Butch Beals
-
The Basics
-
Butch on Patch
-
More Stuff
Comments
-
On the article School Board Candidates Want Civil Election Season
-
On the article School Board Candidates Want Civil Election Season
Butch Beals
9:42 pm on Saturday, May 11, 2013
ReplyI find Mr. Lyddane's comments regarding the characterization of the Great Valley School District's overall composite manifested as the driving force for the proliferation of the escape by more prosperous families to private schools, very interesting. Unfortunately, I liken the attempt to lure families back to the public schools once they have left, to reintroducing toothpaste back into the tube once it has been dispensed. In today's education as with most things, image is everything. And whether your talking about Great Valley or a lesser-performing district, public schools are being portrayed as failing entities, regardless of what the statistics portray. In general, everyone wants more for their kids and if it's within our power, we will find a way to provide. As the posters to this blog have exhibited, the feds exert a great deal of power over what can and can't be done in a public school. Combine with that, the limited distribution of financial resources over the wide horizon of demands that compete within a public school. A great deal of resources, by law, must be committed to the education of students with special needs in the form of IEP's. When the necessary funds are committed to this aspect of education, there are limited resources left. Programs begin to be eliminated, classes become larger, extra curricular opportunities disappear. And the competition for entry into the remaining programs becomes limited to the children of the more "connected" parents.
-
On the article Tell Us: What’s the Biggest Challenge You’ve Faced?
Butch Beals
7:52 pm on Thursday, May 9, 2013
ReplyBeing a Philadelphia school teacher is the biggest challenge I've ever faced. Fifteen years ago I took a huge leap of faith when I left my position with the United States government to become a teacher. Unfortunately it never really worked out and I am now faced with the ultimate decision to resign, in spite of the fact that I've done it for 15 years.
-
On the article Allyson Schwartz Picks Out Her Team
Butch Beals
6:55 pm on Tuesday, May 7, 2013
ReplyThis is disturbing. With the right candidate, we stand a chance of beating Corbett. But this woman can't be the candidate. She will never win statewide.
-
On the article School Board Candidates Want Civil Election Season
Butch Beals
2:56 pm on Tuesday, May 7, 2013
ReplyIt would be great if these elections could be conducted in a "civil" manner and based solely on the issues, unfortunately, I'm not sure it's possible; at least in Willistown. Shortly after this article surfaced I was traveling down Paoli Pike enroute to West Chester and noticed the political signs of both school board candidates running in that region at various locations. However, traveling the exact same route the following day, I noticed that one of the Daga signs had been pulled from the ground. I guess the high point is that the sign was still lying there and had not been stolen. This sign in particular was located not far from the Bryn Mawr Rehab Center. The opponent's sign could not have been more than 6 feet away and was still standing tall.
This is not strange behavior in Willistown; it happened during the election cycle of 4 years ago, to both democrats and republicans. It shouldn't happen to anybody, democrat or republican.
-
On the Blog Post Rich McSweeney and Lani Carrow Win School Board Endorsement
Butch Beals
6:56 pm on Monday, April 29, 2013
Kristin, I have to agree with you regarding the lack of qualified people to run for school board as well as, even attend the meetings. Back several years ago, many members of the Willistown community were regular attendees of the meetings. Of these, several of us made comments from the floor regarding pertinent issues challenging the district. One that stands out in my mind was the potential for repair or replacement of the roofs on some of the schools. A well qualified contractor and developer from Willistown suggested cost savings measures to accomplish these tasks. He was promised to be contacted by a facilities person, a contact that never took place. In the end, the needed repairs were made at a much higher cost to the district. Over time, this type of lack of consideration wears thin and people stop attending.
To that end, I just read the "blogs/websites" created by candidates seeking school board offices. These websites would be much more helpful if they actually stated a problem to which a candidate had a specific solution. Instead the sites contain a great deal of superfluous platitudes and accomplishments that only help to fortify ones sense of self-importance. But they do very little to help a prospective voter make a sound decision on ones qualifications for elected office.
