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lbride
Lovin' my mini man!
Member since 3/07 2475 total posts
Name:
Lisa
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Re: School budgets - it's that time
Posted by MrsM-6-7-08
Here is a crazy idea,
Why not do away with public schools and turn them into private schools.
And do away with school taxes.
When you have kids you have to pay for private school and then when your kids graduate you don't have to pay anymore.
A simliar-type idea was put into place in California (Prop. 13) and it ruined their entire educational system, except for the very wealthy schools. They went from one of the top states to one of the worst after taxpayer money was capped. I think that as Americans, having children or not, we have the responsibilty to educate publically.
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Posted 4/4/09 2:08 PM  |
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kellsbells7
LIF Adolescent
Member since 1/07 590 total posts
Name:
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Re: School budgets - it's that time
Posted by KLSbear
At our company we have eliminated all paid holidays, starting last Christmas and going through the end of this year - time off but not paid. We also do not get any more paid sick days, matches on the 401K were eliiminated, no merit raises, no bonuses, and on top of it we have to take an additional unpaid day off per month. For 2009 that's 21 days pay that I have lost this year that I got last year. We agreed to this in order to save our own jobs and those of our co-workers so the number of layoffs could be reduced. When I see the teachers unions and administrators for the school district make similar concessions to help balance the budget then I'll consider listening to any need for more money to run the schools.
In my district, we teachers not only paid more into our insurance and took on a bigger workload (bigger classes = bigger workload) but also contibuted - GAVE AWAY - two weeks of pay BACK TO THE DISTRICT so that we could keep jobs. There is a lot that goes on behind the scenes that the public may not know about.
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| Posted 4/4/09 2:18 PM |
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Erica
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 11767 total posts
Name:
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Re: School budgets - it's that time
Posted by Nifheim
I found out if I earned my masters I would be getting about 5k more then I make now unless i go into teaching (in a college environment.)
the increase between BA and MA for teachers is not much more than 5K
ETA: and don't forget that a MA is REQUIRED by NYS to teach.
Message edited 4/6/2009 1:28:24 PM.
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| Posted 4/4/09 7:23 PM |
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mom2aidan
2 boys & 1 girl :)
Member since 11/06 1874 total posts
Name:
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Re: School budgets - it's that time
Posted by ejm1219
Just an FYI,
If the budget doesn't pass and the school goes on austerity, it doesn't mean your taxes aren't going to go up.
This is correct! I'm a teacher - we are in an austerity budget right now. There is an increase of 1.5% for my school district
Our state aid has been cut. We don't have a contract (no raises for us)
They have laid off teachers and teachers aides and our class sizes will be larger.
HOWEVER - they are paying THOUSANDS for outside "consultants" to come to the district and coach teachers.
Find out how your $$ is being spent. I guarantee it's not teacher salaries - speak up and let them know if you disagree with their spending choices.
Message edited 4/4/2009 8:14:39 PM.
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| Posted 4/4/09 8:07 PM |
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Sherwood
LIF Adult
Member since 8/08 1643 total posts
Name:
s
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Re: School budgets - it's that time
Posted by SweetestOfPeas
SD's on LI need to consolidate! end of story
there is no need for 1000 superintendents and all the administrations that go along with that! every town does NOT need it's own SD. And until this happens, this area of the country will continue to have some of the highest taxes in the US
ITA 1000%
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| Posted 4/4/09 8:49 PM |
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kaadf5
LIF Adolescent
Member since 4/08 538 total posts
Name:
anna
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Re: School budgets - it's that time
I too think that the extra spending is too much. The teachers who are directly working with the children are the ones that deserve their pay.
All those extra administrators and such should be downsized. My district has an extra building just for administrative offices. On top of redoing all the school to make them bigger let them find a small office in one of those.
Also if its anything like college do we really need to buy new text books because a word or two is changed and now have to buy the new addition?
Another other thing that bugs me is before all the state tests they have before and after school programs to help the children get ready that's extra money they pay to teachers way can't they get them ready in the 7 hours they have them during the day?
Oh and the buses, definitely a necessary. But they have 2 buses circling my neighborhood and they are both nearly empty.
There are little things that they can cut so as not to raise our taxes all the time. Reminds me of that movie Dave where the regular guy had to play the president and he revamped the budget and got rid of all the ridiculous spending
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| Posted 4/5/09 6:17 AM |
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Jacksmommy
My love muffin!
