Negativity....At Buna Schools?

 So, you must have been reading the blog.....

Good.

Look, I can say stuff other people can't. Either won't because of their kids, or they have to live in the community, or as one person told me, " I got to sit by these people in church." 

You can't keep a Supt. of Schools more than 2 years and 9 months on average. They can't even hardly find a place to buy groceries and they are gone......Why?  The board is picking them. 

Then, there is a pretty big teacher turn-over.........Why? 

Why not positivity? Heck, the reality is the place has troubles. 

If it was all 'peaches and cream' there would be faculty applications, so many, you wouldn't have to hire non-certified teachers, no matter the subject.

You have people in the community thinking about homeschooling their children simply due to the new math curriculum. And don't tell me kids are not having troubles.  The program wants teachers to step back and facilitate and let the students find the answers.( Who came up with this nonsense?) 

But bitchin' because there is nothing but negativity? 

It's the school business. It's a hard business, always has been, always will be, it is never 'peaches and cream' it's just the nature of the beast. 

You want to see how bad it is? Sub for a few weeks, or get a job teaching, it's one problem from the moment you walk in the door until you walk out the doors.....You think it was 'fun' being Mr. Thomas? If it was, I'd lasted longer. 

And there are positive times, but they are often overshadowed by 5 negative events.....Again, it's just the ' nature of the beast.' 

But wanting positive? And only positive? 

This is the wrong business to be looking for it in.....

 

You're Going to Wind Up Paying For It......

 I know many of you know this, but good grief, have you seen truck prices? 

And the worse of all right now is Stellantis, or as we know it here in America, Chrysler, Dodge, Ram Jeep. (CDRJ)

CDRJ has had troubles, well, since the 1970s when I was a kid in high school. Heck, I remember when the US Government had to step in and bail (CDRJ) out when Lee Iaccoca was the president of CDRJ. Heck, just Chrysler-Dodge-Plymouth back then. 

And the good Lord knows how many times CDRJ has been sold.....Finally, a European car maker 'merged'  the company with about 10 different European brands....

And the 'geniuses' at Stellantis decided that it was time to make CDRJ a 'luxury' brand, that the American consumer would be able to pay higher prices for their products. 

Since the pandemic, the prices of CDRJ has gone up the following.

Rams-50%

Dodge-50%

Jeep- 61%

And, do they even make a Chrysler anymore?  I know a member of the Chrysler family was trying to buy the name back. 

So, what has happened is the average American being able to buy a Dodge truck for work? 

It seems to be gone. They're talking about notes for the average truck now nearly $1000....and a Jeep, which I remember in high school, college kids being able to afford one, heck, I almost bought one when I graduated from Lamar.  

And CDRJ is in trouble, no one is buying their products. Dealerships all over America are lashing out at European leadership, and they're getting no help. 

Already European leadership at CDRJ has shut down production at plants and new plants promised in the new contract with the automaker union, well, they've been put on hold. 

The union and Stellantis are already suing one another over the shutdowns. 

They are saying they must sell 200,000 vehicles before the plants re-open.....Good luck there. 

Meanwhile, the vehicles sit on lots at CDRJ dealers. Many CDRJ dealships are on the verge of going out of business. Heck, there are still 2023 vehicles still on lots, some there over 500 days....

Maybe someone with money will buy CDRJ? Or just Dodge, or Ram, or heck, Jeep. Trouble is, if they come up with more affordable products, it will take 2-3 years to reach market. 

So, I am wondering how close we are to 'bailing out' Dodge, Jeep, Ram? The US Government has done it before. And give them credit, they paid it back.....But will they, or can they this time? 

Maybe it's time for CDRJ to shutdown? The problem is, in economics, one less competitor, the other makers sure enough can raise prices...

