tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.comments2024-03-11T03:46:17.567-05:00The WheelMark Stegerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02376182294736839659noreply@blogger.comBlogger2515125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-30091018879045680102024-03-11T03:46:17.567-05:002024-03-11T03:46:17.567-05:00...and the Oscar goes to Oppenheimer, along with D......and the Oscar goes to Oppenheimer, along with Director, Actor, Supporting Actor, Cinematographer, Editing, and Score.Mark Stegerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02376182294736839659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-21781409035520897292024-03-10T06:08:42.624-05:002024-03-10T06:08:42.624-05:00Bill was my dad. I remember the CB shop. I hope ...Bill was my dad. I remember the CB shop. I hope after 8 yrs of not being torn down they will try to preserve it somehow. I pass by it on my way to work almost everyday and am so proud and happy it is still standing and not demolished!Keri (Morris) Springsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-8164716728713792562024-03-07T16:16:33.204-06:002024-03-07T16:16:33.204-06:00By the way, I don't know how much the Executiv...By the way, I don't know how much the Executive Board of NCTCOG is involved in the decision making here. It might be NCTCOG's Regional Transportation Council (RTC) that's more hands-on with this decision. Richardson used to have a seat on the RTC (Janet Depuy) until her defeat by Bob Dubey in the mayor's race. Now Richardson has to rely on Addison's mayor to represent Richardson's interests on the RTC. I wrote about that consequence of electing Bob Dubey in <a href="https://www.marksteger.com/2023/06/where-is-institutional-jealousy.html" rel="nofollow">"Where is the Institutional Jealousy?"</a>Mark Stegerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02376182294736839659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-57634660044308493362024-03-02T11:19:53.768-06:002024-03-02T11:19:53.768-06:00The RISD plan will displace 483 children from the ...The RISD plan will displace 483 children from the only elementary school they have ever known. I know the pain many will go through. My proposal uproots 275. I contend that a plan that uproots 275, not 483, is objectively better by that one criterion. I also know that's only one criterion and in the end, it won't outweigh all the other factors.Mark Stegerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02376182294736839659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-40935349456384527322024-03-01T17:20:02.337-06:002024-03-01T17:20:02.337-06:00The only solution I can see that eliminates busing...The only solution I can see that eliminates busing is to give all students who live more than 2 miles from Yale a guaranteed seat at Dartmouth. That's approximately all students who live south of Spring Valley Rd. In my amended plan, that means the northern half of the old Springridge attendance area and all of the old Dartmouth attendance area would be subject to assignment to Yale through a lottery system.Mark Stegerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02376182294736839659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-63936913698309348092024-03-01T12:23:23.183-06:002024-03-01T12:23:23.183-06:00A reader on Facebook objects to the impact of a lo...A reader on Facebook objects to the impact of a lottery system on house prices. They also object to a grandfather clause. They also object to the cost of busing children to Yale.<br /><br />A lottery with a grandfather clause is still a lottery. In year 1, it will apply to all Springridge children and all Dartmouth first graders. Most Springridge children will still get into Dartmouth. Each year thereafter it will apply to fewer children, and the balance across the legacy areas of the new attendance zone will be more equal. The grandfather provision can be eliminated altogether in five years. The only reason I suggested it at all is a way to reduce the number of children ripped up from their schools the first year.<br /><br />As for the impact of a lottery system on buying or selling a home, that's a real concern. That would persist for as long as there are more children in the attendance zone than Dartmouth can hold. Attendance trends are still downward. If I were selling a house, I'd emphasize the "choice" part of the plan. If a potential buyer needs certainty, I'd emphasize that their children can attend Yale. Under the RISD plan, there's no choice. Live across Yale Blvd from Dartmouth and you're for sure going to Yale. That's not a selling point either.