A Part of the System

It's funny. Watching my little girl (the 5-year-old, AKA the Songbird) transition from daycare to school aged child... watching as she adapts and how we as parents cope with "losing our baby" and the kid we get back. I'm not saying any of this is bad, because it is going to happen no matter what. I am saying, wow, I had a preschooler and what I get back is something much better, richer... just plain more.

I think letting my kid go to school is just as much a boon to the school as I'm sure the school wants me to be assured that my daughter will be safe and learning. In return I get the future. Yeah I get the future astronaut or president or doctor or whatever. Seeing that right before your very eyes has an effect in you. I was too young to appreciate the teenager's first year. I mean I knew it was something, but I didn't write it down(at least that I can see). And I'm sorry for that but you can't change that now.

The teenager is about to be 16. Oh my god... Teenagers are full of drama and more drama and did I mention drama? Especially girls, So looking forward 10 years, it is really not going to be fun, but somehow I'll manage. Here is hoping that everyone has a good and successful school year. I will be awing the kindergarten achievements and holding on for dear life when I look at the high school. Isn't parenting a joy? Just keep looking at the hand turkey and count to ten (or 20 or 100) there is nothing to see in the high school...

Oh...The Schools...

Everybody is up in arms about how the school district is wanting to increase taxes on 2nd homes by 1.5% and the County Council pretty much not wanting to do that. This is a long and complex problem. Could it have been handled better? Without question YES. But what did we get? A muddled thing where everybody is at fault (in the eyes of the other guy). Let's see. County Council is in a bad position because anytime you make cuts to education, you better be prepared to piss a whole bunch of people off. But blame can easily be put on the school district because that bunch has not been exactly cost conscious and there is some waste there.

But the school district can hold your innocent kids and the defenseless teachers in peril. I don't like this one bit, but if you don't tow the line, it will obviously have consequences. And besides the school district can blame state law. because of South Carolina Real Property Valuation Reform Act. So then it comes around to the state. Well we now have 3 different groups to blame and from that we also have the resident vs. non-resident fracas. So now what? Well every person or group has his/her own agenda. Mainly "Don't tax me, tax that man behind the tree" mentality.

I don't have the answers. And even if I did nobody would listen anyway. I blame everyone... including myself. The school district/school board, because they should not have let things turn into this mess. County Council because They had to know with all of these people moving in here, somebody would have to pay for it. The state because the whole tax the guy who doesn't vote here was a really shady at best. And finally I blame myself for voting for all of these idiots into office in the first place.

So now all we can do is take the cuts they are handing out, remember who voted how, and remember who to vote for next time. That is about it. It sucks, if me and my wife didn't make relatively the same amount of money, her with 15 years, board certification, and a Master's degree. Me with my Army experience, and medical schooling, we would be sucking wind right now. But because we tend to be savers (generally... except for the house anyway) we will do ok. And our combined income is fairly high, but if something were to happen to us, one of us were to be killed or become disabled or we divorced, we could never make it on just one paycheck. I hope things get better, but until it does, we need to stop blaming the other guy and start doing what we can where we can.

Why We Fail

My wife told me a story the other day and I could not nor could she... understand. Basically she went to a low-end apartment complex as a part of open house. It is an effort to do something about the low pass rates that the children of that area have. So to show the parents that the teachers are willing to give up an hour on Saturday to help bring the scores up, hoping that they too care about their kids.

Well that was all good, I mean she went, they had some parents show up, others not so much, but at least she (my wife) can say she went. Then she tells me about a child that was no older than 2. He was the brother of kids that were of age to be in school... 5,6,8 I don't really know there ages. Anyway he accompanies his mother, and then the mother is gone. leaving behind a rambunctious toddler. He climbs up the playground "thing", acts like he is going to jump, lucky for him, the mother, and anyone else, that my wife is there to catch him. And still no mother. I think this is the problem with kids that find themselves in situations like this. Nobody is around.

My wife signals to one of his older siblings to take the toddler home. But really, what are you going to do? Should we have just called DSS? That would not do the teachers much good, since they are out on their own dime to show support for the children... not check up on the parents. Just ignore it? Well, I don't think the little boy would have liked it (or his mother) if he had to spend time in the hospital. Exactly how do you get people to take some (all) responsibility?  

