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Post by austin on Aug 11, 2009 19:56:39 GMT -5
Definitely understand, uptight, but teachers are not immune from any of these scenarios, either. They are paying higher prices at stores, for gas, utilities, etc. Their insurance premiums go up every year as well. Their spouses are losing jobs and taking paycuts. They have spouses and parents in nursing homes. I know where you're coming from and I respect it, but I just see it as an extremely slippery slope. Plus they have to pay money to just keep their jobs in the form of mandated continuing education and license fees.
Our district does not support traditionally support schools. If it had, maybe I would be right there asking them to take a cut beyond what they have, too. But I truly feel in my heart that it would only be the beginning.
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Post by matt.demana on Aug 11, 2009 20:44:06 GMT -5
During the meeting last night it became more apparent that the anger among the citizens on both sides is about to explode. The school board has put out the numbers, the list of cuts, what the passage of a levy will reinstate and the deficit it will create if not passed however many people simply don't listen. During the last levy campaign there were many many voters who I personally talked to and discussed the cuts being made and that it was not only sports and band. When it failed some of these same people told me they would have voted yes if they new the cuts were more than sports and band. Yesterday another person said that the cuts in bussing and AP classes were never in the newspaper. Yet these same issues were told to this person numerous times over the past 6 months. How do we get the voters to listen to what information is being given? (emphasis mine)I just wanted to pipe in and point out that the district has not actually cut AP classes. In fact, I am enrolled in AP classes right now. But what they did do is tighten down on the minimum number of people required in a class for it to exist. For example, this year not enough people showed interest in signing up for AP Physics; thus the class was cut. However I have no doubt that if the district continues in its downward economic spiral that more cuts will be made in the academic area, including perhaps AP classes. And that is a scary thought, because AP classes are very helpful in challenging students and possibly getting college credit too. I know I myself will have at least 20 quarter hours of credit when I begin college due to AP classes. But I agree with you that there was not enough emphasis on cuts other than sports and extra-curriculars. This levy was not just about extra-curriculars, it will effect academics too. And the more they have to cut, the scarier it will get for academics.
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tlg
New Member
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Post by tlg on Aug 11, 2009 20:46:52 GMT -5
I understand the thought process behind not wanting to take pay cuts because the demand for them will never end.
However when 80% of the operating budget is salary and benefits and those are taken off the table. Where, after we have made $22 million in cuts in the last 3 years are we to cut further?
We are not going to pass a levy in this economic and community disenfranchised environment without making real sacrifice.
No one likes or wants to make sacrifice, but we keep going back to the voter and asking them to make sacrifices as if this is not a problem for them.
They have told us time after time they are unwilling to make that sacrifice. When a citizen that pays the salary of the teachers, staff and administrators of SWCS looks at the chart of pay raises that have been given to the employees of SWCS, they are not inclined to be sympathetic.
4-10% annual raises over the last six years is not exactly what the average citizen in the private sector with or without a Master's degree is receiving.
Where I would go now is to ask everyone, but the students, to make a sacrifice. I would propose:
A 3% across the board pay cut for all employees resulting in approximately $4.2 million in savings.
An elimination of the community funding of administrator's retirement benefits of 10% of their salary resulting in a savings of about $1.6 million.
A two tier pay-to-play system with the bottom 50% of students being allowed to continue to participate under the current system and the top 50% (financially) paying to participate resulting in an additional $1.2 million in savings.
This will result in approximately $7 million in additional annual cuts.
A 6.2 mil temporary levy on the November ballot that will generate approximately $15 million in additional revenue annual for 4 years
If this fails there really is little hope for passing a levy.
We need to go out and force the legislature to fund schools in a constitutional manner whether the levy passes or doesn't.
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Post by austin on Aug 11, 2009 20:56:53 GMT -5
I agree with much of what you say, but please, let's not spread misinformation. The average teacher not eligible for a step raise has not had a 4% raise or anything near it for years and years. 1-2% has been the average. Please call the treasurer's office at 801-3000 for confirmation of this. Younger teachers are eligible for step raises, but those are phased out after 15 years or so.
My neighbor is a teacher in his late 40s and has received between 1-2% a year for quite a few years. In the 1% years, he loses money because his health insurance premium increases outpace anything from a 1% raise. With a rate of inflation around 3% even, he loses money even on the "big" years where he has gotten 2%.
Yes, we are in a recession now, but we have not been for years and years.
