The choice: Higher taxes or lower expectations for schools

I know this is going to sound unpopular, but I’m for a 1% increase in the state income tax. I know times are tough, but 1% would really be a minimal amount out of everyone’s paycheck. I think any money raised from that increase should immediately go to the schools. While I understand that some cuts are necessary, there’s only so far that systems can cut before there are some dire consequences.

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I’m in agreement with “irisheyes”: SOMETHING needs to be done, if for no other reason than to turn back the budgets cuts wielded by “Smilin’ Sonny”. Perhaps cuts to the larger state DOE salaries (Kathy Cox’s included!) alone would recover thousands of dollars! In addition, state lawmakers should feel ashamed for not “volunteering” to take furlough days in the wake of teachers having to “go along to get along” & take them REGARDLESS of what they think/feel/want. Schools have been shafted for the last eight years PLUS, and trimming salaries at the top – along with axing certain district superintendants’ unwarranted bonuses & increases during these tough times – would be a good start! If some of these buffoons fight them and/or receive them without setting a good example, then what choice would there be but to request a tax increase?! From all appearances, the schools don’t seem to be getting help any OTHER way! And while some advocate private schools & using vouchers, this may provide temporary, isolated help in pockets, they aren’t larger, long-term solutions to the state’s public education system.

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DeKalb has no choice but to raise property taxes. We have enjoyed very low taxes for many years, but the drop in real estate values in parts of the county have crippled the tax base. Yes, the DeKalb BOE is bloated and top heavy, and should be trimmed back as well. I can promise you that the quality of the neighborhood schools GREATLY impacts property values and will more than make up for the increased property tax if the money goes towards the schools. Parent, you are equally charged with getting involved in your kids schools. Certain high schools that have coasted on reputation are seeing lower test scores due to parents thinking that the school can educate their kids with very little parent interaction.

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I taught in Clayton……the Central Office staff could be cut in half and probably function better.

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I just LOVE the way government comes up to solutions to problems, but are NEVER willing to make any sacrificies themselves. How about furloughing Sonny Perdue and all his other useless overpaid cronies in Government to help cut the budget. The problem with government is they play by a different rule book than everyone else, have their own healthcare plan, social security plan, etc., Honestly Sonny Perdue doesn’t give a damn whether you are dying in a gutter as long as his security and finances are ok. WAKE UP AMERICA! Stop worrying about who is on American Idol while the government continues to pull the wool over your eyes and shaft you at every turn. Tell Sonny he can GO TO HELL!

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What we need to do is cut taxes to .000001%, then we will have unbridled growth and our revenue problems will be fixed. That’s a joke, but it’s an illustration the problematic populist Republican propaganda that got us here. Between that and the fact that all politicians don’t want to raise taxes because they believe they won’t be re-elected, we have a serious problem.

I think we need to raise taxes and get more money for our schools and other key programs. We need to be as efficient as possible and eliminate waste, but we also have to pay for what we want.

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I met 2 teachers from RI. They have to take 40 days unpaid this school year. BUT, they still come to school and teach. They aren’t happy about it but it’s what has to be done.

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School systems need to do the same thing families are having to do – look at their finances and cut out wasteful spending. It is a fact that there is too much overhead on the administrative end – from the executive offices down to the schools that are overloaded with multiple assistant principals.

Higher taxes OR lower expectations for schools is nothing more than an empty threat. Do your job and teach the children and learn to live within your means.

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Dean:

And if you think that it won’t show in their attitude and effectiveness…I find it hard to believe. And comparing Rhode Island to GA…not even. Poor Rhode Island is a tiny state with a huge unemployment problem, horrible taxes, and an abysmally high cost of living. GA is not there yet, but sacrificing education quality could sure as heck land it in the same spot.

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Vastly cut overhead just like a corporation would do. If you’re going to do more with less cut Administration jobs. Vice Principals are the easiest place to cut in virtually every modest sized school. It’s a superflous position. You could add another much cheaper secretary and get more out of the principal.

In lue of the regular end of year/term gifts, I hope people will just buy teachers a box of copy paper or some supplies. That’s what they really need.

The state needs to trim the fat like every corporation has done, middle management is the first to go everywhere and Administrative jobs have to be the primary target in Education and everywhere else in the state to save money.

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RI has one of the highest pay scales for teacher inthe US.

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Oh.. gee That is what I get for trying to post when I am in a hurry and have only five minutes before I have to pick up my students. I am so embarrassed. Sorry for all the typos/grammatical errors in the last post.

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When teacher furlough days happen when students are suppose to be in school and parents are affected by trying to find care for their kids, people will start to stand up and say something. But, as long as the state and local boards take furlough days when students are not in session, no one will care. How are we suppose to attract people to get in the teaching profession in college to only fire them or cut their pay due to lack of funds.

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How about we enact a Super Slowpokes traffic law? Anybody going significantly under the speed limit, or lane-hogging the leftmost lane and holding up traffic behind them are subject to a $500 first-offense fine. $1000 for the 2nd offense. This money could go towards the schools and based on my observations driving through the state it would be a LOAD of revenue. These idiots make the roads more dangerous for everyone, yet our misguided laws let them continue on

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The administration also need to do a better job policing who is attending their schools. It is a known fact that kids living in Dekalb will have their child shipped out to live with a relative in Gwinnett or Cobb for better schools. Gwinnett and Cobb need to do a better job getting kids that don’t belong in those systems OUT. I know for a fact of one family that has a relative living in their home where the childs parent actually live in Clayton County. If parents want better schools for there kids then they need to live there AND pay taxes there.

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Howardh, typed a lot but really said nothing. So easy to turn this into a partisan debate but as evidenced by your beloved governor, there is enough blame on both sides. Cut the crap.

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The best private schools I know of, including the one President Obama’s daughters attend, charge over $20,000 per year tuition, in addition to books and fees, and also have endowments that provide for some of their costs. If you want a world class education….

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Private school teachers make significantly less than public school teachers. Arguably better students being churned out (is that a result of parenting or teaching? ), but they are definitely not making more $ despite their high fees.

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“Yes, there are small basement schools charging $5,000 a year, but they are not the ones sending kids to UVA or Duke.”

Maureen, where are the numbers to back that claim? My niece attended a very small school in Atlanta where most of the graduates attended top schools in the country, including Ivy League.

As an educator, I’ve been fortunate to work in a school system that has chosen not to furlough. We haven’t been given details regarding furlough days for next school year. Although we receive a minimal amount for class supplies, no funds will be available next year. I received less than $200 this year and I teach every student in the building. I will do my best to provide students with a quality education, but I can’t continue to spend as much as I have in the past.

There are so many positions in a school that could be cut to save money. Math, reading and Language Arts coaches are unnecessary. If every school has these positions imagine how much a school system could save. There are other unnecessary positions in personnel. These cuts should be done first, not teacher pay. A math coach is needed as a math teacher. There is always a math position available. School systems need to really cut the fat and do as most Americans are today by living creating a budget and living within their means.

