School budget cuts

[daughtersrus]

Here in the Chicago area there are many school districts that are cutting jobs and programs because of lack of funding because property values have decreased and they are not getting the money owed to them from the government. I'm sure that it's happening in other parts of the county as well.

The cover of today's Chicago Tribune has an interesting article about the salaries of some of the local school superintendents.

Here are the links if anyone is interested.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/education/chi-100302-superintendent-pay-gfx,0,144075.graphic

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/education/ct-met-superintendent-salaries-20100302,0,6122626.story

 

[piglet too]

I have to say I am glad that none of my kid's schools are on there. With the cuts that have been done, and that are on the horizon, something needs to be done. Both districts that my kids are in are suffering, mostly because the state is so far behind on our funding.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

My wife and I have discussed this problem and are prepared to supplement our children's education even more, if necessary, at home. If the money isn't there, it isn't there.

 

[H&Hmommy]

Same for Indiana. They are cutting everything from sports to art and music. Very sad
Kim

 

[Pakey]

It could be worse; you could be in California.

 

[mrsv98]

Here in the Chicago area there are many school districts that are cutting jobs and programs because of lack of funding because property values have decreased and they are not getting the money owed to them from the government. I'm sure that it's happening in other parts of the county as well.

The cover of today's Chicago Tribune has an interesting article about the salaries of some of the local school superintendents.

Here are the links if anyone is interested.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/education/chi-100302-superintendent-pay-gfx,0,144075.graphic

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/education/ct-met-superintendent-salaries-20100302,0,6122626.story

Excellent, so there was talk about closing DD's school, the teachers are taking at least one furlough day and postponing raises and our Sup is on the top ten list. Love to see they have their priorities straight....

 

[daughtersrus]

My wife and I have discussed this problem and are prepared to supplement our children's education even more, if necessary, at home. If the money isn't there, it isn't there.

It isn't always that the money isn't there, it's how the money is being spent. In some of these districts, the Super has seen a pay increase of over 60% in the last five years. (one had an increase of almost 100%). In our district, they are cutting teaching and para pro jobs because of the budget but approved spending over $300,000 to replace desktop computers with laptops. The desktops were fine but because they were "old" they wanted to replace them. The cost of the new laptops is about the same as 7 teacher salaries for the year.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

It isn't always that the money isn't there, it's how the money is being spent. In some of these districts, the Super has seen a pay increase of over 60% in the last five years. (one had an increase of almost 100%). In our district, they are cutting teaching and para pro jobs because of the budget but approved spending over $300,000 to replace desktop computers with laptops. The desktops were fine but because they were "old" they wanted to replace them. The cost of the new laptops is about the same as 7 teacher salaries for the year.

Believe what you want, but this is about the decreased tax revenue, not some scheme to cut programs while others get rich. It is happening all over America, and with more than just schools...

 

[daughtersrus]

It could be worse; you could be in California.

Out of curiosity, how does California fund public education? In IL, a lot of the funding comes from our local property taxes but I thought that I read CA does it differently.

At least you don't have a governor in jail and a second one going there soon

 

[DizBelle]

It isn't always that the money isn't there, it's how the money is being spent. In some of these districts, the Super has seen a pay increase of over 60% in the last five years. (one had an increase of almost 100%). In our district, they are cutting teaching and para pro jobs because of the budget but approved spending over $300,000 to replace desktop computers with laptops. The desktops were fine but because they were "old" they wanted to replace them. The cost of the new laptops is about the same as 7 teacher salaries for the year.

Wow, officials are not spending taxpayer money responsibly? I'm shocked!........NOT!

You know that someones BIL sells laptops and that is why they decided they "needed" them.

 

[daughtersrus]

Believe what you want, but this is about the decreased tax revenue, not some scheme to cut programs while others get rich. It is happening all over America, and with more than just schools...

I was at the school board meeting. I saw all of the board members with the exception of one approve spending the money on the laptops even after5 guys from the District's tech department doing the presentation said that there was nothing wrong with the desktops besides being a few years old. The one board member that voted no kept asking questions. This came after they already had a lengthy discussion about reducing the work force of teachers and cutting 42 para pro jobs.

Yes, we do have a decrease in revenue so the school district should be more aware of spending money frivolously.

Which do you think is more benefit to the students? Teachers and para pros working with the students or using a laptop instead of a desktop?

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

...Yes, we do have a decrease in revenue so the school district should be more aware of spending money frivolously.

Which do you think is more benefit to the students? Teachers and para pros working with the students or using a laptop instead of a desktop?

It is never as simple as you are making it appear to be in this thread. I prefer desktops for use in schools - they are cheaper, last much longer, and require much less service - but I haven't heard the reason for laptops vs. desktops. Given the price differential between desktops and laptops (almost twice as expensive), I find it really hard to believe that this is just about upgrading old hardware. Then again, the old hardware may be too old to run software that the school wants to use. But, even in that case, I would replace with desktops instead of laptops unless something else is involved.

To answer your question about which is more important I would need to know the full story. I can think of many scenarios in which upgrading the hardware might be more important...

