I know my dad is perfectly capable of defending himself, but it really bothers me to have anyone question his dedication to education or wrestling. You would be very hard pressed to find any superintendent in the state that is as supportive of wrestling as he is. He volunteers his time (meaning does not get any additional pay) for multiple wrestling related issues, the most recent being the weight loss plan, which thank god has avoided the cumbersome descent plan adopted by the National Federation. Not to mention he has been an administrator either as AD or Supt at Norton for close to 20 years. The support that program receives is second to none. In addition, he was a voice in the fight to get the coach contact rule liberalized in the late 90’s. When I 1st started high school, coaches were not allowed to have sport specific contact outside of the season- not even in the summer. Fortunately that rule has been changed, and we have dinosaurs like my dad to thank for that.
I am aware of the finger pointing theory. I DO NOT receive my compensation directly from an entity which is totally tax supported like yours. EVERYONE receives some benefit or compensation from tax dollars if you want to dig deep enough. You have no fiscal accountability in other words your job only requires you to spend money you do not have to make any and you probably don't even care where it comes from as long as you get your share.
How exactly would you propose for anyone in the PUBLIC educational system to make money? Should we charge students to attend school, that would defeat the purpose of the very nature of Public education? Should we have our students produce something that has a value on the open market? His job does require him to spend money, all of it coming in some way from tax dollars- but where else should it come from. And to say there is no accountability is laughable. The amount of oversight and auditing is tremendous. Couple that with the fact that most years the budget must be created (by law) prior to the state deciding how much money to give the schools, that makes it very difficult. As an educator myself, I don't care where the money comes from, that is someone else's concern. All I am concerned about is having enough to provde adequate learning opportunities to my students and athletes. I know that too often I am digging into my pockets to buy supplies for class and I teach in Johnson County. I am sure it is worse other places.
It isn't just about wrestling it most likely goes down to the root of the education system. In Kansas we have too many out in your part of the state who won't let go of the inefficient setup which places a strain on education funds. I am talking about much need consolidation as well as other changes that won't happen as long as we have closed minded people such as yourself governing potential improvements. The 321A schools should NOT have as much say in the rules and spending as the larger schools. In attempt to keep things even or level you are pulling down our whole state.
Regarding your views above, it shocks me that you were once from Western Kansas. I agree that some consolidation does need to take place, but there is only a limited amount left to do. A few very small communities are holding on to their schools, but can you really blame them. Once the school goes, the town dies. The real problem is that many of the schools that should be consolidated are too far away from other schools. How long should a student need to ride a bus or drive to get to school. I know in some places students are on the bus approaching an hour each way. If these schools are consolidated any further, are we talking about setting up boarding schools in western Kansas? The real problem is the economics in that area of the state are not good. Farms are getting larger and more mechanized to maximize productivity, but that means a lower population. What is really needed is some initiative in Topeka to stimulate some growth in western Kansas (tax credits or something else to get businesses to set up shop out there), however the legislators in the two areas of the state that have enough votes to cancel anything like that (Kansas City area and the Wichita area) will not let it happen for fear that it will take their economic development away. The bottom line is the kids that live out west deserve a first rate education, just like those here in the east.
This is in no way an endorsement of current KSHSAA rules, rather it is a response to an unfounded personal attack on a fine educator, and in general an entire area that is very dear to me and which I feel some of the best people anywhere still call home. I am all for some changes, Will you and I have communicated about some of the hindrances that I have been fighting, but this thread deviated from that path.
PS: the reason my dad has not responded himself is that he is at a board meeting discussing how to replace many of the fine educators (aka dinosaurs) that are retiring. The problem is that not enough young people are getting into the profession. Any ideas why? Could it be the lack of pay, or the lack of respect? I will guarantee that respect is the bigger obstacle!
