I did some checking and found out some pretty sordid stuff. It turns out that ALL public school football players are given a full-ride scholarship. All of them.Tuition paid. Many probably even get free lunches. I am totally not making this up. I also found out that EVERY family in each public school district is FORCED to pay for football, even the ones that pay to send their kids to Dowling, Iowa Christian, Grandview Park Baptist, etc., or that don't have football players, or that don't even have kids. I know, crazy, right? It turns out that most public high schools in 4A have over 1,000 students, not counting freshman! What is even more amazing is that these kids HAVE to go to the public school in their district. (Unless the player is from the Des Moines Public School District, and is not white. Then they can play at a disadvantaged suburban school like Valley) Talk about an unfair advantage. I think that we need to get to the bottom of these nefarious shenanigans.
Unfair Public School scholarships
- Thread starter diabolical lee
- Start date
I know, Willymo. It is insane that this is allowed. I think private schools should have the option to move down a class, just for the purpose of fairness. Imagine those poor people paying for their own kids, and then being forced to buy nicer stuff for the public school kids, and still trying to compete. The Des Moines Public Schools might be able to simply lose track of millions in their 1/2 billion dollar budget, but private schools count every penny.
While our legs are being pulled in jest or sarcasm, it is true that families that send their kids to private schools often pay more (through their property taxes, etc.) to the local public school fund than they pay to send their child to the private school. I'm sure I have paid for several rows of bleachers for Dubuque Senior's recent $13 million improvement to their football field (and $30 million for other improvements), while my son goes to a school that doesn't even have a football field. However, that is the choice some parents make. Every student in a private school is one less child that the city or state has to pay for. That's a pretty good deal for the people in a community, who would see their taxes rise considerably if private schools would close. America needs a strong public school system, and everyone pays for it, even if some choose to send their own children elsewhere.
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This isn't about de-funding public schools.This is about pointing out the massive advantages public schools have over private schools in sports. In everything except parental involvement, discipline, motivation, effort and outcome. Sometimes the "recruiting" whine just makes me so nauseous that i feel the need to point out the obvious.
Come on Diabolical....you left out the most important ingredient in Dowling's success. Don't tell me they're good because the parents cheer. Parental involvement...even Jesus is rolling his eyes on that one.
The only Private School that I know of that has not done well over the past 15-20yrs. Is Waterloo Columbus.
Once a tough 3a School has been reduced to I think 2A and cannot even compete at that level. That is pretty disappointing, how things turn around and you cannot explain why.
Once a tough 3a School has been reduced to I think 2A and cannot even compete at that level. That is pretty disappointing, how things turn around and you cannot explain why.
Send your child to one of the numerous public school programs that have a free and reduced lunch rate above 50% many nearing 70% and you'll see first hand all of the advantage those kids have. That's a lof of Iowans with concerns in their lives bigger than football yet they go out for their high school football team to try to be a part of something. Also more often than not they are just playing for the first time as 9th or 10th graders because their family didn't have money for the fee to play, let alone gear, or even a pair of cleats. These are real life issues real life situations in our Iowa public schools.
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Have to laugh. Remember all that extra money people had in the 30s 40s 50s and 60s? Neither do I. The problem isn't expendable income for cleats. The problem is worthless parenting.
Better yet, go to almost any Des Moines Public School during parent-teacher conferences. Parking will not be an issue.
Better break out the 'God loves us for free' t-shirts that a school you appear to support had a few years ago.
I think private school parents understand it quite well. It is just when a single parent kid or kid with no parents goes to private school it is automatically labeled "recruiting".....
I can guarantee most private schools have very comparable free/reduced lunch numbers as all the 4a suburb schools. Won't argue with DSM, CR or Davenport school districts, but most of these aren't being compared anyway.
Here are the actual free and reduced rates from the state:
Ankeny - 15%
Waukee - 15%
Cedar Falls - 20%
Johnston - 20%
Linn Mar - 21%
Urbandale - 24%
SE Polk - 28%
Bettendorf - 33%
WDM - 34%
Dubuque - 35%
Iowa City -36%
Cedar Rapids - 50%
Davenport - 65%
Des Moines - 74%
Private school advantage due to free and reduced lunch rates, certainly in bigger cities, hearing this from public suburb schools just sounds like additional excuses.
