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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 KellyFG
Posted by strongisland
without going back and reading the entire thread ( so i could be a little off!) i think i remember someone saying something like --when i get a raise then i will consider paying someone elses raise and something about having the older teachers retire b/c they make too much $....i am not sure if there were other posts...this is just what i remember off the top of my head!!
I don't see that on this thread, maybe someone edited their original comment.
What I see on this thread & the topic at hand is LIFers that are not teachers or married to teachers stressed out by the constant increase in school taxes. Time after time people mention the Superintendents taking paycuts NOT teachers.
And honestly I don't see how teachers can feel that they are not subject to the same $hit pie everyone in the private sector is taking a bite from.
I have two older kids, I know how hard teachers work.
And FTR I was a member of the PTA & SEPTA for many years, attended EVERY board meeting for a number of years & even prevented my son's 5th grade teacher from getting fired by a ballsy interim superintendant.
fyi - teacher's pay taxes too...we feel it just as much as everyone else
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Posted 4/7/09 8:00 PM  |
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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
Please remember that as teachers, we live on LI, too, and pay the same high taxes in the district where we live.... so it's not like we're immune to this. I don't have kids, but I'd never vote down my home district's school budget, just out of principle. In these hard times, I want to ensure that my school district is still strong enough to draw people into our community so that houses sell and the real estate market does not completely stand still. This cycle will be perpetuated if districts start to fail....
Did you know that it typically takes 10 years for a district to recover from 1 budget that is voted down? To me, a good school system = the ability to sell your home.... and in this economy, I think that's something to take into serious consideration if you don't want to risk being "stuck" somewhere
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| Posted 4/7/09 8:06 PM |
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sunnyplus3
:)
Member since 11/05 8749 total posts
Name:
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Re: School budgets - it's that time
Posted by jes81276
fyi - teacher's pay taxes too...we feel it just as much as everyone else
Just another reason why you all should stand up to your union leaders & tell them its time for a change!
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| Posted 4/7/09 8:07 PM |
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MegZee
My bunny
Member since 5/06 8777 total posts
Name:
Meaghan
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Re: School budgets - it's that time
I havent read the entire thread, but I feel that I'll add my 2 cents.
DH is a city teacher. He has a bach & masters from hofstra. He paid a LOT for his college education. Yes, he has summers off, but during the school year he works very hard. If he was in the private sector he would make much more $$.
The problem with the budgets is the administration. There is no need for so many districts on LI. they need to consolidate districts, which will never happen. Plus, teacher salaries are contracted, so they have nothing with us voting on a budget.
Why are taxes lower in Suffolk? larger SDs.
we also do NOT get our fair share of state funding.
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| Posted 4/7/09 8:51 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 jenheartsrob
Please remember that as teachers, we live on LI, too, and pay the same high taxes in the district where we live.... so it's not like we're immune to this. I don't have kids, but I'd never vote down my home district's school budget, just out of principle. In these hard times, I want to ensure that my school district is still strong enough to draw people into our community so that houses sell and the real estate market does not completely stand still. This cycle will be perpetuated if districts start to fail....
Did you know that it typically takes 10 years for a district to recover from 1 budget that is voted down? To me, a good school system = the ability to sell your home.... and in this economy, I think that's something to take into serious consideration if you don't want to risk being "stuck" somewhere
I think you also need to consider that if the taxes are obscenely high then it doesn't matter how good the school system is - young families with children will not be able to afford to live there.
Haven't you noticed the various articles about the lack of affordable houseing on LI and how people are leaving?
When we were looking to purchase in 2002 we focused on houses with taxes under $7000. Now, 7 years later, our taxes are just under $10,000. Roughly $3000 in increases in that time - almost $500 a year on average. It has to stop somewhere and continually voting for increases in taxes is not the answer. It's time for a teaparty revolt on the part of the taxpayers.
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| Posted 4/7/09 8:55 PM |
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LemonHead
Sour Girl
Member since 3/08 5271 total posts
Name:
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Re: School budgets - it's that time
Posted by KellyFG
Posted by faithann
Posted by KellyFG
Posted by Renee615
yes, very seriously. Anytime there is a school district budget thread teachers feel inclined to explain how hard they work.