Member since 1/07 5819 total posts
Name:
Liz
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Re: School budgets - it's that time
If you are all so concerned you can do a few things. First of all go to your school board meetings and complain if you don't like it. I rarely see members of the community going to the school board meetings, but they often complain. Secondly, the budgets that get sent out in the mail are a condensed form of the real version. Go to your district office and pay to get the line by line statement of what exactly is in the budget.
My husband and I were talking about this the other day. I grew up in a Long Island district, he grew up in the city schools. He said that he has no problem paying for the taxes because our son will have so many more opportunities than he did in the NYCBOE. Sports, music, enrichment, books, even doors on the bathroom stalls (ridiculous huh) are all plusses to paying extra in our taxes. Those are also the first things to usually go!
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| Posted 4/5/09 7:19 AM |
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rkoenke
my little piggys
Member since 3/08 4315 total posts
Name:
rachel
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Re: School budgets - it's that time
The increases go towards special education services, building maintenance costs, the cost of energy for the building, programs for the kids, books, etc.
YOu know ... i often wonder if LIPA offers rate reductions to schools and other "government" type of agencies.
If they don't, they should. They are the root to most tax payers troubles. we should really target them so we CAN pass school budgets.
Maybe we should think about cutting the cost of maintenance, and other expenses rather than teachers?? Do the football field lights need to stay on 24/7? Do the sprinkler systems need to run when it's raining out? Do we need 3-4 janitors daily?
My two cents.
Message edited 4/5/2009 7:36:02 AM.
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| Posted 4/5/09 7:25 AM |
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nel
LIF Adult
Member since 5/06 1173 total posts
Name:
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Re: School budgets - it's that time
Posted by kaadf5
I too think that the extra spending is too much. The teachers who are directly working with the children are the ones that deserve their pay.
Another other thing that bugs me is before all the state tests they have before and after school programs to help the children get ready that's extra money they pay to teachers way can't they get them ready in the 7 hours they have them during the day?
Well, I absolutely agree with you on the first part here. As far as the second, though, I know that I, as well as some of my colleagues, offer these extra help sessions for NO extra compensation. I've stayed after school for over two hours before the AP exam, helping my students, for no extra pay -- nor have I asked for/expected any. I've yet to hear of teachers getting paid extra for doing anything like this -- yet another reason why it makes me CRAZY when teachers are depicted as greedy. 
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| Posted 4/5/09 8:57 AM |
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lbride
Lovin' my mini man!
Member since 3/07 2475 total posts
Name:
Lisa
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Re: School budgets - it's that time
Posted by nel
Posted by kaadf5
I too think that the extra spending is too much. The teachers who are directly working with the children are the ones that deserve their pay.
Another other thing that bugs me is before all the state tests they have before and after school programs to help the children get ready that's extra money they pay to teachers way can't they get them ready in the 7 hours they have them during the day?
Well, I absolutely agree with you on the first part here. As far as the second, though, I know that I, as well as some of my colleagues, offer these extra help sessions for NO extra compensation. I've stayed after school for over two hours before the AP exam, helping my students, for no extra pay -- nor have I asked for/expected any. I've yet to hear of teachers getting paid extra for doing anything like this -- yet another reason why it makes me CRAZY when teachers are depicted as greedy.
ITA. I teach the before school classes and just an FYI teachers didn't create these classes,admins did so blame them. The reason why they have to pay people is because none of the teachers want to do it. Many teachers also agree that the school hours they are getting in preparation for the tests is enough and there's no need to keep drilling 8 & 9 year olds at 8am. Many teachers would rather dedicate this time to our struggling students, who most of us give extra help to at no cost. The only people who care about these scores is the admin, the public, and the gov't.
Message edited 4/5/2009 9:10:07 AM.
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| Posted 4/5/09 9:07 AM |
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MrsPowers
So blessed!
Member since 11/06 10348 total posts
Name:
Ivelysse
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Re: School budgets - it's that time
Posted by nel
Posted by kaadf5
I too think that the extra spending is too much. The teachers who are directly working with the children are the ones that deserve their pay.
