The students at East High, South High and the other east side schools that would close under this plan are in business-speak--expendables.

The "Whatever it takes" corporate model dictates to cut costs and losses by eliminating these kids...I mean expendables...via their schools.  So, that is why the outside Boston Consulting Group was paid $700,000 by local foundations to craft a shoddy justification for THE PLAN.  

But, this corporate engineered plan fails to take into account "stockholders"--these kids pictured above and their families--taxpayers who passed the 2001 levy to MAINTAIN and IMPROVE buildings that provide shelter for the students.

I still hope that the federal lawsuit will succeed in throwing out the "Transformation Plan" as discriminatory.  Perhaps, then we can go about addressing the deficit in state-funding by collaborating with teachers, parents and students, which should have been STEP ONE--instead of this crazy-ass, foundation, charter, corporate and exurban-driven "plan."

This morning, in the PRINT edition, Thomas Ott dishes out the real mess and what to expect in the UGLY fallout with the Cleveland Teachers Union.  If I would have been allowed to speak last night, I would have reminded board members that they will live with this human fallout--not the CEO hatchet man Sanders.  I guarantee you--he will be long gone when the proverbial....hits the fan.

Evelyn and I have decided to home school our kids - we're done letting the system here decide anything more than necessary about our lives. How our kids learn is one thing our leaders shall not control - they have lost that right.

I think we - the realNEO community - should start a co-op school.

I'll teach super-computer science, new media, new economy, photography, videography, soccer and sailing.

Evelyn shall teach history, art history, humanities, German, farming, cooking, and fine art, including mossaic.

My English Ph.D. mom can teach English and my M.D. dad can teach health, and provide psychiatric evaluations and support.

Who else in the community has something to offer to such a school - I need to put together a schedule for this year, starting with this Summer.

Disrupt IT

Have no union protection for their jobs as Cleveland Teachers Union signed off those rights with the transfer of the school district control to mayoral control.  A strike will allow the district to impose massive firings as intended.

Our community lacks great leadership.... I say we promote leadership training in this spectrum of education.

Our community has become "STANDARDIZED" to believe that "EDUCATION" is only available in the "CLASSROOM".... to believe that all children should be standardized with their educational processes....hmmm.

I recognized something years ago....that my folks did not have the education on various subject matters to share-but they worked hard to help me get training, education, and social interactions that empowered me with the tools of education that we couldn't get in the Cleveland Public School system as children.

Youth Programs: Young Marines, US Navy Sea Cadets, Jr. ROTC, the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts...should also be incorporated.

Cultural Dance, Music, and Arts...

The Curbside Cafe offers live bluegrass and country on Tuesday and Thursday evenings....we could make that a part of the lesson plan!

It's up to us to cultivate  our children into adults who THINK! 

Adults who learn that it's not what they make, but how they spend their money and invest it!

Adults who have the capacity to be humble and considerate against all odds of corruption.

So much to teach our children, and only 18 years to do so!!!! Smiles.

May God Bless All!