We ALL work hard, that is why its called WORK! I'm still looking for the person that has said teachers are not entitled to their salaries. Nobody ever says that, yet teachers feel offended.
Really? I guess you don't read Newsday.
what does Newsday have to do with this thread or my comments? And no I don't read that slanted rag paper.
Newsday is notoriously anti-teacher.
The letters to the editor are filled with people saying that teachers are not entitled to their salaries.
Newsday is also pro-illegal aliens, interesting but irrelevant to the point I was making about people on LIF or this thread saying teachers earn too much.
It wasn't irrelevant- you said, "I'm still looking for the person that has said teachers are not entitled to their salaries. Nobody ever says that, yet teachers feel offended."
The PP and I were pointing out that Newsday says that on a weekly basis. That's a direct answer to YOUR own observation.
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| Posted 4/8/09 8:34 AM |
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browneyedgirl
family is all that matters
Member since 6/06 6513 total posts
Name:
browneyes
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Re: School budgets - it's that time
Posted by KellyFG
Posted by jes81276
fyi - teacher's pay taxes too...we feel it just as much as everyone else
Just another reason why you all should stand up to your union leaders & tell them its time for a change!
but why is it up to you or any other person to tell ME what i should do? i don't go to anyone else's profession and tell THEM what to do. it's like people think they have a free pass with teachers. if YOU want to tell my union leaders something, then go right ahead. but don't tell *me* what i should do.
i pay the same taxes as everyone else and we are hurting like anyone else. tax increases sting us as well.
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| Posted 4/8/09 8:51 AM |
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Re: School budgets - it's that time
Maybe it wasn't directly stated, but I do feel that it was implied, as it is often, that teacher salaries are the reason that taxes are so high and continue to rise.
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| Posted 4/8/09 11:04 AM |
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Re: School budgets - it's that time
Posted by browneyedgirl
Posted by KellyFG
Posted by jes81276
fyi - teacher's pay taxes too...we feel it just as much as everyone else
Just another reason why you all should stand up to your union leaders & tell them its time for a change!
but why is it up to you or any other person to tell ME what i should do? i don't go to anyone else's profession and tell THEM what to do. it's like people think they have a free pass with teachers. if YOU want to tell my union leaders something, then go right ahead. but don't tell *me* what i should do.
i pay the same taxes as everyone else and we are hurting like anyone else. tax increases sting us as well.
The unions don't spend the money- the district administration does.
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| Posted 4/8/09 11:11 AM |
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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 MrsProfessor
Maybe it wasn't directly stated, but I do feel that it was implied, as it is often, that teacher salaries are the reason that taxes are so high and continue to rise.
ITA - there are many direct and indirect comments on this post about pensions, health insurance, pay increases, etc.
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| Posted 4/8/09 11:53 AM |
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strongisland
All you need is love
Member since 8/07 2474 total posts
Name:
T
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Re: School budgets - it's that time
Posted by isabelle2137
Sorry to say it, but cut one of the Kindergarten teachers and combine classes to 22-23 kids each. Foreign language is taught for 5 years at the higher grade levels. Cut it from the k-6 budget. Dance and drama? Parents should be paying for that.
QUOTE]
just a thought....some kids may never be exposed to dance and or drama, etc. if they don't get it in school...parents are paying for that through their taxes.....it's probably cheaper going through school dance and drama, etc. programs than going to private schools.....
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| Posted 4/8/09 1:06 PM |
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sunnyplus3
:)
Member since 11/05 8749 total posts
Name:
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Re: School budgets - it's that time
Posted by faithann
It wasn't irrelevant- you said, "I'm still looking for the person that has said teachers are not entitled to their salaries. Nobody ever says that, yet teachers feel offended."
The PP and I were pointing out that Newsday says that on a weekly basis. That's a direct answer to YOUR own observation.
Actually I said
"yes, very seriously. Anytime there is a school district budget thread teachers feel inclined to explain how hard they work.
We ALL work hard, that is why its called WORK! I'm still looking for the person that has said teachers are not entitled to their salaries. Nobody ever says that, yet teachers feel offended."
Meaning THIS THREAD ON LIF.
I live in an "undesirable" district on LI but ironically our budget always passes without cutting major services & we get plenty of state aid. I hope when the point of consolidation comes-because it IS coming-all of the "desirable" schools we join with don't eff up our lean spending habits.
