The Train That Saved Denver

[gg]

Originally Posted by Katarina Witt

Background: The school I went to in Patterson Hts (suburban Beaver Falls) consisted of only a small elementary school w/o a kindergarten. We went to jr. high and HS as tuition students. The district was forced to join another school district when I was in late elementary school. That district only went through Jr. high. They were finally forced into a merger w/another district to get a high school. Eventually, the little elementary school was torn down, and my parents suffered much anguish over it for decades, till the end of their lives, actually. My dad, who rarely darkened the door of the school, bemoaned the loss of a community center, though the building remained as a private pre-school for some years.

I didn't have much of an opinion about school districts until I had my own kids in school, which all happened in Colorado. I think economy of scale is a good thing, though once it gets to a certain size, you need numerous assistant superintendents, etc.

All this considered, I suspect if you went to Fox Chapel from the beginning, your opinion would be very different than it is due to your school not being able to stand on its own feet.

[Katarina Witt]

Originally Posted by gg

All this considered, I suspect if you went to Fox Chapel from the beginning, your opinion would be very different than it is due to your school not being able to stand on its own feet.

It was the state that forced the mergers back in the 60s. Plus, Beaver Falls was frequently saying they weren't going to take any more tuition students. What is your issue with such a snide remark? Didn't like it when I disageed with your unfounded assessment of Denver schools?

[sealie]

It's not you. He's always like that. BrianTH used to comment on inequity in the school system and it was always "it's not a problem, it's great in Fox Chapel." I just ignore it anymore, it's not anything you can reason with.

[szug-bot]

so there was a train that saved Denver?

Well, we had a mystical aquatic dweller save US!

[gg]

Originally Posted by Katarina Witt

It was the state that forced the mergers back in the 60s. Plus, Beaver Falls was frequently saying they weren't going to take any more tuition students. What is your issue with such a snide remark? Didn't like it when I disageed with your unfounded assessment of Denver schools?

There is nothing "snide" about it. Your experience would be very different if you went to a district that wasn't in trouble, like Fox Chapel. Talk to any kid that went to FC and they are actually proud of the school and feel that it is a good school, that needs no help from the state.

I will look more into the Denver schools. I was told they weren't very good, but you may be correct.

[Katarina Witt]

Originally Posted by gg

There is nothing "snide" about it. Your experience would be very different if you went to a district that wasn't in trouble, like Fox Chapel. Talk to any kid that went to FC and they are actually proud of the school and feel that it is a good school, that needs no help from the state.

I will look more into the Denver schools. I was told they weren't very good, but you may be correct.

I'm going to take sealie's advice about this Fox Chapel stuff. You don't understand and you don't want to try.

Who "told" you this about Denver's schools? Does this person have any reason to know anything about the schools here?

[jbgusa]

Mass transit does make for a pleasant commuting alternative. What I can't understand is how other than urban subways, it can possibly do much to unclog traffic. Let me explain.

Recently I rode an Amtrak train from New York to Washington, DC. It has about eight cars, with about 80 riders per car, maybe 100. It was actually pretty full. I don't see how taking, at most, about 800 cars off the New Jersey Turnpike or the Washington Beltway does much to alleviate congestion. Granted it makes for a nice ride, especially when the fare is subsidized.

But how it is anything but more welfare for the rich is beyond me.