( And someone ask about our price of the new Subie.....Very similar to what we gave in 2017.....And we were both shocked and pleased. )

 

Unhappy Taxpayer in Not Only Buna ISD, But Jasper Co., Texas

 It is often difficult to come up with titles for blog, it really is, the longer you write a blog, the more you understand why in the UIL Academic Journalism events, there is an UIL Headlines competition. 

That said, I have heard more about this from people, a topic not associated with a school district. 

I've had several people who just wrote me and were curious.....

And this of course is as KJAS radio put it...."The Jasper County Appraisal District has voted to go forward with the purchase of the former Southside Bank Building."

Supposedly, they are buying an old bank building for $554,000. 

And I know the appraisal district's present 'digs' are old and they need new ones.  I know some within the county are embarrassed by the building. 

I know there are people that are upset about the district having $500,000 to spend on the old bank, yet, "Potholes run wild on Jasper County roads." ( The person who commented words, not mine. And I've driven on Jasper County Roads in which they are pretty bad, and I know that's the local commissioner's business.)

Now, my understanding is that all taxing entities have to approve the purchase and that is why allegedly according to my sources is why the Buna ISD School Board is meeting this coming Monday, October 14th.   ( Someone correct me if I am wrong here, not an expert on appraisal district rules)

So, why are people concerned, and I know some of the protest movement, anti-property taxes is in Jasper County, and on the other hand, I know property taxes are needed to run county services, the school districts...

But....

Right now, and I do not think leadership really understands, there are people hurting right now. 

Inflation was out of control and for many folks, the prices are still too expensive. 

I know there are people putting off new purchases, a new washer, a new roof, and for many a new vehicle, and lord knows the prices of vehicles especially the Big 3 American ( Well one really no longer American) auto makers are just out of control. ( I'm going to write a blog on one the the auto makers and why they may go bankrupt and no longer exist sooner than you know. And the media really is not addressing this part of the economy.)

People, if you are for or again, you need to contact you elected leadership. And yes, I know a new building is needed, but can we not wait a little bit longer? And what about other buildings? How much will it cost to re-model if the bank is purchased? 

And something to think about, how many people are still lining up at various non-profits in Jasper Co. to get food to feed their kids for the week. And I am not going to point fingers about what the parents are, or they are not doing....These are the same people who in the end, are having to foot the bill, property taxes, or rent increases.

 

Okay Parent, Another Reason Mom, Dad to Tell Your Children, " No, Just No"

 Had three teacher friends of mine remind me of this, including one of my favorite students I ever taught. And she has several different degrees, I think all from East Texas State University ( A&M-Commerce) and has several different teacher's certificates. 

We were reminded, all of us, that Superintendent of Schools can break their contracts with whatever school district they are employed by and move to their next administrative position, in the middle of the school year.

This is generally true of all administrators, heck, I don't know any administrator not stopped from leaving. From Asst. Principal on up to Supt. of Schools. 

Heck, look at the now former Buna Supt. of Schools resume. 

19 years in the school 'business' a whole 3 years of which in the classroom as a Special Education teacher.....and then, the next 16 years as an administrator. 

Why the state allows people to only be in the classroom for 3 years before you get to be an administrator, well, I am sorry, but 3 years are just not much time to actually know what goes on in the classroom, sorry, it just isn't. I wasn't really forming to become the Mr. Thomas you got in Buna High until about year 5-6. Not I was a bad teach before, but the first few years, you really did not understand the job. 

But I digress. 

Administrators can leave for another position without a penalty. Just break that contract.

Teacher, cannot. 

A teacher in Buna who wants to go from Buna to teach in say Silsbee or Vidor, or Jasper, LCM, or wherever can't just leave the district in the middle of September like a Supt. of Schools. 

The school district they are teaching at can have the Texas Education Agency pull that teacher's certificate.

Heck, it is written in a teacher's contract. And what good is a teacher that doesn't hold a license to teach?

How is this fair? Most Supt. of Schools, or other administrators leave either because their job at their present ISD is miserable....Or, more than likely, they are getting a higher paying job. 

Teachers can't chase that "bag" as the kids now call it. 

