Posted on 05/23/2003 7:07:51 AM PDT by RaceBannon
I have received an e-mail from a former co-worker, telling me that another former co-worker was hauled away in handcuffs by 'The Department Of Homeland Security'
Telecom agency, she was a simple production worker.
NEW BRITAIN -- The New Britain school district is developing a proposal to present at the federal level to establish a high school to train at-risk students for careers in homeland security fields.
"The program will provide students with the training and certification that would give them the skills to fill positions which have been created as a result of post 9/11," superintendent Doris Kurtz told The Herald.
The prototype school would be designed as an alternative education program for high school students who are at risk academically. The program would meet the various security needs that have been identified by the government and also address the drop-out rate and overcrowding at the high school. Kurtz said it would also ensure a sound future for students after graduation.
"It’s a multifaceted, cutting-edge program that will help break the cycle of poverty. Students will be skilled and prepared to earn $30,000-plus wages right out of high school," the city’s school chief said.
An outside consultant team presented the program to city school officials earlier this year.
According to the proposal the program would be delivered with a military-style doctrine to provide structure, based on instilling a sense of pride and respect. The consulting team explained that the use of a military doctrine, backed by research, has shown to be highly effective with at-risk students.
Kurtz anticipates the program will be launched this fall "in some form" at New Britain High School with 50 to 100 students selected from upper grade levels. The long-term goal, she said is to establish an alternative high school for the program.
School administrators, representatives from the fire department and other offices have inspected the old Stanley Works building on Myrtle Street as a potential site.
Kurtz said federal aid would include funding to lease a facility to house the program. The alternative site would also alleviate concerns of overcrowding at the high school which currently has more than 2,000 students.
"We are looking into multiple funding sources as this program will cost in the millions to develop and implement," Kurtz said, adding she plans to travel to Washington, D.C., this month to discuss funding. A potential source is federal funding from the Department of Homeland Security.
"Education costs no matter how you look at it. This is just providing students with alternatives. The more alternatives you have for students, the more likely they are to be successful," Kurtz said.
Kurtz stressed that the program will not replace instructions in core academics, however non-traditional curricula including water- and air-pollution testing, security screening, emergency medical teams, and dock and coastal surveillance will be areas in which students will be trained and certified.
"The curriculum for the program is still being developed," Kurtz said.
The proposal has been well received by education officials in the city.
"We, as a board, are very excited about this new concept. New Britain will be one of the first, if not the first of its kind," said France Wolski, vice president of the Board of Education. "It would be the best for our students who don’t plan to go to college and will enhance the opportunities to get a real and rewarding career."
"It’s going to be tremendous. It’s ideal for New Britain and it’s going to be paid for by government money," said James Sanders, a board of education member.
Lisette Velasquez can be reached at lvelasquez@newbritainherald.com or by calling (860) 225-4601, ext. 320.
Okay, this is a little scary.
This sounds like an article from "The Onion". Certainly doesn't instill confidence in me about homeland security. When on earth will the friggin' government quit trying to use its constitutionally assigned powers to advance a social agenda? (security v. something for high risk children)?
I would consider telling her family to get a lawyer to file a habeas corpus action to get the government to disclose the why's, wherefore's etc., about this woman's detention.
As far as I can tell from my cousin, who is a county sheriff, the Department of Homeland Security cannot arrest people. The agencies who are under their control can but the deparment it's self can not.
I found it in the New Britain Herald, and posted it here. Pretty scary s--t.
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