HalifaxTalk.com

tom mclaughlin · Joined: 19 Jan 2008 Posts: 952

We just got this in from the Governor's Office:

http://www.thenewsrecord.com/index.php/news/article/mcdonnell_decision_costs_halifax_county_1.5_million/

Irrespective of the merits of Gov. McDonnell's decision, this is not good for local schools.

DiversionsGirl · Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2010 6:49 pm Post subject:

Here's a thought: get rid of the people who have gotten us in the whole mess we were already dealing with before this hit and hire people with new ideas. We have a new school board - let's see what we can get done around here with some real work!
_________________
I would rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself than be crowded on a velvet cushion. ~Henry David Thoreau

DiversionsGirl · Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 11:09 am Post subject:

I was told this morning that there was a big meeting for teachers and it was announced that all teachers would be facing a 1% salary cut, but central office personnel would not be facing the same cut.

I was also told that Stapleton announced at a budget meeting that jobs would be cut but CO was not to be touched.

It's so refreshing that some people take putting others out of work at a time like this so lightly.

The question is, what are we willing to sacrifice in order to keep people employed? Sports? Educational opportunities (Gov. School)? Convenience?
Also, if there is sacrifice (salary cuts), why does it apply to some and not others? Why do the lowest-paid employees have to sacrifice just to keep their jobs and the highest-paid employees don't sacrifice anything and still don't do their jobs?
_________________
I would rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself than be crowded on a velvet cushion. ~Henry David Thoreau

BostonNative · Joined: 08 Mar 2009 Posts: 95 Location: South Boston

Feed us, Northern Virginia. Feed us!

dtalbott · Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 12:12 pm Post subject:

What to sacrifice? How about going back to being high schools/middle schools/elementary schools?
_________________
Quid custodit ipsos custodes?

if I would have shot them when I first wanted to, I’d be out of prison by now.

mw · Joined: 17 Jul 2009 Posts: 676

tom mclaughlin · Joined: 19 Jan 2008 Posts: 952

The rumor is going around that the Central Office Top 3 - Paul Stapleton, Larry Clark and Joe Griles - are resigning in reaction to the budget debacle. We checked it out - NOT TRUE.

Just wanted to throw that out before too long.

dtalbott · Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 12:35 pm Post subject:

Medievalmaniac · Joined: 21 May 2009 Posts: 101

How can they justify asking the teachers to take another salary CUT? That is SO INSULTING. IMO, this school system does not value our children, when it treats the people who have the most face time with them on a daily basis so callously.

I can understand a salary freeze (well, OK, I can't, but I would accept it). If I were a teacher in this county, and I were worth anything, I would definitely be putting my resume in circulation...what's the incentive to stay?

And before anyone jumps all over me - YES, in response to this, I WOULD pay higher taxes, if I knew that money was going towards maintaining or even slightly increasing (NOVEL idea!) teacher salaries. I was a public teacher for several years in a county similar to this one, and I am still paying off the credit card debt I accrued my first two years of teaching because my take-home pay was 980.00 a month after taxes, and my rent was $725.00 (yes, that included utilities), and by the time I paid that and car insurance every other bill and groceries went on plastic.

I would have stayed in public education, but I couldn't afford to live off of my salary, much less raise a family. Sad

And now, they want to CUT teacher salaries. Why not shave 5% off the top 10% of salaries paid in the school system instead? That might actually equal the same amount, or close to it....
_________________
If it weren't for gravity and law enforcement, I'd be unstoppable!

tom mclaughlin · Joined: 19 Jan 2008 Posts: 952

DT, the rumor was all 3. Not so.

ginblossom · Joined: 07 Jul 2006 Posts: 1297

The 1% was 1 suggestion on a list of many. It was stated that the 1% could apply to everyone except Mr. Stapleton (his contract prevents it). His would have to be voluntary (other supers are doing this in other counties).

Cuts everywhere (including CO) were mentioned, what actually happens may be another story.

I'm with DT, how about we go back to elementary, MS, and HS and forget being a college!!!

Medievalmaniac · Joined: 21 May 2009 Posts: 101

1093ras · Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 1:08 pm Post subject:

His contract takes care of him, I guess he was smart enough to make sure of that.
_________________
Blessed are they who can give without remembering and take without forgetting
(Author unknown)

Posted by Bunny Propst

mw · Joined: 17 Jul 2009 Posts: 676

Not sure, but I've heard the figure one million dollars per year going towards funding the degree program. Tom, is that rumor or fact? Know you're a busy man, but by chance, would you know how much local money goes into the pre-k program?
_________________
The Lord gives, government taxes it away.

1093ras · Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 1:10 pm Post subject:

I thought pre-k was funded entirely by state funds. (Or maybe it is the early learning centers.)
_________________
Blessed are they who can give without remembering and take without forgetting
(Author unknown)

Posted by Bunny Propst