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Post by momto4 on Mar 15, 2010 13:28:27 GMT -6
I absolutely love it, as does my child who attends there, thanks for asking!  Here is what I have heard back from a reliable source. =========================================== You have got to be kidding momto4: "This problem has no good local solution because it's not a local problem. The problem was the state failing to properly prioritize (largely because they're testing the water for a tax increase)." I don't have time right now to respond in total, but I will say that if you think the fiscal problems of D204 are anywhere near being over, given the steps announced by the superintendent, you better go back and do your homework. To make that statement and to come over here and tell anyone how they should spend their time shows me how little you really understand. Among other things, you are in complete denial. Back later. Ok, I will not come over here any more. Just reporting what I heard from somewhere else, I was not telling you how to spend your time. Sorry for the intrusion. |
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Post by macrockett on Mar 15, 2010 13:40:00 GMT -6
Many people on this Board had a good idea of the path the District was heading down, and were ignored by people just like you. Na, it won't happen. Well it has and it is just beginning.
Those stimulus funds that the District received to abate FY 2011, the $4 million as I recall, don't expect those next year, the State sure isn't, which is how they derived the 17k teaching positions being lost in Illinois.
Don't expect revenues to be higher on the state level or a balanced budget in FY 2012 either (without debt attached to do it.) The state is also spending plenty on unemployment benefits that will impact this fiscal year and next.
All this at a time when wages are stagnant in the private sector for those employed and the city is looking at its own unfunded liability of $128 million for pensions.
This is going to take time to work out. Certainly not a few months. If everyone realized that resources are finite and tough times were ahead, like many on this Board, we could have averted a lot of pain for this District. It would have started with not building something we could have done without. Right there was approximately $100 million.
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Post by macrockett on Mar 15, 2010 13:43:52 GMT -6
You have got to be kidding momto4: "This problem has no good local solution because it's not a local problem. The problem was the state failing to properly prioritize (largely because they're testing the water for a tax increase)." I don't have time right now to respond in total, but I will say that if you think the fiscal problems of D204 are anywhere near being over, given the steps announced by the superintendent, you better go back and do your homework. To make that statement and to come over here and tell anyone how they should spend their time shows me how little you really understand. Among other things, you are in complete denial. Back later. Ok, I will not come over here any more. Just reporting what I heard from somewhere else, I was not telling you how to spend your time. Sorry for the intrusion. I don't mind you coming over here momto4, but that is exactly what you said: "And I can't help but think that the energy and emotion being generated here would be much better directed at the General Assembly, which has the ability to prioritize things in a way that education need not be negatively impacted. It's ridiculous to cut money being spent on children while maintaining spending to support fish and wildlife programs."Sometimes, you need to listen to what others are saying, and forget the party line. |
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Post by arwen on Mar 15, 2010 13:57:59 GMT -6
I don't mind you coming over here momto4, but that is exactly what you said: "And I can't help but think that the energy and emotion being generated here would be much better directed at the General Assembly, which has the ability to prioritize things in a way that education need not be negatively impacted. It's ridiculous to cut money being spent on children while maintaining spending to support fish and wildlife programs."Sometimes, you need to listen to what others are saying, and forget the party line. And sometimes you need to actually read the post to understand it. The entire thing was a quote from another source that momto4 was sharing with you, not her personal opinion. |
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Post by macrockett on Mar 15, 2010 14:23:55 GMT -6
Sorry to disappoint you arwen, but I did read the post. What you and others on Green have been telling many others is get on board, everything is fine, use your energy in another way. Questioning the logic of the Board and the administration is misguided.
It doesn't matter that momto4 didn't make the comment directly, some one did, that has the common sentiment that it is all the State's fault. "your time is better spent..."
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Post by lacy on Mar 15, 2010 14:44:51 GMT -6
Those in the music department - is this about cutting technique from middle school, which I understand is one-on-one music instruction? My daughter's 3rd grade class next year will likely have almost 31 kids due to the increased class size! Why would we keep one-on-one music instruction in this situation? In an economic situation where we cannot have everything, shouldn't school be about core academics first? Some schools have cut reading interventionists. Surely, if we cut reading interventionists, we cannot afford individualized music instruction. btw ... We love music. My kids get exposure through outside organizations. I do know that all cannot afford this. Nothing against the music program, but I agree. We have to have priorities and those should be core academic subjects. When I was a kid we didn't have one-on-one music instruction. Kids could take lessons on their own. It's nice to be able to provide this, but if funds are tight, it makes sense to scale this back first before affecting core classes. |
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Post by lacy on Mar 15, 2010 14:47:15 GMT -6
Sorry to disappoint you arwen, but I did read the post. What you and others on Green have been telling many others is get on board, everything is fine, use your energy in another way. Questioning the logic of the Board and the administration is misguided. It doesn't matter that momto4 didn't make the comment directly, some one did, that has the common sentiment that it is all the State's fault. "your time is better spent..." Mom's post read like a Mark Metzger email....maybe that's what arwen was saying. But I agree with the points you made. The mess we're in is directly due to decisions the district and SB made. Now they want to blame Springfield. How inconvenient for them that people are paying attention this time..... |
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Post by Arch on Mar 15, 2010 14:51:51 GMT -6
Funny how blaming springfield also may be looked at as a way to oust an incumbent (but a republican) in Springfield and try to shoe in another democrat (under the guise of change) who sits on our own school board currently.
