98 replies to this topic

[Parizienne]

You're sure the teachers' union wouldn't agree? Really? I think the teachers' union would agree if it helped save jobs and keep teachers in the classrooms so we don't have to raise class sizes. I know it's hard to believe, but most teachers genuinely want what's best for kids. Most of us are parents, and we know what raising class sizes will accomplish - a trip DOWN the ladder of progress, to be sure.

The whole reason we have teachers' unions is because of this sort of unconscionable wrangling by the legislature. I might get an IOU next month, for crying out loud! Do you think my mortgage company is going to accept one from me? Heck no. If the state lays off 160,000 to 180,000 teachers as has been estimated by some sources, do you think that's going to help the housing market? And how many more people will be standing in the unemployment lines? How many more people are going to fall into arrears?

They talk about "creating jobs" to help the economy. Here's an idea. Let's preserve the ones we have that are necessary for society to function. I don't get hiring people to build highways and laying off thousands of teachers, policeman, firefighters, etc. Seems like a wash to me. Hmmm.. Do I want a new highway? Or a school filled with children being taught in reasonably-sized classes by experienced teachers? Or police to be available to help me when I need them? Yeah, give me the highway. That's the ticket!

These lawmakers are self-interested morons. ALL of them. I am sick to death of their games. They need to get real and stop worrying about their own hides. Whatever happened to the BEST interests of the state? No one seems to consider this. We have a frightening crisis here. Where is the Fed? They'll bail out banks and inept auto moguls, but not schools. Nice show of priorities, there.

Ten years' experience and my head's on the block again. (sigh)

Somehow, I don't think I'm going to survive it this time.


Pari.

The Bee article which mentioned the proposed elimination of 5 school days/year also stated that the curriculum hours could be "made up" by adding time to the remaining 175 school days (ex. start school at 8:00 a.m. rather than 8:25). I think this is a fantastic idea. I'm sure the Teachers Union wouldn't agree. If it saves money to shut the schools down 5 days early, making up the time during the school day seems like a great compromise.

Barb

[Barb J]

Pari:
I think that the teacher's would agree, but the Unions would be opposed. Eliminating 5 days from the school year would mean eliminating 5 days of pay - right? Obviously for the teachers whose jobs are on the line, 5 days pay loss is more amenable than unemployment. As a former Union member (not teacher's mind you), I have often seen that the union doesn't always look out for the little guy. I hope that is not true in this instance.

Thanks for your hard work. I know from your previous posts that you are a hardworking, caring teacher as most if not all) of the teachers in the district are. Unfortunately you guys will bear the brunt of others decisions and I don't think they are always looking out for your best interests.

Barb

[pet lover]

If teacher's workdays are longer they should be compensated! If they save a bulk of money shutting down five days early then they can still afford to pay teachers for the "extra minutes" tacked onto the school day.

Pari:
I think that the teacher's would agree, but the Unions would be opposed. Eliminating 5 days from the school year would mean eliminating 5 days of pay - right? Obviously for the teachers whose jobs are on the line, 5 days pay loss is more amenable than unemployment. As a former Union member (not teacher's mind you), I have often seen that the union doesn't always look out for the little guy. I hope that is not true in this instance.

Thanks for your hard work. I know from your previous posts that you are a hardworking, caring teacher as most if not all) of the teachers in the district are. Unfortunately you guys will bear the brunt of others decisions and I don't think they are always looking out for your best interests.

Barb

[stacycam]

Yes, they should be compensated, but I think most would agree that working a few extra minutes would sure beat losing staff. I know my husband works at Intel and he won't be getting a raise next year (nothing new, really) and he'll probably work more hours. That's okay by me as long as he still has a job.

I think in times like this job security may be worth more than a little extra money. Not to mention, if they are cutting days to save money, it wouldn't make much sense to just pay the money in a different way.

[pet lover]

I agree with you mostly. But I thought they were saving with operation costs, energy, etc. I would do it for a year, but as a single person with only one income the reduction of pay is going to sting. Pay will go down and all things in life are going up! My monthly expenses for operating costs just keep rising. I can do my best to save in other ways. I just hope we don't dumb down education and the children growing to be our future leaders will be gypped because education is a lesser priority in our bad economic times.

