John's Blog

Oil Spill – 80% still in the Gulf

Admin — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 01:53:04 +0000

Despite hearing about a great shrimp catch, which is not supported by a story in NPR. Researchers are believe 80% of the oil remains in the gulf. Take a look at this video on the hyperlink.

Oil Spill

Admin — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 22:48:54 +0000

I have not heard much about the oil spill lately and I’m afraid that people/the media are moving on too quickly.

I did find this update on the Associated Press.

Virtural Schools

Admin — Tue, 18 May 2010 02:21:59 +0000

Are virtual schools the next big change coming to education? It just might be…

The technology advances we have made recently with Internet access and rich multi-media capabilities are making virtual learning more an more accessible. Students can interact with the materials in ways that was not feasable even a few years ago. It is not unual for students to have only an on-line version of there text book with video and on-line tests for immediate feedback.

Now virtual schools are starting to take off meeting the needs of rural communites, communites that can not afford to offer advanced course. Stay Tuned….

Education – Central Falls Rhode Island

Admin — Tue, 04 May 2010 02:55:23 +0000

I just learned about a a fairly drastic measure taken by the State Education Commissioner to fix one of the most poorly performing schools in Rhode Island. The Commissioner had 3 options at her disposal to address the issues at Central Falls: school closure, take over by a charter or school-management organization, transformation such as longer school hours, or “turnaround”. the Commissioner work for transformation changes first, but when she could not get agreement she executed the ”turnaround” option, which is the firing of all teachers and the ability to re-hire at most 50% of the staff. Fairly drastic move, but maybe this is what is needed????

18 Mil From Dr. Jill Landesberg-Boyle

Admin — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 02:17:38 +0000

Dr. Jill Landesberg-Boyle is responsible for $18 million of institutional support for FKCC. How do we get to $18 Million? FKCC’s first ever Federal Earmark of $2.24 Million for the IUTS program. Then there is the single largest private donation of $1 Million dollars from the from the James E. Lockwood Estate.

Dr. Jill Landesberg-Boyle brought the rest in through her work on campus construction. She secured a $5 million dollar commitment from the state for the first new college building in 17 years and created an entrepreneurial public-private partnership which is expected to raise $9 million dollars for a residence hall. This will be the first residence hall for FKCC.

Other smaller donations fill in the rest, including a creative twist to fund raising the college receiving forfeited property of a 30-foot vessel for the marine science department.

Dr. Jill Landesberg-Boyle was able to bring this to FKCC through planning, determination and creativity.

Air Traffic Control Scandle – Much To Do About Nothing

Admin — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 23:59:47 +0000

I’m weighing in on the Air Traffic Control Scandal, where the controller allowed his kids to chat with pilots. In my opinion, the controller did NOTHING wrong. Clearly, the child was supervised the entire time, nothing bad happened. It is this type of experiences that excite and inspire children.

Handicapped Parking

Admin — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 20:17:21 +0000

I was reading the local paper the other day and found an editorial that I’ve always thought, but never seen anyone write about. The editorial was an argument to reevaluating the number of handicapped parking that should be set aside for shopping centers, workplaces, parks, etc.. The argument voices what I think we all thing as we drive up to our local shopping center and need to park a mile away only see a whole row of parking spaces by the door, unused. Most people understand the need for handicapped parking and support it, we just want the requirements for what needs to be set aside to be more in line with it’s usage.

The editorial was calling for the government to do a reevaluation and come up with updated requirements….we’ll I’ll second that!

Tragedy Overload?

Admin — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 02:46:40 +0000

Have you noticed how we heard very little about the Chilean quake in comparison to Haiti? Has Chile fallen victim twice, once to the quake and now to tragedy overload?

Students Thriving – Thanks to Jill Landesberg-Boyle

Admin — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 02:49:49 +0000

At FKCC, Dr. Jill Landesberg-Boyle needed to increase student enrollment and student retention. Dr. Jill Landesberg-Boyle put a number of initiatives in place including a number of student services.

Students now have

FKCC’s first Student Government Association
Increasing instructional resources
A new tutoring center
New expert faculty with doctoral degrees and scholarly publications
Improved access to classes
A new marine technology building in the architectural stage
Plans for a new Upper Keys Campus
More robust classrooms with classmates now coming from as far away as California because of the programmatic changes that have been made
Plans for FKCC’s first residence hall

Dr Jill Landesberg-Boyle is known as the student’s president, now you know why….

Comment from Keys Friend on Dr. Jill Landesberg-Boyle

Admin — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 23:46:24 +0000

I saw this comment on Dr. Jill Landesberg-Boyle, posted on the COA site and thought it was telling….

Dr. Jill Landesberg-Boyle has been an inspiration to a college that had previously been in decline for a number of years. Dr. Jill Landesberg-Boyle has not only been a change agent but one who has literally transformed this institution from a sleepy backwater school to one that is in the forefront of new and exciting ventures characterized significantly increases in enrollment, new programs, initiatives, buildings and a federal earmark that has brought this school into the big leagues.

Having known Dr. Jill Landesberg-Boylefor over 7 years, I can truly attest to the fact that Dr. Jill Landesberg-Boyle has been the difference between status quo and dynamic achievement in every place she has been. Dr. Landesberg-Boyle has dramatically improved every aspect of our previously struggling institution, and all in the face of a continued state funding decline.

If you are looking for someone who is extremely capable in every facet of higher education who can take your institution to the next level, Dr. Jill Landesberg-Boyle is the one.