Could you imagine leaving your child that is 2, all alone at the playground (ok not all alone he had his brothers and sisters with him)? I can't even begin to fathom it, and yet this woman clearly did. We cannot afford one more kid and yet there are people out there that don't have a care in the world about raising their kids... and making more. I just don't see how we can improve, if the folks we are trying to help really don't want help to begin with.

Oh Boy

What to do? What to do? My wife will have a new/different job next year. Why? Well her position has been eliminated. It is not that big a deal, as it paid the same either way, but I do wonder what the school district is thinking. How exactly are they going to do this... Why even have any coaches at all? I mean I don't think it will work. I tried to stir up some public debate... and failed miserably. Not one comment, not one single quip. Actually, there was one... and it wasn't very nice, and I think it was a swipe at Bush... the president, well the former president, and really I am not going devolve myself into that kind of fracas.

I did talk to friend(s) about it, and I'm simply going to leave it alone. Because while it may or may not be true, going down that road leads us away from the real issue, and people become incensed with all the rhetoric, and the reason for starting the conversation is lost.

But I should have known that before I started to write my first sentence... I knew better, but I let myself get caught up in the moment. It happens, I'm only human, as is everyone else. I'm a little disappointed that a pretty good program is going to be axed, with little to no public comment. But I kind of expected that too.

So what is a guy to do? Not much. We (my wife and I) are going to see what happens, and get in where we fit in... or perhaps not. The most important thing is we got each other. Where ever we go and whatever we do, we'll always have each other, and that means more than anything else (yeah I know, it sounds corny and cliche but it is what it is).

Oh That Naughty School District

Maybe you've heard the news, that the district may close Shell Point. Why? Because they are looking for ways to save money as County Council did not approve the tax hike the district wanted. So what is a school district to do? Make the cuts where it will make the most impact... politically speaking that is. By doing so, or pretending to do so... they will make a large uproar (in concerned parents) and it will have potentially the most effect County Council. There by making a big to do about nothing at all.

Now I could be wrong, but that is the way it is looks to me. Playing with people's emotions is not really "clean politics" but it makes things happen or makes you get money you didn't already have. Yeah it is like that, around here anyway. So I see County Council giving the district the money it wants or some kind of "compromise" solution will be reached, it is very doubtful that Shell Point will close, but you just never know these days do you?

Keep Your Nose Clean

The system is corrupt, and I really don't know if it will ever get any better. I'm talking about the school system. Things I hear, things I see, I thought that if enough people from up north or out west moved here, eventually our schools will have to show improvement. Now I don't really feel that way. They will always have back scratchers no matter what. I don't think that if you kids goes to this school as opposed to that school his/her education will be that much different. I think the most important educational thing you can do is provide your kids with support. Know what they are doing, help if possible, make sure they are doing homework, make sure they are ready. If you do that, your child will succeed.

That is the best advice I can give. Not that joining your kids SIC or PTO is going to make a difference, because it really isn't. Focus on what you can change, not the test scores for the whole grade or school, but your individual child's strengths and weaknesses. I know that sounds somewhat hokey but it is true. If you know your kid struggles in math then it may make sense to make sure he/she is doing his/her homework and monitor his/her grade a bit more closely. Talk to the teacher, I'm sure they would like to talk to you.

I think I am too close with my wife being a teacher to other teachers to do much of anything. You may hear some under currents of this or that, but you or I can't really change that. Just make sure your kid is doing all that can be done, the rest will take care of itself.

Budget Woes

So we have ourselves a problem. You see, while everyone else is cutting back, our school district is adding on. Why? Because we voted to do so. Sorry but that is the gist of it. I don't know why nobody thought that with more buildings that it would mean more money to provide upkeep you know housekeeping and grounds-keeping... plus teachers, and administrative staff, school buses, and anything else.

Meanwhile my wife hasn't had a raise in 2 years. I think anytime we have a downturn in the economy, it would be crazy to expect a raise, but something has got to give. Basically we could just leave, find better opportunities elsewhere and call it a day. But the thing is, we like it here for the most part... We don't want to go, but something has to change.

I think it is crazy that actual residents are not taxed, or not taxed as much. Whoever thought up that scheme is equally as crazy. And I know there are those out there who say we spend $____ or 32% more than other schools blah blah blah. Well that is a bit of a straw-man argument because that money does not make it way to our pockets the actual teachers aren't sitting back getting rich. My wife has her Masters plus 30, and is National Board Certified, and we must struggle to just pay our way.

