Monday, February 20, 2017

February 19, 2017

Donna Fusco – President
6000 N. University Drive
Tamarac, FL 33321

RE: Some comments on your mini op-ed in today’s Sun Sentinel.

Ms. Fusco,

First, 2 small things, things no bigger than a man’s fist on the horizon, like tiny punch bowl turds, that must be addressed.

#1 – Your by-line lists you as President of the “Broward Teacher’s Union”. I may be going out on a limb here but I think you have more than one member. If so, shouldn’t it be “Broward Teachers” Union”? I know, I know, perhaps the rule of de minimis… should apply. Did you ever notice that the chain used for measuring first downs is ten yards regardless of where the game is played? Not nine yards, two feet, ten inches. Ten yards. Every time. Did I ever tell you about my plan for raising geometry scores and because of the increase maybe adding to self-esteem plus, who knows, maybe decreasing bullying?
For centuries pi has been 3.1416. Change it to 3.0 and watch those scores rocket! The problem of bridges falling down will be dealt with later.

#2 – In typical modern American Liberal fashion you criticize Secretary DeVos for having the temerity to visit a public school. Moreover, it is described as “one of the most outstanding schools in Washington”. Terms like “the world’s tallest midget” or “the world’s smartest bear” leap to mind. I hope I can find the strength to resist using them. If I do I may have to include “the third widest building in Wichita”. Here is where I reveal my smart-ass side. Has that “outstanding school ever had any students named Obama, Clinton, or Gore? Should I mention that they were, all of them, residents of public housing? Doubtless, you know that the Bush girls went to Westlake Public High, an “outstanding” school in Austin, Texas. You knew that, didn’t you?

As a condition of candidacy, don’t you think all – all, with no exceptions – children of elected officials be required to attend public schools?

You say that if Secretary DeVos wants to “learn firsthand what challenges public schools face” she should “chat with the Presidents of the 10 largest teacher unions”. Didn’t the President of the Miami/Dade union go to jail because he couldn’t stop stealing hot stoves? There is honor in being an outright thief. It beats going to jail for playing “hide the salami” with prepubescent – Help me out here – boys, girls, or thannies? Is he pout of jail? Is he back teaching? Maybe in a sanctuary city?

Since ab ovum time with the Department of Education does anyone know how much money has been spent on solving those challenges? 

Let’s start with some empirical data.

How well was Johnny reading then?

How well is Johnny reading know?

Was it worth it?

If it wasn’t, stop spending it.

How about shooting tenure? Name another profession that has it. How about hazard pay for teaching in “inner city” city schools? How about bonuses equal to a year’s pay for extraordinary performance? How about firing every 4th administrator? Put the names in a hat and give every 4th one the chop. How about year-round school? How about holding the English teacher to the same standards as the football coach?

Silly me. I still wonder why baloney rejects the grinder.






Kevin Smith





PS – It’s not too late to tackle the thorny subject of punctuation marks. Do the names Strunck&White ring a bell? Send a SASE.

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