There is money to be made in the school business

By Jeff Orvis

It's the middle of July and while thoughts of most of us center on how to keep cool during the current heat wave, young people around the country are preparing for their first year in college, or if they have already been in school for a year or two, are probably wondering what to declare as a major.

Many of these students are focused on a career in education. Even in this era of government deficits and layoffs in school districts across the country, some students have been so inspired by one or more of their teachers over their careers that they still want to join the ranks.

I have to admit that if I were that age, facing the educational crossroads of declaring a major and if I was a whole lot smarter than I was at that age, I would seriously consider becoming a teacher or a nurse or doctor. People continue to get sick and children are born each day that eventually will need to be educated.

There's that old saying that you will never get rich being a teacher. But a recent newspaper report indicated that there's still money to made in education, if you are willing to take the right path. The Muscatine School board recently hired a new superintendent at a starting annual salary of $192,000, plus 11 paid holidays, 25 days of vacation, up to 25 sick days and various paid health and life insurances. The new hire is coming to Eastern Iowa from a non-profit education position in Omaha and the board also included up to $35,000 for moving expenses.

While I didn't ascertain what the salary for a beginning teacher is in the Muscatine district, I'd be willing to bet that you could hire at least five first year teachers for what the superintendent will be making. And while I also hope this is not true in Muscatine, I do know that there are districts all across this country where teachers feel compelled to spend their own money to help pay for supplies for their classrooms.

Being the superintendent of a school district of any size is a tough job. They have to wear many hats, sometimes several in one day. They have to be experts in school finance, curriculum, human resources and public relations. They have to be diplomatic in their dealings with legislators as they fight for every dollar they can get for their schools. They also often have to be well-versed in school construction and upkeep. While many districts have other employees to initially take care of many of these areas, the superintendent must still know enough to make a final decision or an informed recommendation to his board.

During my years working in weekly news media, one of my favorite beats was covering the local schools. I've spent countless hours sitting in school board meetings and have seen various administrative styles of superintendents.

If I stopped to try and count the number of superintendents I have known over the years, it would make my head hurt. A vast majority of the men and women I've seen in that position started out as classroom teachers. Some of the best also had coaching backgrounds. I don't say this just because I'm a sports nut. But good coaches have to know how to inspire their athletes, work through tough times and develop winning game plans. Sounds like a typical day in the superintendent's office to me.

Unfortunately, I've also been acquainted with a few school leaders who seemed to take more pleasure in being the boss from their office than being directly involved with the education process. Those were the ones who evoked more fear than admiration from the staff and students.

Superintendents should be not only heard, but seen in their schools. The last superintendent I covered hit all of these points really well. When Belle Plaine decided to share a superintendent with the neighboring HLV district, there were doubts among residents of both districts on if this would work. But they picked the right guy to start this grand experiment. Bill Lynch, already a veteran school leader, is a financial wizard. He restored the school budget to good health and found a way to spearhead building projects in both of the districts he represents.

But he also realizes that he works in education and can often be found visiting the schools in each district. Every year he's found a way to attend commencements in both school districts, even though they are often held on the same day, within two hours of each other. He is a great supporter of extracurricular activities at both schools, sports, concerts, plays, etc.

I realize that recruiting good superintendents is a tough, expensive business. But I'm concerned that there might be a growing disconnect between our school leaders and the teachers and other staff they lead. If you are going to pay a leader upwards of $200,000 or more, you want to see that your money is being well spent. How will a leader making that kind of annual salary be able to successfully relate to the young teacher struggling to live a comfortable, simple life while repaying student loans and scrounging for pens and copy paper for their classroom?

As that high-paid superintendent struggles to justify his or her salary, more and more of his or her time is spent crunching numbers in the office. Those days of standing in front of a classroom or coaching a team become ever-decreasing memories.

Don't bypass that class reunion!

By Jeff Orvis

Hello faithful blog followers! I know it's been awhile since we last communicated and in a way that's the topic today.