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You know, in the 2002 election all you heard from these whiney ass teachers was how Roy Barnes had screwed the teachers by trying to eliminate tenure. Well how are things going for you now teachers? I don’t feel sorry for teachers especially the ones that voted for that idiot Sonny Perdue. Clearly education isn’t on Sonny’s “Do” list. When you put a Republican Crook in office(twice), you get what you deserve.

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It is no mystery why states like Georgia are always near the bottom in education. The people of this state want a top educational system but are not willing to pay for it.

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Get som fire under your arse,

Don’t be fool by private schools. These insitutions just want your money. Tutition pays salaries. Children are children they are same no matter where they go or live. The school won’t tell you when they misbehave because they might think that you will take your child out of their school. They will lose money.

Remember this when you choose a private school for your children. Always choose the private school that are SACS acredited and GA acredited, mostly SAC acredited. A lot of private schools aren’t SACs acredited Therefore your child will be entired to some of the same benefits as a public school. The teachers will be state certified and are required to hold a teaching certified. Private schools aren’t what you think they are.

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i would not mind a tax increase if it went directly to teachers in the classroom. I do not want the State super taking helicopter rides to Dawson county on it.

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End pension plans for all teachers and other public employees immediately. Convert them all over to 401ks.

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As a human being that is concerned with educating ALL human beings, I would do whatever is necessary to insure a better future for our state and country. Many arguments have been made over the last year about education and healthcare for reasons I don’t understand. If the selfish individuals that claimed they worked so hard for what they have can get their heads out of their behinds and understand that a healthy, educated society will save money in the long run, America will continue to fall behind other countries.

Everyone that claims to have worked hard for what they have are not being truthful. We can discuss American History to undersatnd what I mean.

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Something needs in our budget needs to be fixed. Save our children’s education.

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How about cutting the mega districts down to smaller, more easily managed districts. Tell me how Fred Sanderson is qualified to run a billion dollar corporation because that is essentially what he is doing. Smaller districts make for easier accountability of money, and to take it a step further how about having separate elementary/middle and high school districts? Teens learn differently than younger students, and we could get rid off all these curriculum advisors. Cobb has over 20 employees working at the district office in the field of continuing ed for teachers, and for every subject area they have an elementary/middle and a separate high school admin in charge of say social studies. Do we really need two people to tell social studies teachers about opportunities to further education or about field trips, etc. Get rid of 49ers, it’s cronyism at it’s ugliest.

While we’re at it I’m not sure the furloughs are even legal. Teachers are contract employees, and they signed contracts to work x number of days for x amount of money. Cut that, and the county in question is breaching the contract. Would you expect a contractor to give up the money just because his customer said he ran out. Better yet, can I tell my mortgage company I’m going to pay them $200 less next month because I don’t have the money? I would still owe it to them. It’s not my fault that the state and the districts can’t manage money. I need to go over my contract and if there is no slippery loophole, I’m seriously considering filing in federal court if this goes through.

It’s time we hold those in charge accountable, a man should honor his word!

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I teach at a public community college, and I have been furloughed six days this academic year. I and many of my colleagues believe we are very fortunate to have jobs at all when the unemployment rate in Georgia is 10%. The furloughs have not reduced the quality of education my colleagues and I provide our students. Public school teachers at all levels are under paid and over worked; nevertheless, we will always do our jobs to the best of our ability.

Although I would probably benefit from a tax increase, I oppose all tax increases for schools until schools turn to other sources of revenue. Maureen, I and several other writers identified several such sources in a recent blog. You never responded. I repeat some of those sources here again.

1. Sell advertising on school buses. Advertising will not in any way affect the ability of the bus to transport students to and from school. But it will bring in millions, perhaps tens of millions, of dollars for schools.

2. Raise the price of admission to school sporting events. Raise the price of concessions at these events. Charge for parking at these events if it is currently free; if there is already a fee, raise it.

3. Sell corporate sponsorships for school-owned property such as stadiums. What would be wrong with renaming Grady Stadium Home Deport Stadium at Grady High School? How much would Home Depot pay for this sponsorship?

4. Sell corporate sponsorships for the schools themselves.

5. Reduce by 10% all non-faculty positions.

6. Reduce by 5% all non-faculty positions at every individual school.

7. Somehow parents must become more involved with the school their child attends.

The success of public schools depends on a partnership among teachers, taxpayers, parents, and students. When only teachers and taxpayers fulfill their responsibilities,which is now too often the case, schools are inevitably doomed to failure regardless of how much money they have.

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I just don’t think people understand where the money goes in education. Most public school Teachers in this state aren’t making more than around 45K a year and they are forced to spend a big part of that money in some cases on thier own classroom supplies. Where does all this education fund money go? The president has spoke about transparancy. I wonder if more transparency would expose where the wastes in education are and where the significant deficiencies are as well.

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Thank-you, Maureen. You stated the obvious, but unfortunately most people cannot see the obvious! As a teacher, I appreciate your verbalizing what our state needs to do.

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I am a teacher in GCPS. I am not happy about the furlough days, but I do not think they should only be taken out of planning days. Planning days are absolutely necessary to help teachers plan meaningful lessons. With every day of planning that is taken away, teachers become MUCH less effective. Losing a day of school at least allows a teacher to plan for assignments and be prepared for the school day.

However, there is a big problem with worthless teachers not being able to be fired. Some teachers are terrible, and they continue to be guaranteed a job year after year, even though other teachers have to do their work. In a private sector job, these people would be fired very soon after being hired, but they continue to be employed for years and years and years in public schools. It’s terrible.

Also, when we do get furloughed, it would be nice to GCPS to TELL US when we will be furloughed. They are waiting, and waiting, and waiting and still haven’t let us know. It’s really hard to plan for anything when they don’t tell you about furlough days until right before they happen.

Also – no comments about not working…home with the wonderful stomach bug.

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“I also want to again say that the top private schools charge as much as $20,000 a year tuition, Yes, there are small basement schools charging $5,000 a year”

Public schools are obviously not competing with the top-end private schools. I don’t expect them to. HOWEVER; even the bottom of the barrel private schools charging $5,000 a year *still* do far and away better than public schools. Yes; I’m sure there are some bottom of the barrel private schools that *don’t* perform better than some public schools; but generally most do.

Many people have previously pointed out the answers :parenting. Responsible parents who are engaged in their kids lives and have at least a bit of a clue as to the grades that their kids are getting. Disciple: private schools just plain don’t have to put up with the same discipline issues that public schools do. If your kid acts up persistently in a private school then they get expelled. Maybe ESL is an issue too; I honestly don’t know how much some of the rural communities are spending on ESL. I know some counties have more of an issue with that than others.

However; I say all this to attempt to make the point that I truly do not believe that simply “more money” will solve the problems that GA have with education. More money will simply be misspent and we will continue to have the worst education as a state-wide average of almost all of the states. It’s tragic really. When I was in school here we were #49 out of 51 [states + DC]. We’ve since more than doubled the education budget and we’re STILL #49 out of 51?

