Post by southsidesignmaker on Jan 21, 2009 8:48:20 GMT -6
Please don"t take this in a critical manner.
As I read various posts it has dawned on me that some may have missed some critical signs in our district.
These are some of the concerns our board and administration must contend with.
Economics:
With the state of Illinois up to six months behind paying their bills (some of which includes our school district) our board will have to keep a critical eye on this revenue source. Along with this revenue source there is a gathering storm on the commercial real-estate end that will be a definite distraction at best, serious concern at worst in the near term. This situation has been developing for better part of a year and has gained rapid momentum in the fourth quarter. Add the fact that much of the residential end has come under pressure (average 10% decreases in the last year), and it becomes obvious that the revenue side of our district is under substantial pressure.
Contracts:
With labor contracts being negotiated this year, is it finally time to address the pension benefits at the union level. It has become obvious that the state has done a piss poor job of financing these obligations and lacks the will and fortitude to get the job done. With the market crashing and returns on investments at minimal levels, is it time to address the issue of defined pensions. Remember these pension obligations along with savings are all many of our educators have to retire (no social security for many). Maybe it is time to raise salaries and abandon defined pension plans as I worry that those plans are not viable in the long run.
Misinformation leading to Apathy:
This concerns me the most and is probably best solved at local levels. Pta and other school organizations do a good job battling this situation. Unfortunately with emerging technologies there seems to be informational overload at times that only compounds the way information is interpreted.
In closing my frustration is obvious especially when I look at the back and forth sparring on both boards. Our district has both large and small concerns to address in the near future. We have the opportunity to address these concerns in a spirit, so that all in the district can be winnners. We also have ample opportunity to spar back and forth and waste valuable time and energy. I hope it is obvious the direction that both boards and the district should go in.
I know the direction this signman will be going in.
As I read various posts it has dawned on me that some may have missed some critical signs in our district.
These are some of the concerns our board and administration must contend with.
Economics:
With the state of Illinois up to six months behind paying their bills (some of which includes our school district) our board will have to keep a critical eye on this revenue source. Along with this revenue source there is a gathering storm on the commercial real-estate end that will be a definite distraction at best, serious concern at worst in the near term. This situation has been developing for better part of a year and has gained rapid momentum in the fourth quarter. Add the fact that much of the residential end has come under pressure (average 10% decreases in the last year), and it becomes obvious that the revenue side of our district is under substantial pressure.
Contracts:
With labor contracts being negotiated this year, is it finally time to address the pension benefits at the union level. It has become obvious that the state has done a piss poor job of financing these obligations and lacks the will and fortitude to get the job done. With the market crashing and returns on investments at minimal levels, is it time to address the issue of defined pensions. Remember these pension obligations along with savings are all many of our educators have to retire (no social security for many). Maybe it is time to raise salaries and abandon defined pension plans as I worry that those plans are not viable in the long run.
Misinformation leading to Apathy:
This concerns me the most and is probably best solved at local levels. Pta and other school organizations do a good job battling this situation. Unfortunately with emerging technologies there seems to be informational overload at times that only compounds the way information is interpreted.
In closing my frustration is obvious especially when I look at the back and forth sparring on both boards. Our district has both large and small concerns to address in the near future. We have the opportunity to address these concerns in a spirit, so that all in the district can be winnners. We also have ample opportunity to spar back and forth and waste valuable time and energy. I hope it is obvious the direction that both boards and the district should go in.
I know the direction this signman will be going in.
