98 replies to this topic

[swmr545]

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

When it comes to getting to suiing a school district, there are several levels of a complaint process that must be followed first (at least that was my understanding of the law).

1) Informal complaint (prompting an investigation with a report that includes notification of your right to appeal), 2) Formal complaint (which leads to a secondary investigation with a compliance officer that is appointed to the case by the District, includes another report that is supposed to include notification of your right to appeal), 3) Appealing to the District/Board (same report should follow as before), 4) Appealing to the State Dept of Education Office of Equal Opportunity (and their conclusion and notification of your right to pursue a lawsuit).

A lawsuit against a school district is supposed to be the final/last resort to be implemented in attempting to make a change to the way a complaint was handeled and how policies and procedures should be changed in hopes of stopping another similar incident of harassment from taking place.

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FYI darth, the reason why the lawsuit was filed 2 almost 3 years after the initial complaint is because both the district and the CDE DID NOT stick to the statute of limitations placed on them by CA law, and I was young and naive enough to believe they would have followed the law like I was doing. The district argued that the statute of limitations passed for me to be allowed to file a lawsuit, the judge said that was their fault and not mine.

[Darthvader]

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FYI darth, the reason why the lawsuit was filed 2 almost 3 years after the initial complaint is because both the district and the CDE DID NOT stick to the statute of limitations placed on them by CA law, and I was young and naive enough to believe they would have followed the law like I was doing. The district argued that the statute of limitations passed for me to be allowed to file a lawsuit, the judge said that was their fault and not mine.

Glad to hear you are so dilligent at following the "process."

Oh and your concern for the state of the school district is noted, thanks for your support!

[Robert Gary]

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

You would have continued to pay 3 or 4 attorneys $250/hr to work on the case while in this discussion?

-Robert

[swmr545]

You would have continued to pay 3 or 4 attorneys $250/hr to work on the case while in this discussion?

-Robert

? There were 2 attorneys involved. My attorney and I had our own agreement on payment. I don't know what the district's attorney charged them.

[Barb J]

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.

In a good economy I would agree with you. However everyone is having to make sacrifices, teachers included. My husband has not had a raise in over 3 years. His industry is severely depressed right now and his company has laid off alot of people in his "unit". Therefore, his workload has increased substantially because someone has to take over the workload, right? But his pay has stayed the same. Are we complaining??? Heck no, we are just completely grateful that he still has a job!

I am a HUGE supporter of teachers. But the economy sucks all over and something has to give. A deduction in their pay of 5 days out of the school year is a small price to pay in my opinion for them able to keep their jobs. If CSR is eliminated for 1st and 2nd, a ton of teachers in FCUSD will be out of work.

Barb

[tessieca]

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.

This is exactly the same conundrum that districts, cities, etc., are facing. The State is cutting funding while all other costs are on the rise. Please go to www.fcusd.org and then to Budget Central to let your thoughts be known, and to give your proposed solutions. Also, it would be helpful to let the legislature know that we can't afford to sacrifice kids' education becuase the adults of the State have messed things up so horribly. We need to bank on our youth.

[pet lover]

I agree with you but teachers already subsidize the classroom. I provide my students with all of the basic necessities for their desk. I don't send home a letter requesting the parents go out and buy certain products after the back to school sales are OVER. I know for sure I will have to stop this practice if my class goes up to 30 (32). If the five days saves CSR...I'd do it. If it is to save, band, music, athletics, etc. then NO! While these experiences are wonderful for older children, the fundamental goal of school is to teach children the "BASICS!" I would be in favor of teachers running the computer lab and library for their class and teachers doing yard duty before making the school year shorter and I don't think I am the only person that feels that way!

In a good economy I would agree with you. However everyone is having to make sacrifices, teachers included. My husband has not had a raise in over 3 years. His industry is severely depressed right now and his company has laid off alot of people in his "unit". Therefore, his workload has increased substantially because someone has to take over the workload, right? But his pay has stayed the same. Are we complaining??? Heck no, we are just completely grateful that he still has a job!

I am a HUGE supporter of teachers. But the economy sucks all over and something has to give. A deduction in their pay of 5 days out of the school year is a small price to pay in my opinion for them able to keep their jobs. If CSR is eliminated for 1st and 2nd, a ton of teachers in FCUSD will be out of work.

Barb

[pet lover]

I'm quite aware of that, but where I am on the pay scale it sure hurts. I can't even count on teaching summer school because that will likely not be offered if the state doesn't have the money. Sad when a veteran teacher has to take on a second job to make ends meet! I don't have to do that YET...but it could come to that and there really aren't extra jobs out there.

This is exactly the same conundrum that districts, cities, etc., are facing. The State is cutting funding while all other costs are on the rise. Please go to www.fcusd.org and then to Budget Central to let your thoughts be known, and to give your proposed solutions. Also, it would be helpful to let the legislature know that we can't afford to sacrifice kids' education becuase the adults of the State have messed things up so horribly. We need to bank on our youth.

[pet lover]

If SWMR545 really has a heart for kids maybe he could give his "settlement" back to our district to help educate and "protect" the youth of today!

[jtroiano]

If SWMR545 really has a heart for kids maybe he could give his "settlement" back to our district to help educate and "protect" the youth of today!