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We do not need to throw more $ at an education system that does not work. The US spends the second most amount of $ per pupil in the world yet we are in the bottom of industrialized nations on the results. Sorry but teachers have it to good compared to the private sector and are going to have to take some cuts. They work 9 months a year and can retire after 25 years of work on a tax payor financed pension. In addition if your child goes to public school a full 1 year out of the 12 years they will be taught by a substitute, so teachers can get a ridiculous number of days off. Where in the private world can you work for 9 months of the year, retire before age 50 with a pension and while they are working get so money extra days off from work? You can’t… yet we are expected to pay for this and continue to turn out under educated students?

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As a private schooler mom, I have to warn parents that if they expect a quality private school, they should expect to pay for it. James, I’m not sure which private schools you are talking about – we searched high and low a few years ago and never found a private school that cost less than $9,000 – $10,000 that we would have felt comfortable sending our children to, much less one that costs less than $5,000.

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That is of course NOT the real choice. For clearly we all have been paying WAY TOO MUCH for poor performance all these years. More money will NOT deliver higher anything except salaries and waste. Higher expectations do not come from goverment run ANYTHING. Governement is a failure at everything it does, and the schools are the best example. In Washington DC they spend nearly $15,000 per pupil and have the worst system in the nation. Money has nothing to do with quality, but phrasing questions like the title of this blog post in that manner only serve to reinforce the LIE that it does.

Shut the schools down. End the government funding mechanism. Give the money back and let everyone keep the taxes they now WASTE. Let the private sector solve these problems. It solves every other problem, including the ones governments cause.

Go to mises.org, homeschool your children, get a real education on why government schools are absolutely the WORST possible way to provide sound affordable education for anyone, and stop being intimidated by the educational establishment whose only purpose is to scare everyone into believing that without government and tons of money, your kids will be ignorant for their entire lives. You owe it to your kids.

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We probably don’t need as much school time as we used to because all of our wonderful business leaders have pushed most of our jobs to India and China. Now that all we have left our Walmart and McDonalds, we can probably get by with dropping grades 9-12.

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Brian – get your facts straight. FYI, teachers are contracted for 10 months out of the year and in GA you can only receive full retirement benefits after 30 years of service NOT 25 as you stated. It also takes 10 years to even vest in the teacher retirement system. And the pension isn’t strictly taxpayer funded either. Five percent of a teacher’s salary is automatically deducted from their pay. Think of the employer part as the “match” of a 401(k) – unfortunately, teachers have no say so in how that money is invested. I’d love to see an investment plan option where I can own and control my portfolio rather than having the govt responsible for it.

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The claim that Rhode Island teachers were forced to work 40 days for free is fiction. This was proposed by the Woonsocket RI city government but didn’t materialize. One of the alternatives that WAS adopted was a 5 percent increase in school taxes in Rhode Island.

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Dear Long-time Subscriber: From that 10 month contract, the teachers get a paid two week vacation at christmas, a paid one week Spring break, a paid one week Fall break, a paid one week Winter break, a couple days at Thanksgiving, and who knows how much more. Yet teachers dare to compare their “10″ month salary to my 12 month salary.

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Its not about money, but attitude. This state doesn’t believe in the importance of education, just the unimportance of taxes. Those who can send their kids to private schools, those who can’t are screwed. Until the attitude changes, starting with the leader of the state funneling the money for his Go Fish program to education, this state will forever be lagging behind.

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@Too Easy, I am a teacher, and for the last year, I’ve been the major support of my family of 5, so I know it feels to be stretched thin. A 1% increase is $10 out of the pay of someone who grosses $1000. I believe a large portion of that money should fund the return of the “Sonny Money” cards. I loved those cards because they allowed me to purchase the supplies for my classroom that I knew would be the greatest benefit for my students. Contrary to what many posters on this blog think, the majority (notice I said MAJORITY) of teachers really do know what works best for kids. What we need are the freedom and the resources that allow us to do what’s best for kids.

@Brian, Georgia does NOT have teacher’s unions. We have professional associations that can really do very little to improve working conditions for teachers. Remember that the next time you want to come on here and bash the teachers. Knowing your facts is always helpful.

BTW, I’m eating lunch at my desk, so no comments about posting and working!

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@Parent and Taxpayer, we are not paid for any of those holidays. We have a contract that pays me for 190 working days. (184 for this year) I am paid a daily rate for each day I work that is spread out over the whole year. Mine is divided up into 12 eaqual payments, and I receive my check at the end of each month. I am paid over the summer, but that is the money that I earned during my 184 days of working during the school year.

@Bell Curve, what did the teachers do to cause this budget problem?

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You people are so stupid. I support no tax increase. Our Little Babies are not going to suffer. When are all of you God fearing people going to wake up and smell the coffee. You have to have ditch diggers and doctors for our system to work. Some people are meant to be rich and some people,not so rich. That is called harmony. We Americans have become such morons. My God! wake up America!! By the way, I have done well being a ditch digger and slum Lord. Go America.

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Sorry, Bell Curve, didn’t realize you were quoting Taxpayer and Parent. That’s who my comments are directed to.

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Brent: those other countries you compare us to don’t take every child, either, no matter how handicapped. They also kick out the disruptives. We do a good job if you consider how we take everyone in and keep them in until they are 16.

Ms. Downey, I would posit that “parental involvement” does not only mean showing up for PTA meetings and volunteering to assist. There are LOTS of ways parents can be involved in their child’s education and not those requiring showing up at the school once a week.

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Teachers are only PAID to work 190 days. There is NO paid vacation time. Parent and taxpayer you do need to visit a variety of schools and I believe you would change your mind.
I think the gifting idea is good. Using my previous experience, rather than money, why not donate supplies. Paper, markers, computer ink, white board markers, and hand gel would all help teachers. One girl I had the last year I worked gave all her teachers Wal Mart gift cards. We all really appreciated them. Another thing is just to tell a teacher thank-you sometimes.
I just do not get the anger. I loved and taught your child for over 30 years. I retired with over a year and a half of sick leave. I stayed late and came early to work on skills and have club meetings. Why are you making a teacher the enemy?.

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Throwing more money at education is not the answer. I know that Cobb has all kinds of overhead that could be trimmed. Area Supervisors, 2 and 3 assistant principals at some schools, no one knows what they do. Times are tight for everyone, raising our taxes so the school system doesn’t have to tighten their belt is not the solution. I have relatives that have been furloughed in tough times and no one took up a collection to offset their salaries. I can’t believe people would do that. That almost appears like a bribe to the teacher. If you want to bring in supplies that is okay, but give them money to offset days, no!!! Are you willing to do the same for the postal workers, garbage men etc? It is tough all over, education receives the largest portion of the budget, we spend more per student than most states yet are results are still dismal when compared to other states, much less other countries. It is time for each county to truly examine their budget and cut the waste.