I recently was a guest at the 40^th class reunion of the Pleasant Valley High School Class of 1973. My sister was visiting and since she was flying solo on this trip, since she knew I know a lot of those in her class and since she didn't want to go alone, I tagged along.

This is the season for class reunions around the country. While many folks look forward to the chance to catch up with friends they may not have seen for many years, secretly, I'll bet many of us face the night with a bit of trepidation. Will anyone notice how much weight I've gained? What if I'm the oldest-looking person in the room? What if my old girlfriend (boyfriend) is there (heart beginning to race)? Will he (she) recognize me? Will we have anything to talk about after all these years?

A person can go a bit crazy just in the preparation for the big night. Many spend hours picking out just the right thing to wear and general sprucing up, even if the reunion is not being held in a five-diamond restaurant but in a remodeled roadside bar.

Quite often, all those fears seem silly the minute you step into the room. That was the case on Saturday night. As soon as we opened the door, it was easy to follow the sound to the deck where the event was being held. The amount and level of conversation was quite high, indicating that a lot of us still had plenty to talk about.

It was a warm night and most of us were dressed for the occasion – no high heels for the women, no ties on the men. It seemed like more than half of us were soon drinking long-neck beers, domestic wine of soft drinks – no pretentious fancy drinks in sight.

There's always a fear that these events will be a chance for some people to brag about what they've done. There was a lot of good-natured bragging, but it had more to do with the number of children and grandchildren we have rather than how successful we had been in our professional lives.

I know there have been more than a few success stories coming out of this class. One friend, an engineer, talked about how he had overcome corporate downsizing several times to settle in various parts of the country before finally landing back in Eastern Iowa. Another very successful member of this class was missing and that's probably the only sad part of the evening for me. But the girl I considered my best friend during the final couple of years of my high school career couldn't make it this year. She may not even be in the country right now. She has combined a very successful medical practice in San Diego with the service of treating those in need in various parts of the world. Lynn if you are reading this, it is still my goal to someday have a chance to sit down with you so you can tell me just how you have been able to to accomplish everything you have in your life. But I will tell you now I'm certainly not surprised!

I guess that also sums up my feeling about this gathering. I really wasn't surprised that I immediately felt welcome and at home with these folks. While it's been 40 years since we saw each other every day, in some ways the years melted away for a couple of hours on a Saturday night. The Spartans of our era are a friendly, non-judgemental group who seemed genuinely glad to see each other. The grand and glorious class of '71 may get together in three years and I expect the same great evening.

There's a special place in Heaven for the members of the class who spent countless hours organizing this reunion. They know that while we all went our separate ways after graduation, we still share a common bond that can't and shouldn't be broken.

Not on my bucket list

By Jeff Orvis

In the past few years, making a bucket list has become popular. I don't know if it's a new term, but it was popularized by a movie where the characters decided to do things that they hadn't done. They wrote down these things and called it a “bucket list.” At least that's what I gather from hearing descriptions of the movie. I haven't seen it yet, but hope to.

This past weekend, I watched the Belmont Stakes horse race. It was the third jewel in the Triple Crown and will probably be the last time I watch a horse race until the 2014 Kentucky Derby. I know there are a lot of folks in this country who could probably tell you more about horses and horse racing in 30 seconds than I've ever known. The Derby, Preakness and Belmont draw hundreds of thousands of fans each year. Each of these races take less than five minutes, but the build-up lasts for days.

That got me thinking about some experiences I haven't had yet, but some I have no desire to accomplish. I've never ridden a horse. I never hope to ride one. Horses can be beautiful animals. Top-notch race horses are real athletes, as are their jockeys. There may be no more exciting five minutes in sport than a major stakes horse race, unless a horse goes down during the race. I've seen that happen once or twice over the years and even though I really don't understand what's involved in preparation for these races, I don't mind saying that when I saw that, I cried just a bit.

So riding a horse is definitely not on my bucket list. I can be old and gray and infirm without ever experiencing climbing on top of a horse. Not on my bucket list.

