98 replies to this topic

[Robert Giacometti]

If every man woman and child in RC and Folsom wrote a check to FCUSD in the amount of $100, that would provide $14M in funds, which is just about what we're talking about cutting between this year and next year.

Or, let's do it by students. 19,000 * $750 = $14.2M, and no further cuts will be necessary, at least for 2009-2010

Yes, we already paid our property tax, sales tax, income tax, but it is obvious the state has squandered that. So, vote out every single sitting legislator and open up your wallet.

Write a check for $750 for each student you have enrolled. For me, that's $3000. But at least we'll have a CHANCE of some sort of fiscal responsibility in the future and everyone can keep their pet program - assuming you follow through on the voting, otherwise it is just one more instance of rewarding poor behavior via bailout.

We can't VOTE out the legislators in other districts that are supporting squandering the tax dollars! Your idea may be noble, but its absolute WRONG thing to do! Its just enables the status quo to continue.

Until a MAJORITY of the citizens in this state, hold ALL elected officials accountable, we won't ever solve this problem! The only way people are going to change is when they realize their consequences of voting for the politicians who they do and feel the pain of these politicians failed policies.

The politicians that want to preserve midnight basket ball programs and creating after school programs for a SELECT few communities ( ones in which they represent) are the ones who need to give up their pet programs and patronage jobs for the basic programs ( like education). Those of you who want to keep throwing your money away, simply enable the status quo to continue.

[Revolutionist]

We can't VOTE out the legislators in other districts that are supporting squandering the tax dollars! Your idea may be noble, but its absolute WRONG thing to do! Its just enables the status quo to continue.

Until a MAJORITY of the citizens in this state, hold ALL elected officials accountable, we won't ever solve this problem! The only way people are going to change is when they realize their consequences of voting for the politicians who they do and feel the pain of these politicians failed policies.

The politicians that want to preserve midnight basket ball programs and creating after school programs for a SELECT few communities ( ones in which they represent) are the ones who need to give up their pet programs and patronage jobs for the basic programs ( like education). Those of you who want to keep throwing your money away, simply enable the status quo to continue.

All of which I agree with

It wasn't a serious suggestion. It was illustration through absurdity. The focus being that the issue is lack of funds, not desire to keep a specific program.

It doesn't help much to "lobby" for your pet issue without a corresponding increase in revenue to pay for it, because at the projected level of funding, our district is pretty much forced into cutting to within a hair's breadth of the bare minimum of service as required by law.

And 1 or 2 or 20 legislative seats changing hands isn't going to make much difference. It is going to take a state-wide awakening in order to affect any real change at the state level.

And. if you check my last line, you will see that I called it what it is, a reward for failure via bailout.

[Parizienne]

Yep. I have three years in the district. I expect not to be here next year. It truly breaks my heart (and not just because I will be out of a job). I LOVE teaching, and I am good at it. It is my passion. This is wrong on so many levels.

Last estimate I heard was they're looking at cutting 150 teachers and the ceiling is those with five years or less in the district. It also depends on the credential(s). This is worst case, but best case isn't much better.

You may say it's the union who orchestrates the way layoffs happen by seniority and credentials, and you would be right. But, let's face it, that's not going to change this year because it's a very difficult process to effect that sort of change. What troubles me even more, though, is that the alleged conventional wisdom among both union members and administrators is that teachers are unlikely to approve taking a pay cut over losing teachers. I understand that teachers sacrificed with a pay cut before and by many accounts "got shafted." But -- this is much more far reaching and will impact hundreds, if not thousands, of our kids. I hope to God they can see past their bitterness and that district administrators will learn that reneging on promises can only turn out badly and shouldn't be repeated. What's good for kids should be every teacher's priority, and keeping teachers in the classroom is good for kids. Keeping teacher pay is also extremely important, but look around, no one is cashing in right now ( except the Bernie Madoffs of the world). Plus, larger class sizes to keep the same pay is a lot more work with less results. I've done it, and it's not easy -- even with as few as two or three more per class.


Pari.