Another other thing that bugs me is before all the state tests they have before and after school programs to help the children get ready that's extra money they pay to teachers way can't they get them ready in the 7 hours they have them during the day?
Well, I absolutely agree with you on the first part here. As far as the second, though, I know that I, as well as some of my colleagues, offer these extra help sessions for NO extra compensation. I've stayed after school for over two hours before the AP exam, helping my students, for no extra pay -- nor have I asked for/expected any. I've yet to hear of teachers getting paid extra for doing anything like this -- yet another reason why it makes me CRAZY when teachers are depicted as greedy.
I agree with this that many teachers go above and beyond the work day and do not get paid for it. They do things on their own time to help the students.
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| Posted 4/5/09 9:10 AM |
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MrsPowers
So blessed!
Member since 11/06 10348 total posts
Name:
Ivelysse
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Re: School budgets - it's that time
Every district spends their money differently. Some districts do conserve electricity and other such things. In addition, the amount of state aid varies among districts.
It is important for community members to attend Board of Education meetings and educate themselves on the school budget. Some districts prepared ahead of time for the state cutbacks and some did not. Hence the cutting teachers' jobs.
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| Posted 4/5/09 9:13 AM |
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jenheartsrob
LIF Adult
Member since 5/06 1861 total posts
Name:
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Re: School budgets - it's that time
I didn't read the entire thread, so forgive me if this has been posted, but I just wanted to share something --
if your district goes to austerity budget, meaning that the district votes down the proposed budget, it is an automatic 4% increase, and sports, etc., will get cut. In our district, for example, the proposed budget increase is 3.4%. If people vote that down, we automatically get a 4% increase, so there's NO reason to vote that down. I was discussing this with my parents the other night and they had no idea about it and said they wish the districts would educate the communities a little more on the ramifications of it being voted down. In a case where the increase is less than 4%, it SHOULD be passed, because the automatic alternative is worse...
Just wanted to share what I recently learned :)
ETA - I'm not sure if it's 4% automatic austerity EVERYWHERE, or just our district, but I'm using this as an example... ask your district what the austerity increase would be before you vote something down :)
Message edited 4/5/2009 3:00:54 PM.
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| Posted 4/5/09 2:58 PM |
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jes81276
summer fun!
Member since 3/06 4962 total posts
Name:
Jaime
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Re: School budgets - it's that time
Posted by jenheartsrob
I didn't read the entire thread, so forgive me if this has been posted, but I just wanted to share something --
if your district goes to austerity budget, meaning that the district votes down the proposed budget, it is an automatic 4% increase, and sports, etc., will get cut. In our district, for example, the proposed budget increase is 3.4%. If people vote that down, we automatically get a 4% increase, so there's NO reason to vote that down. I was discussing this with my parents the other night and they had no idea about it and said they wish the districts would educate the communities a little more on the ramifications of it being voted down. In a case where the increase is less than 4%, it SHOULD be passed, because the automatic alternative is worse...
Just wanted to share what I recently learned :)
ETA - I'm not sure if it's 4% automatic austerity EVERYWHERE, or just our district, but I'm using this as an example... ask your district what the austerity increase would be before you vote something down :)
exactly - thank you for posting this. This is why people should educate themselves before harping on budget increases (and teacher salaries)
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| Posted 4/5/09 3:36 PM |
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isabelle2137
LIF Adult
Member since 12/06 1076 total posts
Name:
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Re: School budgets - it's that time
I am not harping on teacher salaries. And I love people saying "go to board meetings"
I go to board meetings. I know how tax dollars are being spent. You know what happens at my board meetings? They create new positions, and just let you know about them. My district created a new Deputy Superintendent this year to aid in spending bond money that was voted down months and months ago. The position still exists - along with the pay raise that came with it.
Every district is different. There are schools in my district with 2 Kindergarten classes of 24 students each. They are fine. The kids are great, the teachers are ok with the class size.
My point was how there could be not one single cut in the budget this year. Not one? That's a slap in my face. Our budget passes every year. I am not saying cost of running schools doesn't increase, but how about we mitigate the increase a little better during these economic times?