I'm not saying "look at me, we are poor" but I am saying, the system is fucked up. The only other thing my wife can do is get her doctorate to be more qualified. I think that is saying something. Mainly that we need to go elsewhere. And we may have to anyway (my job, not hers). But it is what it is.

Schools can't be everything or anything. You play the hand you are dealt. Lets all remember we did this to ourselves when we passed various referendums. Just sayin'

What is PASS

If you have school aged children you may know that they just got through with PASS testing. Do you know what they are testing? I didn't, I thought they were testing the children, actually they are testing the teachers to see if they are doing their job. That seems crazy to me, but I am married to a teacher, and she isn't bothered at all by it.

I think that if we want teachers to be good teachers, they have to have a good boss (AKA principal). We have some really good principals out there... and some not so good ones too. But I think it would be a much easier thing to manage and get rid of the dead weight if these not so good principals were held to the same type of scrutiny that teachers have to put up with. But all that does is make the principals put it back onto the teacher's back... which is somewhat self-defeating.

Now in Beaufort County they have MAP testing as well, and this does a much better job of gauging where your kid should be. But not everyone has the money to do this. So back to PASS. The pendulum is always moving. Or that is what my wife says. Now the pendulum's motion is more towards paying teachers to pass the test... or the kids pass the test. Good but bad because anything outside the test... won't be learned. If it is on the test... well I think you know the answer to that.

The real answer lies within ones own home. Sure you could have a super teacher this year, and maybe next year, but the odds of getting one each year, for 12 years are slim to none. But if you make an effort, become in-tuned with what is going on in your kids' lives, well it greatly improves the odds that they will walk away from their school time and something good happened. Maybe, it is still a crap shoot, but every little thing you do to stack the odds in your favor helps. :o)

I Did It Again

I know I shouldn't have, but the irritation inside me could not take it. When you see posts I make here, they are thought out, and for the most part, proofread. What I mean is, I have my wife re-read what I post, so I am clear about what I want to say. So the other day, I saw something on Bluffton today(you can see it too, here) and I had to reply.

I know that it solved nothing, I know that nothing will change, but I had to say "I told you so". And it was on the fly, and so words didn't really come out the right way. I get all the words in there, but they don't always come out the right way. I liken it to a water tower (the words) and instead of a nice big pipe to get the water where it needs to go, I have a leaky straw (delivery) and this is caused by... well you know what caused it.

I and others have tried to tell you, you being the people who voted for the referendum... that if you vote no, they will have to come back with another plan...one that worked. You didn't listen, and now there will undoubtedly be yet another referendum because we need it. Move attendance lines first then build what is needed. Instead we build, and then we move people willy nilly. I blame the general public, not the buffoons/idiots in the school board. We said all of this would happen years ago...

So you see in red what I meant to say, but they are not there in the original post. Sorry for that, I guess that is one of the reasons I quit posting there. You can't really think outside of what everyone else is thinking, or one smarmy blogger can take a very small lack of punctuation, and turn it into something completely different. And that is ok, I mean that is on me. Clearly I need to work on that a bit more.

But if you think about it the North of the Broad high school situation is crazy, and it is crazy because we (the public) didn't say to the school board... "Um no." So we will have to have another referendum. Our area is/or will be 5 elementary schools (a 6th one is scheduled, but I don't think they'll do it now) 2 middle schools all feeding one high school.

Let me break it down

NOB

11 elementary schools
4 middle schools
3 high schools (this includes Whale Branch High School, not open yet)

SOB

11 elementary schools
3 middle schools
2 high schools

So what is the problem? It all seems pretty close right? Well except NOB has a less dense population, whereas Bluffton is busting at the seams (school-wise). And NOB has high schools within 5 miles of each other. Another referendum is coming. And that is fine, so long as what is needed is on there and not "stupid shit" or something for everyone. I would be behind a new high school, but I'm afraid of all the stuff that will be tact on to the bill, the something for everyone that will make this a no go for me. And my kid starts high school next year.

As for the posting on BT. Well I keep wanting to reply, but at the last minute I don't. I don't want to look like someone who is mad, sad, deranged, or otherwise. I keep telling myself you really can't/shouldn't worry about fights on the internet. You'll just looked retarded whether you win or loose anyway (nothing against retards)... and I think I look stupid enough already.

