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Post by specailneedsmom on Jul 16, 2008 6:25:47 GMT -6
Just wondering what others were doing about the IPEF donations when they pay their school fees this year. In the past I have donated to the Foundation, and more or less this benefits all our children, but are some inclined not to put any add ons this year. I have one going off to college and those are big bills.
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Post by doctorwho on Jul 16, 2008 7:08:08 GMT -6
Just wondering what others were doing about the IPEF donations when they pay their school fees this year. In the past I have donated to the Foundation, and more or less this benefits all our children, but are some inclined not to put any add ons this year. I have one going off to college and those are big bills. I think your view is typical of most I know right now, including myself. Although I don't have this registratonpackage toworry about - I have always been very generous to a lot of charities and add ons like IPEF. However this year I decided I was choosing my charitable contributions early in the year and that was going to be that. I focused onthose things important to my community and my family. Everything else is getting a pass this year with money tight. I have one headed to grad school and my other off to Benet in the fall. Couple that with the cost of everything having gone up and corporate pay freezes and essentially benefit cuts and I no longer am checking those boxes. I feel bad in some ways as I grew up with relatively nothing andalways tried to give back as much as I could - it's just no longer possible. |
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Post by Arch on Jul 16, 2008 7:52:52 GMT -6
If they need money, make it part of the operating budget for the district.
Leaving it optional leaves it vulnerable to public opinion financial starvation. If it's that important, they need to ensure funding by just making it a line item in the yearly budget and stop all of the separate accounting, etc (which too would save time and money).
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Post by rew on Jul 16, 2008 11:59:44 GMT -6
The district just hired a consultant for $80K to study the lunch program...are the issues that complicated that there is not a single soul at the Crouse center that can figure out school lunch?
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Post by Arch on Jul 16, 2008 12:31:21 GMT -6
The district just hired a consultant for $80K to study the lunch program...are the issues that complicated that there is not a single soul at the Crouse center that can figure out school lunch? My aunt has been in charge of a kitchen/cafeteris in Davenport at a school for over a decade. I'm certain she would charge a whole lot less money to tell them what they need to know about how to efficiently serve nutritious and healthy meals to kids for a very reasonable price  |
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Post by specailneedsmom on Jul 16, 2008 13:43:02 GMT -6
Another example of good stewards of our tax dollars.
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Post by blankcheck on Jul 16, 2008 15:10:29 GMT -6
Hello everyone - have not posted for awhile. I had quite a chuckle when I saw how much
our district was paying to higher a consultant to check out the food in our schools. Hello - Are
we not on the brink of a ression? If I were them, I would be using the skills of the highly paid administration to do the work and save the $$$ for the operating fund.
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Post by overtaxed on Jul 16, 2008 15:40:44 GMT -6
If they need money, make it part of the operating budget for the district. Leaving it optional leaves it vulnerable to public opinion financial starvation. If it's that important, they need to ensure funding by just making it a line item in the yearly budget and stop all of the separate accounting, etc (which too would save time and money). We have move a lot and my kids have been to more schools than most (this is why we are staying here so our 2 youngest can finished at one school and they both play sports). Anyways I was floored with the fees for schools here. I do not remember paying anything for any school we went to before (all but Catholic school, and AP fees for my oldest when she was in high school in the east coast) Our taxes are the highest anywhere we have lived; we have never given for the IPEF donation( the 3 years we have been here). We give our money else where. It ticks me off that they ask for it.  I feel the same as Arch add it in the budget if it is really needed. |
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Post by slp on Jul 16, 2008 17:54:48 GMT -6
If they need money, make it part of the operating budget for the district. Leaving it optional leaves it vulnerable to public opinion financial starvation. If it's that important, they need to ensure funding by just making it a line item in the yearly budget and stop all of the separate accounting, etc (which too would save time and money). We have move a lot and my kids have been to more schools than most (this is why we are staying here so our 2 youngest can finished at one school and they both play sports). Anyways I was floored with the fees for schools here. I do not remember paying anything for any school we went to before (all but Catholic school, and AP fees for my oldest when she was in high school in the east coast) Our taxes are the highest anywhere we have lived; we have never given for the IPEF donation( the 3 years we have been here). We give our money else where. It ticks me off that they ask for it. I feel the same as Arch add it in the budget if it is really needed. I too agree with you and Arch. I cannot understand why we pay such high fees for school when our taxes are already as high as they are! Obviously our money is not being spent in the best way possible. I think I'm noticing that more now than ever before. Did not donate BTW. |
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Post by sluggo on Jul 16, 2008 18:55:09 GMT -6
Did not donate for the first time since I've lived in district 204. However, after living through the last 6 months, I can't bring myself to donate towards any district 204 program. The district made it clear that they don't give a hoot about me nor my opinion. In fact, I clearly got the message they have disdain towards me and my family. I would move if I could sell my house.