I can guarantee most private schools have very comparable free/reduced lunch numbers as all the 4a suburb schools. Won't argue with DSM, CR or Davenport school districts, but most of these aren't being compared anyway.
Here are the actual free and reduced rates from the state:
Ankeny - 15%
Waukee - 15%
Cedar Falls - 20%
Johnston - 20%
Linn Mar - 21%
Urbandale - 24%
SE Polk - 28%
Bettendorf - 33%
WDM - 34%
Dubuque - 35%
Iowa City -36%
Cedar Rapids - 50%
Davenport - 65%
Des Moines - 74%
Private school advantage due to free and reduced lunch rates, certainly in bigger cities, hearing this from public suburb schools just sounds like additional excuses.
It isn't an issue in the communities where it isn't an issue. You've left out a number of districts with multiple schools in them where it is a big issue.
Waterloo - 62%
Clinton - 54%
Council Bluffs - 62%
Sioux City - 64%
Burlington - 55%
Ft. Dodge - 51%
I can guarantee there aren't any private schools that have issues with their students not having their basic needs met.
I don't think there is anyone here saying Waukee, Ankeny, etc kids are hurting for support at home.
One can predict with great certainty the outcome of each and every weeks games across the state simply by looking at which school has the lower free and reduced lunch rate.
Waterloo - 62%
Clinton - 54%
Council Bluffs - 62%
Sioux City - 64%
Burlington - 55%
Ft. Dodge - 51%
I can guarantee there aren't any private schools that have issues with their students not having their basic needs met.
I don't think there is anyone here saying Waukee, Ankeny, etc kids are hurting for support at home.
One can predict with great certainty the outcome of each and every weeks games across the state simply by looking at which school has the lower free and reduced lunch rate.
Then I guess you would agree it is an issue of have's vs. have nots more than an issue of private vs. public?
Also, let me drive you from your suburban home to several private school families around the Des Moines area and you can elaborate on your comment that you "can guarantee there aren't any private schools that have issues with their students not having their basic needs are being met."
Strong statement coming from one of the "haves"....funny you didn't mention Valley along with Waukee and Ankeny in your example...
Also, let me drive you from your suburban home to several private school families around the Des Moines area and you can elaborate on your comment that you "can guarantee there aren't any private schools that have issues with their students not having their basic needs are being met."
Strong statement coming from one of the "haves"....funny you didn't mention Valley along with Waukee and Ankeny in your example...
Old time, this isn't about haves and have nots. It's more about winning and whining. It's not about money either. 2/3 of NFL players come from real poverty. Didn't stop them. (It's not like you need to supply your own pads in the inner city or the rural south) What this is about is what you learn at home, or how hungry you are to succeed. Winners win. Losers whine about how unfair life is.
Diabolical, couldn't agree more. Be surprised if this "concern" is still around when Dowling isn't winning football titles. Don't remember ever hearing it when Bettendorf, Valley or Iowa City were more successful.
Single parent here, kids went to a private school. Well aware of other single parents. We were treated like seeing big foot but we are out there
The point is not regarding single or married parenting nor it's relation to one's ability to send their child to private school. But rather to point out the high rate of students in our Iowa public schools that many times their best or only meal of the day is at school. My apologies if that wasn't clear.
Plenty of single parent families at Dowling, so no actual problem there. Of course, single parent families are the number one reason for poverty in the US so hardly something to celebrate. Still better than pretending prayer or accountability cause cancer.
Just to throw a monkey in - I'm extremely disappointed in that IHSAA sold out on the TV rights for semis and finals. The girls kept it local and FREE for we the parent taxpayers (to our local schools) while the boys of Boone sold us out. We received an email from our school district's AD as to how to watch the semis and finals on the internet. It only works if you have certain connections, like DISH, etc. It just plain stinks. Who in heavens name has any connection with Chicago? This is Iowa and for the money we spend on our schools, we should be able to watch it for FREE like we used to on IPTV. Every Iowan should email, write, text, call to the boys of Boone and let them know that they screwed up and need to correct it, and stop filling their coffers. I'd wager that the Boone boys / IHSAA doesn't buy the trophies, but they are most likely bought by people like Farm Bureau or Fareway, etc. So they don't need TV rights money for that.