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| Posted 4/6/09 10:02 AM |
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jana
LIF Adult
Member since 3/06 1134 total posts
Name:
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Re: School budgets - it's that time
Posted by nel
Well, I absolutely agree with you on the first part here. As far as the second, though, I know that I, as well as some of my colleagues, offer these extra help sessions for NO extra compensation. I've stayed after school for over two hours before the AP exam, helping my students, for no extra pay -- nor have I asked for/expected any. I've yet to hear of teachers getting paid extra for doing anything like this -- yet another reason why it makes me CRAZY when teachers are depicted as greedy.
My son goes to a private Catholic school in Queens. Recently the 6th grade had a state math exam in which his math teacher offered 4 after school sessions; an hour long each. All the parents were more than happy to collect $20 CASH per student as a "Thank You". This is the norm for us whenever there is any extra help for any subject. Also CASH (same amount) is collected for holidays & end of year "Thank You".
We realize our teachers are underpaid but very well appreciated.
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| Posted 4/6/09 11:17 AM |
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jenn28
LIF Infant
Member since 3/07 178 total posts
Name:
Jenn
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Re: School budgets - it's that time
The district me best friend works in is putting up a budget with only a 1.8 % increase. I think that everyone looks carefully they can find a way to save money.
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| Posted 4/6/09 1:25 PM |
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Erica
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 11767 total posts
Name:
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Re: School budgets - it's that time
Posted by jenn28
The district me best friend works in is putting up a budget with only a 1.8 % increase. I think that everyone looks carefully they can find a way to save money.
that's great - I bet most of our household budgets have gone up by much more than that...it's great they were able to offset much of the increases.
I work in a wealthy district and my school handed in a 0% increase. I'm sure that the district will have increases in heat and transportation, but we did our part. (one of my budget items was slashed 10%!) Plus I'm losing some aide time. 
Message edited 4/6/2009 1:32:20 PM.
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| Posted 4/6/09 1:31 PM |
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nel
LIF Adult
Member since 5/06 1173 total posts
Name:
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Re: School budgets - it's that time
Posted by jana
Posted by nel
Well, I absolutely agree with you on the first part here. As far as the second, though, I know that I, as well as some of my colleagues, offer these extra help sessions for NO extra compensation. I've stayed after school for over two hours before the AP exam, helping my students, for no extra pay -- nor have I asked for/expected any. I've yet to hear of teachers getting paid extra for doing anything like this -- yet another reason why it makes me CRAZY when teachers are depicted as greedy.
My son goes to a private Catholic school in Queens. Recently the 6th grade had a state math exam in which his math teacher offered 4 after school sessions; an hour long each. All the parents were more than happy to collect $20 CASH per student as a "Thank You". This is the norm for us whenever there is any extra help for any subject. Also CASH (same amount) is collected for holidays & end of year "Thank You".
We realize our teachers are underpaid but very well appreciated.
That's a very nice thing for all of you to do. I've yet to have any parents acknowledge the extra help sessions I offer, but that's not my point. I'm not doing it for them or for monetary compensation. I'm doing it for the kids. This is why it's aggravating when people (ok, Newsday) make it seem like teachers are just greedy money grubbers.
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| Posted 4/6/09 2:49 PM |
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jana
LIF Adult
Member since 3/06 1134 total posts
Name:
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Re: School budgets - it's that time
Well Nel, I guess these parents never priced out what it would cost to pay a tutor! Much,much more.
While doing my research & house hunting in Suffolk..I can at least see your ( hopefully soon to be mine ) tax dollars at work. Bus transportation, beautiful school grounds, extra academic/sports programs, dedicated teachers, I can go on & on. Here most public schools are dated,lacking & mediocre. The private schools no better..most have no gym,no science labs. These are the K-8 grade schools. The high schools are somewhat better, but definetly past their prime.
Edited to say.. 20 bucks a student here & there is a drop in the bucket.
Message edited 4/6/2009 5:20:27 PM.
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| Posted 4/6/09 5:19 PM |
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justthe4ofus
I hate hypocrites!!!!!
Member since 5/05 6905 total posts
Name:
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Re: School budgets - it's that time
Posted by nel
Well, I absolutely agree with you on the first part here. As far as the second, though, I know that I, as well as some of my colleagues, offer these extra help sessions for NO extra compensation. I've stayed after school for over two hours before the AP exam, helping my students, for no extra pay -- nor have I asked for/expected any. I've yet to hear of teachers getting paid extra for doing anything like this -- yet another reason why it makes me CRAZY when teachers are depicted as greedy.