Those of you who have become devoted victims of reading my columns in the past probably already know what's next. As I've railed on before, I have no tattoos. I realize that I am fast becoming a member of the minority. But I have no intention of drawing attention to my outward appearance by inking up. I hope I can make a positive impression on people I meet by my mind, heart and attitude. The same goes for piercings. I've got enough holes in my head already. So tattoos and piercings are not on my bucket list.

I have never attended a mixed martial arts (MMA) show. There was a time when I had a passing interest in pro boxing, back when Muhammad Ali or Sugar Ray Leonard were at their peak. I never had the urge to put the gloves on, but I understood that jabbing and dancing is a real art form. I also was once a fan of pro wrestling. In fact, I had the opportunity to interview some of the biggest stars of the show in their prime, including the future governor of Minnesota, Jesse Ventura. While I realized their moves in the ring were well rehearsed, I respected their athletic ability.

But this MMA thing is beyond my comprehension. Either punch the guy until he falls down or put a wrestling hold on him that will make him give up. But to punch a guy, then when he falls jump on top of him and punch him some more is ridiculous. MMA not on my bucket list.

Finally, at least for this time, I've never ridden on a motorcycle. I respect the folks who enjoy riding. I try to give riders wide berth when I see them on the road. I admire some of the big, classy, chrome-laden bikes I've seen. But the idea of racing down the road at highway speed with nothing between you and the pavement than a pair of jeans or leathers is not my idea of a good time. If I'm ever out on one of Iowa's rural roads at night and come up on a deer on the roadway, I know my chances are much better in my Buick or van than on two wheels. Motorcycle riding not on my bucket list.

That's it for this time. I don't spend a lot of time wondering what to put on a bucket list. It's easy to fall in the habit of regretting what you haven't done rather than being thankful for what you have done. It's good to have goals, but it's also good not to dwell on the past.

Armed forces, hockey and softball

By Jeff Orvis

In my last blog, I indicated that this country must do much more for our service men and women returning from war. I indicated that a good start would be to cut the red tape and long delays in getting medical care and assistance to those who have been wounded.

We have several private foundations that do a good job at raising money for the wounded veterans. Unfortunately, we also have a few who claim to have the best interest of the veteran in mind, but return only a small percentage of the dollars raised to those it was intended for.

It might make us feel good to give a few dollars to some of these causes. We might think it is a way to thank those who have served. But really, isn't it the job of the employer (the federal government) to take care of those injured while in its employ?

One way, as I've already mentioned, would be to streamline the time it takes from when the soldier is injured to when treatment and rehabilitation begins. But we should do more. If we really view these women and men as heroes, they should be rewarded. Thousands have returned as amputees or suffering from post traumatic stress syndrome. If they will never be able to return to the active lifestyle they experienced before they served, then they should be compensated. Permanent disability should mean a $100,000 annual pension. Make it tax-free. That would be start, along with lifetime medical care.

There are undoubtedly economists in the Pentagon who wrestle with the cost of equipping our soldiers and sailors. When they are projecting how much a war will cost, those projections should include the cost of caring for our wounded heroes.

On a lighter note, I'm not much of a hockey fan most of the season, but since the Blackhawks are still in the playoffs, I've started paying more attention to their games. I'm amazed that more players aren't hurt because of the brutal body checks into the boards surrounding the rink. Maybe the players should demand that the league install something like the safe barriers being used at many NASCAR race tracks. It might cut down the number of concussions, etc.

I've also been watching the NCAA Women's Softball postseason tournament. I am friends with Alabama's veteran coach, Patrick Murphy, who once coached the Independence baseball team. When the defending Crimson Tide was knocked out of a return bid to the World Series, I decided to find another team to follow.

Since I have a couple of friends from Oklahoma, since the Sooners were beaten in last year's finals by Alabama and since that state has faced plenty of recent tragedy because of the tornadoes, I decided to root for the Sooners. They didn't disappoint last night, as they came from behind, including tying the game with two outs and two strikes on the hitter, to beat Tennessee in 12 innings. That's the first of a best two-out-of-three series.