Go tell the district how you feel about where they could save money in the budget.
FCUSD survey

I don't have any kids in school anymore, but I took the survey anyway. I hope others will do the same.

[Dave Burrell]

If SWMR545 really has a heart for kids maybe he could give his "settlement" back to our district to help educate and "protect" the youth of today!

that's a big if

[pet lover]

Thank you both for being so generous. I am sure your children’s teachers are very honored! I feel so grateful when parents or children bring in goodies for our classroom. I come from a school where “public school” is public and we cannot require children provide their own supplies. Our letters for any kind of contribution have to be worded very carefully. Most teachers bulk up on the back to school savings so the amount spent is minimal to the amount we get in return. Goodies for projects, parties, etc. are what get costly! I treasure gift cards from places like Target, Walmart, and Costco (but more from the two big box stores) because I keep them in the car and when I need stuff for school I can pull out the card and buy things for the classroom. I have found parents have been generous this year in supplying my classroom with batteries, mini headphones, Kleenex, and cleaning wipes. I try to send home thank you note for each donation no matter how large or small because all are appreciated! Teachers are so blessed in Folsom to have the support of parents!

I usually buy a bunch of paper, pencils, erasers, whatever along with my kid's stuff for school and then donate it to the class. It's only a few bucks extra and I figure I can go without a Starbuck's day or a pizza night if the money is going to the kids. Paper is what??? 50 cents? Pencils, if you order in bulk online cost 10 bucks for something like 1000. erasers, same thing. I figure I'm investing in the future.

I posted this somewhere else, but I think it should go here too....


Teachers....I know this is something you think you are responsible for... but some of us parents LOVE buying school supplies! On sale or not. It's my kid in there (even though it you teachers get close enough to be 2nd mommies/daddies sometimes) I am responsible for the burden of, no PLEASURE of helping my kid succeed with the tools needed for learning

Every year I'm surprised that I have to ASK/BEG my kids teachers for a wish list... what does the classroom need?? I want to help out! Usually they say... ummm don't worry about it... WHAT???

Last year I had to carry many bags of notebooks,paper towels, sponges, post-it, pens, paper (binder and color for copies), tissues, hand sanitizer, and tons f other stuff...

If you really want to, I think you could buy a few things for kids who don't have enough $$ for a lot of supplies, but most people in Folsom better be able to buy their kid the most basic things their kid needs for class! I even try to get extras in case there are a few kids who need help with the supplies.

TEACHERS: Please stop spending so much of your own money on the kids, and let us parents HELP YOU with the cost! It is our kids learning, and future, in that classroom PLEASE LET US HELP YOU!



woah... guess I have been waiting to say that for a few years now....

[sunnyCA]

I know this is something you think you are responsible for... but some of us parents LOVE buying school supplies! On sale or not. It's my kid in there (even though it you teachers get close enough to be 2nd mommies/daddies sometimes) I am responsible for the burden of, no PLEASURE of helping my kid succeed with the tools needed for learning

Yes...ditto! I did fill out the survey and put classroom supplies lower on the list of priorities. I would happily buy paper, pencils, markers, glue, printer cartridges, etc. if it can help save CSR, librarians, and other cores to a good education. Seriously, in addition to fully supporting the $10/mo tax I would definitely pay for supplies to (1) support basic education by keeping classes to a reasonable size and (2) save teachers' jobs. Heck, I'll chip in extra supplies if it'll help someone else out who isn't able. This is a time where those who can help out will probably be more than willing to do so.

[swmr545]

If SWMR545 really has a heart for kids maybe he could give his "settlement" back to our district to help educate and "protect" the youth of today!

I would have, but the money has already gone to a charity.

I have also offered to volunteer at the schools before, yet I was told that my time was not needed nor my presence appreciated (both prior to the lawsuit being filed and since the settlement). However, I have donated to individual schools in the past (and I will continue to do so when I have the extra money to do so).

Before I give money to the entire district, I would like to see a realistic paycut from the top administrators showing that they're willing to sacrafice to help save the district money. I remember a report stating that our Sup. has a higher salary (for some reason, 20% is jumping into my mind) than other Sups that are in charge of districts that are relative to our size.

[Barb J]

You know I'd have to agree with Swmr on this one - I wouldn't donate my proceeds from his lawsuit back to the school district without some caveat as to how they would use it. They haven't managed the money they do have very well up to this point!

Swmr: I would be very wary to let a non-parent volunteer at our school. Don't take it personally, the way things are going in our country these days, you have to be very careful as to who you let volunteer. I do not think it has anything to do with you being gay or filing a lawsuit, I think it's just the culture of our country.

Our school asks for supplies at the beginning of the year - it is up to the individual teachers to do so and I believe most do. Our PTA also gives each teacher approx. $7/student to purchase supplies. That doesn't sound like alot, but that's a $5,000 gift to the school from the PTA. In addition we grant "wishes" to teachers who request them and qualify. Those can be upwards of $250 each and have included book shelves, book series, incubators, etc. I would encourage parents to seriously consider supporting your individual PTA's - with the economy hurting, donations are down and fundraising is suffering. If we don't raise the money that we have raised in the past, we won't be able to continue funding these much needed items!

Off my soapbox now
Barb