This Whole Mess With the Budget

I am going to play my wife, because she will not come on and say what needs to be said. Look here and here if you're wondering what I'm talking about. My wife is National Board certified. She is also in one of those positions that was created by Val, the coach jobs. Like many other people, I didn't know what all of this entitles, let me attempt to explain.

The National Board perk as it was called, was a leveling of the field, sort of... You see those states that are in the upper echelon when it comes to testing already pay a higher salary, and by offering this $2,400 to qualified teachers, the hope was that we will get a better teacher, maybe even lure some away from those high performers. Look here, with the increase by becoming NBPTS certified, the difference is not so much. What will happen if they decide to cut that 'perk' out? You will find that many teachers will go elsewhere thus robbing Beaufort County of it's best teachers. I don't think that is what we want.

And the coach jobs? They don't pay more or less than any other teacher. If you have a math, or 2nd grade teacher or a coach. They all make the same, provided they have the same amount of time in service and college. What they do is coach, teach the teachers, without reporting to the principal. My wife loves it. She doesn't just teach 15-30 kids, she teaches the entire school potentially.

I don't know what if anything can be done to save tax monies, but getting qualified people and finding a way to promote them, without actually paying them more (coach jobs) is a good thing. Is there is something to cut, undoubtedly, but let's remember, they passed the last two referendums... you had to know that was just the beginning. It is going to cost more to operate 2 schools than 1 overcrowded school. It just is. That wasn't as concise as my wife put it to me, but maybe somebody will at least understand why it was done that way.

Oh yeah... Happy Labor Day!

Wasted Week

Another day, another wasted opportunity. You see, my daughter was offered to go on this trip to DC with the school for $600. She didn't have the extra 600, so she stayed home. Of course 80 of the kids did have the money and they went.

I don't really have a problem with them going... but what did the kids who didn't go do in school, while the other kids (and teachers) were in DC? Nothing. Or rather watch some movies. I have a problem with this. They could have left something for them to do... and oh yeah, Friday is a teacher work day (last Friday, the 3rd), those on the traditional calendar. But they won't (the ones that went to DC). So I'm left thinking, WTF?!?!?!

Board Meeting... Again

Oh my God. Why did we even do it? We sat through the entire 4 hour + school board meeting (6-10:30). Good lord, I don't think I've seen more political posturing and backslapping in my life. And the information that ran through the meeting, or I should say, misinformation was incredible.

I think the school board should either get on the same page as the rest of the state, or perhaps just start mugging people. But I think my wife has the answer to all this:

Build the school - This makes the black people happy (though watch it, they're already talking about how this is only half of what was promised)

In two or three years, close either the Whale Branch or Battery Creek High schools - this will make the numbers jive.

There is nothing for the tax payer, or white guy.... except maybe the District staying with ACE.

It just never ceases to amaze me, how you can have two groups of people and one always gets shit on (white) while the other demands to be put up on a pedestal (black). And I'm not trying to be racial, I'm really not. I grew up in New Orleans and joined the Army; I was always around black people. I've seen the good, and not so good, just like with everyone else, some try to take advantage.

I don't have any words of wisdom, but I wonder how much rope do we have to get before we either hang ourselves or hang the people we voted for. And the soliloquies... That is where you determine that most of the board is full of shit. And everybody was delivering them last night, a good hour to hour and a half was spent on just that, when they could have simply voted and talked after... but then people like me wouldn't have watched right?

More On The Board

So it seems like the School Board is getting a bit of negative press lately. See here and here and here. It's tough to be a politician right now... or a superintendent. These same problems have always existed, just now that the economy is what it is... the problems seem much more dire, more serious, we should find a solution to them... blah, blah, blah.

But it's more than that. You have a contingent of people that have an out now. If this Whale Branch High School doesn't get built, then the kids have a free out, "I failed because, they didn't build the school I needed." And the people in that community can blame "the man" and continue to wallow in their own failure.

Nobody knows what will happen if they build it. But based on the other school's record, I just can't see them magically bringing grades up and lifting everyone from a dropout to a valedictorian. If anything, it will teach them that failure = more money, goods, services coming their way.

There is no right choice here, we voted to approve the school, the school was never really needed, but we said it was and voted for it 2 different times. This is because other plans were on the books that needed our attention. We could have told the School Board NO, and they would have to come up with something else, but we didn't.

