Comments for Dr. Tim Markley http://www.nhcs.net/wordpress/timmarkley Mon, 09 May 2011 21:07:54 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Comment on The Case for Interscholastic Athletics by Dr. Rick Holliday by Tre Benson http://www.nhcs.net/wordpress/timmarkley/2011/03/28/the-case-for-interscholastic-athletics/#comment-132 Tre Benson Mon, 09 May 2011 21:07:54 +0000 http://www.nhcs.net/wordpress/timmarkley/?p=79#comment-132 I am a sports fanatic. I buy into the whole "team" ideology and support it wholeheartedly, that is until comes at a sacrifice at the expense of those suffering disabilities such as autism. At home I enjoy media access, (news, weather, internet, etc.) and find a way to plug the expense into my household budget. However if it comes between escentials such as water, electricity or my mortgage my internet connection will be sacrificed to afford those needs. We may be facing the same sort of choices when it comes to choosing between sports and federally mandated programs for those with disabilities. Now even though I am this self-professed sports enthusiast I do question the hyperbolic suggestions that athletics make a better candidate for continued education. It has been my experience in life that those at the top of nearly every statistic, salary, employment, scholarship, quality of life, have been those who did there homework, studied, involved themselves in after school jobs and projects that were related to community service and outreach. A million dollars in athletic scholarships is commendable however what sort of other scholarships are available and how does the million stack up to that amount? Let's be honest about this, if times are that bad it may be time to stop striping the field and mowing the grass at Legion Stadium. After all, if the county really cared about athletics the girls at Laney would have their own locker rooms and wouldn't have to dress out in a utility closet. I am a sports fanatic. I buy into the whole “team” ideology and support it wholeheartedly, that is until comes at a sacrifice at the expense of those suffering disabilities such as autism.

At home I enjoy media access, (news, weather, internet, etc.) and find a way to plug the expense into my household budget. However if it comes between escentials such as water, electricity or my mortgage my internet connection will be sacrificed to afford those needs. We may be facing the same sort of choices when it comes to choosing between sports and federally mandated programs for those with disabilities.

Now even though I am this self-professed sports enthusiast I do question the hyperbolic suggestions that athletics make a better candidate for continued education. It has been my experience in life that those at the top of nearly every statistic, salary, employment, scholarship, quality of life, have been those who did there homework, studied, involved themselves in after school jobs and projects that were related to community service and outreach. A million dollars in athletic scholarships is commendable however what sort of other scholarships are available and how does the million stack up to that amount?

Let’s be honest about this, if times are that bad it may be time to stop striping the field and mowing the grass at Legion Stadium. After all, if the county really cared about athletics the girls at Laney would have their own locker rooms and wouldn’t have to dress out in a utility closet.

]]> Comment on The Case for Interscholastic Athletics by Dr. Rick Holliday by Tiffany McEachern http://www.nhcs.net/wordpress/timmarkley/2011/03/28/the-case-for-interscholastic-athletics/#comment-111 Tiffany McEachern Tue, 05 Apr 2011 22:42:15 +0000 http://www.nhcs.net/wordpress/timmarkley/?p=79#comment-111 I'm going to have to disagree. While I do think sports and the arts are very important, I do not think they are as important during tough economic times. I just don't see how we can justify having classrooms with 40 kids in them and not enough support staff to meet the needs of ALL students to save a sports or arts program. There's a lot of emphasis on raising these standardized test scores and that will be hard to achieve if there are more teacher and teacher assistant cuts made. There are plenty of sports and arts programs outside of the school system that kids can participate in. There are baseball, football, basketball, soccer, etc. leagues out there in the community. The school systems do not have to pay for sports programs. I don't think many people understand the costs of running these programs. The coaches have to be paid, uniforms bought, gas for the buses that are used to transport the players, and cost of equipment are just a few of the costs associated with extracurricular programs. I wish there didn't have to be cuts in any program, but that is not the reality we are facing. The cuts should be made where they will not directly affect the education of students. I’m going to have to disagree. While I do think sports and the arts are very important, I do not think they are as important during tough economic times. I just don’t see how we can justify having classrooms with 40 kids in them and not enough support staff to meet the needs of ALL students to save a sports or arts program. There’s a lot of emphasis on raising these standardized test scores and that will be hard to achieve if there are more teacher and teacher assistant cuts made. There are plenty of sports and arts programs outside of the school system that kids can participate in. There are baseball, football, basketball, soccer, etc. leagues out there in the community. The school systems do not have to pay for sports programs. I don’t think many people understand the costs of running these programs. The coaches have to be paid, uniforms bought, gas for the buses that are used to transport the players, and cost of equipment are just a few of the costs associated with extracurricular programs. I wish there didn’t have to be cuts in any program, but that is not the reality we are facing. The cuts should be made where they will not directly affect the education of students.