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Post by lateach on Aug 12, 2009 6:11:25 GMT -5
Thank you for clarifying this misinformation regarding the percentages of "raises" for teachers salaries in SWCS over the past few years. In fact, because of cost increases in various areas, such as family health care (for which employees pay a higher percentage of the cost than any similar employee in central Ohio, by a considerable amount) many teachers and SWCS staff have experienced real reductions in their salaries over the past three years. These facts are a matter of public record, and for the life of me I can't figure out why someone would throw out a wildly inaccurate number before checking these facts. This is the sort of misinformation we need to work hard to correct, as I recommended in a previous post.
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Post by cougar82 on Aug 12, 2009 7:10:41 GMT -5
What needs to be done.....
According to my neighbor who informed me that a large number of citizens are irrate that the Administrators do not pay their retirement, we the tax-payers pay their retirement. This is about 10%. Most of the administrators get paid over $100,000.00 at 10% this is $10,000.00 that we the tax-payers are paying. Teachers pay their own retirement the administrators can afford to be paying their fair share as well. I did email Mr. Garside about the concerns from my neighbor and he verified this is true.
Graduations need to be held here in the district. I requested from Mr. Garside the cost of the rental for Veteran's Memorial for graduations. The invoice I received has Rental Payment for Franklin Heights and Westland graduations - the cost $177,000.00. We have facilities here, let's go back to using them. Our district cannot afford the rental expense.
I know this is controversial but we need to start condensing the schools that cost major up-keep. I was told by an administrator that one local elementary enrollment could be handled by the other two elementaries located near-by. I have been told by a employee in the district that the district has to pay for a person to come in the winter to start u1
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Post by cougar82 on Aug 12, 2009 7:20:00 GMT -5
Sorry, cat got on lap top =
As I was saying the district has to have a person come in and light up the boilers in the winter. The boiler system is too old. If the district is hurting other options instead of putting the kids opportunities at risk - which they lost. I know the options of closing schools close to peoples hearts is not an option that would have been ideal but these options could of saved and condensed the district to show the community we need buildings.
The biggest item I hear from people is the district office needs to be condensed. We have too many Chiefs at the expense of the Indians. Why do we need 3 District Personnel Directors? Why do we need 4 Assistant Superintendants? Why is there a Communication Specialist and a Information Specialist? The district office needs to get to bare minimum of workers - condense jobs. Teachers actually working with the kids are dismissed but we have people not associated with the kids getting to keep theirs - where are the priorities?
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Post by parentof2 on Aug 12, 2009 9:54:40 GMT -5
Ok -here is my 2 cents worth-- Somehow we must educate the average voter. While I am a big supporter, I was very upset that the local newspapers and Dr Wise, BOE and Mr Garside continue to say the same thing. The local papers kept saying what the levy costs a $100,000 home, the $22 mill cuts already done, and sports/bussing/x-tras cancelled. This tells us nothing. Someone needs to write how these $22 million in cuts has affected the students. What changed for them? What changed for the teachers? For example: Due to some teachers only being certified in certain areas, Brookpark's gym teacher is now a science teacher b/c he is certified K-8 and the other teacher only Phys Ed. He has not taught science for 21 years. What an enormous change for him to make in one month. I continue to hear about "Well when I was in school we had this." I would say the majority of NO voters have not been in school 20 plus years. So let's educate them about the changes. What sports were available 25 years ago. What is supported today? What were state education requirements 25 years ago and what is it today? Also what are the requirement for teachers? What does "certified teacher" mean. I hear my neighbor say things like a teacher is certified in language arts/sciences or math only, K-3 or K-8. What type of education do these things require. And when there are cuts how that affects the shuffling of teachers. I really liked the article in the Dispatch regarding our student population. We have 24% ESL student population. How many more teachers does that require per student and at what cost? Of the lower graduation rate in Westland and Franklin Heights how many are these ESL students that move on a continuing basis or just cannot pass? Explain how these students lower the district's grade card with the state. Show the results by building. It's like the administration does not want to embarrass anyone. Well facts are facts. I was at the mtg Monday night too and saw the salary sheet. I agree some wages seem very high. If they want to show each salary then we must counteract by showing the years of education/experience these individuals have and compare them to other districts. I saw in a paper the education of our registered voters. I can't give exact numbers but it is interesting the difference b/w SWCS and Dublin or UA. I think people are just plain ticked that a teacher can make more that the average husband/wife together. If I read the financial report correctly we are behind $4mill in delinquent property taxes. Shouldn't the banks that hold these properties be paying? Lastly about P2P. I have heard Dr Wise say to individuals that it would be lopsided per school, but have not heard him say it publicly. Show what boosters raise per sport and where the money goes. Show why GC band can afford to go to so many contests. Show why CCHS is the venue for so many events. Show per high school what it costs line by line to do a football game. Also show how many events have been altered b/c of buildings being closed after school. Ask people who have been directly affected by these to put it in the paper. OK I think that is enough
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Post by bandmom on Aug 12, 2009 13:01:51 GMT -5
We need to do something drastic to get the Nov. Levy passed. Since we were told Monday PM lower millage is not an option and we need the money yesterday. There is not one person I know who has not taken a pay cut,( city, county, state and the private sector) as well as now retirements are taking a hit as well. Paycut (just 2% would work) and a tiered pay to play like Mary M mentioned would get the levy passed. With more cuts, the kids can't give anymore.
