Delaware Schools

Green Lantern · #1 04-18-2008, 09:03 PM

I am hearing that the state is cutting back on their funding to the schools.

I am hearing that as many as 1000 teachers across the state will be laid off because of the lack of funding.

I am hearing that the full day kindergarden that was promised by some school districts is now not going to happen.

I am hearing that teachers that are National Board certified will not get their due compensation

I am hearing that schools across the state will have to close and classrooms condensed.

I am hearing that classroom sizes will be getting larger.

The state government is cutting the funding to the schools and the children of the state will suffer because of it.

Tracy · #2 04-18-2008, 09:04 PM

you're just full of good news, huh?

wendy · #3 04-18-2008, 09:18 PM

You are hearing the absolute truth, and it's really hurting a lot of good, hard working people and some wonderful kids. What I want to know is when did we get in this situation? Does anyone else remember when DE was one of the wealthiest states?

__________________
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

Roogle · #4 04-18-2008, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wendy

You are hearing the absolute truth, and it's really hurting a lot of good, hard working people and some wonderful kids. What I want to know is when did we get in this situation? Does anyone else remember when DE was one of the wealthiest states?

So what can i do Wendy? I have a daughter in your school. But inner city kids won't be allowed in there next year. What can i do?

__________________
A democracy is nothing more than mob rule, where fifty-one percent of the people may take away the rights of the other forty-nine. - Thomas Jefferson

motherof3 · #5 04-19-2008, 01:34 AM

Ya know this just kills me! We are such a small state how much revenue can we mismanage and throw away?! Our district (Christina) was the first to feel a huge crunch. We have been dealing with losing GREAT teachers and increased class sizes over the last few years. Then I go to public meetings and they talk about Vision 2015..... WTF???? I don't see how they are going to pull that one off. I feel like it's like poking your finger in a hole and another leak springs up. With all of the new developments and such that have gone up all over this state where the HELL is the tax money going??????

max1 · #6 04-19-2008, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Green Lantern

I am hearing that the state is cutting back on their funding to the schools.

I am hearing that as many as 1000 teachers across the state will be laid off because of the lack of funding.

I am hearing that the full day kindergarden that was promised by some school districts is now not going to happen.

I am hearing that teachers that are National Board certified will not get their due compensation

I am hearing that schools across the state will have to close and classrooms condensed.

I am hearing that classroom sizes will be getting larger.

The state government is cutting the funding to the schools and the children of the state will suffer because of it.

Where did you "hear"this GL? reason I ask is I work for the state and am the Union Shop Steward for NCC and there was actually a memo issued to deal with the rumor that we would be having layoffs. It mentioned about state workers but not teachers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wendy

You are hearing the absolute truth, and it's really hurting a lot of good, hard working people and some wonderful kids. What I want to know is when did we get in this situation? Does anyone else remember when DE was one of the wealthiest states?

Again can we get something more substantial then "I heard"

Quote:

Originally Posted by motherof3

Ya know this just kills me! We are such a small state how much revenue can we mismanage and throw away?! Our district (Christina) was the first to feel a huge crunch. We have been dealing with losing GREAT teachers and increased class sizes over the last few years. Then I go to public meetings and they talk about Vision 2015..... WTF???? I don't see how they are going to pull that one off. I feel like it's like poking your finger in a hole and another leak springs up. With all of the new developments and such that have gone up all over this state where the HELL is the tax money going??????

Well with all due respect your district has been in trouble for awhile, and as far as new developments go, we all are at fault because most of us don't stand up and say "enough"

I'm not to sure what the answer is but we could start by cutting all the stupid field trips that are taken, lets boot a few of our high paid administrators out, cull through the bad teachers and keep the good ones....I could go on

wendy · #7 04-19-2008, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roogle

So what can i do Wendy? I have a daughter in your school. But inner city kids won't be allowed in there next year. What can i do?

Actually, I may have an answer for that...but I have to get back to work on Monday to get the info. Please send your daughter down to see me; I'd love to meet her. I'm assuming that she won't be coming to Glasgow because of re-districting? Does that mean she's at Newark next year? Damn, why do they get all the good kids? lol.

I'll keep you posted; thanks for the support~ we love the involved parents.

wendy · #8 04-19-2008, 07:52 AM

Where did you "hear"this GL? reason I ask is I work for the state and am the Union Shop Steward for NCC and there was actually a memo issued to deal with the rumor that we would be having layoffs. It mentioned about state workers but not teachers.

Actually Max, What GL heard is true. The state is requiring a 10% cut across all areas, including education. They need to ultimately cut 80 million from the education budget which they have divided between the districts at 10% per district. We have also been told by the CEA president (Barbara Grogg) that this is the first time in her history that she actually believes the state is really in crisis. Usually when CEA approaches them about money issues we hear, "we don't have it. we don't have it. we don't have it." and then they pull a rabbit out of their hat and it's there. This time that's not the case.

Well with all due respect your district has been in trouble for awhile, and as far as new developments go, we all are at fault because most of us don't stand up and say "enough"

That's the truth Max, but Joe Wise and an ignorant school board with no back-bone was the cause of that mess. Someone should have pulled the reins on Joe way back; all of the teachers could see what he was doing was harmful for the district and the students, but our voices were not recognized at board meetings. IMHO Joe should be in jail, the people he brought with him fired immediately, and the board should have been wiped clean and the people allowed to put more responsible, intelligent individuals in place.

Kid Lester · #9 04-19-2008, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wendy

You are hearing the absolute truth, and it's really hurting a lot of good, hard working people and some wonderful kids. What I want to know is when did we get in this situation? Does anyone else remember when DE was one of the wealthiest states?

This is a Joe W. question for sure, Wendy.

But I think a lot of it has to do with the real estate transfer tax. I understand that this was a huge source of revenue for our state, and with the housing crisis such as it is, that huge pool of revenue has all but dried up.

And the government's electric bills and fuel bills have risen along the same percentage lines as ours have. The costs of doing everything have gone through the roof.

Now, as far as having the schools take the hit...

I don't know how it's possible to do without having a devastating impact on the kids.

I see some schools where 32 kids to a class is already the norm. And even in that scenario, it is a madhouse.

How are you going to teach a class of 40 middle schoolers?

Sure, the good students will still succeed. But the marginal students...the ones who need a little extra help... are going to become invisible.

Maybe the next time a Harmony Road needs some fancy speed-reduction islands at DelDot's expense...those former students can carry the bricks.

Tracy · #10 04-19-2008, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wendy

Actually, I may have an answer for that...but I have to get back to work on Monday to get the info. Please send your daughter down to see me; I'd love to meet her. I'm assuming that she won't be coming to Glasgow because of re-districting? Does that mean she's at Newark next year? Damn, why do they get all the good kids? lol.

I'll keep you posted; thanks for the support~ we love the involved parents.

Can't she choice? But then she'll have transportation issues huh?

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