]]> Comment on The Case for Interscholastic Athletics by Dr. Rick Holliday by David Bostian http://www.nhcs.net/wordpress/timmarkley/2011/03/28/the-case-for-interscholastic-athletics/#comment-109 David Bostian Mon, 04 Apr 2011 14:33:48 +0000 http://www.nhcs.net/wordpress/timmarkley/?p=79#comment-109 I could not agree more for the beneficial role athletics play in the lives of our students. We need to utilize any tool we have at our disposal to keep our students in school. There are numerous individuals who have attended school just to be able to participate in a sport. Is that the best reason to attend school? No. But attend these individuals did and many have graduated and moved on to lead very productive lives in our community. The lessons learned on the practice field, court, mat, and pool are too numerous for me to discuss in this response. Learning to work as a team, putting the greater need above your own, learning to win with humility and lose with grace, accepting responsibility, being accountable, good sportsmanship, learning to face adversity and to fight the good fight, etc. are characteristics we all must develop to make it in a, sometimes, very tough world. What a mistake it would be to remove such a cost effective investment. I could not agree more for the beneficial role athletics play in the lives of our students. We need to utilize any tool we have at our disposal to keep our students in school. There are numerous individuals who have attended school just to be able to participate in a sport. Is that the best reason to attend school? No. But attend these individuals did and many have graduated and moved on to lead very productive lives in our community. The lessons learned on the practice field, court, mat, and pool are too numerous for me to discuss in this response. Learning to work as a team, putting the greater need above your own, learning to win with humility and lose with grace, accepting responsibility, being accountable, good sportsmanship, learning to face adversity and to fight the good fight, etc. are characteristics we all must develop to make it in a, sometimes, very tough world. What a mistake it would be to remove such a cost effective investment.

]]> Comment on The Case for Interscholastic Athletics by Dr. Rick Holliday by Rachael Moser http://www.nhcs.net/wordpress/timmarkley/2011/03/28/the-case-for-interscholastic-athletics/#comment-105 Rachael Moser Sat, 02 Apr 2011 00:42:30 +0000 http://www.nhcs.net/wordpress/timmarkley/?p=79#comment-105 Thank you for your comments. The same is true for arts and other enrichment programs the county provides for students. I am happy to teach at a school, in a county, that supports afterschool programs for our students. Thank you for the opportunity, and support. Thank you for your comments. The same is true for arts and other enrichment programs the county provides for students. I am happy to teach at a school, in a county, that supports afterschool programs for our students. Thank you for the opportunity, and support.

]]> Comment on The Case for Interscholastic Athletics by Dr. Rick Holliday by Lynn Fulton http://www.nhcs.net/wordpress/timmarkley/2011/03/28/the-case-for-interscholastic-athletics/#comment-102 Lynn Fulton Thu, 31 Mar 2011 16:13:20 +0000 http://www.nhcs.net/wordpress/timmarkley/?p=79#comment-102 Thank you Dr. Holliday for your comments. I have seen the benefits you speak of first hand as both an educator and a parent. My oldest son was never very accomplished at sports; however, in his senior year he was invited to run cross country. This opportunity made a significant difference in his academics, lifestyle choices and friendships. The opportunity provided him the confidence to participate in rowing at the college he currently attends. Interscholastic Athletic opportunities have been the change agent and saving grace for many of our students. Thank you Dr. Holliday for your comments. I have seen the benefits you speak of first hand as both an educator and a parent. My oldest son was never very accomplished at sports; however, in his senior year he was invited to run cross country. This opportunity made a significant difference in his academics, lifestyle choices and friendships. The opportunity provided him the confidence to participate in rowing at the college he currently attends. Interscholastic Athletic opportunities have been the change agent and saving grace for many of our students.