The unions don't decide how to spend GM or Chrysler's money either but we all know they are taking the heat for the failure of those companies.
As always this discussion has turned sour, but I thank all of the teachers on LIF for your dedication & effort & wish you well. 
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| Posted 4/8/09 2:41 PM |
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smdl
I love Gary too..on a plate!
Member since 5/06 32461 total posts
Name:
me
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Re: School budgets - it's that time
I wish this was not a pity party for teachers.
DH works hard. I work hard. Yet, we did not get a raise. I even lowered my prices for my customers. Should I come and complain how unfair it is?
That's life! People in the private sector are not getting raises, everything cost more. Well I won't agree on paying more taxes. That's the bottom line! So if that mean that teachers or someone in the school system does not get a raise... so be it! I wish I could feel sorry. But I don't. I am pretty frugal as can be already. There is no reason for me to lose my house because I can no longer pay the taxes. Money does not grow on trees at my house.
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| Posted 4/8/09 4:05 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 smdl
I wish this was not a pity party for teachers.
DH works hard. I work hard. Yet, we did not get a raise. I even lowered my prices for my customers. Should I come and complain how unfair it is?
That's life! People in the private sector are not getting raises, everything cost more. Well I won't agree on paying more taxes. That's the bottom line! So if that mean that teachers or someone in the school system does not get a raise... so be it! I wish I could feel sorry. But I don't. I am pretty frugal as can be already. There is no reason for me to lose my house because I can no longer pay the taxes. Money does not grow on trees at my house.
See, the thing I don't think many people get is that voting down a budget will not have any effect on teacher's salaries. The only thing it will do is cut programs, supplies, etc. All of these things affect the students, not the teachers. A district on an austerity budget also lowers the value of YOUR home.....and just b/c a budget does not pass doesn't mean that your taxes still won't go up. An austerity budget usually calls for a tax increase as well.
And, for the record, money doesn't grow on trees at any of our houses....
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| Posted 4/8/09 4:25 PM |
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Nifheim
allo
Member since 1/09 5476 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: School budgets - it's that time
I am all for teachers, you earn a ton of respect you also get a lot of respect. You get the best union backups, the best retirement plans, best benefits - there is no job even near what you have and YOU DO DESERVE IT!
BUT if the budget has nothing to do with pay raises for teachers then what does the budget actually do?
If NYS is going to put a stop on all NYS employee raises (i am a state worker in a union and they want to take away our 3% raise for this year) then how come NYS can't take away teachers pay raises to save costs? Not saying this is the perfect solution but it is a saving measure.
I mentioned about cutting costs by having tenured near retirement teachers retire. They do it all over the place (cops, civil workers.) I would hate to see anyone not be able to afford their homes due to taxes.
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| Posted 4/8/09 5:41 PM |
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browneyedgirl
family is all that matters
Member since 6/06 6513 total posts
Name:
browneyes
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Re: School budgets - it's that time
Posted by smdl
I wish this was not a pity party for teachers.
DH works hard. I work hard. Yet, we did not get a raise. I even lowered my prices for my customers. Should I come and complain how unfair it is?
That's life! People in the private sector are not getting raises, everything cost more. Well I won't agree on paying more taxes. That's the bottom line! So if that mean that teachers or someone in the school system does not get a raise... so be it! I wish I could feel sorry. But I don't. I am pretty frugal as can be already. There is no reason for me to lose my house because I can no longer pay the taxes. Money does not grow on trees at my house.
that is a very bitter sounding post. the OP is not a teacher asking for a pity party. teachers are on here trying to explain budgets...no one is asking for a pity party. no one is asking us to feel sorry for us. there's nothing for you to feel sorry about.
if you continue to think that the tax increases are only for teacher salaries, it's the children in the neighborhood who will suffer. go ahead, vote the budget down. you have every right as a homeowner to do that. but don't think you're "sticking it to the unions". you're really sticking it to the school kids who will do without.
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| Posted 4/8/09 7:26 PM |
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Re: School budgets - it's that time
Posted by Nifheim
I am all for teachers, you earn a ton of respect you also get a lot of respect. You get the best union backups, the best retirement plans, best benefits - there is no job even near what you have and YOU DO DESERVE IT!