It's kind of like people who get all bent out of shape about teacher's unions. 

There's no unions as you think of them in Texas. 

Texas teachers can't strike. It's illegal to do so.

There is no collective bargaining for teachers in Texas.  ( Police and firefighters have collective bargaining in Texas)

They can even pull your pension for striking, never mind you've paid into teacher retirement for years. ( We pay into our pension, it's not just given to us by the state. It's taken out of a teacher's paycheck every month, just like taxes. You can't tell TRS you are using another retirement.)

And here's another gripe about Buna ISD. We are paid once a month. Every other district I taught in paid 2 times a month. So, you better learn budgeting. And before you get all smarty and say, you are paid during the summer, the summer money is money we've already earned. And many districts give the option to pay only during the school year. And there is economic reasons why many districts want to keep the money as long as they can, including investing the teacher's already earn money. 

But again, another reason why you do not want your kids to teach school. 

Okay Buna Schools, How's This Working Out?

 So, we've basically gone through a month of getting out early on Friday's...And Again, I still and other people are seeing it as halfway doing something....

I am wondering if at all levels the half day is enough time to actually get something done? And is there a difference between elementary and high school concerning time in the classroom? And on top of it in high school, it is pep rally day, so, are we just sort of going through the motions this Fall?

What works at the elementary, might not work at the Junior High......Nor might it work at the High School. Or it might only work at one school. 

It might not work at any of them.....And I know it is still early.

I know the outgoing Supt. of Schools wanted the school to go the half day on Friday, for whatever reason, feed the kids, whatever....But anyone with any sense, anyone who paid attention, anyone who knew what was going on, knew the Supt. of Schools was on short time with their service with the Buna ISD.....

And "sure 'nuff" the Superintendent of the Buna Schools lasted what, about a month into the 24-25 school year?

Again, these administrators in the front office are all short timers. Buna is a stepping stone for the next job, again, do not tell us otherwise. 

Buna ISD is literally a place the administrator can run their social experiment to see what works and what does not work, for their next front office position. 

And in many cases, leaving a mess for the teachers to deal with and clean up, meanwhile, they get ready for the next Supt. of Schools to come in with new ideas , many that won't work, that the teachers have to try and implement.  

But back to the short week....

I am wondering?

Will the next Supt of Schools want to keep a 4.5 days school week?

Will they want to go back to an old-fashion 5 day week?

Will they want to go ahead and make it a 4 day week for the Buna ISD?

How is the 4.5 day week working for you parents? 

 

 

Let's See If I Get Into Trouble?

 

 Okay, perhaps the longest title on a blog....( Well, it was, I had to work on the blog and get it Baptist-friendly)

I do not know why folks had to go here. I am ready to 'Move On' in blog topics. 

No, not the Buna ISD......However, I am sure there are people in leadership positions who wish I'd stop....Maybe a contribution to a Venmo, or Paypal, or Gofundme would convince me otherwise......

No, I am sort of surprised on the number of people who told "All" concerning this topic. 

Really shocked to be honest, and I guess I should not be....

Had a letter, note, whatever from a person saying that they were now a "Born Again Virgin." As I wrote about on Facebook yesterday afternoon. 

And they went into a long explanation on why they consider themselves one. This is after they slept with several people. 

Okay, but be honest with who you wind up with as your long-term partner. Boyfriend, girlfriend, spouse.....If you are in bed and showing him or her more moves than a monkey on a 20 foot pole, they are going to wonder where did you learn that?

Then I had someone tell me they have a friend who does 'Only Fans' and claims they are still a "virgin" in spite of the fact that they had had sex with several different people on camera, yet never with a person they really like in their personal life.....And I asked, and probably should not have, " Is she on birth control for her job? "

And of course, and how the friend knew, I think she worries about her, she answered, " Yes, she is on 'the pill.'  "

It's like these people who will hook-up with people for a one night stand, but if they meet a person they like, they'll make them wait......I'm sorry, that makes no sense to me. 

