I thought it as supposed to be about education, critical thinking, problem solving, etc.... just preparing the kiddie for work, 'eh?
That explains a lot of my state school experience and why it was so unsatisfying.
"Boon poised for vocational schools; $100m rehab funds may be OK’d today" by Matt Collette, Globe Correspondent | July 29, 2009
Massachusetts vocational and technical schools are doing better than ever these days, with administrators boasting of massive waiting lists, improved test scores, and lower dropout rates than students statewide.
But those same administrators say their school buildings are in desperate states of disrepair. Some have not been renovated since the 1960s. Without updated facilities, the officials say, they cannot adequately train students for the jobs of tomorrow....
Like these: The Science of Gay
“If the schools don’t have the facilities to teach these kids new techniques, they can’t go into the business world,’’ state Treasurer Timothy P. Cahill, who chairs the authority’s board of directors, said in a telephone interview yesterday.
The state helped fund the construction of a number of regional vocational and technical schools in the 1960s and ’70s, but few have had major capital investments since then, school administrators and authority officials say. Because most schools serve several communities, it can be difficult to persuade local taxpayers to commit money for them, Cahill and school administrators said....
Especially when WE ARE BEING LOOTED by the STATE!
In the past two years, the School Building Authority has committed more than $200 million to similar work at 16 regional vocational, technical, and agricultural schools. The new funding, together with what Massachusetts has already given out since 2007, would amount to the largest infusion of state money for such schools in decades, according to the authority.
The $100 million proposal, scheduled for a 10 a.m. board meeting today, is expected to pass, Cahill said. The School Building Authority is financed through proceeds from the state’s sales tax, and 90 percent of its budget goes toward paying debts on school projects....
The funding would come with a catch, though. To receive the state money, the schools would need to get matching contributions from their communities, either from public or private sources. Some school administrators say that will be a challenge.
Yup, ALWAYS a STRING from the GOVERNMENT!
“We don’t even have a budget for the next year,’’ said John X. Crowley, superintendent of Northeast Metro Tech in Wakefield, which enrolls 1,250 students from a dozen surrounding communities. “So for me to expect [the communities] to float a bond for that kind of dough, that’s highly unlikely.’’
Oh, it NEVER ENDS!!!!!
Please see: Municipal Bond Milking
CUI BONO, readers?
Ed Bouquillon, superintendent of Minuteman Career & Technical High School in Lexington, said his school needs funding to build new labs and workspaces where students can prepare for careers in burgeoning fields such as biotechnology, criminal justice, and animal science....
That's why biotechs are shuttering around here.
Minuteman has, in recent years, modified its buildings and expanded its curriculum, adding courses in barbering, hospitality, and legal, business, and financial services....
Bouquillon said he is confident the school will find the matching funds - if not from taxpayers then from local businesses, especially high-tech companies that would benefit from a specially trained workforce.
You know, if they can get the $$$ somewhere else, WHY BOTHER TAXPAYERS at all?
“We’re not just a high school,’’ Bouquillon said. “We’re part of the economic development system....’’
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