Things that make ya go Hmm....
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Post by doctorwho on Mar 15, 2010 15:32:56 GMT -6
I don't mind you coming over here momto4, but that is exactly what you said: "And I can't help but think that the energy and emotion being generated here would be much better directed at the General Assembly, which has the ability to prioritize things in a way that education need not be negatively impacted. It's ridiculous to cut money being spent on children while maintaining spending to support fish and wildlife programs."Sometimes, you need to listen to what others are saying, and forget the party line. And sometimes you need to actually read the post to understand it. The entire thing was a quote from another source that momto4 was sharing with you, not her personal opinion. Then credit the contibutor ( M2) - it's very easy to read what the spin will be- it's all Springfield's fault- well sorry, no it's not, and more people every day are getting that. We had a very large hand in this mess whether you will ever admit it or not..I know you know better. |
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Post by casey on Mar 15, 2010 16:42:55 GMT -6
Received in an email today. Just wanted to share. Lunch time musings... Now that we have a fiscal district crisis just around the corner, including nearly $50 million "free money" from the state, becoming real new money out of our pockets for all-day K, transportation and special education alone, what will the new SB president declare that will end up to be so true, however opposite the original intention? ...short video clip (30 secs) from former SB President Jeanette Clark: winsome.cnchost.com/204/SBMEET/200804014-M2-we-me-rule.wmv ...short video clip (30 secs) from former SB President Marc Metzger: winsome.cnchost.com/204/SBMEET/200804014-JC-wrong-enrollment.wmv Enjoy the entertainment, and don't worry, there will be a lot more coming... FYI - March 22, 2010 SB Meeting (Monday). Budget cuts to be discussed. Music programs, Art, extra-curricular cuts will be threatened. You will be shaking in your boots - worried about the education of your children. However, remember why the cuts are coming: 1) to protect bloated salaries and pension benefits for the district administration. Don't expect any reforms for the administration's benchmark, the teacher's union - like pension reform, pay for performance, medical premium payments, co-pays, deductibles (currently covered 100% in most cases). In District 203 (just finished with union contract negotiations - it took only one week - a bad sign), a teacher with 22 years, masters degree and some other training makes the annualized equivalent of over $140,000 when you gross up for a full year (12 months versus $105,000 for 9 months actually worked), tenure after 5 years, and pensions nearly twice that of companies - more than fortune 500 companies for the same relative experience for an average worker - companies having the right to cut loose the employee at any time for any reason. During a period of well over 3%+ annual salary increases for local school districts, most companies have cut 10-20% of their work force or more and 10% of salaries. We love our teachers, but there needs to be reform, such as the Administration not being benchmarked off the teachers' union - the relationship is too cozy...right? Why not have the administration take a 10% cut across the board? The principals and frontline teachers should make the most money, not the administration. In hard economic times, you bring the compensation in line with the rest of the marketplace. Right now the marketplace is flooded with experienced, tech saavy teachers and administrators with the latest training. Demand for jobs is high, the quality of job candidates is high, and supply of jobs low. Let's take the time to fix things for the strategic future of the district - not take it to the next level of waste. Just since we lived here, the district 204 budget has risen from about $100 million to over $250 million. 2) to cover the operating and capital requirements of the new high school that was sold to us naive voters for a Brach Brodie location at 75th and Route 59, and to meet student high school enrollment of over 10,000, even though we had that much capacity when you include Frontier campus. |
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Post by EagleDad on Mar 15, 2010 18:31:12 GMT -6
I will voice a contrary opinion. My kids are in music, orchestra and chorus throughtout various grade levels. They do not currently participate in any school sports. I agree with cutting music programs under these circumstances. I will not lobby to preserve them as the author calls for. I think many sports will be cut back as well. It is the prudent thing to do. Some will call me heartless, I call it realism. There will be a thousand "causes" that their proponents will think it is the most heinous act to trim them back, but many will need to be, and should be. Ask momto4 about how much she loves Metea that she was a huge cheerleader for now. I absolutely love it, as does my child who attends there, thanks for asking! Well good for you, because that is really all that it's about. I'm really glad we blew an extra $10 million so you could make the most of it. Continue enjoying your denial that the extra $4 to $5 million that it costs us per year to run it has anything to do with the budget shortfall, teacher layoffs, and music program cuts. Keep denying it as well when we ramp up to all four grades and a full 3rd high school to operate. I'm sure there won't be any impact. It's all about positive thinking!!! |
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Post by brant on Mar 15, 2010 19:03:27 GMT -6
I echo EDs sentiments. I have kids at WV which is getting screwed in the name of our new HS. Mom I have to ask you. Was the new HS worth it with all of the cuts and layoffs that are coming as well as probable school closings? And don't forget this SD tore itself apart the last several years over MV. You got your new school but at what price? When the cuts start of affect you then maybe you might realize what we have been saying has not been sour apples.
