Smarter and Harder

Latest Episodes:

Ep 25 - PPS - School Choice - Necessary? Aug 17, 2022

Show notes

Eli is well-read on this one as he went through the 91-page presentation for the school board regarding school choice. Tim tries to keep up. Is school choice the right course of action for declining enrollment? Would 1 high school do the trick?

Ep 24 - Calling BS on PPS data Aug 10, 2022

Show notes

Somebody needs to hire a data analyst for PPS. The numbers tell a different story from the equity agenda. Eli and Tim break down the posted data to show holes.

Ep 23 - Guest - Tae Chong Talks About His Reasons For Leaving the City Council Jul 26, 2022

Show notes

Eli and Tim get the pleasure of speaking with friend of the podcast, Tae Chong. His reasons for leaving the Portland City Council and some of his takeaways from his term of service to the City of Portland. Tae gives us a quick look at the Charter Commission procdure and why voters NEED to pay attention to what they will be voting on in November.

Ep 22 - Vote of No Confidence for Xavier? Jul 18, 2022

Show notes

Eli and Tim get long-winded as they spend the first half talking gun violence and and a lack of protection in PPS schools. At the 19:16 mark, they switch over to Xavier's lack of buy-in from those who work under him. How is it that rumors of a Vote of No Confidence are starting to swirl around the winner of a leadership award. Most great educational leaders do not have a mass-exodus of those who they are leading.

Ep 21 - Where Are We Going Eli? Jul 05, 2022

Show notes

Eli helps Tim make sense of the feeling that we are going backwards in time. Roe v. Wade, Civil Unrest, Gun Control. Where's the magic wand?!

Ep 20 - Portland School Board Elections - Post Mortem Jun 21, 2022

Show notes

Eli teaches Tim about the big money election W. Why are progressives taking over Portland Maine politics? What's next?

Ep 19 - Portland Schools - Failing Portland Promise Jun 13, 2022

Show notes

Eli and Tim want to know where the data is that supports Portland superintendent's claim. They may have another prospective on why black students are getting in trouble more than white kids.

Ep 18 - Portland Superintendent- Threw His Own Teachers Under the Bus Jun 10, 2022

Show notes

Rule #1 as a leader....SUPPORT YOUR EMPLOYEES!!! Epic fail on Xavier's part. Tim is hot under the collar. Eli, once again, brings logic and sense to the conversation. Vague and unsubstantiated stats from the leader of our school district. Fitting some data to a narrative??

Ep 17 Dark Money - In Portland? Jun 08, 2022

Show notes

Tim hears the term "dark money" and thinks it's a subplot in a Batman movie. Eli, once again, takes Tim to school on the what, who, and why dark money exists in politics. But the big question is "Why a small town like Portland, Maine?"

Ep 16 - Portland Schools - A Political Body??? Jun 02, 2022

Show notes

Tim asks Eli to help understand a school board that seems to be driven more by politics than what is best for Portland's youth. Why are so many white middle-aged women being forced out, leaving for health reasons and/or leaving the district altogether? Is there room for politics on a school board? Also, can we actually achieve true equity for our school children under the contraints of a limited budget?

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