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Post by bandmom on Aug 12, 2009 13:19:12 GMT -5
News Flash. There is currently a petition going around for a Rob Starrett for school board. He is a SWAT member. If he happens to get on the ballot, we know what to do. A big NO!!!
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Post by momof3 on Aug 12, 2009 13:33:46 GMT -5
News Flash. There is currently a petition going around for a Rob Starrett for school board. He is a SWAT member. If he happens to get on the ballot, we know what to do. A big NO!!! Maybe not. We need to listen to what he has to say. Amy Baker was also a huge no supporter before she was elected to the board and those who were very loud back then have now backed off with their no voices.
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Post by mbuck696 on Aug 13, 2009 8:05:47 GMT -5
Right before the vote last night Mrs. Johnson asked Dr. Wise for employee numbers and salary information for all the board members. It was very quick and kinda quite so I am not sure if everyone heard it. I heard it because I was in the front row. I am assuming just like the pay to play option this will be their time to review salaries and positions to cut. I believe last night was just to get the levy back on the ballot and throw us a little information that they were looking at the pay to play option. This is not all the final cuts/options that I believe will be part of the November election. With that said I have a different option to consider instead of salary cuts. What if the salaries stayed the same and they just required the employees to pay more of their insurance benefits? In the 1998 Performance Audit the district saved $1,246,728 by making people with a family plan pay 35% of the premium. With insurance cost going up since that time would it be wise to ask the employees with a single plan to pay some of their insurance premium or increase that 35%? This way the salaries are not touched. They can still move up the salary schedule and receive retirement on the full salary but they just pay more of the benefit cost. What do you think?
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Post by austin on Aug 13, 2009 11:57:21 GMT -5
The reality is that the contracts for the three unions are sewn up for another school year. I know some people are hoping for bigger cuts, but I do not believe the BOE has the authority to open up contract negotiations since they just accepted MOU's from all three unions where all three made concessions and, in agreement with the BOE, rolled their current contracts over. For SWEA, at least, that date is June 30, 2010.
I heard what Mrs. Johnson said, too, but I did not take it that they would be "imposing" further cuts. Since there will be salary negotiations next year, it would be expected that the BOE would need that information.
Also included in the contracts is the provision which sets forth how much the BOE will pay towards health insurance premiums. Since that contract is set until next June, I do not believe there is a mechanism to impose higher payments from staff. I have always believed that benefits for single employees in all three unions should be charged at the same rate (35%) that those with family insurance pay, but do not expect that it will change before next year. However, I definitely think it will be something that will on the table during negotiations next year.
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Post by ptamom on Aug 13, 2009 22:48:28 GMT -5
Sorry, cat got on lap top = The biggest item I hear from people is the district office needs to be condensed. We have too many Chiefs at the expense of the Indians. Why do we need 3 District Personnel Directors? Why do we need 4 Assistant Superintendants? Why is there a Communication Specialist and a Information Specialist? The district office needs to get to bare minimum of workers - condense jobs. Teachers actually working with the kids are dismissed but we have people not associated with the kids getting to keep theirs - where are the priorities? Personnel Directors are for Student Services, Classified Personnel and Certificated Personnel. Each has a lot to deal with from hiring to disciplinary actions. Only 2 Assistant Superintendents - Personnel and Curriculum. Communications Specialist - Graphic Design, Printing & Web site development Information Specialist - Part of Data/Technology team The district offices have been condensed. When you walk through, you see many empty offices from cuts.
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Post by mbuck696 on Aug 14, 2009 7:42:00 GMT -5
Austin, I don't agree that it CAN'T be done. I as a manager of several employees I have a responsibility to those employees to keep them employed at any cost. This is the same for the union reps. WHEN there are more cuts is it fare that they are not representing all the employees that pay union dues? NO! I know several people who would take cuts to save the jobs of other employees and for the KIDS! Look what the UAW did to keep the jobs of the people they represent. If the board is to afraid of them, then we as parents and people of this district need to be calling and writing the union reps.
One little disclaimer... I am NOT against the salaries that they people of this district are paid. That is why I suggested benefits being cut.
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