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I agree raising taxes is not a palatable solution. However, I see nothing wrong with giving teachers money to offset cuts to their salaries. I should be able to use my own money however I see fit. Someone in my son’s class actually sent us an email about a collection this morning and we put in $100. I see it as an investment in my child and to show the teacher how much I appreciate her excellent work. I would do the same for postal workers/garbage men if they interacted with and taught my children 8 hours every day.

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Three cheers for the gifting suggestion for any parents out there that want to help make a difference! I know that most parents in my child’s class have agreed to chip in some money to defray the cost of this furlough.

East Cobb Parent, I’m baffled why this would be bribing the teacher. She’s not getting any more income than she did before and it’s a group effort so she doesn’t know whose parents contributed and how much they donated. My daughter reads at an accelerated level and testing has been a piece of cake for her so we think the teacher has done a wonderful job. I do think the bureaucratic waste needs to be cut, but my daughter’s teacher is definitely worth her pay plus some in the eyes of this client. .

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I, for one, appreciate all the hard work teachers put in for my children. I’m actually waiting to see what our school PTA wants us to do in response to this situation but I will definitely be extra generous with my gifting this year to show my appreciation.

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With the negative attitudes reflected in this blog toward the schools, it is no wonder our children perform the way they do. If we valued learning, we would be more than happy to do what it takes to support schools.

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Parent and taxpayer_ Those “vacation days” are unpaid. I get so tired of explaining this over and over. Teachers get paid for the number of days they are contracted to work– this year it was 190 days. There are NO paid vacations or holidays. Other state employes do get paid vacation and paid holiday time. Teachers do not. I would love to be earning money on those holidays instead of being at home. I would love to see you manage on a salary of 190 days and then be told that you could not take time off when you needed it because you have to be there to teach the kids. Yes I get time off, but it is not time of my choice and does not always fit my needs. I have to take 2 days of unpaid leave to attemd my niece’s wedding in May because it fals over a holiday weekend and I cannot use my personal leave before or after a holiday. Another $800 gone my pay in addition to three more furlough days at $396 dollars per day that I miss. Please, pealse, know what youare talking abuout v=before youaccuse and help to dispell the myths that just are not true.

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There is a reason most federal employees are not allowed to accept money or even dinner from those they service, I really see no difference with teachers. I’m all for buying the supplies they need, but not giving them cash. If you elect to spend your money that way fine, but don’t expect or demand it from other parents. I do appreciate the job that effective teachers do, but they elected this career path for their reasons. I don’t feel it is my duty to supplement their income because they don’t like the pay in their chosen field. Having said that, there are plenty of opportunities to cut waste without furloughing teachers and bus drivers. Look at the central office!! As long as people are willing to bail out the central office they will have no reason to show fiscal responsibility.

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It is funny to me, as I read some of the negative comments posted here, that I had a conversation with a student (just this week) about our inability as a society to emphathize with other people and their personal situations. I don’t even get angry with people that speak negatively about teachers because I know they simply do not understand the dedication and effort we bring to our work. They have no idea of our sacrifices or our responsibilities. In that same line of thought, I couldn’t fully understand the effort, dedication and responsibilities belonging to someone who chooses another career or path in life. Every job comes with stress, perks, frustration, problems to overcome and joy. If, for once, we could ALL discuss societies issues WITHOUT making it about US INDIVIDUALLY…we could solve some problems. I hope my student took that mini life lesson to heart that day. I hope she remembers to see things from all angles and perspectives before passing irrational judgments. If we could learn this as adults we would all benefit.
Old Timer: I don’t understand the anger either. To the many parents on this blog that are supportive: thank you for that as well.

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I think most people appreciate the work that teachers do. I don’t normally post but I felt compelled to because I genuinely believe that most people in this part of Cobb are very supportive of the teachers and want to do everything that we can to help out in light of the budget cuts. To any teachers on this blog: can you recommend anything that we parents could do that would help alleviate the situation? There are so many ideas so I want to hear your perspective.

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There are plenty of SPLOTS funds that could be redistributed in Cobb Co. The problem is because of previous bad behavior by the board these funds are locked into sepcific projects. For those of you here in the early 90’s Cobb Co. had about $50mm of splots money that they told voters would go to construction of new schools to relieve over crowding. Problem was when it came time to renew splots $50mm was gone and no new schools. Voters demanded accountability and this was solved by tying the funds to specific projects. I believe if the board went to the voters and was very specific about how they would tap these funds they would be supported. If however they violate the public trust again that option will never be available in the future. These are trying times, and sometimes exceptions need to be made. Lastly, we don’t pay squat in property tax for schools compared to virtually all the states that have sucessful edcuational programs. Yes, I am willing to pay more.

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@Westminster Mom – for the $5,000 figure I’m quoting Maureen Downey. I am not personally familiar with a private school that charges less than $7,000 though I assume that some do exist.

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Nature Dude—At a board meeting in December the County Attorney told Sanderson the furlough days are viewed the same as a suspension without pay. By contract and law no teacher can be suspended without a hearing. Sanderson asked if every teacher could request a hearing and the attorney stated an emphatic yes. The entire conversation is on tape at the Cobb public assess cable station. No need to sue, just request a hearing as you are entitled to. I doubt the board would like to be involved in 10,000 of these.

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I am a parent and tax payer in Dekalb County. I have great public schools in my neighborhood with great teachers. Test score like the ITBS & SATs can prove that. There are several privet schools around me that are beautifull and have great programs. I choose for my children to go to our nieghborhood public schools. We as a comunity are standing up and ready to fight for these schools and teachers. I am willing to pay more taxes to keep my schools programs and teachers.

In the 11 years I have lived in this dekalb county neighborhood the value of my house has doubled, we have great families that have moved in, less renters and more owners. All because of the montasori program that is in our elementry school. Having a great program in the public schools help to keep our home values up for everyone. I hope every one realizes that if they make all these cuts to the schools that will hurt everyone who lives in these nieborhoods. Good families will move to better school districts, house values will fall further, we will all be affected.

One more thing, will Dekalb County as a whole ever make AYP if they cut out all there great programs? I dont think so.

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It’s sad to hear of more state budget cuts. I graduated from the public schools in East Cobb a while back and I have to say the teachers were phenomenal in preparing me for Tech. It would be great if the schools created a website for alumni where we could donate some money to help teachers recover the cost of the furlough – many of us would be happy to help out!

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A few suggestions before raising taxes:

1) Eliminate a lot of the DOE if not all of it, and put the money back to work at the local schools. If you do not like the results get a new school board.

2) Break the walls down between public schools and higher education ie technical/vocational, to increase quality as well as save money via using up unused capacity.

3) All administrators making over 6 figures take a 20% decrease in salary.

4) Eliminate math 123 huge savings in repeat grades as well as summer school

5) Create 3 track system for kids over the one sixe fit all college bound and you are out. Once again we would save money on summer school and repeat courses and create tax revenue with work ready graduates.

6) Cross the board layoff of 10% of administrators.