]]> Comment on The Case for Interscholastic Athletics by Dr. Rick Holliday by Nancy Brigham http://www.nhcs.net/wordpress/timmarkley/2011/03/28/the-case-for-interscholastic-athletics/#comment-95 Nancy Brigham Mon, 28 Mar 2011 14:28:10 +0000 http://www.nhcs.net/wordpress/timmarkley/?p=79#comment-95 Thank you for your continued support of athletics in New Hanover County. As the parent of a high school student involved in three sports and a middle school students also involved in sports, I see first hand the benefits of these programs. These athletic programs are playing an important role in the development of productive and successful students and young adults. Thank you for your continued support of athletics in New Hanover County. As the parent of a high school student involved in three sports and a middle school students also involved in sports, I see first hand the benefits of these programs. These athletic programs are playing an important role in the development of productive and successful students and young adults.

]]> Comment on Budget Update by Dr. Tim Markley by Students First http://www.nhcs.net/wordpress/timmarkley/2011/01/18/budget-update-by-dr-tim-markley/#comment-70 Students First Mon, 21 Feb 2011 04:16:21 +0000 http://www.nhcs.net/wordpress/timmarkley/?p=22#comment-70 Thanks for listening! Budget decisions are tough, but if the New Hanover County Schools administration and school board truly believe that STUDENTS COME FIRST consider the following: 1. Find and eliminate waste and redundancy. 2. Eliminate/reduce administrative support that does not directly support students. 3. Offer the possibility of part-time teachers to reduce class size, but if this is not possible, commit NHC to keep class size to a maximum of 30. 4. Require student fines to be paid and enforce this. 5. Do NOT close community schools, but work on improving their programs to retain students and attract new ones. (Theoretically, small class sizes should afford a school some awesome opportunities.) a. Students bused miles to get to and from school are at a major disadvantage. They are often late for school (late bus), get up early and arrive home late (tired and less homework time), extra-curricular activities become prohibitive, sense of community is lost, student and parent participation drops, all of which lead to poorer student performance. b. Any closing of a school or movement of students should be well thought out and well planned, which should take a lot of time. ie. How will a transfer of many students affect school staff, incoming and current student body, new school facilities, time and direction of bus routes, cost of busing, and the need for extra counselors, principals, and other staff to handle potential student conflicts. Let's be thorough and creative, and put the STUDENTS FIRST! Thanks for listening!
Budget decisions are tough, but if the New Hanover County Schools administration and school board truly believe that STUDENTS COME FIRST consider the following:
1. Find and eliminate waste and redundancy.
2. Eliminate/reduce administrative support that does not directly support students.
3. Offer the possibility of part-time teachers to reduce class size, but if this is not possible, commit NHC to keep class size to a maximum of 30.
4. Require student fines to be paid and enforce this.
5. Do NOT close community schools, but work on improving their programs to retain students and attract new ones. (Theoretically, small class sizes should afford a school some awesome opportunities.)
a. Students bused miles to get to and from school are at a major disadvantage. They are often late for school (late bus), get up early and arrive home late (tired and less homework time), extra-curricular activities become prohibitive, sense of community is lost, student and parent participation drops, all of which lead to poorer student performance.
b. Any closing of a school or movement of students should be well thought out and well planned, which should take a lot of time. ie. How will a transfer of many students affect school staff, incoming and current student body, new school facilities, time and direction of bus routes, cost of busing, and the need for extra counselors, principals, and other staff to handle potential student conflicts.

Let’s be thorough and creative, and put the STUDENTS FIRST!