So now we are forced to either take away something promised or go ahead with it, even if it will be very painful. No easy way out. But we will pay, we already knew that, but it does hurt.

The Kelly Cary Report

You know I haven't really posted about the school or the school board. There is a reason for this, basically because my wife is a teacher. Well we have a school board that cannot or will not know the rules. It's still the old Whale Branch High School dilemma....again.

Mr. Campbell thinks that he is the only person that goes through hardship because he's black. Guess what? My daughter endures an hour long bus ride... every day. Every single day. We live only 3.5 miles from the school. So you see Mr. Campbell it is not just your black people that have to wait for long bus rides, white kids suffer too, on overcrowded buses at that.

We have the same problems now that we had back then. Except now we have this economy to deal with and there is just not enough students in the right places. They needed to move attendance zones, they needed to do so, before they asked for the referendum money. They didn't, and now we have what we have. Which is a bunch of shit... basically. They can try and assign whatever they like as to reason why they think the school is needed, but in all honesty the school, even reduced is too big and still too far away to make any difference. And the rest of us will pay, pay in tax money and resources that could have been better spent. Thanks School Board.

He/She Makes What?

Well it looks like the school district is finally get a look in to, but not really. It's long been known that inequities exist in the district. Look for your self here. The newer hires, the ones who have been Val's picks, seem to have a lot more dough. Why is that?

I guess they never had a pay scale before now, but I can't imagine why. Wait, look here. And none of this investigation addresses the underlying problem of teacher pay. I think those few that have been here a while and aren't paid accordingly should either step up, or step out. If you've made a positive impact on kid's lives then you should be paid well, if you haven't... there's the door.

This all seems a moot point anyway. Unless you are a Principle or work in the upper echelon of the district. So unless your one of those folks, who cares?

We are in a bit of trouble I'm afraid. When we are all caught up in the this one makes $5,000 more than that one, we can't help but find inequities. What we should be worried about is other more prudent things, like say our kids grades, or keeping spending under control, or at the very least, making sure kids actually stay in school.

Thanks for What...Nothing

I'm thinking about dropping out... of SIC (School Improvement Council) that is. I don't want to step on anybody's toes, or offend anybody but god damn. People are worried about their kid taking high school classes in middle school, so they can take college classes in high school. Um, yeah you are really looking out for EVERYONE right? How about some issues that affect every kid? or at least most kids.

Leave the smart ones and the poor ones alone, what kind of attention do your average students get? None. at all. So now I wonder why I ever started going to these things? I thought I would make a difference, but clearly I won't/can't/don't. So I'm thinking of dropping out.

Elephant in the Room

So the days of duel calendars are, after this year, over. I told you so. Here and here and in various other forms. So what? Well there's one big fat PACT or PASS elephant in the room. See now kids will have to go to school for a month or more after the test is given, and as it is right now, very little is taught once the big test is given.

The state has mandated that schools don't start until the 3rd Monday of August. Whoopee! So instead of teachers and students preparing for PACT or now PASS, we have a watch movies and have parties for a month. Yep, I can just feel the learning now. NOT.

So what can we do about it? Not a whole hell of a lot. Maybe call your state representative. Tell them to change the time the test is given, or to change the mandatory start time. Other than that... pretty much nothing. Which makes one wonder if they will ever take responsibility and education seriously in this state.

Nope, no reasoning with it at all... just wait and see who isn't making AYP in the years to come. (not that we would have made AYP anyway)

Kids.... Hmpf

I'm mad. You know the old adage "when I was a kid... blah blah blah". And I'm trying not to say that but damn.

See I'm having trouble with my daughter. It's like a daily thing. There is no avoiding it. We have a failure to communicate. And it's hopeless, because I didn't listen to my parents, my parents didn't listen to their parents, and on and on.

What's worse is the whole education system, a system that my wife is a part of, is pulling the rug out from under me. My kid, by all rights, should be a "B/C" student. I'm not trying to be condescending to her, but honestly that's where I put her. Higher if she tries, but she doesn't. Beaufort County says she's an "A" student, and maxes out with 100's in everything.

Maybe I'm too hard on her you’re thinking. Maybe, but when I ask her something simple, that she should know, and she has no answer, that is not an "A+ student". All the problems she brings home are not an "A+ student". A kid that gets caught vandalizing the school bus is certainly not an"A+ student".

