Delaware Schools

Green Lantern · #11 04-19-2008, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by max1

Where did you "hear"this GL?

Thanks for the back up Wendy, but Max, I have been on the receiving end of many emails that have been circulated from school boards and state government. Because they are confidential, I cannot and will not post them. But I am in possesion of about a dozen of them all saying the same things I have posted.

I used the "heard" to create dialog. Something as I Mod I try to due often. But what I am also saying is that these items are fact.

It is going to be really tough in the schools of Delaware over the next few years.

hockey · #12 04-19-2008, 02:00 PM

Brandywine just passed their big referendum. How will they be affected?

I'm getting newsletters assuring us that we are not losing teachers, that we are getting some new buildings to replace our older schools. We are changing the elementary's to K-5, middle schools 6-8, and HS staying at 9-12. They are closing Hanby and Darley but moving Brandywood to the Hanby site and keeping the Brandywood site for the athletic fields. PS becomes a middle school.

There is a decline in enrollment at the elementary levels that will trickle up to the middle and HS in the future.

I can't see BSD being affected too much by these state issues. At least, not from everything I'm hearing and reading up here. Am I being naive?

Green Lantern · #13 04-19-2008, 09:04 PM

sorry to say, but yes.

wendy · #14 04-19-2008, 10:34 PM

I'm glad you told her...I've passed by this thread repeatedly not wanting to be the bearer of bad news...

sorry GL....

sorry Hockey....

__________________
W~

"The best way to make it through with hearts and wrists intact is to realize that two out of three ain't bad..." FOB

max1 · #15 04-20-2008, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Green Lantern

Thanks for the back up Wendy, but Max, I have been on the receiving end of many emails that have been circulated from school boards and state government. Because they are confidential, I cannot and will not post them. But I am in possesion of about a dozen of them all saying the same things I have posted.

I used the "heard" to create dialog. Something as I Mod I try to due often. But what I am also saying is that these items are fact.

It is going to be really tough in the schools of Delaware over the next few years.

I hope your wrong, I'm not trying to challenge your knowledge just looking for some clarification

Have a good day

Tracy · #16 04-20-2008, 07:52 AM

My son will be turning 4 in August....I was really hoping that there would be full time kindergarden in Christina by the 2009-2010 school year

Green Lantern · #17 04-20-2008, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by max1

I hope your wrong, I'm not trying to challenge your knowledge just looking for some clarification

Have a good day

Challange away. I would have done the same thing to anyone else.

Rusty · #18 04-20-2008, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Green Lantern

Challange away. I would have done the same thing to anyone else.

I'll vouch for that...

hockey · #19 04-20-2008, 02:33 PM

Thanks guys... and don't feel bad telling me this. I hadn't heard anything. I thought maybe you guys were talking about the districts that didn't get their referendums passed.

I found an article in TNJ about all of this. I wish I could find it online to link it here but that delawareonline site is impossible to navigate.

I seriously do not understand WHY any state would take funds away from education.... it's mind boggling!

Green Lantern · #20 04-23-2008, 10:18 AM

Below is the letter going out to parents today from Dr James Scanlon, Superintendent of Brandywine School District.

April 23, 2008

Dear Brandywine School District Parent/Community Member:

I am writing to ask for your immediate help in contacting your local legislator to show your support for public education, as the state is proposing to cut our budget allocation by at least $6 million. Those kinds of deep cuts would be devastating to the Brandywine School District and would impact the quality of education in our community. The state will make its decision by June 30.

The Minner Administration has asked all State Departments to determine how they can cut 8% from their current budgets for the 2009 fiscal year (about $6 million for Brandywine.) The education budget accounts for a full one-third of the state’s budget. We understand that the state is in a revenue crisis and there are many competing needs, but public education must be a priority.

The Brandywine School District has worked hard to contain costs and maintain a fiscally responsible budget. Recently we went through the very difficult process of deciding to close two of our school buildings in order to contain costs and consolidate resources. We also made a commitment in the 2007 referendum to reduce costs by $600,000. To date, we have reduced annual costs in excess of $800,000. We will continue to do our part to spend our dollars wisely in the best interest of students.

The state funds many critical programs in our school district. A reduction of $6 million in state allocations means that we will have to:
• Reduce the number of classroom teachers, aides, and reading and math specialists who assist our students and teachers

• Increase class sizes

• Eliminate many electives such as art, music, business education, and family consumer science

• Eliminate full-day kindergarten, Early Childhood Education Programs, and Limited English Proficient programs

• Eliminate interventionists (staff members who work directly with at-risk students)

• Eliminate administrative positions

• Reduce the number of custodians, secretaries, and maintenance workers

• Reduce the number of classroom supplies, technology, and eliminate summer school and driver education

The Brandywine School District is strong and is a vital part of our community. Some of the best and brightest students receive their education here; Some of our neediest children also receive an education they would get nowhere else. Entire generations of your children and neighbors have graduated from our schools and gone onto successful careers and lives. They continue to make their homes in our community and make valuable contributions to our society. We cannot allow the state to make such devastating, dramatic cuts to our vital public education system!

The Committee of 100, a business organization that addresses issues that affect Delaware's economic health, and the Council of Civic Organizations of Brandywine Hundred stand together with our request to you to contact your local legislator to ask them not to make these cuts to public education. I am including a list of their email addresses and phone numbers at the bottom of this letter.

A few legislators have promised me they will not support such deep budget cuts to education, and one informed me he saw this crisis coming two years ago. There are alternatives to cutting education. Among the ideas being discussed are a cell phone usage tax and a gross receipts tax. Many legislators say they’re willing to consider any alternatives to education cuts.

Under state law, we will need to notify staff if their position will be cut no later than May 15. We expect a final ruling from the state on the budget by June 30. Again, please take a few moments to contact your legislators and let them know of your support for public education. Our students are counting on your support!
Sincerely,
Jim Scanlon
Superintendent

State Rep. Bryon Short Bryon.short@state.de.us 744-4120
State Senator Cathy Cloutier Cloutiercathy@aol.com 744-4137
State Senator Charles Copeland Charles.copeland@state.de.us 744-9728
State Rep. Dennis Williams Dennis.williams@state.de.us 744-4351
State Rep. Diana McWilliams Diana.mcwilliams@state.de.us 744-4291
State Rep. Greg Lavelle greg.lavelle@state.de.us 744-4080
State Senator Harris McDowell harris.mcdowell@state.de.us 744-4147
State Senator Margaret Rose Henry Margaret.henry@state.de.us 744-4191
State Rep. Robert Valihura valihura@aol.com 744-4262

Delaware Schools

Family & Schools