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Post by steckdad on Mar 15, 2010 23:02:35 GMT -6
Many people on this Board had a good idea of the path the District was heading down, and were ignored by people just like you. Na, it won't happen. Well it has and it is just beginning. Those stimulus funds that the District received to abate FY 2011, the $4 million as I recall, don't expect those next year, the State sure isn't, which is how they derived the 17k teaching positions being lost in Illinois. Don't expect revenues to be higher on the state level or a balanced budget in FY 2012 either (without debt attached to do it.) The state is also spending plenty on unemployment benefits that will impact this fiscal year and next. All this at a time when wages are stagnant in the private sector for those employed and the city is looking at its own unfunded liability of $128 million for pensions. This is going to take time to work out. Certainly not a few months. If everyone realized that resources are finite and tough times were ahead, like many on this Board, we could have averted a lot of pain for this District. It would have started with not building something we could have done without. Right there was approximately $100 million. Let me get this straight...If everyone listened to Doc, Arch, and yourself we wouldn't be in this mess??? that is laughable..mostly because all the hand wringing from you guys was AFTER the referendum was passed, and after the land was purchased, and AFTER the boundaries were already set. once again..If someone owed you 7 point something million dollars you would try and get the word out. Sorry if I haven't "read into" the school districts memos to the parents as it's all the states fault. Any one on the SB deny we spent money on a new school ? |
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Post by macrockett on Mar 15, 2010 23:08:27 GMT -6
Many people on this Board had a good idea of the path the District was heading down, and were ignored by people just like you. Na, it won't happen. Well it has and it is just beginning. Those stimulus funds that the District received to abate FY 2011, the $4 million as I recall, don't expect those next year, the State sure isn't, which is how they derived the 17k teaching positions being lost in Illinois. Don't expect revenues to be higher on the state level or a balanced budget in FY 2012 either (without debt attached to do it.) The state is also spending plenty on unemployment benefits that will impact this fiscal year and next. All this at a time when wages are stagnant in the private sector for those employed and the city is looking at its own unfunded liability of $128 million for pensions. This is going to take time to work out. Certainly not a few months. If everyone realized that resources are finite and tough times were ahead, like many on this Board, we could have averted a lot of pain for this District. It would have started with not building something we could have done without. Right there was approximately $100 million. Let me get this straight...If everyone listened to Doc, Arch, and yourself we wouldn't be in this mess??? that is laughable..mostly because all the hand wringing from you guys was AFTER the referendum was passed, and after the land was purchased, and AFTER the boundaries were already set. once again..If someone owed you 7 point something million dollars you would try and get the word out. Sorry if I haven't "read into" the school districts memos to the parents as it's all the states fault. Any one on the SB deny we spent money on a new school ? Yawn. You have contributed so much steckdad. Let me list is here... done. If we listened to you, we would know nothing. |
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Post by steckdad on Mar 15, 2010 23:11:49 GMT -6
Let me get this straight...If everyone listened to Doc, Arch, and yourself we wouldn't be in this mess??? that is laughable..mostly because all the hand wringing from you guys was AFTER the referendum was passed, and after the land was purchased, and AFTER the boundaries were already set. once again..If someone owed you 7 point something million dollars you would try and get the word out. Sorry if I haven't "read into" the school districts memos to the parents as it's all the states fault. Any one on the SB deny we spent money on a new school ? Yawn. You have contributed so much stepdad. Let me list is here... done. If nobody loves you...you can always love yourself. Maybe this is a good opportunity to list all your accomplishments...again |
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