Request SMSD to allow teachers' children to remain at Benninghoven

Placing additional hardships upon staff at this time in our state's educational history is unnecessary. Teachers' pay, as we all know, is low, given their level of education. Allowing teachers' children to attend their parents' school of employment reduces childcare cost for those teachers and encourages additional teacher involvement in their schools of employment.

Teachers are not the same as other "patrons" and as such should have an exemption from this policy. The intent of the policy should be considered (limiting transfers) and an exception made in the case of any employee of the District who spends 50%+ of their time on-site.

I fully support this!

While there need to be rules, there also should be accommodations which should be at BOE discretion.

This type of 'patron' should be exempt from the new policy changes. It only makes sense to allow teachers who teach within this district to have their children along side them if they so choose. Get it together SMSD BOE & Admin. Yes, we need good policies in place, but don't create new policies with tunnel vision or without reliable information found outside your pretty little offices.

Not only for Mrs. Newell, but also for me! I can't imagine a BH without a Newell girl! She is an asset to our school just like her Mom.

The benefits of allowing teachers' children attend the school where they teach must outweigh the costs. In my mind, this is a family friendly policy that should be extended to teachers.

Mr's Newel is a dedicated teacher. She goes above and beyond for her students. Her daughter should be able to finish elementary school in the school that she has attended since kindergarten. It is the best interest of the child.

Teachers dedicate many extra hours to their schools and their students. Forcing them to have their children at another school, even in another school district, increases the general stress of being a working parent.

We need to do everything we can to make our teachers happy!

Why is this an issue? Seems to me evetyone wins if this silly policy is defeated.

Staci Newell is one if the most dedicated teachers I have the pleasure to know. Having her girls attend Benninghoven where she teaches has allowed her to volunteer more of her time before and after school to our students and staff. Her involvement with Just Say No, Girls on he Run, tutoring, 2 Girl Scout troops, PTA, and many other things shows her dedication to not only our students and school, but her girls who have both been able to participate in academic and sports activities with their friends and classmates. Teachers give so much to our kids and communities, Please reconsider this new rule for Mrs. Newell and any other teacher who chooses to enroll their student in district where they work. Having their kids in schools/districts where they teach only strengthens their dedication and drive. (Julie)

Please reconsider

These teachers are only able to be involved in so many things after school because they don't have to drive all the way across town to pick up from another school.

staci goes well above and beyond her teaching expectations. This shouldn't be happening!

I have had two daughters have Mrs Newell for a home room teacher and another that had her for reading. My last daughter is hoping to have her for 6th grade this year. That says volumes about the kind of teacher she is. She volunteered for Girls on the Run when no other teacher would step up and gave my daughter the opportunity to be apart of that great organization. She volunteers with Girl Scouts and many other activities at school. If her daughter is no longer allowed to attend school there she may no longer be able to volunteer for those activities or even worse she may choose to not teach at RB. That would be a huge lose to our school. For her time, effort and dedication to our school I believe her daughter should be able to continue her schooling with RB.

The benefits of keeping Mrs. Newell's daughter, or the children of other staff members, at the school far outweigh any negatives. Building a strong community within your school is priceless.

As a former Shawnee Mission student who attended Junior High and High School in the district, I was shocked to learn that there is no policy for teachers that addresses this issue. I know other districts allow their teacher's children to attend the school they teach at, or at least be in the same district. I also know that a ton of teachers left last year due to the early retirement option. I, for one, would not want to risk losing another quality teacher due to a lack of foresight by the district to implement a plan for these kinds of situations. Shawnee Mission is a school district leader, so I am surprised they are falling behind in this area. I sure hope you change this policy, not only for Benninghoven, but for all hard-working teachers who give so much to their schools.

Mrs Newell works so hard and does so many things for our community. She won't be able to do any of those things if she has to leave to take care of her family.

Teachers have so many challenges in our district today. They should have a few benefits including automatic transfer if desired. This patron had no objection to Mrs Newell's situation or any other teacher's in the district.