<br /><br />The busing objection is valid. With RISD's proposed boundaries, they don't have to provide busing for any children. That cost alone may be enough for RISD to reject my proposal.Mark Stegerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02376182294736839659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-41264938717696303532024-02-29T09:55:36.016-06:002024-02-29T09:55:36.016-06:00Excellent suggestions! Unfortunately, they don...Excellent suggestions! Unfortunately, they don't overcome the issue of people's resistance to change. The only way this will work is if the elected Trustees have the fortitude to ignore the loud voices of persons who subscribe to "Not In My Backyard" and to thoughtfully consider the future of RISD's students and of the district's taxpayers.texquillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00649659503840270883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-20219078299570956542024-02-27T17:30:57.012-06:002024-02-27T17:30:57.012-06:00From an RISD document ("Richardson ISD Elemen...From an RISD document (<a href="https://web.risd.org/home/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/22-23-Elementary-Enrollment-and-Capacity.pdf" rel="nofollow">"Richardson ISD Elementary School Enrollment and Capacity October 28, 2022 (Snapshot Date))"</a>, there is this important caveat: "Note: Campus capacity based on all classrooms used as regular classrooms." There's no way to tell from that page how many classrooms are used for things other than regular classrooms, and how important each of those other things is, and thereby determine what what I'll call the "real" excess capacity is at each school. I know now that many classrooms are taken over for "central programs". For example, the pre-K program is one. But special ed programs are, too. Without having knowledge about how each school is being used, room by room, I can't say whether enough Springridge students can be accommodated elsewhere to keep Dartmouth students from being shifted to Yale.Mark Stegerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02376182294736839659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-48315864426935023172024-02-27T10:11:51.952-06:002024-02-27T10:11:51.952-06:00
A Dartmouth/Duck Creek-related petition:
https://...<br />A Dartmouth/Duck Creek-related petition:<br />https://chng.it/5ttgXkhxnTSteve Salavarriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16628334176063902007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-28994256796511228132024-02-25T10:40:34.146-06:002024-02-25T10:40:34.146-06:00At the Feb 22, 2024, school board meeting, RISD an...At the Feb 22, 2024, school board meeting, RISD announced <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/13XXzKLSRaJWyB7LuQvps2lPFmVNQjDOG/view?usp=sharing" rel="nofollow">Project RightSize</a> which will close four elementary schools in 2024, and one more in 2025. No changes were announced to the magnet schools.Mark Stegerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02376182294736839659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-9805521454257166392024-02-22T09:03:21.957-06:002024-02-22T09:03:21.957-06:00At the close of the filing window, only Chris Pote...At the close of the filing window, only Chris Poteet and Megan Timme filed to run. Because they are in different places/districts, that means they have no opposition. That means the RISD can cancel the election, saving the school district an estimated $150,000. That money will come in handy as the trustees wrestle with closing a $41 million budget deficit for the 2024-2025 school year.Mark Stegerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02376182294736839659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-17109440888574198622024-02-20T12:03:10.135-06:002024-02-20T12:03:10.135-06:00Institutional jealousy was in the news today. Acco...Institutional jealousy was in the news today. According to the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-house-representatives-masks-fines-7a67ac0dc83b18d743cc2a12a52e3732" rel="nofollow">AP</a>, "Supreme Court rejects appeal from 3 GOP House members over $500 mask fines." Lawyers for the extreme GOP House Speaker urged the Supreme Court to reject this appeal, even though he had voted against imposing the fine. Why? Presumably because the suit was an attack on the House’s ability to set its own rules.Mark Stegerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02376182294736839659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-15029021725066965872024-02-14T08:50:39.286-06:002024-02-14T08:50:39.286-06:00A reader points out that no Council needs anyone&#...A reader points out that no Council needs anyone's permission to get an item discussed in a meeting. He quotes from the City Charter:<br /><br />"Section 3.09. - Special meetings.<br />Special meetings of the city council shall be called by the city secretary or city manager upon the written request of the mayor, the city manager or three (3) council members. Any such notice shall state the subject to be considered at the special meeting."Mark Stegerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02376182294736839659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-9745424690290069772024-02-13T13:08:31.073-06:002024-02-13T13:08:31.073-06:00In the 70’s 74-78 it was my Dad’s CB shop called T...In the 70’s 74-78 it was my Dad’s CB shop called The CB Doctor. Bill and Allen Morris were good friends. Allen also handled my divorce. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-87134703517086856352024-02-13T13:05:35.491-06:002024-02-13T13:05:35.491-06:00It wasn’t a TV repair shop it was my Dad’s CB shop...It wasn’t a TV repair shop it was my Dad’s CB shop, the CB Doctor in the 70’s from 74-78. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-4235471079327304102024-02-11T20:23:23.091-06:002024-02-11T20:23:23.091-06:00Great recap. I enjoy the blog. Thank youGreat recap. I enjoy the blog. Thank youMatt Havenerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14942049528669904238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-59821626523238381202024-02-08T23:17:06.197-06:002024-02-08T23:17:06.197-06:00Good summary! Let's press Mr. Dorian to reques...Good summary! Let's press Mr. Dorian to request the LEED certification. Thanks!!!Mark Baustianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08568963188285163475noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-22772621037209667422024-02-07T15:04:05.447-06:002024-02-07T15:04:05.447-06:00A reader offers this mission statement:
"We&#...A reader offers this mission statement:<br />"We're landlocked! <br />Enjoy our cozy, friendly, neighborhoods!<br />Oodles of economic innovation and chicken drive-thrus packed into a small tier one suburb.<br />Theatre, education, parks, Target, coffee shops--- we have it all.<br />Moving steadily but slowly to a sustainable environment and fewer emissions.<br />Make this your home, everyone is welcome." Mark Stegerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02376182294736839659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-67529324963792953272024-01-27T11:08:44.735-06:002024-01-27T11:08:44.735-06:00Trustee Megan Timme's application to seek re-e...Trustee Megan Timme's application to seek re-election to Single-Member District 1 is now on the RISD Election Filings website.Mark Stegerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02376182294736839659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-55478462038616477562024-01-23T09:53:12.233-06:002024-01-23T09:53:12.233-06:00In a bit of additional detail, the $8,000 outstand...In a bit of additional detail, the $8,000 outstanding loan listed on Chris Poteet's financial report is from a self loan to his campaign three years ago. He has the option (and balance on hand) to repay himself if he wants or leave it with the campaign for expenditures this year.Mark Stegerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02376182294736839659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-29405716110661333822024-01-16T13:49:00.558-06:002024-01-16T13:49:00.558-06:00Shame on you! ;-)Shame on you! ;-)Steve Salavarriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16628334176063902007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-82306151085451605552024-01-11T17:45:01.424-06:002024-01-11T17:45:01.424-06:00Thanks for the insightful and well researched arti...Thanks for the insightful and well researched article!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-45541567552958390002024-01-03T08:14:59.205-06:002024-01-03T08:14:59.205-06:00I was uncomfortable writing anything about this mo...I was uncomfortable writing anything about this movie and dissatisfied with my effort. Now, a day later, I think I understand why. It's because (in my male opinion) this movie is about feminism. No matter what I think or say about this movie, I'll be guilty of mansplaining, so I should just shut up.Mark Stegerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02376182294736839659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-70963307930567268412023-12-21T10:30:55.115-06:002023-12-21T10:30:55.115-06:00On Facebook, former trustee Kris Oliver, offers he...On Facebook, former trustee Kris Oliver, offers helpful feedback (to me) and useful suggestions (to RISD):<br /><br />"School closures are long overdue; operating significantly smaller elementary schools than our peers is no longer a luxury we can afford. My sincere hope is that the district takes a thoughtful approach that will increase socio-economic diversity (and thereby student performance) rather than just taking the path of least resistance. An honest assessment of our magnet programs and their impact on enrollment patterns also needs to be included in the planning.<br /><br />"I suspect the "new staffing framework" primarily means requiring secondary teachers to teach 6 of 7 periods (as most districts currently do) rather than their current workload of 5 periods. Unfortunate, but probably no realistic alternative here given the current funding realities.<br /><br />"One thing missing from the discussion that I'd like to see is how the district could gain more outcomes-based funding from HB3 for CCMR readiness, teacher incentive allotment, etc."Mark Stegerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02376182294736839659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2498525082522582900.post-23615241660439878972023-12-20T16:24:53.163-06:002023-12-20T16:24:53.163-06:00Does Richardson ISD have an absence review board? ...Does Richardson ISD have an absence review board? Plano ISD has apparently found a cost effective way to to reduce truancy in an effort to get students in seats.Justin Nethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00319870963776484537noreply@blogger.com