If we implemented the above teacher pay would go up not down, and quality of education would improve!

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Kim, do you mind elaborating what things a PTA can/cannot get involved in? I was thinking that if parents were to say step in and fund a collection for a teacher, that would probably fall outside the jurisdiction of the PTA, right?

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I can speak for my team of teachers when I say that this year has had some pretty depressing moments! We are so frustrated! Less money + more work = unhappy teachers. Gosh I love my students, but I find it hard to give them 100%. I feel terrible about this but teachers are being crapped on! When this continues to happen, it hinders our performance, thus hindering our students performance. This is a vicious cycle!

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Times are tough all over, time for teachers and other government employee’s to make some sacrifices like the rest of us. If test scores were going up every year, one could make an argument that teachers earn their pay. But just the opposite is happening. Teacher blame the students and parents, and complain about the stuff they have to put up with. That sounds more like a baby sitter than a teacher. Baby sitters are paid a lot less than teachers. So make up your minds, are you baby sitters or are you teachers? Until you decide, I urge an across the board 10% pay cut.

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Parent and Taxpayer,

I think that is very unfair what you posted. Kathy Cox made them implement a horrible ill thought out strategy ie math 123, 1 track college bound education system only, PE focused on theory over exercise, CRCT testing screw up……….

We need more teachers and fewer managers! And the cuts should come from the management side and we could save money by implementing a better strategy as well as improve education!

My hat goes off to teachers it is a tough thankless job!

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GA Citizen

January 29th, 2010
11:45 am

Thanks for the update on the RI teachers. When in met them in JULY while on a kayaking trip, they Thought they were going to working 40 days without. It was their “Do what we have to do.” Attitude that impressed me.

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And teachers please quit whining! It is sickening.

I can’t remember the last time I had a vacation. How many weeks a year through the school year do you get a break? At least three. Then two or more months off during the summer? Add all the holidays, breaks – how many months a year do you even work? Six or Seven? Less than that? Gimme a break.

If you want to make more money climb into the private sector with the rest of us. Work 12 hour days with nare a day off. Give up all those zillion weeks of vacation a year and your sabatical every summer.

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Elizabeth says … “Those “vacation days” are unpaid. I get so tired of explaining this over and over. Teachers get paid for the number of days they are contracted to work– this year it was 190 days. There are NO paid vacations or holidays. Other state employes do get paid vacation and paid holiday time. Teachers do not. ”

STOP MAKING THESE RIDICULOUS STATEMENTS – they undermine your “intelligence” !! You and others that constantly complain about teacher pay need to LOOK AT THE MATH !! How hard is it to comprehend that you are pretty well compensated for the amount of days that you actually work. Stop using these examples to back up teachers “horrible” pay, the numbers do not compute into making you under-compensated !! IN ADDITION, you get better health insuarance compared to the majority of the private sector … tenure and a “right to work” even if your a horrible teacher (it’s nearly impossible to get rid of the bad apples) … and you get a very handsome pension.

Teachers are valued and appreciated. However, it is becoming increasingly frustrating to sit back and let you continue to put yourself on this pedestal and refuse to take atleast a PORTION OF THE BLAME. Until there is an OVERALL IMPROVEMENT in our schools, the teachers do need to take on some of that responsibility and stop the finger pointing. We ALL play a part in our children’s success and we ALL play a part in this mess.

Teachers – take your FURLOUGH days and feel LUCKY you have a job!

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Amazing how my posts keep getting “lost”; but I’ll try one more time …

“Those “vacation days” are unpaid. I get so tired of explaining this over and over. Teachers get paid for the number of days they are contracted to work– this year it was 190 days. There are NO paid vacations or holidays. Other state employes do get paid vacation and paid holiday time. Teachers do not.”

DO THE MATH and STOP with these examples. THINK before you post, as it really does not compute into “horrible teacher pay”.

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What’s sickening is the attitude of this state that corners can be cut in education and everything will be ok.

You know that’s BS, right?

It’s teachers’ fault that Perdue was elected because they didn’t like Roy Barnes.

You know that’s BS, right?

You people love to spout the (largely nonsensical and untrue) stat that Georgia is “49th out of 50 states” and the US is “losing ground to the rest of the world.”

You know that’s BS, right?

Oh, teachers “have all this time off,” “paid vacations,” “only work 9 – 3.”

You know that’s BS, right?

You people love to talk about how the teacher’s unions are ruining education in this great state of ours…

You KNOW that’s BS, right?

I don’t know if half the crap posted on this blog is really ignorant folks out there who truly believe this BS, or trolls just trying to get folks riled up. I admire the folks on here – parents and teachers alike – trying to make things better – being given lemons and making lemonade. But I have no respect for people who continue to spout nonsense about unions, and teachers having paid vacations, and not offering up any freakin’ solutions!!

What do you want people? Do you want a world class education? Well, that ain’t cheap and it doesn’t include everyone. If you don’t like the idea of tracking, vocational ed, and apprenticeships by 9th grade, then I’ve got a solution for all you naysayers – screw the stupid voucher idea – that’s not going to be anything but another layer of bureaucracy, and scrap all public schools. That’s right – no school taxes at all. Simply pay your own way at the private school of your choice. I’m all for it – how about you?

signed – sick of the anger and ignorance.

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Maybe our citizens should do what the citizens in Oregon voted to do earlier this week: impose a slightly higher tax on big business and people making over a certain amount of money. The citizens chose to do this in lieu of cutting the education budget to the bone. Something to think about.

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Middle Man, there’s a spreadsheet on the DOE website that shows how much each district spends in total and per pupil in about 7 different categories. Some expenditures might not be directly comparable — for instance, you’d expect a county that covered a larger area might spend more on transportation than a county with fewer square miles.

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City of Atlanta, I meant. You guys have it both ways. You work 7-9 months with a boatload of time off and you want to make $$$$$$$$$

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Hey Deborah – why don’t you take your own advice and find another job if the one you have is so distasteful to you? I’ll bet your employer or clients would love the way you’re complaining about a job you should be happy to have in this economy. I’ll bet there are a lot of people out there (even some lowly teachers) who would be willing to take your job if you don’t want it. To paraphrase the great Lewis Grizzard – Careerbuilder.com is ready when you are.

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majii – won’t happen – this state doesn’t care about its children or attracting jobs by having a decent educational system. They would rather vote for someone ‘cuz they think the “R” next to their name means religious. They would rather keep the liquor stores closed on Sundays, while selling cheap cigarettes to folks driving over the “Bama border, on their way to spending their money wagering on horses in the state next door, than actually doing anything about trying to raise some revenue.

But that’s ok – teachers in this state are the problem. They’re overpaid, only work 6 months a year – and only 6 hours per day at that – with tenure from DAY 1 !!!. They are fully vested in a taxpayer-funded pension plan the first day of class, they can retire after 20 years, and they have ALL their health care fully paid for…you know that’s BS, right???

