Comments

Paul Maguire PhD wrote on Oct 4, 2009 8:20 AM:

" Really, what's needed is leadership for health enhancement/education, physical education (academic) and physical activity (extra-curricular) for the district. One problem I run into a lot with my constituents is "reading for comprehension." Read the legislation (Title IX). The district is experiencing the domino effect of not having adopted a Comprehensive School Health Enhancement (CSHE) approach in the schools, including curriculum development and the hire of qualified personnel addressing Title IX, Pl 93-112, Section 504, IDEA, 2004 ED. Reform, etc. The district needs a Director of School Health Enhancement to realize a wellness vision,
focused on compliance/wellness. "




James Rollison wrote on Oct 2, 2009 8:12 PM:

" Does anyone remember that the baseball players' parents came to the district back in 1990 or 1991 asking only that the high schools be allowed to "letter" their athletes. They assured the Board that they would not ask for any funding or facilities. The baseball season extended past the end of the school year and was sponsored by the American Legion. Classroom instruction needs to be the focus until we have a zero dropout rate and all children experience success. I wish more parents cared as much about education as they do sports. "




I agree wrote on Sep 30, 2009 12:32 PM:

" Two old sayings come to mind:

Don't bite the hand that feeds you. (especially when the food is still in your mouth)

No good deed goes unpunished. "




PHS Coach wrote on Sep 30, 2009 10:36 AM:

" I agree with this article...the school district just started to help our sports out (baseball and softball). We haven't even got to have a season with the funds yet to see if they are equal enough for both baseball and softball. Then even before winter hits you want the school district to fight a lawsuit and think twice about the funds they gave these sports. So you may think that you are doing good by this lawsuit but in essence you may just ruin all that we have wanted for years...a little help. "




Education wrote on Sep 30, 2009 7:25 AM:

" School is for education. How about being more concerned with graduation rates and test scores. Why aren't people suing the schools over class sizes and lazy teachers. It doesn't surprise me that the parents in question are from Colony and it shouldn't surprise anyone else. There are plenty of fields and the school district committed to spending money on improving them. I hope the school district doesn't settle! Fight this, win and teach others about frivolous lawsuits. "




Palmer Has Fields wrote on Sep 29, 2009 9:26 PM:

" Palmer has fields dedicated to fast pitch softball. With a little work and cooperation between the high school teams, the school district, and the City of Palmer, the Busbey field next to the Borough Building could be a top notch field. That field and the Ken Soule field next door could be used all summer by girls from 8 to 18 years old. Parking isn't great, but work on the dugouts, get some decent bleachers, work on the infield, and you could have a nice facility in the heart of Palmer. "




wow wrote on Sep 29, 2009 6:29 PM:

" good job totally wrecking softball in alaska. its going to take alot to get respect... and college teams play and practice slow pitch complexes exactly like bumpus. you should learn your facts!!! "




Softball mom wrote on Sep 29, 2009 10:01 AM:

" The "mess" that came to light at the Bumpus ball field last spring came from the Wasilla parents after their girls were heckled by drunken men during a JV game. The opposing teams' parents helped block the view of these drunken men so the game could be finished! The school district cancelled the following scheduled games, as alcohol is not allowed at ASAA sports. Nothing wrong with wanting a safe place to play! Get the facts about this situation; it has nothing to do with money; be patient? Over 10 years of patience is enough. "




Tom Rainey wrote on Sep 29, 2009 9:32 AM:

" You want decent schools and facilities? Don't elect these "conservatives" especially the "only real conservative." All they want to do is lower their own taxes. They are too short sighted to see the benefit to themselves and the community of a first rate education system. Cheap out the schools and save $300 a year in taxes. Then pay through the nose on prisons, welfare, public health, court systems, and merchandise theft and vandalism loss from your mom & pop store on Palmer Fishhook. "




Tom Rainey wrote on Sep 29, 2009 9:27 AM:

" The problem is that our school system is seen as a monthly expense and not a benefitial institution. Our elected officials, especially the "conservative" ones (meaning cheap and short sighted) try to scrimp and cheat on an education system much like a person steals ketchup packs and sugar packs from McDonalds to save a few pennies. Quit whinning softball parents. There isn't a decent high school football field or track in the valley. The two valley pools are marginally functional. And oh yeah, the schools themselves are old and out dated. Make some money withthesuit. "




aksport wrote on Sep 29, 2009 8:17 AM:

" This is not a money issue. It's about providing fields that valley teams can use. For the short season, softball games are scheduled as double headers. If you look at Fairbanks and Juneau both in Colonys conference. They have softball fields that are grouped together. Anchorage uses the multi fields at the park strip.They can host games, hold tournaments and use them for JO games in the summer. The school board has been aware of this problem. The team is not asking for money, they fundraise and do without. They just want safe, usable softball fields. "




Joe Stapleton wrote on Sep 29, 2009 7:39 AM:

" The Good Ole Boy system is alive and well here in the Valley. Do some research on Title IX before you make comments. Nowhere in Title IX does it compare sports such as baseball to softball. The district better just fix up a softball field and call it good. They are going to lose their butts and bring about a Title IX audit that will cost them millions to correct. Title IX is about equality across the board not just individual sports. We are talking about our daughters, grand-daughters, and our son's future wives. WAKE UP Old Timers! "




waste of money wrote on Sep 28, 2009 9:53 PM:

" Maybe these rich parents who have enough money to hire a fancy lawyer can spend that money on the softball teams instead. If they have the money to blow, put it to good use! "