Voucher Propaganda

So the proponents of Senate Bill 4 are appalled, APPALLED I tell you, that anyone would call their backdoor voucher program, a “VOUCHER PROGRAM.”  It seems that Senate Bill 4 is simply a scholarship program funded and operated by better people than us who only want to save victimized children. Don’t you ingrate, lazy, heathen, unwashed public school folk understand that?

Why just look at why SB4 is not a voucher program.

Under the current system:

1. A business owes taxes.

2. A business pays its tax bill.

3. The tax revenue goes to pay for state services (which includes public education).

Obviously, this system is flawed.  Not flawed because it is inadequately funded to address public health, law enforcement, roads, social services and public schools.  No it is flawed because it doesn’t have a process to subsidize those who CHOOSE not to partake of state services.

Here’s how things will work under the new improved (still proposed) SB 4 system:

1. A business owes taxes.

2. A business pays most of its tax bill.

3. A business “DONATES” the remaining balance of its tax bill to a private school scholarship program.

4. This remaining, now reduced tax revenue still has to pay for the same level of state services that were provided previously.

5. The private school scholarship program subsidizes the tuition costs of students whose parents CHOOSE to send them to private school.

Don’t you understand? This state sanctioned subsidy of private school choice for the affluent and closet segregationist is nothing like a voucher. 

Obviously, this is much ado about nothing. Just move along. And above all, don’t infringe on your day by contacting your state representative and talking to him/her about this. After all, aren’t you already busy with your full time job of being a “Godless, Monopolistic, Communist?”

 

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/Fundamental5 
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Timer (Fundamental 5 Delivery Tool); PowerWalks CLC (Networked Formative Observation Tool) 
• Upcoming Presentations: TASSP Summer Conference (Multiple Presentations); TEPSA Summer Conference (Multiple Presentations); Texas ASCD Summer Conference; NAESP National Conference; Illinois ASCD Fall Conference (Multiple Presentations) 
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook

A Superintendent Writes... Attrition Plan Doom Loop - Part 2

In response to the 2/27/15 post, “Attrition Plan Doom Loop,” a LYS Superintendent shares the following:

SC,

This reminds me of a conversation we had when we first met and I was an Assistant Superintendent over HR (over 6 years ago). Our district was in a difficult financial situation and we were managing the budget through an attrition plan.  You advised us to amend the plan as soon as possible because we were accelerating the brain drain in our district.  It was the most hated / best advice I have ever received.  It made us realize that the plan we were implementing wasn’t the BEST plan.  It was simply the best plan for a FINITE time period. And then it was the WORST plan. 

We jettisoned the attrition plan at least 3 semesters sooner than we would have without your advice/ wake-up call.  The result. Two years after the old plan we were outperforming our surrounding districts even though we were the least affluent of our peers.

There are trade-offs we have to make when running a district.  Your value to us in that meeting was reminding us of that fact and helping us ensure that short-term financial gain didn’t turn into long-term student pain.

As always, thanks!

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/Fundamental5 
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Timer (Fundamental 5 Delivery Tool); PowerWalks CLC (Networked Formative Observation Tool) 
• Upcoming Presentations: TASSP Summer Conference (Multiple Presentations); TEPSA Summer Conference (Multiple Presentations); Texas ASCD Summer Conference; NAESP National Conference; Illinois ASCD Fall Conference (Multiple Presentations) 
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook

A Reader Writes... Voucher Tax Credit or Public Theft - Part 2

In response to the 5/15/15 post, “Senate Bill 4: Voucher Tax Credit or Public Theft,” a LYS campus administrator writes:

SC,

We cannot assume that everyone knows how to reach his or her Representatives.  The link below will assist everyone in identifying his or her national and state legislators.  Easy access to that information should not be a hurdle!