BUT if the budget has nothing to do with pay raises for teachers then what does the budget actually do?
If NYS is going to put a stop on all NYS employee raises (i am a state worker in a union and they want to take away our 3% raise for this year) then how come NYS can't take away teachers pay raises to save costs? Not saying this is the perfect solution but it is a saving measure.
I mentioned about cutting costs by having tenured near retirement teachers retire. They do it all over the place (cops, civil workers.) I would hate to see anyone not be able to afford their homes due to taxes.
The budget is everything- books, sports, transportation, extracurriculars, maintenance, etc. When I was in HS we were on austerity for a year and we had to pay to play sports.
I have heard rumors of furloughs for workers- at least for NYC workers, which would affect those of us who teach there. There are also rumors of a buyout for older teachers. I would not be surprised if districts are thinking about buyout sinces lots of teachers are gettting close to retirement age.
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| Posted 4/8/09 7:35 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 jes81276
See, the thing I don't think many people get is that voting down a budget will not have any effect on teacher's salaries. The only thing it will do is cut programs, supplies, etc. All of these things affect the students, not the teachers. A district on an austerity budget also lowers the value of YOUR home.....and just b/c a budget does not pass doesn't mean that your taxes still won't go up. An austerity budget usually calls for a tax increase as well.
Perhaps that's part of what gets people upset - budget or no budget, you say teacher's salaries are not affected so I guess that's because of the strength of your union contracts. You get the same (or a raise?) regardless of the budget passing or failing? Yet all through the public sector, people are being asked to cut salaries, give up basic perks like paid holidays, sick days, bereavement days, etc. It's not easy to take a hit on both ends - pay more school taxes and take a cut in salary like so many of us non-teachers have to do. We can't fight back on the pay cuts but we can say no to more spending.
On a side note, I keep seeing all these posts on how class size will swell. Connetquot schools (my district) has an average class size of 13.2 students according to their website. I think there may be room for a few more students in some of those classes.
Their budget for last year says that 77.7% of the budget is spent on instruction which could be one reason that teacher salaries get a fair amount of focus.
As has been the topic of conversation, adminstration is out of hand and consolidation would help. There were numerous principals, asst. principals, directors, etc. for the 9 schools and 7000+ students in the district. Almost 2.5 million in salary for the 19 district employees making over $100,000 a year including almost $200,000 for the superintendant.
This was my "favorite" high-paid administrative position listed: Dir. of Fine/Performing Arts $107,645 - I'm all for having Art Teachers but a Director at the school district level making that kind of salary seems to be a bit excessive. I really have to wonder about the necessity of that position.
As I've said repeatedly, something has to give, the well is dry.
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| Posted 4/8/09 8:44 PM |
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smdl
I love Gary too..on a plate!
Member since 5/06 32461 total posts
Name:
me
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Re: School budgets - it's that time
Posted by browneyedgirl
Posted by smdl
I wish this was not a pity party for teachers.
DH works hard. I work hard. Yet, we did not get a raise. I even lowered my prices for my customers. Should I come and complain how unfair it is?
That's life! People in the private sector are not getting raises, everything cost more. Well I won't agree on paying more taxes. That's the bottom line! So if that mean that teachers or someone in the school system does not get a raise... so be it! I wish I could feel sorry. But I don't. I am pretty frugal as can be already. There is no reason for me to lose my house because I can no longer pay the taxes. Money does not grow on trees at my house.
that is a very bitter sounding post. the OP is not a teacher asking for a pity party. teachers are on here trying to explain budgets...no one is asking for a pity party. no one is asking us to feel sorry for us. there's nothing for you to feel sorry about.
if you continue to think that the tax increases are only for teacher salaries, it's the children in the neighborhood who will suffer. go ahead, vote the budget down. you have every right as a homeowner to do that. but don't think you're "sticking it to the unions". you're really sticking it to the school kids who will do without.
I said "teachers or SOMEONE ELSE in the school system".
If teachers, administrators, ANYONE is getting a raise then yes, that means that taxes are being used for raises. Where else are raises coming from?
I mean everyone is complaining that employees of financial companies who got the bailout should not get raises. The argument is that they did not manage the money properly in the first place so the bailout money should not be used for raises. How is that different? School can't manage their budget.