Signed – tired of the anger and the ignorance, and searching Delta.com for outgoing flights…

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Cobb teachers will be furloughed AFTER we already received a 2% pay cut and for those teachers who were going to get a step increase, they will only get that for half a year. But our school board will go on a retreat for team building that costs $6000. It’s not the money cuts, its the lack of support and understanding. When the school board chair woman was asked why, her very mature response was why not? Are you kidding me? I agree..area superintendents need to go (I’ve never even laid eyes on the one in area 4). Special ed cluster supervisors need to go. Once that is gone, then let’s talk about cutting my pay again.

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The ignorance from some here is stunning and the venom from those and others is depressing.

Because my degree is in a real science, and not in education, I could make a lot more money in the private sector. I would have fewer days off, but not a lot fewer at this point, because by now I would get 10 holidays and 5 or 6 weeks of paid vacation per year if I had stayed at my original job. My spouse & I could even take vacations in the spring and fall, instead of in summer and over Christmas when it’s crowded.

Teaching is a second career for me, and it’s a choice I made, and continue to make year by year, because I love what I do and I love the students (most of them, anyway! *grin*), so I’m not “whining”, just stating facts.

Those of you who think that quality private schools spend less than public schools do are by and large mistaken. Most private schools that charge less than public schools are not very good, and private schools also are not required to offer the range of services, including special education, that are required of public schools. The data on charter schools and vouchers are contradictory, and vouchers add an extra layer of bureaucracy without helping the children in the worst schools.

I might point out that teachers and other state employees also pay state income taxes and we also pay property taxes on our homes, automobiles, and any other vehicles we might own. Some of us have spouses that have been laid off other jobs, and some of us are supporting parents, children, or siblings who don’t have jobs or who have health problems. Some of us have spouses who work in industry and have better benefits than we do and who make twice as much with a high school diploma as we do with masters degrees. We aren’t demons and we aren’t saints. We’d like public education in Georgia to be better, but we can’t do it alone.

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Most teachers would say that what they are typing is merely facts, too – I see a lot of misinformation on this blog, and if I were a teacher, I would feel compelled to correct it. You had rewards for your loyalty – teachers have had their contracts broken. Wouldn’t you be upset? If all schools were private, there wouldn’t be any dependence on property taxes and the whims of the real estate market. You either produce or you’re gone.

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Debby, when I see the words REWARD and LOYALTY so close together, I become nervous. Like MILITARY INTELLIGENCE, these are two separate concepts which, in the long run, tend to mutually destruct. Don’t let that 9k prop tax house cloud your perspectives.

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Parent and Taxpayer – ha ha, as a science major, we thought the weakest links were business majors – particularly marketing. We also thought “communications” majors (i.e. English Lite) were a joke, too – hopefully, your major allowed you an oxygen allowance as the rarefied air up there on those highest pedestals is a little thin. Fact of the matter is it didn’t really matter once you were out of school – the successful ones were successful, no matter their field, and the slackers were slackers – even with science degrees.

Just remember, not all teachers are education majors. And a lot of non-education, “real” degreed people can’t teach their way out of a paper bag (ever get one of those theory-minded folks in college – ain’t fun).

So, after reading several of your posts, I’m feeling your overall vibe. What teacher ticked you off so much as a child, and why don’t you get some therapy for that instead of spouting un-truths on a blog?

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Trapped by the filter again!

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Deborah -

Um, yeah – I’ll take your challenge head on. This is my second career – I was in the corporate world before this and always felt a calling to be a teacher and finally pursued it. I even spent time back at my old job this past summer (because I work in the summers to supplement my salary, thankyouverymuch) and seriously considered going back to it because it was better money and less stress – even standing on my feet for 8 hours a day conducting trainings for a company. I traveled all over the country and spend more than my 12 hours a day preparing for training, development, etc.

And you know what? I realized that teaching, with me grading papers over the weekend and at night, doing planning on my free time, working hard to get students to learn, working 12-hour days but getting paid for 8, was more rewarding at the end of the day because I got to influence students in a positive way and help them learn that education is everything. I chose to stay in teaching. It’s the hardest job I’ve had in my almost 20-year career, and teaching is the most rewarding.

Your kids (if you have them) would LOVE for me to be their teacher. You are probably the parent that drives me crazy with endless emails and inane criticisms of my teaching style without ever spending a day in my shoes.

I can’t take vacation when I want. I don’t even get paid maternity leave. I put in more hours in my 190 (well, now 186 days) than you even dream of on one of your “bad” days. I pay for my own office supplies, as well as supplies for my classroom now. I don’t get expense checks for out-of-pocket expenses. I’m not whining; I’m proud of my choice.

So, yeah – I’ll take your challenge. Until you spend a week in my shoes, until you really know what a teacher’s day is that encompasses all their responsibilities and duties, please take your negativity elsewhere and let us have a productive discussion on this blog. Because I’ve been on both sides of the fence, I know. And I STILL chose to be a positive role model for your kids. What have you done lately to positively influence a child?

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@ Anger and Ignorance – I am the spouse of a dedicated teacher, one that has received several honors. I speak on behalf of both of us. Teachers that want out can get out. I know several people that are making the move from corporate jobs to education, displacing teachers with attitudes like yourself that will run circles around most of today’s “teachers”.

Your moniker, Anger and Ignorance, fits you to a T. “You get what you pay for” means teachers haven’t shown their advancing our students so their pay stays as low as the results.

Welcome to the REAL World where accountability reigns!

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“You had rewards for your loyalty – teachers have had their contracts broken.”

My sister had a contract with her job in corporate America, yet she lost her job last year – an employee that always performed in the top percentile of the company. A teacher with a “broken contract” most likely STILL HAS A JOB!

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Whaaaaaaaaaa! The sobbing never ceases on this blog. The Bible says that charity is a requirement. If you have truly given to others as a personal sacrifice, then God will reward you. If you want someone to cry over, consider Haiti. I’ve been there. I’ve been to one of their cinderblock schools with a dirt floor and nothing but a teacher and a blackboard. I can tell you that those children were well behaved and respectful towards their teacher. There was more learning going on in that school than in many in America. I’m sure that ALL the children would qualify for a free lunch. Since the earthquake, the island has been turned into a death camp, where thousands of bodies are scooped up and loaded into dump trucks and dumped into shallow graves, limbs sticking out of the sickening heap. For the first four days, most had no food, water, or medical help. Even those within one mile of the airport. The U.N. EVACUATED doctors. Our military took over the airport and TURNED AWAY critical delivery of food, water, and portable surgical units. Untold numbers died because of this. After a week of no aid, desperate Haitians were prevented by our military from leaving the island on boats. Did Congress declare war on Haiti? DID I MISS SOMETHING? COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS TEACHERS! COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS PUBLIC SCHOOL PARENTS!