Excellent post freeways. This is just a money grab. If I remember correctly, wrestling and other sports are also impacted. Want a good laugh, go read the IHSAA's explanation on their website. One positive, I got relatives in Chicago that love watching the games.
Wholeheartedly agree on the IHSSN bull with NBCSports Chicago. How does that make any sense at all?! Like oldtimefootball said, the explanation on their website is true comedy--it reads like a parody of itself. I live in Kansas City and was not too happy when I found out I couldn't watch online anymore. Oh well, I suppose I'll just listen to the 3A game on their streaming audio--until they start charging for that even. No worries about tomorrow, traveling up so I don't have to worry about DISH when I'm in the stands.
Diabolical, you're wrong on so many levels. First, this is absolutely about the haves and have nots. Dowling has kids from a myriad of backgrounds that are successful...because they are surrounded by a community with resources. And there are plenty of NFL stars that won very few football games in high school, not because their parents sucked but because the entire community was struggling to put food on the table.
And just like Centennial or Waukee or Valley....there are plenty of losers at Dowling despite their win total. In fact, seem to remember you starting this whinefest when I mentioned "recruiting'. Come down off your pedestal, bud. Let's get a beer.
Here is what you forget to address. The "unfair" advantage that isn't mentioned, is Iowa City West HAS to use players from a specific geographical area set out by a school board, unless a player transfers in. (and in Iowa City, they are a closed district, so to transfer requires a lot of hoops) . Dowling's "district" is bounded by ??? Nothing, they can take students from ALL the different districts in DM and surrounding area. Same with Xavier. They have not specifically defined area where student bodies are required to attend. That is the major disadvantage.
Not sure how the open enrollment process works in DM or IC but in my city it's like this; if you live in either of the three more affluent HS districts, no problem, just request and it's a done deal. If you are in one of the three city HS districts, it's a little different because they have a "diversity plan" (one of only 5 districts in the state). So parents wanting their kids to open enroll into the more affluent districts have a bit more of a challenge getting approval to release (it's important to note that each student is "worth" about $6,400 a head to a school district).
Iowa City is still basically closed. You have to prove change of residency, and that might not even guarantee it. Only difference is with Liberty opening. But, if you live on the East side, you cannot just "open enroll" to any other school, or vice versa. There has been a huge fight about district boundaries, and is continuing.
Clear Creek Amana has closed all open enrollments.
So will the new Liberty HS take enrollment away from both West & City, what about CCA?
Dowling has no district. No automatic student body. No tax money. Parents wanting to send kids to Dowling have to pay for their children's education as well as your children's education.Only whiners looking for an excuse for failure would call this an advantage.Losers whine. Remember all of Dowling's d1 stars? Neither do i. These kids aren't hugely athletic super studs. 99% of them don't go on to play college ball because they don't have the natural Talent. They get to where they get because of hard work and dedication. I get so tired of listening to you people whine. Give it a rest.
Hahahahaha. Loser. "Cheating". Hahahaha. Sounds like all the athletes from your school district went to private schools, leaving you with the wretched refuse.
Diabolical,
You, my friend, are hysterical. You’re math skills aren’t great but you are definitely fun to read!! Dowling is good for this reason....they have more TALENT then everyone else. Period. Last year they had no less than 7 D1 kids. So your 99% claim is WAY OFF. And as soon as the football season ended your D2 RB quit Dowling to graduate at Carlisle. Are you effing kidding me?!? That makes me want to puke.
Go ahead and keep telling yourself how super disadvantaged Dowling is if it makes you feel better. I’m sure God is ecstatic that your hard earned money was used to buy him another championship.
You, my friend, are hysterical. You’re math skills aren’t great but you are definitely fun to read!! Dowling is good for this reason....they have more TALENT then everyone else. Period. Last year they had no less than 7 D1 kids. So your 99% claim is WAY OFF. And as soon as the football season ended your D2 RB quit Dowling to graduate at Carlisle. Are you effing kidding me?!? That makes me want to puke.
Go ahead and keep telling yourself how super disadvantaged Dowling is if it makes you feel better. I’m sure God is ecstatic that your hard earned money was used to buy him another championship.
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