http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/Home.aspx

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/Fundamental5 
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Timer (Fundamental 5 Delivery Tool); PowerWalks CLC (Networked Formative Observation Tool) 
• Upcoming Presentations: TASSP Summer Conference (Multiple Presentations); TEPSA Summer Conference (Multiple Presentations); Texas ASCD Summer Conference; NAESP National Conference; Illinois ASCD Fall Conference (Multiple Presentations) 
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook

A Superintendent Writes... Voucher Tax Credit or Public Theft - Part 1

In response to the 5/15/15 post, “Senate Bill 4: Voucher Tax Credit or Public Theft,” a LYS Superintendent writes:

Actually, allow me to retort (channeling my inner Samuel Jackson, Pulp Fiction). I think your analysis of SB 4 is a bit off.  I don't think it’s theft. I think it’s a violation of the Texas constitution.  Here's how.

The Senate claims the money sent to comptroller for these vouchers is not public money, it is a scholarship.  They think it is more like a donation.  So, the comptroller’s office will then manage this scholarship fund for the businesses that choose to donate.  In my opinion, there's the point that should be tested in court.

The state is using public funds and resources to manage and distribute money that is not public money, according to the Senate.  That sounds like gifting public funds and resources, a violation of the Texas constitution.

But of course the state's attorneys will argue the money becomes public funds as soon as it enters the comptroller's account so the comptroller is actually managing public funds, which is allowed. I think the state's attorneys would win that argument.  

Which, coming full circle, means the Senate is being dishonest by telling people these are not public funds, and a bit of theft is taking place, as you suggested. 

So, by using a circular argument and using the words of the Senate, I proved you right.  For the Senate to call these non-public funds is a disingenuous argument on their part. A straw man argument if you will.  Sort of like calling the Affordable Health Care Act payments we have to make to the IRS if we fail to purchase health insurance a "penalty," because it would not have passed had it been called what it is, a tax.

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/Fundamental5 
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Timer (Fundamental 5 Delivery Tool); PowerWalks CLC (Networked Formative Observation Tool) 
• Upcoming Presentations: TASSP Summer Conference (Multiple Presentations); TEPSA Summer Conference (Multiple Presentations); Texas ASCD Summer Conference; NAESP National Conference; Illinois ASCD Fall Conference (Multiple Presentations) 
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook

Top LYS Tweets From the Week of May 10, 2015

A number of you in the LYS Nation are now Twitter users.  If you haven’t done so yet, we want you to join us.  To let you see what you are missing, here are the Top 10 LYS Tweets from the week of May 10, 2015.

1. Biggest bang for your buck?  Improve classroom instruction.  Period. (By @DrMikeMetz)

2. Class size matters a lot, major research shows. Can we please end this silly debate? (By @STAARtest)

3. Most state testing is over.  Time to get out of your offices and visit some classrooms! (By @DrMikeMetz)

4. Devoting space on your desk to something doesn't make it a priority. It has to be on your calendar if it's a real priority. (By @eduleadership)

5. Texas Public Schools as "Godless" is a lie designed to demonize a system in which educators do the Lord’s work most faithfully. (By @pastors4txkids)

6. Oklahoma Study: According to the State’s own effectiveness grades, “A” & “B” schools are the least effective for poor and minority children. (By @RYHTexas)

7. Thankful for pastors who are leading and speaking up against the shameful assault on our public schools and communities. (By @randypittenger)

8. We need to have the most highly skilled teachers teaching the students with the highest need. (By @hklageman)

9. The problem with the teacher complaint that accountability makes them teach to the test is that the practice is mostly self-inflicted. (By @LYSNation)

10. When my two sons served in Iraqi war, I winced when people objected to paying for it (the war). Likewise, I wince when people object to paying for public education. (By @pastors4txkids)

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/Fundamental5 
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Timer (Fundamental 5 Delivery Tool); PowerWalks CLC (Networked Formative Observation Tool) 
• Upcoming Presentations: TASSP Summer Conference (Multiple Presentations); TEPSA Summer Conference (Multiple Presentations); Texas ASCD Summer Conference; NAESP National Conference; Illinois ASCD Fall Conference (Multiple Presentations) 
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook