Year-round school would benefit students

It may be hard to notice in Platte County with some of the state’s best schools in our area, but education in our country is experiencing some difficulties when it comes to educating students of the 21st century. The United States is falling behind countries in several categories, especially when it comes to math and science. While on the national stage year-round school was brought up as one of the alternatives for a brief moment in the spotlight, I was glad to hear locally that the Park Hill School Board discussed it at one of their recent meetings. Year-round school itself may not solve the education deficiencies of our country as a whole, but I believe it will improve student achievement over the long-term.

We’ve heard the saying that our heart is a muscle and we must exercise it to make it strong, the brain is much the same way. The current school calendar is very similar to over a hundred years ago when many families lived on farms and it was developed to allow children the summer off from school to help at home. Much different now, it more or less serves as an opportunity for a family vacation or for kids to play outside in the summer sun. Three months away from school is a long time and that means it requires even more time to refresh children’s memory when they return in the fall instead of moving onto new material. It’s very similar to athletes who spend the first several weeks getting back into shape after a long offseason. Some may say the long summer break gives children a chance to recharge their battery and prevents overload, but I think they underestimate the capacity of the brain and how quickly children can catch onto things.

Several thousand schools have already experimented with the year-round school strategy. Although, it is only a small percentage of the total schools in the entire country, there are a lot more now than there were a decade ago. Most emphasize their idea is not about adding more time in school, but more of a rescheduling of the school calendar with shorter, more frequent breaks instead. On the contrary, imagine what it would be like if it meant kids would be in school more of the year. If another month of school were added to the calendar each year, over a period of 13 years that is an entire year of additional education. Another year of developing math, science, and other skills would give students a leg up when it came to being prepared for college.

In addition to the time students spend away from the classroom during the summer, there are also resources being wasted at the same time. The valuable land and buildings still require maintenance, electricity, and cooling. Although, it isn’t as much as during the school year, there is still an asset not being utilized. Yes, year-round school would require a substance financial investment with salaries, transportation costs, and other expenses associated with operating schools throughout the year. That investment would be necessary though in order to generate the profits of a higher quality of education for our students and, more broadly, our communities.

It’s not an easy discussion to have with all the different aspects involved, which is another reason why I’m glad Park Hill had the foresight to bring it up. We’re not talking about a simple policy decision, but something that would result in social change, and anytime people think about something that could affect the routine of everyday life it makes them skeptical. It would take bold leaders to transform skepticism into trust, not to mention the research, thought, and community input to see that it is done the right way. If other school districts have been able to accomplish it, I don’t see why it can’t be done successfully here in Platte County.

Co-workers challenge each other in County Collector race

Platte Countians can rest assured their next County Collector will have a qualified background and experience to manage the office. Both candidates are currently employees in the Collector’s office and have worked as Deputy Collectors under current Collector Donna Nash who has decided not to run for re-election this November. Democrat Becky Dye has spent 32 years in the office dating back to December 1977 with Republican Sheila Palmer’s 17 years of service dating back to September 1993. Both hope to continue their service to Platte County as the head of the office that averagely collects over $175 million dollars worth of tax revenue each year and disburses it among the county’s many taxing districts.

Dye is a life-long resident of Platte County. Growing up in the Farley and Weston area, Dye graduated from West Platte in 1977. She is married to Denny Dye. They have four adult children and six grandchildren. They currently live in Platte City.

Palmer is also a Platte County native. She graduated from North Platte and went on to receive her bachelor’s degree from Central Missouri State University. Before working in the Collector’s office she worked for Tollie Freightways and United Missouri Bank. Her and her husband, Stan, have two children Nick, 16, and Maggie, 14. They also reside in Platte City.

Dye and Palmer have seen their fair share of changes in the Collector’s office and Platte County government over the years, especially in terms of technology. Dye was on hand in 1979 when the office received its first computer and in 1990 for the opening of the new administration building.

“At the time there was only one personal computer that sat in the corner and we had to take turns using it,” recalled Palmer when she joined in 1993. “We did everything by hand and typed all of our letters and reports on a typewriter.”

They’ve seen the way financial transactions have changed with the introduction of credit and debit card capabilities in the office. Both noted the growth Platte County has experienced and the challenges that come with it creating the need for the addition of the County Annex located in Platte Woods.

“Funds collected went from $10 million in 1977 to $175 million in 2009,” Dye said.

While the Collector’s office operates within a strict set of Missouri State statues that regulate its responsibilities, both have ideas they believe will not only allow the office to run more smoothly, but be a convenience to the taxpayer.

“I would like to see the process of using your tax receipt to obtain car tags an easier process,” Dye said. “It is very frustrating to the taxpayer when all things are not correct when trying to purchase car tags.”

Dye also added she would like to see the physical address of real estate printed on tax statements and the ability to use remote deposit for funds deposited in the Collector’s Office.

“If elected, I would like to offer the taxpayers the opportunity to pay their real estate taxes in quarterly installments,” Palmer said. “I believe this would be a great aid to Platte County taxpayers in helping to budget their finances in these tough economic times. I plan to stay current with new technology to make paying taxes as painless as possible.”

With a solid working knowledge of the Collector’s office and its operations, both candidates emphasized their dedication to and enjoyment in serving the taxpayer. It was also the underlying reason they believed they were the best candidate for the job.

Dye believes her work as Chief Deputy has equipped her with the necessary leadership skills and experience to effectively run the office.

“I will make myself available to the taxpayers and I will continue my dedication to the office. I know the job well and totally enjoy working with and for the citizens of Platte County,” Dye said. “It’s all in the name: Dedication, Years of service, and Experience. DYE.”

Palmer believes not only her years in the Collector’s office, but also those in other fields bring a diverse and customer-oriented strength to her candidacy.

“I feel that I am better qualified because of the diversity of my past employment. I have been very customer service oriented in all my current and past positions and I feel this is key when working with taxpayers.” Palmer said. “I have completed course work in management and finance that will help me in the smooth transition of being in charge of the collector’s office.”

After announcing their intentions to run to succeed their current boss, both have maintained a positive working relationship within the office and indicated they would continue to do so after the election. No matter the results, Platte County taxpayers can be confident their next Collector will bring experience and professionalism.