"I DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT" rod stewart
Attended the Painesville School Board Meeting had to leave early. What I heard left me wondering.
Mr. Taylor announced that in order to acquire the 1.4 million dollars the schools need, in the next levy they will put up a 6.5 mil Emergency 5 year levy.
The administration presented figures that they believe the state will cut funding 10%[$1,900,000.00].
Many interesting facts were displayed. If you cut kindergarten back to half day you would save $330,000.00 on teachers salaries alone. The administration figures a teacher being cut as $55,000.00. Cut 3 bus drivers $90,000.00. I got the impression you can say good-by to all para-professionals.
Pay to play, first sport $100.00 second $50.00 third $25.00. estimated savings
$160,000.00.
Bizarre.
Not at any meeting did the school administration or the board ever address whether they have talked to either the Classified or Non-Classified employees about wage cuts to keep everyone with a job. My question is why? I have been told teachers and their union are inflexible?
The question we should ask is how important is this school system to Painesville?
In its present state I'm guessing not a whole lot.
Again, the debate will be raised on how much this levy will cost residents.
Most have already seen the increase in taxes due to the Lakeland College/MRDD levies that passed.
In other business the board also heard from the city about dorms being built on the Harvey site, and the city claimed that could be a part of the citie's Master Plan for Downtown. I believe that property is in WARD III [good luck] All residents have an opportunity to address the school board at the February school board meeting.
8 acres... $238,000.00... seems awful cheap to me.
posted by terminator1 @ 12:43 PM
35 Comments
35 Comments:
anyone know how the chili cook off turned out? How many cooks and who won?
Term, the old Harvey property is in Ward 4 (Hach). It is the southeasternmost piece of his ward, and anything on the other side of W. High St. goes to Ward 3 (Fountain).
Teacher's union inflexible? That's a hoot. My budget was cut my twice in the past two years, big time. I've taken a pay cut/furlough days, and this year is a union contract negotiation year. We're expecting no raise, no new concessions, NOTHING from the powers that be. It's a two way street. The board needs to learn how to live within its means and the teachers need to learn that they need to back off on some of the stuff that they were granted - or face layoffs.
Anyway, with as close as the last levy vote was, you know they're hoping that they can sneak another one past the voters on an off-election. I know how I'm voting, since I voted that way for the last one.
Also, not sure if you're aware, but the original of "I Don't Want To Talk About It" was done by Crazy Horse (without Neil Young). Danny Whitten, who led the band before Neil Young took over, wrote it - really a great version, a bit slower and much sadder. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uN8uiFnkz-w
I'll tell you what the school board needs to discuss with the residents, and that is the 50% policy. They need to discuss it, and then stop it. They are hurting our students and our city and our home values. Let's get that fixed first, before they start asking for any more money.
ADAM, sorry been on a Rod Stewart kick first song that came to mind.
Yes I believe they will try to sneak this one by.
The taxpayers of Painesville should demand better.
I have seen nothing proposed that presently would make me back this levy.
As I told the board at a meeting where was the sacrifice? Throwing para-professionals overboard, and a select few young teachers is not what I was looking for.
If the school board won't advertise the levy, there are many in town to remind the taxpayers.
It's time this administration and board were responsible to the people in town. NO more sugar-coating.
Who are the paraprofessionals?
Are 3 bus drivers being let go for sure, are these professionals getting laid off? Is kindergarten getting cut?
What has been said about layoffs?
First there are facts then speculations and rumors. Which is it? In your words "I got the impression you can say goodbye.."
What gave you that impression?
As for pay to play can anyone explain the swim team situation with 1 swimmer? Is that something you do when you are broke?
Is it your opinion the paraprofessionals will all be gone or is this a fact.
If its just your opinion you shouldn't be saying stuff so damaging about these people.
12:02,1:03 pm. Go to a board meeting and ask? Yes it's my opinion they will be gone. That's the problem in a nutshell no one is saying anything for sure. Along with people voting for something they have no idea what will be kept and what will be lost? Someone has to hold the board and administrations feet to the fire,period.
Your mentioning the voters will have no idea of what will stay or go reminded me of a prior posts about the unions
It was mentioned perhaps both unions should give up some things from their contracts. The problem is if or when they do the board will not guarantee them safe harbor. Meaning: give up your raise and but we still will not guarantee you can keep your jobs.
On that note, why should they of the bd won't help guarantee their jobs. Would you give up your salary then 2 months later be told you can now join the unemployment line. Then the super can pocket more
I wish people would quit voting in the taxes for Lakeland, MRDD, Metroparks and Morley.
Why do they pass every single time?
Opinions? Lets get on Terms case over opinions.
Is it fact that the state will cut funding fact, or opinion?
Is it a fact or an opinion that the schools will need almost 1.5 million ?
Lets face it the point being made is there are no facts only opinions.
Term should hold a Tea Party. If a note is a loan then a levy is a tax.
Yep, you're entitled to your opinion too anonymous'.
8:54 Too Funny
Term against taxes? Term a tea party supporter? Didn't think the two would go together.
Its a fact that the state will cut funding....its an opinion as to how much. Its also a fact that the schools need more money..and its an opinion as to how much there too. And its a lot of opinions too, as to just exactly what the schools can do to help themselves. It's MY opinion the school board can start by getting rid of Hanlon and his bloated salary/perks/stipends/allowences. Its also MY opinion that they should figure out what the worst-case scenario is and then go to the unions with that info. Hammer out a deal that saves jobs...get specific. I'd much rather take a 10% cut (for example) than a 100% cut because I wouldn't negotiate.
The school board and administration will wait it out, and why not.
They believe it's easier to get 19 votes then to explain anything. Who will remember this close election we had in November this coming May?
Scare parents, employees, get their yes people to vote and explain zilch.
The result another $250.00 to your property taxes for a failed system.
Dear Joe, I like what you say but how is it possible? When the unions are asked to take a cut, I was happy to do so if it would save jobs. Problem being it wasn't going to save them and we were told they were going to cut jobs anyway. Being told we'd like you to take a pay cut to help out but we cant and wont guarantee you that some jobs would be saved.
Thats just crazy for someone to give up and give back so administration can get richer.
No Thank You,
Isn't it just as crazy for people to be asked to support the levy without a guarantee? Will this levy be used to increase wages? save programs? do exactly what?
I believe 12:02 might have a point,slide it in, that 19 votes might seem alot easier to overcome than any explaination.
How about I throw a wrench into the vote. The election won't take place to June. Trust me.
There will be an election in May.
Yep, a June election and school coming to an end will make things interesting. There will be all kinds of conspiracy theories popping up here as to why the June election. Rumors and accusations. The real reason took place last year.
To 'No Thank You'....that's why I said they need to figure out what the worst bottom line could be and then actually work with that number. They could then work with the union to see what actually can be done about liveable cuts and/or job losses. Don't stand there and wring your hands waiting for the state to do something or the voters to (maybe) pass a levy and then decide to get down to the nuts and bolts of it. I know there has already been lay-offs but coming up with genuine Plans 'A' and 'B' long before its forced on us makes sense to me.
Well, I know you are always right, but you just might be surprised this year. There is a reason but you probably won't listen. You will make something up and blame the wrong people first.
To 1:48 and 2:44: Stop with the innuendos already. If you have knowledge or have something to say, then just say it. It doesn't do anyone any good otherwise.
I believe the poster above is a little confused. While the May election will be the same, next years May election may be delayed until June because of redistricting.
Going back to October 23, 2010 --- there was an article in the Cleveland Plain Dealer – Q&A’s about the Painesville City Schools levy.
It says that they have cut $3M over the past 2 years of a budget of $36M
So, they have cut less than 1% over 2 years. Does that mean 1.5 M for each year? Or, does that mean 3 M each year?
Do I understand that this is less than 1%? Is this right?
Here is the link http://www.cleveland.com/opinion/index.ssf/2010/10/lake_county_painesville_school.html
F. Please specify pay and benefits sacrifices by administrators and teachers, if any, since your last school money request to voters. Be specific for each. Over that time, have you laid off teachers or other staff, or reduced teaching or administrative staff through hiring freezes? Please provide statistics.
