Joseph Owens has an interesting post on his blog today (read it here) regarding students who get left out.
Specifically, he draws a comparison between the arguments to include a swimming pool at the proposed Middle School and the existing auditorium at the High School.
He deflects some ire for the comparison by noting that Board Member Tom Maher referenced the auditorium bringing the two together. Who made the point isn't that important to me, and I'll too give credit to Maher, for he makes a good one.
The auditorium, according to the post cost $15 million, is as good as it gets, and was supposed to reap rewards through public use (paying fees to rent the facility). To date the Miss PA pageant is the most visible (and good for the community) event and one of only a few that make money.
One of the arguments by the swim club for a pool is that we will generate revenue. $5 million is one third the cost of $15 million, but even that will cost us $625,000 a year for the next 25 years. We would need a lot of revenue events to off-set that.
Owens' point, though, goes another way. He sticks with the auditorium and wonders why our thespians, given these wonderful facilities and often rave reviews for their performances aren't given the opportunity to be recognized for their skills compared to others in the Valley via the Freddy Awards.
Nazareth doesn't participate in this program conducted by the State Theatre and featuring drama clubs throughout the Lehigh Valley of all sizes.
The show is broadcast on WFMZ, Channel 69, and is amazing to watch.
The point to me is that we can spend all the money in the borough, develop an amazing facility, impede our ability to pay educational needs, and our students will still be left out.
I'd personally like to see our school participate in this event. For every person that complains that sports get too much recognition, here is one reason why - we chose not to be recognized for a student activity that most people believe we would do very well in and from which our students could benefit greatly.
Visit Joe's post here.
26 comments:
Roxanne replies:
I wonder everytime I see the ad for the Freddy's at the State in Easton,why our outstanding drama and musical plays that the hs students produce are not part of this popular event. They certainly have the quality to join in.
This is even more amazing because Bruce and Bonnie Applegate receive over $16,500 in EPED pay for their various roles with the auditorium and drama club.
Nice gig if you can get it. Where do I apply??
I'm sure as is the case in coaching, while the money may look like alot, it isn't compared to the time and effort that is put in.
And I've not heard from anyone who has anything except good things to say about the drama productions. So I'd say they are doing a pretty good job.
The EPED system is part of the teachers contract and the formula, I believe is based on anticipated hours, along with several other factors.
On the athletic side the AD and athletic committee review the head coach after each season and make a recommendation to either retain the individual or open the position.
Since they are reviewed annually, and I'm not sure what committee handles this particular position, you can most likely submit a letter of interest to the building principal and HR person. I would imagine they'd have to at least consider it.
WHOA!!!!! let's not bash the Applegates. There are valid reasons for not being part of the Freddy exravaganza. I do not feel qualified to elaborate or try to explain. So don't use the Applgates as your target. First get more FACTS.
Why not point this out? Because the Applegates are Nazareth cronies, uh, I mean alumni?
I am sorry, but no matter how you slice it - that is excessive. As people have pointed out, the auditorium is dark a good number of evenings a year. So at 50% utilization I would say that $16K per year is a pretty darn good part time job.
Absolutely agree, but would like someone to articulate what those reasons are because it would be very good exposure for the students, program, and school.
I always hear people say the wrestling team gets everything (which I'd contend but thats a discussion for another post and time), but if it weren't for the wrestling team, who outside of the Lehigh Valley would have heard of our school?
Being recognized is good for the student, school, and community and it is an interesting question that was raised, some insight would be appreciated.
Also Ross to illustrate the point, the MS Softball coaches pay was about $1,600 in 2005. In 2007 the MS Assistant Softball coaches pay is nearly that much.
Oh yeah, did I mention that the assistant coach is the head coaches daughter? Where has she coached before here? Playing women's league softball doesn't count. How is she qualified?
Let me clarify I agree with the person who posted not to bash the applegates.
Re 12:52, what is it the applegates do that you think is resulting in their being overpaid?
Bruce runs the drama club and manages the auditorium. That consumes a lot of time after school, in the evening, and on weekends.
I'm not fully appraised of his positions responsibilities but they aren't less than what any other coach has and it is probably for a longer period of time.
I bet one of the reasons not to get involved is that the performances are not up to snuff. Tiny Bangor went toe-to-toe with huge Parkland last year and did pretty well.
Having seen several schools productions, Nazareth's do not measure up. Sorry for the brutal honesty, but it is true.
Ross, what coach gets paid $16.500???
So you're opposed to the EPED system and the choices the NASD has made in hiring?
On the athletic side the board made changes back in 2000 or so that incorporated years of service/experience, a base salary (contingent on length of season, responsibilities, number of students involved etc) and then there was 'success' stipend if you advanced to the post season you got extra for working longer basically.
I don't know how they do it for all the other positions, year book , band etc. Pretty much everything that is more than teaching falls into this category.
The fact is it is very hard to find people who can meet the hours needed.
I couldn't make a 3 p.m. practice each day or a 2:00 p.m. bus on game days. I know many others can't as well. It's best to have teachers in these jobs, but if you can't get teachers you need to go outside.
It is very easy to criticize people, but all in all these stipends are not much compared to the time and effort that is put in. Most are underpaid, but they are paid for doing something that they love to do. Consider it quasi volunteer work.
Yes, could someone please outline the "very good reasons" for NOT participating in the Freddy's.
I can't believe the PROs don't outweigh the CONs.
Who do you think co-ordinates any activity in audiorium? Assemblies? Band and choral performances? The Clay Aiken visit? Numerous rehearsals. Lighting. Sound system. Who instructs the student helpers? Who is there supervising when there are dance recitals?