I have sent my charitable donation money to other organizations instead of district 204. I will also redirect my volunteer efforts away from district 204 towards those groups that don't trash their volunteers publically.
I think there are many non-profits that do a much better job of making sure the money is spent wisely and that volunteers are appreciated.
I'm done with "hey you are a jerk but we need your money and your time". Unfortunately, that's the message I've received from the board and the superintendent.
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Post by d204mom on Jul 16, 2008 19:32:32 GMT -6
Another example of good stewards of our tax dollars. They needed to pi$$ away enough money in the budget to get an article in the newspaper about how we'll be running a deficit next year. Another club to beat the teacher's union with when their contract comes up next year. |
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Post by macy on Jul 16, 2008 20:20:05 GMT -6
In my opinion, there are only 7 people to blame for any future deficit in 204. Anyone want to guess at who they are?
I'm very, very sure the teachers (and administrators) in district 204 have been paying attention and taking notes. Some of the best teachers and administrators that I've met in district 204 are trying their best to jump off the titanic right now. Can you blame them? In addition to the financial situation there are many that have been passed up for jobs they were qualified for but have been overlooked (and in my opinion slighted) for candidates from outside of 204. In my opinion, some of those slighted are outstanding at what they do.
Good lord, $80 grand to outsource information on lunch?
C'mon... That sounds like laziness to me.
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Post by casey on Jul 16, 2008 20:26:39 GMT -6
Did not donate for the first time since I've lived in district 204. However, after living through the last 6 months, I can't bring myself to donate towards any district 204 program. The district made it clear that they don't give a hoot about me nor my opinion. In fact, I clearly got the message they have disdain towards me and my family. I would move if I could sell my house. I have sent my charitable donation money to other organizations instead of district 204. I will also redirect my volunteer efforts away from district 204 towards those groups that don't trash their volunteers publically. I think there are many non-profits that do a much better job of making sure the money is spent wisely and that volunteers are appreciated. I'm done with "hey you are a jerk but we need your money and your time". Unfortunately, that's the message I've received from the board and the superintendent. Wow, Sluggo! You're speaking my tune man. That's absolutely 100% how I feel. In the past I have donated (both financially as well as through countless hours of volunteering). I'm finished with that. Granted I will still help in my child's classroom (as well as anything else that will directly benefit him) but as far as doing anything to promote and support 204, no way! There are so many persons I know that feel the exact same way and I just don't see the SB and SD recovering from their crazy mistakes anytime soon. There is simply a lot of anger, frustration, disbelief, you-name-it, around here. I have not heard one single SB cheerleader speak out around this area in a LONG TIME. Believe me, there have always been many at Fry/Scullen/NV that have stood by and supported our SB no-questions-asked (in fact I used to be one way back when). That has changed - especially evidenced by the fact that they still can't get a person to fill the PTSA President spot at Scullen! People have very simply "had it" and they're not going to be out supporting 204 as they had in the past. The SB is fooling themselves if they think that parents will rally around for the good of the kids. I just don't see that happening anytime soon. It will be interesting to see the outcome of this mess. A full new SB would be a good start as well as a new Superintendent. |
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Post by Plankton on Jul 16, 2008 23:21:04 GMT -6
I agree that many have had it and won’t be as generous with their $$$ and time in the future. Short of 7 resignations, I’m curious what could be done to win back those feeling disenfranchised and unappreciated. I’ve read quite a few posts stating the SB could not address the problems due to the lawsuit. Not sure I understand that reasoning, but anyway, the lawsuit is over. Now – looking to the future… Do any posters have suggestions for the SB? What can the SB do now to attempt to repair the district and regain our trust & support? Any recommendations?
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Post by Arch on Jul 16, 2008 23:32:47 GMT -6
The lawsuit was only an excuse to not do anything. I have full faith that another new excuse will come up as to why things can't be done.
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