 

[daughtersrus]

It is never as simple as you are making it appear to be in this thread. I prefer desktops for use in schools - they are cheaper, last much longer, and require much less service - but I haven't heard the reason for laptops vs. desktops. Given the price differential between desktops and laptops (almost twice as expensive), I find it really hard to believe that this is just about upgrading old hardware. Then again, the old hardware may be too old to run software that the school wants to use. But, even in that case, I would replace with desktops instead of laptops unless something else is involved.

To answer your question about which is more important I would need to know the full story. I can think of many scenarios in which upgrading the hardware might be more important...

I went to our district website and looked up the specific information that was included by the tech department in the packet presented to the board. The computers that they are replacing are 3 year old desktop models that are primarily used by the teachers. (there are other computers in the classroom for the students). The reason that they are being replaced is because are also purchasing smart boards, document cameras and projectors. The report said that it will be easier to use these other devices with a laptop instead of a desktop. I'm not sure how much these other devices are going to be.

I understand technology is important. The problem that I have right now is that sure, we all want the best of the best but what good is it to have the latest gadgets when you don't have the staff to work with the students to use it?

Again, remember that they are letting go 42 Para Pros and RIFing all non-tenured teachers. I'm sure that some of the teachers RIFed will be rehired but they're not saying how many.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I went to our district website and looked up the specific information that was included by the tech department in the packet presented to the board. The computers that they are replacing are 3 year old desktop models that are primarily used by the teachers. (there are other computers in the classroom for the students). The reason that they are being replaced is because are also purchasing smart boards, document cameras and projectors. The report said that it will be easier to use these other devices with a laptop instead of a desktop. I'm not sure how much these other devices are going to be.

I understand technology is important. The problem that I have right now is that sure, we all want the best of the best but what good is it to have the latest gadgets when you don't have the staff to work with the students to use it?

Again, remember that they are letting go 42 Para Pros and RIFing all non-tenured teachers. I'm sure that some of the teachers RIFed will be rehired but they're not saying how many.

Yes but buying technology falls under different sets of rules. Have you ever been in the PTA? When I was in it we would go ten rounds on how to beat the system to get stuff into our schools.

 

[Kathi OD]

One of the things that you should know is that in school budgets, the money isn't all in one big pot to spend as the school board/superintendent sees fit. There are different categories, each with different funding sources. The monies being spent on technology might come from a source stating that they have to be spent on educational supplies. Supplies are not salaries, and believe it or not, are not textbooks either.

 

[hiwaygal]

I have to agree with the PP's, some pots of money come with strings and requirements. The purchase of the laptops to work with the smart boards may have been funded by grant money that required that it only be used for that specific purpose.

 

[jt'smom]

the superintendent of our district just posted a letter on the website suggesting that many of the districts here in georgia are considering cutting the school week to 4 days and compressing the school year. i completely understand the budget shortfalls due to the declining house values here which obviously hugely impact the tax revenue. our state legislature's position is for the countys to "just raise the millage rate", but i don't think that is the only solution. even though our home values are lower here, than say the northeast for example, our property taxes are proportionaly fairly high already. we won't get our decision on this until june or july, and i'm really interested on how this will turn out.

 

[daughtersrus]

I have to agree with the PP's, some pots of money come with strings and requirements. The purchase of the laptops to work with the smart boards may have been funded by grant money that required that it only be used for that specific purpose.

It could be but during the course of the presentation and the questions asked by the board member, nothing was ever said about it being grant money. The information in the packet that was presented said "this is included in the FY11 budget submittal".

If grant money was being used, I would think that information would have been included. I say this because earlier in the meeting, there were presentations about purchasing new textbooks. The information in the packet was clear that grant money was being used and that was stated over and over again during the oral presentation to the school board.

Also, the only member that voted against it said something along the lines that he couldn't vote for spending the money on computers that don't need to be replaced when the board just voted to eliminate jobs. He said that the money would be better spent on salaries of those that work with the students.

I'm not saying that spending isn't tied to grants because I know that it is. I just don't think that it the case in our situation.

 

[CapeMayMommy]

It isn't always that the money isn't there, it's how the money is being spent. In some of these districts, the Super has seen a pay increase of over 60% in the last five years. (one had an increase of almost 100%). In our district, they are cutting teaching and para pro jobs because of the budget but approved spending over $300,000 to replace desktop computers with laptops. The desktops were fine but because they were "old" they wanted to replace them. The cost of the new laptops is about the same as 7 teacher salaries for the year.

Sometimes, however, how money is spent is determined by grants.

If a grant is for computers, you can't use it for anything else.

Oh, sorry, I didn't see the previous post.

 

[hiwaygal]

It could be but during the course of the presentation and the questions asked by the board member, nothing was ever said about it being grant money. The information in the packet that was presented said "this is included in the FY11 budget submittal".

If grant money was being used, I would think that information would have been included. I say this because earlier in the meeting, there were presentations about purchasing new textbooks. The information in the packet was clear that grant money was being used and that was stated over and over again during the oral presentation to the school board.

Did you check the FY11 Budget Submittal? Details about that funding may have been included there.

Ultimately the point is, there may have been other obligations regarding the purchase of the laptops that not everyone is aware of...it happens all the time. I have several projects that have been funded for years with federal grants...people will question why we are doing certain improvements and assume the City is paying for these costs when in fact the City is essentially getting the improvements for 'free'.

My guess is you simply have not been given all the information.

Budget cuts suck and many many communities are dealing with the same kinds of tough decisions.