John Rex Elementary

[Spartan]

I guess I have a relatively known bad habit of resorting to fire bombing when I am flabbergasted by something, like this...

[Steve]

According to my friend, who works for the city, the teachers union and the charter advocates couldn't come to an agreement on how the school would be run and several other issues (or they aren't making progress).

I shouldn't say the deal is completely dead, but it's highly likely it is dead in the form we've been hearing and discussing.

I'm privy to insider info too. Yep, unions don't like it. A battle may yet occur. But the school isn't dead. That's like saying the Thunder has lost tonight's game against Memphis when the game has yet to start.
My name is Steve Lackmeyer and I've been a member of OKC Talk for the past six years and have covered downtown since 1996. Insiderinfo, who are you?

[wschnitt]

Insiderinfo, who are you?

That's obvious, isn't it-someone with a great deal of inside info.

[Steve]

Guys, a person joins this site, gets an anonymous name and then tells you something that doesn't match up with anything you've heard in the media, or in the public record. And then you guys take it seriously. Will a downtown elementary really be built? I don't know - there is a battle that I suspect will take place between the teacher unions and proponents of a downtown charter school. But the teacher unions don't get a vote on this issue. Remember when someone came on to this site three years ago and insisted the media was covering up a sale of Crossroads Mall to a woman who was going to turn it into a wholesale hub? I could go on and on....

[dankrutka]

I don't think most people took it very seriously.

[Skyline]

The Crossroads mall discussion is one of the all time favorites and should be in the OkcTalk hall of fame.

haha.

[king183]

I'm privy to insider info too. Yep, unions don't like it. A battle may yet occur. But the school isn't dead. That's like saying the Thunder has lost tonight's game against Memphis when the game has yet to start.
My name is Steve Lackmeyer and I've been a member of OKC Talk for the past six years and have covered downtown since 1996. Insiderinfo, who are you?

My name is John Jacob Jingle Heimer Schmidt (not really). I've heard the same thing from another friend who works in politics (at the state capitol). He says the downtown charter school is dead as we know it. He sure seems to think it's true, but he's getting it through second hand sources. I'm just not sure how it got this far in the process withouth basic things arleady determined, if indeed what he's saying is true. If he's wrong, he's wrong. Same with the other guy.

[Pete]

Could it be possible that the charter school concept may be in serious jeopardy but not the school itself?

[Steve]

I just talked a person directly involved in this matter. There will be a downtown elementary school. There is nothing new, at this time, that indicates it won't be a charter school.

[king183]

Could it be possible that the charter school concept may be in serious jeopardy but not the school itself?

Could be that one group (teacher union or charter school people) are saying this in order to start public recriminations in advance of some major negotiation in which they hope to gain some kind of leverage (e.g., group X wants people to think a particular popular project is in trouble because group Y won't consent, so the public puts pressure on group Y). Not sure, but that happens all the time in politics.

[Steve]

Could be that one group (teacher union or charter school people) are saying this in order to start public recriminations in advance of some major negotiation in which they hope to gain some kind of leverage (e.g., group X wants people to think a particular popular project is in trouble because group Y won't consent, so the public puts pressure on group Y). Not sure, but that happens all the time in politics.

Or a variation of this in order to benefit either side. Yep - that happens all the time. Such tactics won't, or least shouldn't work with traditional journalists, but in the new world, hey, just create an account with an anonymous name, and anything goes...

[Skyline]

So your saying there are no Zombies?

[Steve]

Only at Flaming Lips concerts...

[Urban Pioneer]

It's funny that this irks you so, Steve. lol But yes, sounds like propaganda.

It does make sense though. There are a great many people who ardently believe in the methodology of Charter Schools. I personally believe that they only work, like any school, if run correctly. But odds are that the Union has figured out that this one working has a great deal riding on it. And I mean outside of the typical curriculum and administrative debate. It would be a reflection of downtown being successful.

So they are probably more apt to put up a fight against it because if it is successful due to the diverse energies put forth, it might become the "poster child" of the "Charter School Movement."

To clarify again, downtown/chamber leaders will want to see it succeed even if the format is considered by some experts to be flawed. It could become the political epicenter of the broader future debate regarding schooling.

[Steve]

I'm very irked about zombies roaming Flaming Lips concerts. Zombies scare me. I really like the Flaming Lips. But I'm not comfortable attending a concert with zombies. It's that simple Jeff. Please don't judge me harshly.
http://www.okctalk.com/images/smilies/doh.gif

[Urban Pioneer]

Please don't judge me harshly.

LOL Same here Steve. Same here...

[Steve]

Deal. Unless you become a zombie. Because I don't like zombies.

[kevinpate]

If Zombie Zoe eats seven brains an hour and Zombie Fred eats four brains an hour, how many brains can Zoe and Fred eat during a ten hour session of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, assuming all pages and security staff escape unharmed.

[Steve]

I went into journalism because they said it wouldn't involve any math. Or zombies.

[Doug Loudenback]

If Zombie Zoe eats seven brains an hour and Zombie Fred eats four brains an hour, how many brains can Zoe and Fred eat during a ten hour session of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, assuming all pages and security staff escape unharmed.

[kevinpate]

They probably lied to you about vacation days and mileage reimbursements too.
8^)

[Steve]

oh yeah

[Skyline]

So, will this school be for zombie's or not?

I am hearing that the union is for zombie's but others are opposed?

[Urban Pioneer]

So, will this school be for zombie's or not?

Not sure. Note "security strategy" on the plans. http://downtownontherange.blogspot.com/. Not sure if that is to keep zombies out or in.

[Just the facts]