Class Size Reduction IS happening, don't fool yourselves. They are talking about laying off every teacher with less than 5 years in the district (of course this is the worst case scenario). These budget cuts are BAD! Yes, there must be cuts but the right ones must be considered, not just the easiest. The next board meeting is February 5 at Folsom High. Go, ask questions...there was a teacher meeting yesterday regarding cuts and the teachers were saying what can we do - union reps said, Get the parents to the meetings! The board listens to parents. If you have children you have to get involved!

[tessieca]

I understand that teachers sacrificed with a pay cut before and by many accounts "got shafted."

Can we put that to bed? The teachers took a temporary pay cut one year, but it was FULLY REINSTATED. There has never been a permanent pay cut, so no shafting.

What's good for kids should be every teacher's priority, and keeping teachers in the classroom is good for kids. Keeping teacher pay is also extremely important, but look around, no one is cashing in right now ( except the Bernie Madoffs of the world). Plus, larger class sizes to keep the same pay is a lot more work with less results. I've done it, and it's not easy -- even with as few as two or three more per class.

I agree with your philosophy, and if all of the staff were so altruistic, it would be a lot easier. It is extremely difficult for a person who is affected severely by the economic conditions to vote to decrease salary, so since 75% will be protected no matter what decisions the board makes, it is hard to believe that those 75% will happily accept a pay cut or negatively perceived changes in working conditions in order to salvage the jobs of the other 25%. We'll see.

[Parizienne]

I do not carry this grudge. I am not sure why the perception is that they got shafted, but it's a pretty wide-spread belief, and people are still spittin' mad about it, so there is a lapse in communication someplace.

Can we put that to bed? The teachers took a temporary pay cut one year, but it was FULLY REINSTATED. There has never been a permanent pay cut, so no shafting.

[tessieca]

In response to those complaining about input, the district is trying to make this process as transparent as possible. The Budget Central survey and budgetideas@fcusd.org have accepted more than 90 suggestions for reductions, some illegal, some idealistic, and some worth analysis.

All suggestions are being seriously considered. Budget issues will be DISCUSSED at the February 5 board meeting. Feel free to offer further input, but of course there won't be a lot of feedback at that meeting. The fora (plural of forum) will provide information to the public and will give an opportunity for feedback on that information and other proposals. Go to Mills MS on 2/10 or to FHS on 2/12 and listen carefully, but also speak your piece. Those are the real opportunities for give and take.

At the board meeting on 2/19 the board will likely be considering a real proposal by staff (hopefully by then the legislature will have made budget decisions so the district isn't acting in a vaccuum). Per State law, notices that teachers MIGHT be terminated must be mailed out before March 15, so approvals will need to be made by the board at their March 5 meeting.

Key dates! Participate, but take Revolutionist's suggestion to offer alternatives if you ask the district to save your pet program(s).

[pet lover]

I've been spreading some misinformation about a "house allowance" Godwin receives. I have received a note from a board member who let me know that Godwin doesn't receive a housing allowance. He does receive a car allowance but it is typical for people in his position from what I have been told. While I am passionate about limiting the cuts to our students I don't want to pass on faulty information.

[pet lover]

Actually it was said at the RR meeting that Godwin has acknowledged that the district sill hasn't reinstated .87% of the money lost back in the early 2000s. I think for veteran teachers of twenty plus years they have more to look back on and haven't ever been fully compensated for anything they "gave up." I'd like to see a mandatory 3% decrease in pay for one year and then a tiered system for those who make significantly more. 3% for a teacher making $45K and an administrator making $186K effects both very differently. 3% on $186K is chump change compared to he lesser paid employee.

I do not carry this grudge. I am not sure why the perception is that they got shafted, but it's a pretty wide-spread belief, and people are still spittin' mad about it, so there is a lapse in communication someplace.

[rightwingknot]

Can we put that to bed? The teachers took a temporary pay cut one year, but it was FULLY REINSTATED. There has never been a permanent pay cut, so no shafting.