Women's softball is fun to watch. The cameras can get much better close-ups of the players and their reactions. Some of the best teams have the best cheerleaders on the bench. I've decided you truly have to lose your inhibitions to be a successful collegiate softball player.

It's a lot of fun. Game two is tonight and game three, if necessary, is tomorrow. Go Sooners!

Time for a national priority check

By Jeff Orvis

Two recent events in the news prompted today's soap box edition.

We recently commemorated Memorial Day. The thoughts of many of us centered on the sacrifices made by our men and women in the armed forces who defended this country throughout its history. The annual concert in Washington was especially moving this year, as we heard the story of two brothers. One was seriously wounded in combat and the other ultimately couldn't cope with his injuries and committed suicide.

Stories like this are repeated hundreds of times each day as we slowly begin drawing down our combat commitments in Iraq and Afghanistan. But for the many soldiers and sailors who return home and are able to pick up their lives, there are others who will spend months or years rehabilitating injuries that are apparent and others who wrestle with the trauma of what they have experienced.

Unfortunately, it is apparent that our government became much more efficient in sending troops off to war than they have been in taking care of them when they return. Unlike the Vietnam War, when many of the returning troops were viewed as second-class citizens by a lot of people who were against our involvement over there, many of us, regardless of how we feel about our longest war that is still underway, welcome the returning troops as heroes.

It's a little strange, since many who fought in Vietnam had no choice. There was a draft at that time and unless you had a physical problem or a student deferment, you were more than likely headed across the ocean. In our current situation, those who are fighting are volunteers. They didn't have to sign on the dotted line.

While our government may have done a poor job convincing a lot of us that we should be fighting in the Middle East, perhaps our view of the returning troops is partially based on our shame on how the troops were treated when they came back from Vietnam.

Even though they volunteered, I have no problem viewing the returning men and women as heroes. They had a job to do and they did it, sometimes time after time. They are trained and are willing to defend those of us who are far less able to do it ourselves.

The other recent event was the news that two bridges in this country collapsed. One was struck by a truck, another by a train. But both were older structures and it's still not clear whether the collisions would have caused the same damage if the bridges were in better condition in the first place.

It will take millions of dollars to repair or replace both of these bridges. And these incidents again brought to light the deteriorating condition of this nation's infrastructure. That includes bridges and roadways, but it also includes such things as water and sewer systems, some not upgraded for decades. Just ask some of the folks in a Davenport neighborhood who are still scooping mud and sludge from their basements after an inadequate sewer system, coupled by heavy rain, caused sewer back-up. When you sift through some of the understandable blue language, you will get a hint on what needs to be done, where the priorities for future funding should be.

That's the point. The time has come for this country to take a hard look at its present and future priorities. If we are viewing our returning troops as our protectors, our heroes, it's time we treat them like that. There's no reason why veterans should wait months for treatment. There's no reason why the veterans' support staff – spouses and children – should live in poverty and uncertainty while the soldier serves.

We have 535 men and women who must determine how our tax dollars are spent. Each member of Congress has to make the tough decisions on how those dollars are spent. I hope that most of them do so by taking into consideration the good of the people, not just in their own district or state, but across the nation. But unfortunately, with the rising cost of political campaigns, influence in the form of lobbyists flows through the halls of the Capitol like some of that sludge in the Davenport neighborhood.

Sometimes I wonder if we could suddenly pick three citizens, totally at random and have them determine how our tax money is spent if they might not do a better job. We've all had the “if I ruled the world” thoughts. Maybe they would decide we really don't need military bases in several European countries. The military show plane divisions, the Thunderbirds and the Blue Angels, put on spectacular shows around the country and elsewhere. Their operations have been suspended during our current budget crisis. But when they resume, stop and think how many thousands of dollars are spent on jet fuel and personnel each afternoon and how many hours of rehabilitation for our wounded warriors those dollars could buy.

