Suffolk school administrators had figured their 2010 budget would be scary but it turned out, if the new Governor sticks his guns, to be chaotic, heads might roll. How else to offset the proposed new five billion reduction in available dollars? Upon hearing the news Dr. Liverman said he was disappointed, not surprised. They had calculated a 1.85 million drop in state funds. Now it appears “do without” adds up to around 9 million, a number that will not be made up from the city coffers. It is not at all funny but it’s happening nationwide. Layoffs and salary cuts can’t be avoided unless there are severe curriculum eliminations. Some will say it is impossible and perhaps it is. The March 4 budget analyzing and evaluating meeting will certainly be interesting. The only reason the city is not facing the same dilemma is because so far they have refused to lower assessments letting home and business owners take the rap.
5 comments:
How dare Governor McDonnell cut the budget. Especially since there are so few new jobs the economy is in the tank and overall state revenue is down. Doesn't he understand that state and local government workers need to eat, have medical, dental, life insurance and near full retirement? He's only interested in the welfare of the state and doing what he said he had to do in the campaign to balance the budget.
This is outragious. I won't vote for him again. No Sir. He's way too conservative for me. Why doesn't he follow the Democrats example and just make up numbers, spend like there's no tomorrow and look mad all the time. To start off he should learn to scowl and look down his nose at the audience just like the Blessed Black Messiah from Chicago.
Its a good thing that we dont work for the state govt in NJ. You could be layed off.Gov.Christie knows where to make cuts.Our new gov should be ashamed of himself. lol
Where to cut costs!
1. Cut one third of all education positions making over $100K. None of these are in the classroom anyway. Whatever those making that kind of money were doing wasn't working.
2. Cut the pay of all school district employees making over $65K by ten percent. If this causes some to leave, I assure you they can be replaced and new blood is badly needed!
3. Cut construction costs by centrally locating school sports complexes and providing individual schools with practice fields and multipurpose gyms only. Maximize the use of central facilities rather then replicating them at all schools on the taxpayers' dime.
4. Cut athletic budgets by 30 to 50 percent until the economy recovers. While fitness is important, sport team success in high school isn't. If you're good, that will be evident in college. If you don't graduate, it doesn't matter anyway.
5. Limit the significant pay increases to successful teachers with real degrees in the fields they are teaching--not Education degrees that may tell you How but fail to provide the teacher with the What! And a Masters in "Education" isn't worth a dime extra in pay. It's only a prerequisite to a job outside of the classroom anyway and those seeking such jobs will pay their own way to qualify for the jobs they are trying to win.
Anon 5:17 good suggestion all. Consider inserting increased competition with public-private partnerships, school voucher programs and tax abatement for residents living in districts with failing government school systems. Pay to play sports, band and clubs. Consolidate bus service. Rationalize meal and daycare services. Reduce SPS paid staff with outside contractors to perform services like maintenance, groundskeeping, transportation, meal service, etc..
Quite frankly ... curriculum had nothing to do with it. If the school district was teaching the state mandated curriculum our schools would be the center of high achievement. Simply stated, our school instructional leaders are teaching the wrong thing really well. Let's remember, half our buildings are able to meet federal standards. Maybe Suffolk ought to take the example of Rhode Island and fire the entire instructional staff and re-hire on high student achievement. It's not like we are dealing with unions like Rhode Island had to do. We also need to remove the existing leadership ... why are betting on a continuous losing horse? There are plenty of talented educators who are currently unemployed.
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