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| Posted 4/8/09 9:10 PM |
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CallaLily
Thank you, Saint Gerard!
Member since 10/07 4937 total posts
Name:
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Re: School budgets - it's that time
Posted by KellyFG
Posted by Renee615
yes, very seriously. Anytime there is a school district budget thread teachers feel inclined to explain how hard they work.
We ALL work hard, that is why its called WORK! I'm still looking for the person that has said teachers are not entitled to their salaries. Nobody ever says that, yet teachers feel offended.
Really? I guess you don't read Newsday.
what does Newsday have to do with this thread or my comments? And no I don't read that slanted rag paper.
It has to do with the fact that they constantly attack teachers and their salaries. Isn't that what you said? That no one has said teachers are not entitled to their salaries? And FYI- our unions have nothing to do with tax increases so "standing up to them and demanding a change" as you said would be a futile action.
Message edited 4/8/2009 9:21:24 PM.
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| Posted 4/8/09 9:18 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 Renee615
And FYI- our unions have nothing to do with tax increases so "standing up to them and demanding a change" as you said would be a futile action.
Don't your unions negotiate the teachers' pay scales, raises, benefits, etc.? If so, considering what a large portion of the budget is allotted to instruction, then yes, unions have a lot to do with tax increases. Everytime they negotiate raises, perks, etc. or refuse to negotiate give-backs, then it does have something to do with tax increases.
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| Posted 4/8/09 9:30 PM |
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VirginiaDeb
Don't eat me, hippo!
Member since 5/05 9252 total posts
Name:
Deb
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Re: School budgets - it's that time
"Average Class Size" is very misleading. That includes the number of students divided by all of the teachers... which includes special education teachers.
I'm not on LI, but I know our 'cap' is going from 31 to 32 (I believe). In a small school, where I work, this is huge, and we will likely have combination classes next year.
Also, I have a county school district. We still have what seems like 5,000 superintendents... We have the main superintendent, and then each of the 7 clusters has one, plus an assistant superintendent. Then there's a superintendent of several other departments. It's the most micromanaged disaster. There are benefits to the large district, but it's really not this amazing fix that will solve all budget problems.
And, just as an fyi, I'm not getting a step-increase or a cost of living increase this year. The thing that kills me is the step. It's like losing a year. Totally understand no cost of living increase though.
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| Posted 4/9/09 7:38 AM |
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Re: School budgets - it's that time
Posted by VirginiaDeb
"Average Class Size" is very misleading. That includes the number of students divided by all of the teachers... which includes special education teachers.
Yep- if you look at any info for my school online, it will say a ratio of 14:1 of students to teachers, which seems pretty good. But often many classes have had well over 30 kids, especially in our bilingual classes. But I'm in the city and the mayor is very crafty about things like that, so that things look better than they are.
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| Posted 4/9/09 8:19 AM |
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Mommy2Boys
My Boys!!!!
Member since 6/06 14437 total posts
Name:
C
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Re: School budgets - it's that time
The problem is the administrations are out of hand...too many admin's making too much $$$.
I dont think people are meaning to attack teacher's salaries per se. I think the average LI teacher makes $60-65k which is a decent salary. However, you also have to consider that teachers work, what...180 days a year for that money when others work just as hard 345 days a years w/the other two weeks vacation. A HUGE difference. On top of that, teacher's get pensions. Again, many people dont get pensions and have to put a large chunk of their paychecks into savings just so they have soemthing to live off of when they retire...they dont have a cushion of a pension.
The last problem is spending. IMO they are spending too much on unnecessary things.
ETA: Alot of school districts, like where I grew up in Pat-Med, have a large ESL population and many of these people are not paying school taxes so my parents and others are picking up the tab.
Message edited 4/9/2009 5:07:42 PM.
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| Posted 4/9/09 5:03 PM |
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Mommy2Boys
My Boys!!!!
Member since 6/06 14437 total posts
Name:
C
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Re: School budgets - it's that time
I do have a question though re: teacher's salaries being some have mentioned it. I am sure it varies by school district and contract, but do teacher's generally get a raise yearly or every few years? I know they get raises the more credits/degrees they earn as well.
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| Posted 4/9/09 5:09 PM |
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