[TheForge] OT school waste

[Jason Nass]

Actually, I think it is just the schools that feel shop class is
worthless... I know several schools around here don't have a shop program at
all, and mostly seem to be the more affluent areas, while out in the sticks,
most of them still do.  

Hell, they have to come up with the $$$ for the insane amount they overpay
the superintendents and school boards around here from somewhere don't they.
Guess they figure it best to cut the "worthless" electives for it.

Jason Nass - MacTalis Ironworks
me at wargoth.com

-----Original Message-----
From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of ries
Sent: Friday, March 25, 2011 2:08 PM
To: Bob Ehrenberger; Blacksmithing List Sponsored by ABANA
Subject: Re: [TheForge] OT school waste

I wonder if this is one of those things where the midwest is always ten
years behind the coast- Here in Washington State (a high tax, left wing
place, for sure) we have shop classes in all 3 of the high schools my kids
have gone to, including wood, metal, cnc, and ag/machinery repair.
CNC routers, mostly, but basic machining and welding still at the high
schools as well.

And our county just got a brand new trades campus, which is a co-operative
venture of the schools and the community college- they do this thing here
called running start, where high school kids can take college classes, and
we just built this new Marine trades campus, which is specifically to teach
trades for local industry.
In the next county up, we have a really good trades college that also takes
a lot of high school kids, with a brand new multimillion dollar welding and
metal shop, a separate cnc/technology program, and a waiting list. Its a
community college, too, so very cheap.

What we see is that due to the high cost and technical nature of todays
metal working, it makes sense to specialize at the community colleges, but
run the high school kids thru there too. Its not uncommon around here for a
high school senior to have half the credits needed for a two year AA degree
in Auto body, or welding, or machining, by the time he graduates.

Maybe in ten years you guys will wake up, and start building these things.

ries



On Mar 25, 2011, at 10:51 AM, Bob Ehrenberger wrote:

When a friend retired from GM in St Louis he moved to a small town in
Northern Missouri.  His wife was a few years younger, and got a job teaching
in the local school.  They seem to be dismantaling their shop classes.  They
put stuff up for sale via sealed bids.  My friend has gotten some great
equipment for practicly give away prices.  You have to wonder if in a few
years they will decide to offer shop again and have to go out and buy all
the equipment again at inflated prices.

Robert Ehrenberger
Shelbyville, Mo.
eforge at centurytel.net


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Ries Niemi
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http://www.riesniemi.com/





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