Maybe the best way to honor the service of our armed forces or to help our friends and neighbors recover from natural disasters is to ask the congressional candidates the tough questions on where their priorities truly lie.

Special words for the Class of 2013

By Jeff Orvis

Over the years as I have written columns in various formats, I've developed a tradition of writing pieces on specific topics at certain times of the year. As we close in on the end of May and the end of another school year, I usually make some comments, some reminders, for the graduates.

For many years, I had the pleasure of getting to know some remarkable students. Many of them were student athletes at the high school level. But some others may have excelled in other areas as they made that trek toward the high school diploma. As I worked in community journalism, I attended graduation every year. I could understand why teachers who had been associated with these students for four years or more may have shed a tear or two as they sent them out into the world. I could fully understand why most grandparents enjoy their grandchildren. As the old saying goes, grandparents have the opportunity to see their grandchildren for awhile, then give them back to their parents. The “parents” in this saying, the ones who had to cope with both the highs and lows of the daily lives of these students, would be their teachers. I would be the one who visited the school and interacted with the student for a story, then could leave, just like a grandparent.

One of the reminders I give to grads every time I write is to remember who got them to the point where they are crossing that stage and accepting that diploma. Remember to visit your teachers, or at least communicate with them, to thank them for all they had done and to let them know what they had accomplished. And don't just talk to the most popular teacher. My sophomore English teacher delighted in cultivating a climate of fear among many of her students. You knew not to cross Mrs. Hultgren. Of course, she was one of the teachers who taught me the most. Unfortunately, I didn't realize it at the time and didn't get a chance to thank her years later.

It's great to have one or two teachers you can relate to and who can help you during tough times. But sometimes some of the toughest teachers are the ones who mean the most to your ultimate success.

Members of the high school class of 2013 face some incredible obstacles I could never imagine. Many of you are heading off to a four-year college, where you will pay 10 times what I did when I was a high school freshman. If it had not been for various scholarships and grants, I would have never had a chance at college. That's the same for many incoming freshmen today. But the competition for those scholarships seems much more difficult today. In fact, gaining acceptance into many colleges is also tougher than it was back in my time.

The challenges that today's grads face seem far more difficult than those I faced when I was coming out of Pleasant Valley High School. The opportunities are there, but they are tougher to obtain. Thankfully, I've observed that many of today's grads are more mature and driven than my classmates were. They have to be. They work harder and, if some internet posts are to be believed, they play harder at some colleges.

So you've got your academics in order, you've chosen and been accepted at the college of your choice and have somehow lined up the funds to go there. One key ingredient to your success won't necessarily cost any money. It will, however, take some time and soul-searching. As you prepare to leave for school later this summer, many of you will be reminded to pack your Bible and find a church. Moms and grandmothers are good at making those reminders. But whether you can answer that alarm on Sundays to attend services or find time to crack open that Bible on a regular basis, don't forget to pack what I like to call your moral compass.

I was reminded of that last night as I chose to watch a couple of episodes of “The Waltons.” You may remember that TV series featured a big family growing up during the depression in the hills of Virginia. The large family was patterned from the real life family of Earl Hamner Jr. He created the show, wrote most, if not all of the stories and narrated each episode. Earl's character was the oldest son in the family, John Boy.

Naturally, after spending most of my adult life writing, I empathized with the John Boy character. My family situation was a lot different – I have just one sister instead of a houseful. We lived in much better circumstances than the Walton family, where grandparents also lived under the same roof. By the end of the show's run, there were four generations living in that house.

Of course, skeptics who watch an episode would be quick to point out that it is far from today's reality. The brothers and sisters would have their conflicts, but they were generally settled by the end of each episode. Unfortunately, fewer and fewer of today's households include two parents, let alone the availability of wise grandparents.

But watch closely with an open mind and you can usually learn some valuable life's lessons. As you embark on the next chapter of your lives, find someone you can lean on during tough times. Ideally, it will be a parent, grandparent or older aunt or uncle. It might be the pastor at your church. But it could also be one of those high school teachers who went the extra mile to lead you to success.

