8-4A Dollarway Football Program

[Sports Guru]

Who would Replace Dollarway if they get Closed? Would it just be a 7 team 8-4A for 9 Games or 4 Non Conference Games? Maybe that team called West Helena could make a good fit.

[Lumberjackfan1978]

Just have another non conference game would be ok maybe Warren could add a 6a or 7a

[Sports Guru]

Just have another non conference game would be ok maybe Warren could add a 6a or 7a

They dint forfeit any wins?

[Lionheart88]

Dollarway isn't closing any time soon.  If it does, the rest of the conference will just get a bye week like the 5A Central did this year with North Pulaski dropping football.

[goldoline]

No plans for Dollarway to close at this time.  The ADE placed someone familiar to the situation at DSD as Superintendent, with intentions for her to right the course.  Usually, a school taken over will have a 5 year plan. 

[KASH dba The Lumberjack]

Closing the school isn't about students or education, it's about how much money the government can spend.

[Lionheart88]

How much money would actually be saved though?  You certainly won't save any money on buses, having to drive kids farther than you already do every morning and afternoon.

[Oldbadger]

Closing the school isn't about students or education, it's about how much money the government can spend.

I have to disagree.  It is about the kids.  They are not performing academically as they should in relation to other kids in the state.  Because this is the second time they have been taken over I foresee some drastic measure taken.  Not renewing some underperforming teachers contracts for one.  Special study halls.  Not allowing students who don't have good grades to participate in extracurricular activities.  I know that they probably have that rule, but, dollars to doughnuts, it isn't properly enforced.  It will be.  Grade inflation will be watched carefully and these teachers will be weeded out.  Any extra money spent will be on specialists who come to the school to help design new programs.  They may pay extra to teachers who are highly qualified to come teach there.  Bottom line, whatever is necessary will and can be done.  Football will not even be a consideration.

[Jimbo Morphis]

Closing the school isn't about students or education, it's about how much money the government can spend.

please give us some examples on your theory.

[westhelena1]

Helena-West Helena is happy right where we are.

[Jimbo Morphis]

Helena-West Helena is happy right where we are.

being in academic distress?

[KASH dba The Lumberjack]

Closing the school isn't about students or education, it's about how much money the government can spend.

please give us some examples on your theory.

I wasn't referring to the football program, I was just say this is a "too big to fail" situation with the school district. They'll throw money at the situation and grades and morale will improve until the funding runs out. Then pause, rewind to the same old, same old. Teachers are almost impossible to fire so as long as some bonuses are promised, they'll teach harder and longer.

[westhelena1]

Obviously we are not happy with having one campus in the district in academic distress. We are happy with our current conference and hope to be able to stay there and establish some long-term relationships and rivalries.

[Oldbadger]

Closing the school isn't about students or education, it's about how much money the government can spend.

please give us some examples on your theory.

I wasn't referring to the football program, I was just say this is a "too big to fail" situation with the school district. They'll throw money at the situation and grades and morale will improve until the funding runs out. Then pause, rewind to the same old, same old. Teachers are almost impossible to fire so as long as some bonuses are promised, they'll teach harder and longer.

I don't mean to leave the impression that consolidation is out of the question.  It would be an option after all other avenues for solving this issue have been exhausted.  But, I feel that the hammer will come down this time.  There is a way to remove sub-standard teachers.  It takes, however, about two years.  The teachers have to have due process.  The first year they will be given an Instructional improvement plan, If they haven't corrected the issues by the second year they may not have their contracts renewed (fired).  Bonuses will most likely not occur.  How can you give bonuses to employees who are not doing their job properly? Additional money may likely be spent for educational specialists, if the state does not have them on staff.  But, bottom line, the problem begins at home.  If the caretakers, (parents, grandparents, foster parents)don't get on board and hold up their end of the deal, progress won't happen, and consolidation may occur.  So, what happens to the students?  They will be divided up among the closest schools geographically along with huge amounts of money to help the new districts with additional expenses.  This is all very sad and I feel very bad for the kids.

[Obytheway]

Helena-West Helena is happy right where we are.

being in academic distress?

Absolutely

[Ball Hawk]

Dollerway isn't closing. This a fact. I'm close to the program and the doors will stay open.

[zebrafan]

Dollarway*^