]]> Comment on Budget Update by Dr. Tim Markley by Concerned Parent http://www.nhcs.net/wordpress/timmarkley/2011/01/18/budget-update-by-dr-tim-markley/#comment-65 Concerned Parent Thu, 17 Feb 2011 19:08:20 +0000 http://www.nhcs.net/wordpress/timmarkley/?p=22#comment-65 Dr. Markley, Welcome! Thank you for creating this webpage to keep us all informed. I know you have come into your new position at a time when there are many very difficult budget decisions to be made. I have concerns as a parent about how these decisions will affect our children. Cutting PE is not the best decision as our nation faces an obesity epidemic. Some schools in New Hanover County have PE daily and some schools have PE weekly. In my opinion all of our children should have PE daily. New Hanover County could set the standard for the rest of the nation to help reduce the obesity crisis that is facing our children. I speculate if we did some research and looked at the obesity numbers in our schools and compared them, the numbers would be lower at our schools that have PE daily. Our children often have hours of homework so by the time they finish it is dark outside and there is little time for outdoor play. If we are going to continue in this direction of cutting PE classes even more, then let's put a limit on homework so they can get outside to play during the weekday. As parents, teachers, and administrators it is our job to protect our children and in this case, be their advocate. It's not going to matter if they get A's in reading and math if they can't go to college or work due to obesity or have a shortened life due to complications of obesity. I challenge you to look around in the hallways of our schools, count the number of obese children, and tackle this issue head on with your budgetary decisions. Physical health is just as important as learning to read. Please help our children with a crisis they don't know how to fix on their own. Dr. Markley,
Welcome! Thank you for creating this webpage to keep us all informed. I know you have come into your new position at a time when there are many very difficult budget decisions to be made. I have concerns as a parent about how these decisions will affect our children. Cutting PE is not the best decision as our nation faces an obesity epidemic. Some schools in New Hanover County have PE daily and some schools have PE weekly. In my opinion all of our children should have PE daily. New Hanover County could set the standard for the rest of the nation to help reduce the obesity crisis that is facing our children. I speculate if we did some research and looked at the obesity numbers in our schools and compared them, the numbers would be lower at our schools that have PE daily. Our children often have hours of homework so by the time they finish it is dark outside and there is little time for outdoor play. If we are going to continue in this direction of cutting PE classes even more, then let’s put a limit on homework so they can get outside to play during the weekday. As parents, teachers, and administrators it is our job to protect our children and in this case, be their advocate. It’s not going to matter if they get A’s in reading and math if they can’t go to college or work due to obesity or have a shortened life due to complications of obesity. I challenge you to look around in the hallways of our schools, count the number of obese children, and tackle this issue head on with your budgetary decisions. Physical health is just as important as learning to read. Please help our children with a crisis they don’t know how to fix on their own.

]]> Comment on Budget Update by Dr. Tim Markley by Mom and Teacher http://www.nhcs.net/wordpress/timmarkley/2011/01/18/budget-update-by-dr-tim-markley/#comment-27 Mom and Teacher Fri, 21 Jan 2011 17:46:20 +0000 http://www.nhcs.net/wordpress/timmarkley/?p=22#comment-27 How about reducing the salaries or cutting positions at central office instead of cutting teachers and programs that DIRECTLY affect the day to day lives of the children we are trying to educate? Our classrooms are packed with EC and ESL students and the core classroom teachers and students are not receiving the support as they should because of reductions in those programs. It's ridiculous to have only one ESL teacher for a whole school (especially the school with the majority) and not enough EC support to ensure the success of these students. Don't forget who the REALLY important people are when making decisions that will affect students and their ability to succeed. Thank you, from an extremely concerned mother and teacher. How about reducing the salaries or cutting positions at central office instead of cutting teachers and programs that DIRECTLY affect the day to day lives of the children we are trying to educate? Our classrooms are packed with EC and ESL students and the core classroom teachers and students are not receiving the support as they should because of reductions in those programs. It’s ridiculous to have only one ESL teacher for a whole school (especially the school with the majority) and not enough EC support to ensure the success of these students. Don’t forget who the REALLY important people are when making decisions that will affect students and their ability to succeed. Thank you, from an extremely concerned mother and teacher.

]]> Comment on Weather Calls by Dr. Tim Markley by Candace Weaver http://www.nhcs.net/wordpress/timmarkley/2011/01/12/weather-calls-by-dr-tim-markley/#comment-21 Candace Weaver Wed, 19 Jan 2011 17:39:47 +0000 http://www.nhcs.net/wordpress/timmarkley/?p=20#comment-21 Dr. Markley, As a lifelong member of this community I thank you for your decision to close the schools. However, I do hope that our makeup days are not simply tacked on the end of the school year with no thoughts to the testing schedule. The middle school students feel as though school has ended with the completion of those tests even with one or more weeks to go on the school calendar. It is very hard to convince them that the social studies and often times algebra SOC has not been completed at EOG time. We simply must continue to teach. Dr. Markley,
As a lifelong member of this community I thank you for your decision to close the schools. However, I do hope that our makeup days are not simply tacked on the end of the school year with no thoughts to the testing schedule. The middle school students feel as though school has ended with the completion of those tests even with one or more weeks to go on the school calendar. It is very hard to convince them that the social studies and often times algebra SOC has not been completed at EOG time. We simply must continue to teach.

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