Exactly.
I gave up my lunch to work with a student. I am after school today with a student and I will be in at 7:15 tomorrow morning for a bigger extra help for my students because they have a major departmental exam tomorrow. I am being paid extra for NONE of this. I do it for the kids not for the money!
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| Posted 4/6/09 7:30 PM |
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KLSbear
LIF Adult
Member since 1/06 1908 total posts
Name:
Karen
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Re: School budgets - it's that time
Posted by Jamie
Exactly.
I gave up my lunch to work with a student. I am after school today with a student and I will be in at 7:15 tomorrow morning for a bigger extra help for my students because they have a major departmental exam tomorrow. I am being paid extra for NONE of this. I do it for the kids not for the money!
Kudos to you for being dedicated but I wish you and all the other teachers that go on and on about your extra time you so willingly give "for the children" would remember that lots of other people work overtime on their salaries and "don't get paid" for that extra time too. Your extra efforts are run of the mill and 100% expected for many industries and professions.
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| Posted 4/6/09 7:53 PM |
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Re: School budgets - it's that time
Posted by KLSbear
Kudos to you for being dedicated but I wish you and all the other teachers that go on and on about your extra time you so willingly give "for the children" would remember that lots of other people work overtime on their salaries and "don't get paid" for that extra time too. Your extra efforts are run of the mill and 100% expected for many industries and professions.
I don't think that's fair to characterize any extra work as "run of the mill". Everything we do with kids is planned out in advance- sometimes an hour of planning and preparing goes into a half hour of extra help.
I can't speak for Jaime but I think your comments are really offensive. We get nothing extra for a lot of what we do- no pay, no comp time, no bonuses, no 401k match. I know lots of people who still get these things, and lots of other perks (at least before the economy tanked.) Why is it, now that things are difficult, that we're expected to give up so much and continue to justify the work we do? It's getting pretty old.
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| Posted 4/6/09 8:42 PM |
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KLSbear
LIF Adult
Member since 1/06 1908 total posts
Name:
Karen
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Re: School budgets - it's that time
Posted by MrsProfessor
Posted by KLSbear
Kudos to you for being dedicated but I wish you and all the other teachers that go on and on about your extra time you so willingly give "for the children" would remember that lots of other people work overtime on their salaries and "don't get paid" for that extra time too. Your extra efforts are run of the mill and 100% expected for many industries and professions.
I don't think that's fair to characterize any extra work as "run of the mill". Everything we do with kids is planned out in advance- sometimes an hour of planning and preparing goes into a half hour of extra help.
I can't speak for Jaime but I think your comments are really offensive. We get nothing extra for a lot of what we do- no pay, no comp time, no bonuses, no 401k match. I know lots of people who still get these things, and lots of other perks (at least before the economy tanked.) Why is it, now that things are difficult, that we're expected to give up so much and continue to justify the work we do? It's getting pretty old.
I'm sorry if you're offended but it's getting pretty old to always hear teachers complain about how they put in so much extra without compensation like it's something no one else ever does. I wasn't refering to the quality of the work as run of the mill, but the fact that it's common place for salaried employees to give overtime beyond their scheduled hours. Everyone has good and bad about their jobs and teachers chose that profession so don't throw it in our face that you're so give so much extra for no pay.
Message edited 4/6/2009 8:56:20 PM.
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| Posted 4/6/09 8:54 PM |
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lbride
Lovin' my mini man!
Member since 3/07 2475 total posts
Name:
Lisa
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Re: School budgets - it's that time
Posted by KLSbear
Posted by Jamie
Exactly.
I gave up my lunch to work with a student. I am after school today with a student and I will be in at 7:15 tomorrow morning for a bigger extra help for my students because they have a major departmental exam tomorrow. I am being paid extra for NONE of this. I do it for the kids not for the money!
Kudos to you for being dedicated but I wish you and all the other teachers that go on and on about your extra time you so willingly give "for the children" would remember that lots of other people work overtime on their salaries and "don't get paid" for that extra time too. Your extra efforts are run of the mill and 100% expected for many industries and professions.
we don't expect kudos, that's just it. We're just sick of having to explain why we deserve the appropriate salary for our profession and hard work.
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| Posted 4/6/09 8:55 PM |
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