we're trying to see if we can switch boo's elementary school, as there are several others nearby with better scores. i've been advised that although we're past the school choice deadline, we may still be able to do this. so i called the schools we're interested in, to find out if there was available kindergarten space. the portland school district has an interesting feature on their schools' phones. i called 4 elementary schools today, and none of the lines were answered. however, after a few rings i got a message saying that i could either stay on the line, or leave a message - for 95 cents.
it irked me that i should have to pay to have a public institution call me back. however, having worked in a public place myself, i'm aware of the fact that some people call constantly about inappropriate things. perhaps the fee is to keep the schools' voicemail boxes from overflowing. so, although it just seemed wrong, i left messages at all four schools. four bucks is a tiny investment in my kid's education, i told myself.
no calls back.
sorry, but if you're going to have the 'nads to ask callers to pay for the opportunity to leave a message, and the only thing you allow on these messages are names and phone numbers, then call back, or refund the fee.
4 comments:
That's actually a phone company scam, I think... that is, if a phone rings long enough, and therefore there's no voicemail system, the phone company steps in a says, for a ridiculous fee, we'll keep trying this number every 5 minutes till someone answers, and give them your message. I've never done it, but I've gotten that message a few times.
gargh. i was somehow hoping the schools got the money.
I considered commenting on the callback issue - especially since I work in one of the referenced institutions - but I cannot get past the seemingly apocalyptic realization that you are turning into one of "those" moms ...
oh man, marty, that stings!
this is more like, i am married to PAP - pushy asian parent. i have been saying 'it's just kindergarten,' but my husband's anxiety over it has started rubbing off on me. admittedly, having looked at the numbers, it's hard to want to keep your kid in a school with math and reading scores in the 90s versus the 60s-low 80s, which is the case for the school he's registered for now.
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