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Volume 65
Issue Seven
February 14, 2011
What’s Inside?
Plano Senior High School
2200 Independence Pkwy Plano, Tx 75075
S ka ti n g o
s
P I S D Fa c How Far is Too Far
Dirty Rotten Cheaters Page 7
Meet Andrew Flory
Page 9
Top 5 Last Minute Valentines
Page 10
t C u ts el Nicho
G Page 5
es Bud g e
By Micha
Page 3
Plano Post Secret
n T hin I ce
rowing up in a privileged school district like ours is easy. As students we have always been motivated to do our very best, and to excel to our very highest potential. There has never been a need to worry about a lack of teachers or technology, until recently. Our district has been forced to cut millions of dollars in spending on everything from clerical positions to teaching and coaching positions in order to make up for a recent budget shortfall.
“All districts are in financial t r o u b l e because the Legislature is planning to cut education funding by 10 billion dollars over the next biennium,” superintendent Dr. Doug Otto said. While the district does know that substantial budget cuts are eminent,
It’s in the Stars
What really happened to your horoscope? By Lindsey Kehlmann
The last few years have been full of fundamental scientific discoveries. First, scientists declared that indigo was no longer a color in the rainbow. Next astronomers announced that Pluto was no longer a planet. Now astrologers have some ‘new’ information that has shocked and confused people across the country. According to astrologer Parke Kunkle, the system of horoscope that the majority of the western world adopted after Ptolemy developed it in the 2nd century, is incorrect. Kunkle also proposed the addition of a 13th zodiac named Ophiuchus. This news stirred up those who follow their horoscopes as soon as it hit the internet, going viral as people discovered that their sign might have changed. “I am not happy about the change because I am a Leo,” senior Rachel DeRouen said. “I like being a Leo. The signs were either supposed to go backwards or forwards, so I’m supposed to be either a Virgo or a Cancer now, and that is just not true about me.” Changes in signs are leading some students to be skeptical of the authenticity of horoscopes.
“If the signs change, it’s basically admitting it isn’t real,” junior Madeline Kinnaird said. “I mean, you can’t just change destiny. I’m still going to follow my same sign. I’m not going to change just because someone said so.” While some are reluctant to give up their sign, others are unconvinced that the change will have any impact. “I’m not overly bothered by it,” junior Matt Zagurski said. “I think it’s kind of stupid because it’s really a science. It’s just vague ideas thrown out there for people to read.” The stars may not have the power to tell a person who he or she is, but some people believe that they do have some influence. “A zodiac could help people define themselves,” AP Psychology teacher Jeff Brooks said. “But not necessarily because ‘that’s the way a person is.’ Rather, a person might ‘become’ the person the zodiac tends to describe just through expectations and beliefs.” Brooks is not the only one who holds this belief.
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the exact amount, and the effects are still unknown. “We will probably target $15-20 million for next year,” Otto said. “Current estimates range from $55-65 million as a result of preliminary budgets introduced in both the House and Senate.” This unprecedented amount of budget cuts will inevitably have some effect on everybody in our district. However, the extent of the effect of these changes will be unknown until legislature passes their final budget in May. Otto hopes that the total amount of cuts by the legislature will not be as severe as currently proposed. “Everyone and every program will be affected
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if we are reduced by the amount now proposed,” Otto said. The severe nature of these possible cuts leaves many students worried about the possible effects on our school. “It saddens me that innocent teachers may be let go because of budget cuts,” junior Bryna Herskowitz said. “The reality is that any time spending is reduced, something important is going to get cut.” The decision made last month to slash administrative positions is effective immediately and leaves many students and faculty members wondering where this budget shortfall may affect us next.
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