And apparently, it is more common than we know.....I don't know. Apparently there are Jasper County folks who have OF sites. 

Let me remind you folks, the internet is forever. You can find stuff from decades ago on there. Delete, well, there are so many ways around it. 

I'm all about capitalism, and if you want to do sex work, well, have at it, my understanding it is good money....but 15 years from now when your child is in middle school/high school, what are you going to tell your kid when the asshole kids at school show your kid their Mom involved in a 10 man gangbang with Elmer's Glue all over her face, or dad is licking some guy's butthole in a bi-sexual film he made to pay for rent 20 years ago?

In one of the Friday the 13th movies, one of the actresses, her only movie part, did it for extra college money, appears topless. She later completed a degree from West Texas State and got a job several years later teaching high school English in the Panhandle. One of the mom's saw her in the movie years later, again, and she along with the rest of the small town 10th grade moms went on a witch-hunt. She was fired within the week....She moved to New Mexico, got a teaching job, and same thing happens....

People are odd concerning sex folks. They really like to tell people what they can't do here, even people who are married. There are people who'd love to tell people the only time they can have sex is to procreate. 

Okay, I am probably going to take the rest of the weekend off. I need to break. 

Reply to Yesterday's Blog

 I got more negative blow-back from yesterday's blog than I get from writing one on something concerning Buna. 

Not going to lie, it sort of surprised me. 

It seems there are more people willing to "share their spouses" than I knew of .....

I was stunned at first. 

Actually I still am. 

I am not going to lie, it made me a 'little sick to my stomach.'

I don't understand this 'cuckhold' world. I really do not, and the number of people in rural Jasper County, folks you might be sitting next to in the Baptist or Methodist or Pentecostal type church than first thought. 

You were pulling a "train" with your spouse the evening before, and the next morning you're on the front row of Fourth Baptist Church singing " Victory in Jesus."( No, there's not a 4th Baptist Church in Jasper County....That I know of....Maybe I should have used 13th Baptist Church.....Each community has had a falling-out with another Baptist Church and started their own church,  13 might be too small. )

You're not sure if that middle daughter is actually "yours" but you carry on playing " Slap and Tickle" with the neighbor's up the street. 

You want your pastor to preach against that homosexuality, but you are okay if your wife is scissoring with Miss McGillicutty from Smith County.....For you, the husband and Miss McGillicutty's significant other's  viewing pleasure.  

Most ministers avoid sex from the pulpit like the plague.  80% of sermons are from Paul's Letters. ( Pauline Letters, and this is a strage coming from a person who's favorite Bible verses are Ephesians 2: 8-9. When I worry if I really have been saved, well, I remember this....Because the Ole Govteach is going 'hop the rails' from time to time...Followed by Romans 7:19....They keep me literally from going insane, and I am close to there on a normal day.)

Paul's Letter are easy to understand and really easy to preach....They're preached more that the Gospels. 

Man, they need to preach the Old Testament.....It's full of sex. Heck there is a book devoted to it....But a Baptist preacher is going to avoid preaching it. He's never going to preach it. And if he does, it will be a 'light' version. 

( And don't tell me that your pastor at XYZ Church preaches on it, I seriously doubt he does and if he does, he worms around it so much that half the audience is not sure what he is speaking on.)

Look, I believe strongly in sex only within marriage. I also believe in enjoying each other in that way. I believe both man and woman shouldn't be selfish towards one another. I know husbands who don't care if they make their wives "happy" in the bedroom. I on the other hand think that might be one of a husband's most important "jobs." Especially in the early days of the marriage. It's psychological and physical bonding. 

But letting your wife, or husband have sex with another? And watch them do so? Get a sexual thrill from it? 

No......No, just no.....We need standards for just some things....

If I was preaching a homily  in a " High Church" Presbyterian or Anglican Church, this is where I'd say....

" Here Endeth the Lesson."