Here’s a suggestion for the dual income families. Many families during WW2 started their own victory gardens to help keep up the food supply. They rationed. Why don’t thousands of you start a VICTORY HOME SCHOOL? You will save the county at least $10,000 per child. Those who are truly in need, can use a less crowded public school. If enough people participate, property taxes alone might actually cover the entire public school bill. (Isn’t that what it was supposed to do in the first place?) Those who home school will become productive entrepreneurs, providing a product the market wants (affordable quality education). It can be done for $500 to $1000. By doing this, you are actively paying off the public debt and taking away Washington’s excuse for a spending binge.
By home schooling, our family has already saved taxpayers $300,000. For every 10 students that are home schooled, tax payers are saved a whopping $100,000! Put your money where your mouth is and JUST DO IT!

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Caught in the filter JH, but check back for my response – you’ll love it!

BTW – not a teacher – no way, no how, not in a million freakin’ years. I just like to pick a side and blog away. Love playing Devil’s advocate. Not angry or ignorant either – but very much enjoying those who are.

“A teacher with a “broken contract” most likely STILL HAS A JOB!” – And your point is???

Sorry about your sister, and everyone else who has suffered a loss in this lovely economy, but my comment was to Deborah, who still has a job, too. She made a point about loyalty – I made a counter-point about lack thereof. The job part had absolutely nothing to do with it.

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JH – Either you were not a very motivated student or you were not fortunate to have any of the many good teachers that I had nor any of the AWESOME teachers that I work with everyday. Some of those same teachers get to work at least an hour before we are required to report, and several of them were still there on a Friday evening when I left there at 6:30. I truly hate that your sister loss her job. That just means that whoever was left now has to do their job and hers as well. That is the last thing that we need to happen in our education system. Would you really want your doctor to have to deal with 140 patients each and everyday and not be able to give each one of his patients the careful attention that they each need?

I am happy to have a job, BLESSED in fact, and I will continue to be a dedicated educator. It is attitudes like yours that I do not want my students to have once they become adults, and I would never wish anyone ill will nor belittle anyone’s profession. I guess this is Y I choose 2 Educate others!!!!

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lower expectations and lower my taxes.

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Vote to put Nancy Pelosi on a bus; save taxpayers $2.1 million!
http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=123472

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Before every politician goes on the TAX and SPEND bandwagon, how about a NON-POLITICAL Public audit of the Lottery Funds and the GA Education System?

How about publishing how and where the Lottery money has been distributed so far at what success rate? It seems with the Billions dumped into education already, something is a amiss and money isn’t the missing item in the equation. We see proof of this over and over in states which spend less education dollars per student than GA., yet rank repeatedly higher.

Common sense should tell every one that not every student is college bound or capitable. So why are so many GA school systems being forced into teaching to the lowest denominator for an unattainable goal? This is conflicting goal restrict those students that can learn. Its time to be honest with the other 90% of the students and separate the thugs, the punks and the less educable, from the those that prove they can and want to learn. I am not saying start putting bids out for more little buses. However, I have been in states where they successfully implemented strict rules, where if you disrupt the education process you get 1 warning per school year with parent notification in the principles office and then on the next offense the disruptor is sent to a special school setup for disciplinary problem students with a set of last chance even stricter rules for the remainder of the year.This simple process keeps bad elements from impeding on those that understand a good education is a must have, in order to advance legally in USA.

Regarding the question: Do teachers get paid enough? NO, but with that said Permanent Lifetime Tenure is not the answer either. Employment & Pay should be based on merit and skill levels.
Note: Teachers do have a sweet retirement plan in many states that makes up for some of the wage shortcomings.

Question: Why shouldn’t GA teachers, educated in GA by the GA college system, have their student loans forgiven @ 10% per year of employment, by the state?

As a parting thought, GA. has 159 County level BOE’s, a process setup over a 100 years ago when we had mostly dirt roads, shared books, segregation and education driven solely by the whims of local power hungry politicians. So when are we going to move towards a modern school system model used successfully by the higher ranking states?

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JH, if all the teachers with broken contracts left their jobs, who would be in the classrooms teaching the kids? In the corporate world a broken contract is usually between one person and the business. If given the chance to renegotiate, that person might retain his job with concessions on his or both parties part or the person leaves that job. Whether downsized or just terminated, the business goes on. Either the position is filled or others take up the slack.

I will undergo 5 evaluations this year: 2 regular ones, 2 by teams from throughout the school system checking to ensure we are a “learner focused, standards based” school, and a year-end. My friends in the corporate world have at least 2 evaluations a year to ensure they are performing well. The big difference is that I will get no bonus or raise for exemplary work while they have that possibility. We both love what we do and go the extra mile to do it well.

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Whatever happened to the millions of dollars taken away from school districts because of austerity cuts? School districts have had austerity cuts prior to the recession. What did the state use that money for?

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No tax increases. What needs to happen is a thorough evaluation of how the state funds the schools – especially construction.

My small, semi-rural hometown has built three brand new schools in the past ten years and abandoned the old schools they replaced. Those old schools still had utility. Apparently, the state funding will pay $25 million for a new facility before they will pay $4 million for renovations of an existing facility.

Next, my hometown high school pays the head football coach in excess of $90,000 per year. The neighboring school spent almost $100,000 for a new fieldhouse. My wife spends hundreds of dollars out of pocket each year for classroom supplies that the system SHOULD be buying.

Priorities are out of whack.

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Fact Checker,

Maureen has pointed out numerous times that public schools cost less per pupil than a good private school. And she is right I pay 12k for elementary school and middle 14k and High school 16k. And that is the standard pricing for most good private schools while public school is about 11k from what I read.

With that said I do think the state could save a lot of money via efficiencies ie DOE, administration cost, testing over teaching, coordinating the higher education system with middle and high schools……

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Metro counties may spend 11K per student, but down here in south Georgia we don’t – and teachers aren’t paid as well either. We still have central office bloat.

BTW, I’ve taught in counties too small to field a football team, but the BOE was one of the biggest employees in the county, and the local poohbahs didn’t want to give up their “power and influence” to merge with larger counties, even though the students would have had more opportunities, and some would have had shorter travel times to schools in neighboring counties.

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Just one observation regarding the increase of money spent on education in this state (not saying there isn’t some waste, there most definitively is, especially at the top, just like in many private organizations). The main expense in education is in personnel. More personnel is needed due to what? The fact that we have a much larger population now that back in the ‘good old days’.

More people in the state means more money needed to fund education. Very simple equation.

Those that repeat the mantra about throwing money at the problem are missing that small fact.