Yes, they should be compensated, but I think most would agree that working a few extra minutes would sure beat losing staff. I know my husband works at Intel and he won't be getting a raise next year (nothing new, really) and he'll probably work more hours. That's okay by me as long as he still has a job.

I think in times like this job security may be worth more than a little extra money. Not to mention, if they are cutting days to save money, it wouldn't make much sense to just pay the money in a different way.

[Robert Gary]

I think in times like this job security may be worth more than a little extra money. Not to mention, if they are cutting days to save money, it wouldn't make much sense to just pay the money in a different way.

The only job security is continuous education. You should never put all your marbles in one company. Get more degrees and more certifications so you get picked up quick after a layoff.
Right now its hard to find software people. We tried to hire a couple of months ago and didn't get any good responses. A friend of mine just hired someone at his company and he's having to sponsor the guys work visa and relocate him from the East coast. Apparently everyone thought everything was going to India about 5 years ago and now there is a major shortage. However, even at that you need to keep building your credentials. If you don't have a masters, get it. If you don't have an MBA yet, get it. I'm in a pretty stable job right now and am fortunate to have the means to be out of work for a couple years if totally necessary but I'm getting ready to take the US Patent Office Bar exam to practice patent law before the board. I'll probably never prosecute a patent but it adds to the resume. Since every employer I've ever had pays for education its a no brainer to do it. I've never worked for Intel (thank God) but I understand they pay for education too.

-Robert

[swmr545]

How about putting an end to money grubbing lawsuits against the school districts 2 years after the supposed "mean" events took place.

What were the circumstances that led to a lawsuit being filed? Was it out of the blue or were all the necessary steps taken before proceeding to the court?

[stacycam]

I just hope we don't dumb down education and the children growing to be our future leaders will be gypped because education is a lesser priority in our bad economic times.

I completely agree. I am VERY worried for the education our young kids are/will be getting. Right now Folsom High is a great school, but I have a feeling that, over the next 20 years, we'll see a major decline. The kids in the lower grades, and those that haven't started yet, are going to suffer due to the budget, as well as short-sighted board decisions.

I also think we're going to lose some great teachers if things don't get better. :-(

[Barb J]

As someone else stated in this thread, FCUSD seems to be the only district in the area that eliminated CSR for 3rd grade even though they faced budget cuts as deep as we did. I would be interested to hear where they cut and what their plans are for the next round of cuts. If they don't already, FCUSD should sit down with these other districts and share ideas!

Barb

[JoAnne Reinking]

Community Budget Forums

Tuesday, February 10, 2009 at 6:00 pm

Mills Middle School
Cafetorium
10439 Coloma Rd
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670

Thursday, February 12, 2009 at 6:00 pm

Folsom High School
Cafeteria
1655 Iron Point Road
Folsom, CA 95630


Hope many of you can attend.

[Darthvader]

What were the circumstances that led to a lawsuit being filed? Was it out of the blue or were all the necessary steps taken before proceeding to the court?

Greeeeeeeed....

[Robert Gary]

What were the circumstances that led to a lawsuit being filed? Was it out of the blue or were all the necessary steps taken before proceeding to the court?

I'm not sure if that is a serious question. In California there is no theshold for filing a civil suit. All you need is a pen and some paper and the ability to walk down to the courthouse and present it to the clerk. You can sue anyone at anytime for anything. The definition of "winning" becomes distorted because the school can lose such a suit without ever even needing to go to court (simply because of the legal costs or the settlement resulting in trying to avoid said legal costs).

-Robert

[momtogirls]

Community Budget Forums

Tuesday, February 10, 2009 at 6:00 pm

Mills Middle School
Cafetorium
10439 Coloma Rd
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670

Thursday, February 12, 2009 at 6:00 pm

Folsom High School
Cafeteria
1655 Iron Point Road
Folsom, CA 95630


Hope many of you can attend.

[momtogirls]

Thank you JoAnne for posting this information about the budget meetings. I appreciate you getting on these forums and posting information. Is there any way to send out a school distrist wide email about the meetings? I think a lot of parents just don't get on the school web site as often as they should.

Thanks for getting on these forums...... That is why I voted for you... Keep up the good work!!!!

[swmr545]

Greeeeeeeed....

If I were in the lawsuit for the money I could've gone for a whole lot more than what was finally agreed upon.