-
On the Blog Post A Day in the Life
Butch Beals
1:01 pm on Thursday, April 18, 2013
ReplyUnfortunately, our children, my 12 year old, are becoming immune to the repetitious cycles of insanity that are fast becoming commonplace occurrences of their everyday life. As a country, the United States now, like an out of control automobile, careens from one debacle to the next. Devastating visions of outdoor cafes being blown to pieces were unfortunate situations that happened "over there," in Europe or the Middle East. We, as a collective body in the U.S. felt safe and secure; thinking, "that insanity could never happen here." But unfortunately it has. Witnessing the Kennedy assassination and the Viet Nam War on the nightly news, although disturbing, didn't shake or rattle our belief that were were safe. But, unfortunately, with every unnecessary school shooting, 9/11, and now the devastation of an historic event like the Boston Marathon, our kids become a little more desensitized. Thankfully, our desensitization has not dampened our desire to stand fast and lend a hand to those in need. As has been witnessed around the country, every major sports team has taken the steps to put forth a symbolic show of support for the City of Boston. Scores of people have opened their doors and their hearts in ways unimaginable to the injured and their families in Boston. Yes, we will overcome this devastation but, not without a cost. And I don't want to pay the price with our children's innocence.
-
On the Blog Post A Day in the Life
Butch Beals
1:00 pm on Thursday, April 18, 2013
ReplyUnfortunately, our children, my 12 year old, are becoming immune to the repetitious cycles of insanity that are fast becoming commonplace occurrences of their everyday life. As a country, the United States now, like an out of control automobile, careens from one debacle to the next. Devastating visions of outdoor cafes being blown to pieces were unfortunate situations that happened "over there," in Europe or the Middle East. We, as a collective body in the U.S. felt safe and secure; thinking, "that insanity could never happen here." But unfortunately it has. Witnessing the Kennedy assassination and the Viet Nam War on the nightly news, although disturbing, didn't shake or rattle our belief that were were safe. But, unfortunately, with every unnecessary school shooting, 9/11, and now the devastation of an historic event like the Boston Marathon, our kids become a little more desensitized. Thankfully, our desensitization has not dampened our desire to stand fast and lend a hand to those in need. As has been witnessed around the country, every major sports team has taken the steps to put forth a symbolic show of support for the City of Boston. Scores of people have opened their doors and their hearts in ways unimaginable to the injured and their families in Boston. Yes, we will overcome this devastation but, not without a cost. And I don't to pay the price with our children's innocence.
-
On the article Philadelphia Phillies Start Season with Question Marks
Butch Beals
11:01 am on Saturday, April 6, 2013
ReplyThis year the PHillies have the worst outfield platoon of all the Majors.
-
On the Blog Post Charles Lyddane endorsed for School Board
Butch Beals
10:54 am on Friday, March 29, 2013
ReplyIt is with great hesitancy that I submit myself into this debate. However, I just wish to clarify some seemingly very egregious lapses in people's recollection of certain events.
During the election cycle of 4 years ago, a very "spirited" cycle if I do say so myself, I was privileged to have been a democratic candidate for the Great Valley School Board. My opponent on the Republican side, at that time, was Andy Daga. If my memory serves me, all the candidates took part in several debates. These debates were very revealing and provided voters with an insight into where candidates stood on various school related issues. Within all of those debates do I ever recall Andy making any type of "no tax pledge." What I do remember him saying, in essence, is that he would look at each issue on a case-by-case basis and make his determinations in a way that best serves the children of the Great Valley School District.
Over the past 4 years I have attended many school board meetings and I believe that Andy has remained true to his word as well as his beliefs. He presents himself as a thoughtful individual who exercises a fair amount of insight and intelligence prior to making decisions that effect the community. And to level ANY type of assertions to the contrary on Andy's or anyone's character for that matter, becomes a simple assault in which to play that usual political game of "I got'cha."
Butch Beals
9:41 pm on Saturday, May 11, 2013
Over time families tire and seek other opportunities for their children thus enters the escape to the privates and now the charters. Whether your talking about Shipley, Agnes Irwin, Baldwin, Episcopal, or Malvern Prep, the privates offer greater opportunities for their students. For those who fall short of the tuition, there is a great deal of assistance possible. With the onset of nationalized education through the introduction of the "Common Core Standards," education in public schools becomes much more stratified, less attractive, and in some cases, watered down. The privates offer much more to there students providing more for your dollar. It's no longer a remote dream to think that your child could attend a private school.
The comment regarding Downingtown School District should not be dismissed. Many young families are looking for opportunities for there children to compete in sports, music, chorus and the performing arts. Great Valley offers limited opportunities in these programs for young people to be showcased. And before you jump on that comment, here what I'm saying. What I'm stressing is to be "showcased." In many instances, only those that seem to be connected gain performance opportunities. Downingtown also offers far more in the way of advanced placement, foreign languages, and specialized curriculum. These are all appealing characteristics to young families interested in purchasing a home.