There is widespread perception among teachers that it was not. As with any issue, there are many views. Yours is but one. The teachers' association claims the math does not add up and that 0.87% has yet to be restored. Despite the reality you claim, the reality among teachers is...fool me once, shame on you....fool me twice shame on me.

Sadly, Pari may be right; teachers will probably not vote for a pay cut.

[sunnyCA]

Does anyone have information on how the residents of Davis created their foundation last year? It is my understanding that they created a foundation designed to patch holes made by the lack of funding from the state. It sounded like it was a non-profit and therefore donations made to the foundation were tax-deductible. They collected donations from local businesses and residents and then used the funds to pay for education programs.

I am just wondering if something like that might be possible in Folsom? Obviously it would just be a temporary fix and I realize it just fixes a symptom and not the underlying problem, but these are not ordinary times and perhaps we need to do what we can to make it through this. If it could save jobs and improve the daily education of our kids, it might be worth the try.

[jennyjen]

[quote name='tessieca' date='Jan 22 2009, 08:50 PM' post='303661']

All suggestions are being seriously considered. Budget issues will be DISCUSSED at the February 5 board meeting. Feel free to offer further input, but of course there won't be a lot of feedback at that meeting. The fora (plural of forum) will provide information to the public and will give an opportunity for feedback on that information and other proposals. Go to Mills MS on 2/10 or to FHS on 2/12 and listen carefully, but also speak your piece. Those are the real opportunities for give and take.


Teresa: Can you please share with us what the emergency meeting that was held yesterday at the district office was all about? Why doesn't the board get better communication out when they have meetings like this? Not baiting, simply wondering...

[tessieca]

Jennyjen: It was a closed session for performance evaluation of the superintendent and personnel issues. There were no decisions made at the meeting, and the budget was not on the agenda.

The reason that some people showed up and expressed their views is that at every meeting the board holds, no matter what is on the agenda, the board must make available an opportunity for public participation. People can speak on any item that is within the board's jurisdiction and not on the agenda. Before going into closed session, some speakers had their say during public participation and then left.

The special meeting was noticed in the same manner as all other meetings.

Budget will be on the Feb. 5 agenda, so speakers will need to wait until that item comes up before speaking to the board.

[supermom]

We can't VOTE out the legislators in other districts that are supporting squandering the tax dollars! Your idea may be noble, but its absolute WRONG thing to do! Its just enables the status quo to continue.

Until a MAJORITY of the citizens in this state, hold ALL elected officials accountable, we won't ever solve this problem! The only way people are going to change is when they realize their consequences of voting for the politicians who they do and feel the pain of these politicians failed policies.

The politicians that want to preserve midnight basket ball programs and creating after school programs for a SELECT few communities ( ones in which they represent) are the ones who need to give up their pet programs and patronage jobs for the basic programs ( like education). Those of you who want to keep throwing your money away, simply enable the status quo to continue.

good post.

[Parizienne]

It has also been suggested to me that much of the bitterness the teachers harbor is due to their belief that they were disrespected when they took issue with the .87% that was never restored. Apprently during a meeting on this issue, some board members ( I don't know which one(s)) became frustrated or didn't want to listen (I don't know) and got up from their table to leave? I wasn't there, so I don't know the particulars. The quote I heard was "We were mistreated and treated like dirt." Again, I wasn't there. But perhaps there is an opportunity here to build a bridge where currently there is a steep crevasse?

Pari.

There is widespread perception among teachers that it was not. As with any issue, there are many views. Yours is but one. The teachers' association claims the math does not add up and that 0.87% has yet to be restored. Despite the reality you claim, the reality among teachers is...fool me once, shame on you....fool me twice shame on me.

Sadly, Pari may be right; teachers will probably not vote for a pay cut.

[Parizienne]

The citizens of Davis, I understand, raised $2 million to save a much-loved junior high school from being closed last year. I am going on memory, so the amount mught be different. It was a enormous sum, though. Can we do this in Folsom and Rancho Cordova? I wonder how Davis organized it and got people on board.

In other news, Intel just donated a quarter million to FCUSD. That's going to help a tad bit.

Pari.