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Well it certainly has been interesting reading all the posts.. Most people tend to make common sense and their arguments are sound. But there are a few who are the radicals on either side that inflame us all. I think its easy to blame others for a problem that is system wide in nature. Its easy to pick on the little guy who makes up most of the school systems budget… the teacher. But before you decide to pick a scape goat try and step in their shoes for a day. School board members make decisions without ever beeing in a school.. school planners make decisions without ever consulting the people who will be directly affected. Many teachers have master’s degrees that cost well over $30,000 to get to advance on the pay scale because that was the only way to do so, but have no input on how their room is designed. Just an example of a work day of a professional. Arrive to your workplace which is 80 years old by the way with ducts filled with mildew and mold from god knows when.An environment that holds 1,500 individuals but is designed for only 1000, and put the rest in a trailer ( Katrina like trailers that pose health hazards????) that if you dont leave the heater running its a nice 58 degrees.. great for education. Well lets start the day by getting a drink of water from 80 year old pipes and walking around the crowded hallways filled with thousands of germs from kids that dont wash their hands and sneeze and our from other countries where they have different germs my immune system isnt used to. Ok plug in the overhead in the one receptacle you do have in the room which back in 1920 it wasnt an issue but in 2010 it is. Projector, overhead. computer fan etc.. but lets keep the dream alive. Ok assign the work and lets gets started.. oh what deal with discipline.. I just got called an A-hole… now I have to call the parent.. refer that student and interrupt others education. Ok make it through the day and come home.. wait not done grade some papers and plan for the next day.. or spend sunday or saturday planning for the week. So work 40 hours during the school day…5 hours for the week… plan on sunday.. another 3 hours.. so 48-50 hours a week minimum Wait.. comin down with something.. lets go to doctor and pay him.. and for the medication.. Darn just spent $150 on beeing sick.. how did I get that? From one of the thousands of kids.. the mold or mildew.. the katrina like trailers.. hmm well could it be my work environment? I appreciate the health insurance that the district provides me and should.. Teachers are exposed to a lot of health risks that others are not.. getting beat up by a 16 yo trying to break up a fight… illnesses… poor working conditions.. So before you say cut cut cut.. just remember some things you may never thought about. I work hard and so do you, but how does your work environment compare to mine… Do you have a 50 year old desk to work at.. is your computer 10 years old and slow.. do you have to buy your own supplies.. do you have to worry about beeing called a name and having to hold your tongue… do you have dust and dirt on your desks every morning… sick people around you everyday.. It just gets alittle sickening when people dont understand what you go thru and say such awful stuff. Im not whining just stating facts of my work environment.. yeah quit .. yeah leave.. but what if I like what I do but want to change it.. why cant my work environment be like yours in a professional world. Thank you to those who understand.. your comments keep me going.. thank you to those who volunteer at school.. thank you for those who donate.. thank you even to the challenging kids.. you make my day interesting. Attend your school board meetings.. keep an eye on your board members and tell them what you want to happen. And ps….do you really trust a superintendent and board (dekalb) who keep a suspected thief on the payroll.??? Why would you offer someone 2 more years to do a crappy job.???? Why? Why is it the only thing you can think of is to cut salaries in stead of finding ways to increase your revenue?? Pepsi and Coke would certainly have a bidding war over whose exclusive soda machines would be in school? any idea of how much money that would bring in? Stop all purchases… cut administrator travel.. and conferences… stop all expenditures unless necessary. Do without the new computers or smart board for a year or two.. extend the life of a textbook one more year or two.. 5 principals at a school for 1200 kids.. wow!.. there’s money there.. its just mispent but dont furlough.. dont cut people pay.. its unnecessary. and 7 years with the same mil rate folks.. wow.. your lucky.. I know times are tough but really?? thats a benefit to do all that schools do today from a mil rate of 7 years ago.

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S n’S, first of all, please take this message, along with all your teacher bretheren who partake of this blog post: none of you need to justify your stances, nor elaborate on the often-times outlandish conditions under which you must function. However…and please do not take this personaly, nor as a shot across your professional bow…by not taking assertive action…I believe you referenced the actions of radicals who inflame the situation…you have allowed the outlandish to become the norm. When teachers, on unpaid furlough days, march into the classroom, motivated by the…yes, guilt-ridden notion that it’s for the kids…when teachers insist on purchasing materials which any small mom n’ pop business would have to get on their own…how many employees, of any business, would agree to procure the pen, papers, and materiel necessary to do their jobs…doing these things, year after year, with nary a squeek of protest, emboldens leadership to view the outlandish as the norm.

For those who feel that your lot is ok, that you have nothing over which to voice consternation, I would suggest that they simply take the next train to hell. I see many teachers elaborate upon the conditions in which they must function…old this, broken that, unfunded the other. These are completely unnecessary. I am completely uneducated as to the potential for collective bargaining within the state of ga, however, after you, collectively, have seen “how well” your state leadership tends to your concerns; how completely disinterested your local leadership appears to be in your professional needs…I think you may be wise to consider the radicals’ approach…the approach you appear to disdain in favor of sound common sense arguements which, more than likely, wind up going into cyber space.

If, school by school, all teachers “sicked out” at the first furlough day just one teacher had to endure, there just might be some attention gathering that otherwise would go unoticed. Would there be economic pain and tremendous job uncertainty…absolutely.

The way I see it, ga teachers…ya gotta problem. You can write about, talk about it, and everyone will either agree or disagree, but at the end of the day, ya still gotta problem. A third alternative, after writing and talking, is to take positive action. Was I you, I’d figure that one out pdq.

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Gwinnett Parent, does the private school accept special needs students, including those who can’t feed themselves or take care of their own toileting? Does the private school provide transportation for the students who live more than a mile away? Does the private school have a library, a cafeteria, a football field, and a gymnasium? Is the private school located in church facilities and/or subsidized by a church or other group? Are students required to buy their own textbooks and workbooks, and do they have to pay fees for lab supplies in science classes?

There are a number of things public schools normally provide for all “free of charge” that private schools do not provide.

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[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Hanako and stanley lines, Maureen Downey. Maureen Downey said: TIme to show world we are not eating clay and marrying our cousins. We have to commit to education spending. http://bit.ly/d3OdPj [...]

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Science Teacher 671-The school has a library, gymnasium(it was packed to the gills w/ parents), and a cafeteria. Since it is k-8 there is not a football field. It was pouring rain when I went and parking was at a premium, so it was hard to check out the outdoor athletic facilities. It was amazing how many parents showed up for the open house. They have P.E. class and it appeared that they had a lot of land. There are no special ed kids or mainstreaming the sp.ed into the avg classroom and parents are responsible for transportation. They do not appear to have accomodations for ESOL. Textbooks and fees are included in the 6k. Students have an entrance exam, so yes they have less hassles than the avg public school. Just saying…you can find a quality private school that is not in a basement and costs less than 20k.

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As 2010 is an election year, state legislatures are unlikely to take any significant action to raise taxes therefore state departments of education and local boards of education will have to take action to address budget deficits. If readers will go to http://aei.org/event/100164, this website provides interesting insights into what school districts are doing to survive in the short term and also addressing educational reforms in the long term.

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To Warrior Woman, I agree with your comments. The symbiotic relationship between Boards of education and Superintendents are detrimental to educational excellence. When BOE’s lack the intellectual capacity and capability to challenge “business as usual”, then its hard to tighten belts on bloated if not pregnant Administrative costs within the educational system. One has to wonder if our respective districts are an “educational system” or an “employment system”. It is simply insane to think we can do the same old things, the same old way and expect different results.

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