My best bit of advice is to find that special someone who can periodically tune that moral compass. Best of luck to the Class of 2013. Those of us who went before you are counting on you.

Learning new lessons on the job hunt

By Jeff Orvis

As I continue in this seemingly endless search for a job, there have been some highs and lows. It's been a real learning experience, although I feel like I've more than paid my tuition and am anxious to begin reaping some rewards.

Every morning, I wake up to a local talk radio station. It's a Fox News affiliate, which might surprise a lot of you who know my leftist leanings. But I figure if I awake to a nice oldies music station, I might just forget to get up until late morning. This way, I gain a little information, then when I get sick of listening to the right-wing half-truths, I turn it off and climb out of bed.

It seems that several times a week, I'm greeted with news of the federal government's latest unemployment numbers. A few short years ago, I never thought I would be a statistic, but at least if you subscribe to the saying that misery loves company, I guess there's some comfort in the fact that I'm not alone.

As I surf the internet for job prospects, I'm learning there are quite a few jobs out there I never thought of before. Many companies now have made it more convenient for prospective employees to apply by putting the application process on the web. This way, you don't necessarily need to spend a lot of shoe leather or auto gas, nor do you need to bother prospective employers unless they decide they want to see you.

I recently spent the better part of an afternoon navigating through the application process for a job at the country's major discount retailer. As I am a regular customer at this business, I've had the chance to encounter many of the folks who work there. I figured that with that many employees, there's sure to be some turnover. I also figured there had to be something there I could do.

This application process has been something new for me. This is where you figure you're never too old to learn. I don't think I've ever filled out an application for a job that I eventually won that was more than two pages. My first full-time newspaper job resulted from a promotion that began when I was a correspondent for the local paper while still in high school. I continued to work summers there while in college and when it became apparent that my college career was at an end, the editor said he figured if he didn't hire me full-time, he would lose me part-time.

My next stop, this one out of the Quad-Cities area, started with a phone call, as I answered an ad in the daily paper. The publisher invited me to visit for an interview and my parents and I made the 125 mile trip. That began an 18-year career over a 20-year stretch.

When that job was eventually eliminated by a new owner of the paper, a phone call from a local businessman convinced me to try my hand at being a publisher. That lasted a year before the economy swallowed us. But a publisher from a paper in a neighboring county, who had visited our office in his capacity with the Iowa Newspaper Association, remembered me and invited me to meet with him and his partners for a job as an editor at one of their papers.

That job lasted another 11 years before the new owners cut staff and I was one of the cuts. Once again, I was out of work for about four months before beginning a new venture as an on line local news editor. When the non-profit group that owned the web site was unable to sustain a full-time editor, I was once again looking for work a year later.

So I've been out of practice in the formal application process for many years. When I went to the web site of the aforementioned retailer, I was amazed at the volume of information I was asked to supply. They wanted to know what hours I would be available, what jobs I was interested in, what salary I expected, whether I was looking for full or part-time work and on and on.

The final kicker in this process was a 65-question test, where I was given one-sentence scenarios and asked to rate whether I strongly agreed, agreed, had no opinion, disagreed or strongly disagreed. I'll have to say that after encountering some of the folks that work at this store, I was amazed that they had the patience or ability to fill out the same application I did.

You had to be careful as you answered each of these questions, In one scenario, they asked if you agreed or disagreed that it was okay to take money from your place of work.

The human resources department at this company must be something special. They must employ psychologists to write these applications. Then they must have another department of people who pour over each application to try to find the right person for the right spot.

I just hope that all of this is worth it and that as I fill out other similar forms, I will give all the right answers and begin collecting a paycheck again. It's easy to get frustrated and wonder if it's worth all the hassle. But despite passing the big 6-0 milestone, I realize that it's a few years until retirement.

Good thoughts and prayers from my friends remain my greatest asset. Time to get back on the hunt.