I tried to explain the whole bell curve thing to my daughter; I also tried to explain that she needs to clean her room, both with little success. In my day you had just the really, really smart kids that got 100's on everything. They looked like nerds, because they were. The more "normal" kids, the ones who scored "B's", "C's" and even "D's" were the people who basically had some sort of life. Be it in sports, or an after school job, or really anything. But my daughter has 100 averages in everything; you can't even try to talk to her.

With the PACT test results it was recommended that with her reading level she should read "Pride and Prejudice". We checked the book out for her at the library. She did not read it; she also didn't tell us that she did not read it... until the day before she leaves for the summer. AAAAARRRRRGGGGHHHHH!!!

She says the book was boring, and she didn't get it. So here we have a kid who says she can't understand a book that is supposed to challenge her and make her grow, I mean she's allegedly got the ability, but she just won't use it. And all the rest of her friends are behind her...so she says.

And meanwhile the other kid, the 2-year-old says "No talk to me, daddy"

I get no respect.

The DC trip

So my daughter comes up to me and gives me is permission slip for the Washington DC trip. I don't think this could have possibly come at a worse time for her, with getting kicked off the bus and trying to make $42.50 and everything. They want $670 to take her on the trip, about 4 or 5 days. That pays for the bus and hotel... not the food or really anything else. I know they won't be dropping in on Chinatown via the subway, like I did, so who knows. It sure seems a bit pricey for a trip that really isn't necessary for any one or group of classes.

Then I continue reading, only 40-80 kids can go... Hmmm, do you want your kid to feel loved and appreciated? Better act soon, or you'll lose your chance to get a seat. WTF?!? Yeah I think it is unreasonable to see the whole 7th grade on the trip, but still. We're talking about 1200 to 1400 kids for the whole school, 400 to 450 per grade. And only 80 are going to get to go, tops? (those numbers I threw out there... I don't know what the school's population is).

So with that in mind I asked my daughter if she even wanted to go. She said, not really. To delve further into it I looked into booking a trip to DC, which included a flight, not a bus. It was by far less. I'm not saying that the school trip isn't nice, but I can do better, and it will show my kid the real world. Plus, I wonder how much they are going to see.

Everything in DC is free, I mean all the monuments, the museums, even the zoo, so nobody is spending money there. How would I do a 4 or 5 day trip? Oh man, boy oh boy. But my traveling arrangements were cut short by my wife. We've already been to DC, we need to do something else. Ah, I hate it when she makes sense. And as far as my kid going on the trip... I told her if she makes the money herself or at least part of it I would support her, but that went over like a fart in church. So we're right back where we started.

More on Uniforms

I thought I would offer my own school experiences on the subject of uniforms. Throughout elementary school I wore uniforms, I didn't even think twice about them. I went to a private school, my mom had to scrape pennies just to buy milk. Other kids that went to the same school were by in large, a lot better off. But I didn't really understand all that. Now I do and the disparage is unbelievable. But the thing is nobody knew and nobody cared.

Fast-forward to middle school, where in the days before the internet and distance learning, my mother wanted to get her bachelor's in nursing. It was in Maryland, and it was my first time in public school. The kids were heartless. There were no uniforms. There was plenty of hurt to go around. Anybody not assimilating was mocked or worse. Add to that I was from the south and the in general angst of a middle schooler, well it was probably the worst year of my life. I got in plenty of fights, most of which I won, but it didn't make me fit in any better.

Now fast-forward again to high school in a small rural southern Mississippi town. Wal-mart was the only place there was to shop, unless you was highfalutin. More than half, maybe more than 3/4's of the kids there got clothes from the same place. It was like a uniform in a sense. Everybody was in economic distress, hence they got the cheap stuff, and those that didn't knew they had it good and kept quiet about it.

Still I don't think we need uniforms for high school, but somebody does. I don't know what kids are wearing these days, but the main culprit is probably too much drawers out of the male and too much of everything else out of the female. Which is crazy, but if you think about it, teachers aren't there to tell you how to dress, they are there to teach. When it becomes a problem getting kids to obey, the teacher quickly becomes the enforcer. That's not what they signed up for. So if a blanket, to cover all bases is used then maybe teachers will become teachers again. Maybe...