Agree with 1:40 that it'd be nice to hear the reasons.
Regarding the stipend I looked in the board minutes and this is what I could find regarding the Applegates:
Dramatics Wardrobe Coordinator
Bonnie Applegate $2,268.00
Dramatics HS Director
Bruce Applegate $5,751.00
Stagecraft HS Advisor
Bruce Applegate $4,050.00
Auditorium – High School Technical
Advisor
Bruce Applegate $4,525.00
In looking at coaches salaries, Bruce is in the range of a varsity head coach which fluctuates from a low that I noticed of about $3700 and a high of about $9000 for his role of Director.
The additional responsibilities are for different work. Not knowing all aspects I couldn't speak to whether the same person can or should be doing them.
In fairness to the person who quoted the amount, you were pretty accurate in the number, but the issue doesn't seem to be with Bruce as much as it should be with the Board/Admin for having one person with multiple roles or potentially double pay for the same work or at least the appearance thereof.
And the other issue is if the work does overlap or conflict who fills in and how is that person compensated?
Re: outside usage of the auditorium
I asked someone very in the know from the St Lukes Singers why they didn't use the NAHS auditorium for their concerts. Their reply was "because the acoustics are terrible."
And WHO is the "someone in the know" Who is an authority on accoustics? We are all so guilty of criticizing and finding fault yet we aren't brave enought to reveal our names. That is the worst fault and weakness of this website. We accuse, insult but weithout revealing our names all the comments are MEANINGLESS
6:51
and you are ?
If the school--gets a pool---WHO will maintain it, clean it, monitor the water quality, add the correct chemicals? Will that person need a degree in chemistry/ And HOW MUCH will his or her salary be??????
Anon 10:43-
If the pool is built, the operating costs have been estimated at $200,000 a year. I would think that includes the person(s) who maintain the facilities.
As for the acoustics in the NAHS auditorium, I can say that I have heard the same comment that Anon 5:16 refers to. However, I have never been there myself so I don't know if this is true or this particular person just had an axe to grind.
Brad
I have no axe to grind. I read Joe owens comments about the underutilization of the NHS auditorium and it brought to mind a question I had asked of someone involved with the Saint Lukes singers back in December after their concert.
To 6:51
I am not going to identify the person who told me this because this question was asked two months ago before the usage of the auditorium even came into discussion or debate.
$200,000 a year for pool maintenance, Surely you jest! That would buy a heck of a lot of textbooks, computer eqipment,athletic equipment, other necessary supplies. We talk doolar and cents like that supply is endless.
Anon 11:05-
I wasn't insinuating that "you" had the axe to grind. Only that I have heard that same comment about the acoustics before from someone in the community. I didn't know if THAT person had any axe to grind.
In defense of the Applegates, they pratically live in that High School. If people knew how much time is spent for the two productions they do every school year they would think twice about how much money is paid out. (Easily 3-4 hours after school 5-6 days a week until the last production.) And as Ross said, Bruce is there to coordinate all events in the HS Aud and to set up for events in other places in the building. Many organizatioins and Booster Clubs rely on him to have their presentations at banquets be a success. He is the one who sets up all the audio/video equipment. As an example of a particularly difficult day for him, the night the HS Basketball teams honored Derke Kehoe do you know who set up the A/V for that ceremony in the HS gym and came to oversee the entire event, while the auditorium was hosting the District Honors band concert at the same time?? I can't even begin to tell you how many hours the Applegates dedicate to this district and it upsets me that anyone would say anything negative about either of them. To Anon 12:58, I have no idea why you think our drama productions aren't up to snuff. I have attended the Spring Musicals for the last 5 years and those kids blow me away each and every year. And that's due to people like the Applegates that give of themselves to make the production the best that it can be. BRAVO NAHS Drama!
I agree the NHS drama club does a great job. I agree the Applegates do a great job. I just don't understand why Nazareth kids are denied the opportunity to participate in the Freddies. Does anyone know a reason?
The Applegate's aren't just at the school 3 to 4 hours per night. Mr. Applegate is there during the day and then spends 5 hours at night. I have never known people who are as dedicated to the district as they are. They put in more time than a full time job!
And as far as the Freddy's, maybe you should look at who is actually benefiting from this program. Other than "recognition" what do our students actually get from participating. They get the "privelege" of having their friends and family pay for overpriced tickets. And best of all after they perform on stage, they get the "privelege" of paying for a seat for themselves since they can't sit in the audience unless they've payed for a ticket themselves. And unless I'm mistaken, the one scholarship given out is payed for by DeSales University. So who is actually profiting from this event? The schools are not given any part of the profit. In fact they have to pay extra to re-rent costumes and props for the night.
I know that in the past, Mr. Applegate has given the students the chance to vote on whether they want to participate in the Freddy's. Everytime the students have been asked, they have overwhelming chosen NOT to go.
So if the students don't want to participate and the students nor the theater department actually benefits from this event, why is it again that we should make all this fuss over Nazareth's participation? Is it because Mr. Owens' enployer is involved with the Freddy's?
Wow, Anonymous 10:19, the information you stated - that the students themselves opt out - is very interesting to hear.
I wonder what Mr. A.'s opinion is.
An employee of the State Theater mentioned to me that Nazareth is one of three high schools that chooses not to participate, and I wonder what is so different for NAHS drama club participants?
To the poster who said the performances are not up to par, when I watched the Freddys this year, I didn't think to myself "Wow, those kids are so much better than Nazareth." I think the issue is less about quality of performance and more about the director's preference.
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