WE HAVE CUT APPROXIMATELY $3.0M FROM OUR BUDGET OVER THE PAST 2 YEARS. SEVERAL ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONS HAVE BEEN CUT. ALL EMPLOYEES HAVE ACCEPTED SIGNIFICANTLY LARGER HEALTH CARE COST SHARING AND ONE YEAR OF A PAY FREEZE IN 2009.
G. Have your teacher salaries increased in any of the past 5 years? What about benefit packages? What about automatic step-ups tied to seniority? Please specify percentages in each case. When do you renegotiate your teacher contract?
YES. WORKING BACKWARD FROM THIS YEAR, 1%, 1% 0%, 3%, 3%
STEP INCREASES ARE DIFFERENT FOR VARIOUS EMPLOYEES, BUT A BLENDED RATE IS ABOUT 2.25%
BENEFIT PACKAGES HAVE DECREASED IN TERMS OF DISTRICT COST AND INCREASED IN EMPLOYEE SHARES.
TEACHER CONTRACT IS RENEGOTIATED THIS YEAR
H. What sacrifices have you asked from your administrative staff in the last 5 years? Please be specific.
WE HAVE CUT 4 ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONS IN THE LAST 3 YEARS AND REQUIRED ALL ADMINISTRATORS TO ACCEPT MORE WORK LOAD WITH THE SAME COMPENSATION.
II. LEVIES OR INCOME-TAX PROPOSALS FOR OPERATING PURPOSES.
Please answer this section only if your money issue is for operating purposes.
A. Your school district's operating budget. Size of current or anticipated deficit if any.
$36MM NO CURRENT DEFICIT, BUT PROJECTING $2MM SHORTFALL IN FY 12
C. What will your money issue pay for?
SALARIES, DAY-TO-DAY OPERATING EXPENSES.
******************
I think these questions & answers are still important today! And I think that they have not tightened their belts near enough.
Also – how are they doing in the Race to the Top program? Haven’t heard anything.
oops
$3M in cuts is less than 10% of $36M (not less than 1%)
3,000,000 divided by 36,000,000 is 8.33% and not 1%.
We need numbers and not projections.
To comment on article info provided by 7:21,
I used to work at the school, before I was cut. The cost I paid for family insurance was $20.00/month at the time. The classified union agreed to go up to $200.00/month prior to the first layoff in 2009.
When the teacher's union did their negotiations, they would not settle for the $200.00/month. They settled for $70.00/month. This cost also passed back down to the classified people because the costs for both unions are always the same. Then the personnel cuts began.
I don't think going from 20.00/month to 70.00/month is a "significant" increase. Especially when many non-union employees can pay as much as $500.00/month for a family plan of health insurance.
The union contracts are usually in 3 yr increments, so the insurance should still be at 70.00/month for family ins. The costs were higher/lower depending on the coverage you chose - there were 2 or 3 plans available at that time. The coverage is also a different rate for single people.
For all the bad light that is shed on the BOE, they DID try to get the employees to absorb more of the healthcare cost, some were just plain unwilling to do so. And that is the truth!
Redistricting? When and to whom is this happening to?
Here is an interesting question from the PD article--
L. Are there any special characteristics for students in your district that might create unusual challenges for the school, such as recent job loss among families with school-age children, high poverty, large percentage of special education students, recent population loss. Please provide specific numbers to quantify, if so.
PAINESVILLE IS A HIGH-POVERTY DISTRICT WITH AN APPROXIMATE 65% STATE SHARE. WE ARE SUBJECT TO THE CONDITION OF THE OVERALL STATE BUDGET.
What do you think of that answer? I think poverty is only part of the answer. What about those children that don't speak English? Wonder why he didn't mention the Hispanic population?
Oh, and you want to ask for more money from this "high poverty district" that is already paying "$12,461 per student".
Unbelievable!
Redistricting? When and to whom is this happening to?
The whole state of Ohio. It is a result of Ohio loosing 2 seats in the House. It has nothing to do with the school districts. However, it could and probably will delay the May 2012 election/primary until June.
FYI. Any state that lost or gained seats in the House will go through redistricting.
Neeevermiiind - I thought you meant the schools were going to redistrict the students, ya know? Like changing the boundries.
And I meant losing. Fat fingers I guueessssss.
So where is this levy? Nothing on the school website.
It will probably be another 'stealth' campaign
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