S.O.S. Takes a Stand

S.O.S. (Save Our Schools) is an organization formed by the students at Watkins Glen High School. In the past couple of weeks there have been a lot of students talking about the issue of teachers being cut or laid off. Here are a few different opinions about teachers cuts and the “last hired, first fired” rule.

Daniel Cornelius, JuniorDaniel thinks that the “last hired, first fired” rule is unfair. “I think it should be based on how good the teachers are and what the students want,” Daniel suggested. He thought that, “they should not get rid of the arts. Mr. Warren confirmed that all subjects and electives are staying, but programs are being trimmed around the edges.

Erika Roads, SophomoreAbove is Erika’s drawing of Slash. “You would never have seen this drawing if I was not able to take art in school,” Erika pointed out. “It’s not fair because some teachers should retire and let other people have the job,” Erika said about the “last hired, first fired” rule. The rule states that the newest teachers are the first to go. “Who made the clothes you wear, the music you listen to? Electives are important.”

Adam Miergergin, JuniorAfter Adam heard that S.O.S. was going to try to involve the younger students from the elementary and middle schools as well he said, “elementary might not know what’s going on, but middle school can understand.” He also expressed his opinion about the “last hired, first fired” rule by saying, “a teacher has been thinking about retiring soon and now a new teacher is being laid off.”

Nick Dalrymeple, SeniorNick led the Watkins Glen Student Counsel in the talk about teachers being cut or laid off on Friday February 10th, 2012. “This is a state-wide thing not just Watkins so we need more people behind us.”

Hannah Armstrong, Sophmore Hannah and sophomore Samantha Gill offer being in charge of a subcommittee to send letters to the governor. Marguerite Kellogg has formed a group on facebook and you can also sign a petition on facebook to… Students are also thinking about doing radio interviews and having other subcommittees.

Juliana Peters, Senior“Save our schools New York, let’s spread it across the state,” Juliana Peters said at the meeting on Friday February 10th, 2012. The original name S.O.S. (save our staff) turned into S.O.S. (save our schools) when Brenton Whiting , Junior, said, “it should be save our schools, save our staff, save our students!”

Jenna Gimbar, SeniorWhen the discussion turned toward later that day when there would be a live chat with Deputy Secretary of Education David Wakelyn Jenna said, “I don’t want to bombard his little elves, I actually want to talk to him.” The chat with David however ended up being a web chat where someone would type in a question to have him answer through text.

Robert Rondinaro, Senior“David is taking his time with this one,” Robbie said as the S.O.S. group waiting after school for avid Wakelyn to respond to a question. This online chat took place after school on Friday February 10th, 2012. Many people from around New York were sending in questions to be answered live by David Wakelyn, Deputy Secretary of Education.

Alex Rundle, SeniorAlex was on top of sending messages to David, but none of the students’ questions were answered. “They keep covering up the con with the pro. He keeps twisting it to be positive, but he doesn’t answer your question,” Matt said as David Wakelyn avoided yet another question asked. “He’s had it with you guys,” Ms. Fitzsimmons joked as the screen froze during the live chat. The students at this meeting were getting very frustrated with David’s avoidance in answering important questions.

David Wakelyn, Deputy Secretary of EducationPhoto courtesy of gothamschools.orgOn Friday February 10th, 2012 David did a live online chat with people across New York state. Students who attending the meeting to watch his posts got very frustrated with his answers because he seemed to be avoiding every one. “Overall NY has one of the lowest student-teacher ratios of any state in the nation,” David said. Students were asking, “then why are we cutting even more teachers?!”

David Warren, principal of Watkins Glen High School“I wish I didn’t have to do it,” was the first thing Mr. Warren said when he was asked about the cutting of teachers. To the “last hired, first fired” rule Mr. Warren said, “that it a system flaw we are in, it was a last resort.” He thinks it’s great that the students are so involved, but he thinks , “it’s important that people know all the facts.” Mr. Warren and the board have been trying very hard to maintain all the school subjects and sports.