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Class Notes: Vote ‘Yes’ on flexible spending
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The Education Channel currently has a couple of special TV programs, chock full of information about the school district’s upcoming referendum. More about the programs in a moment…“but first,” as they say on TV, I’d like to share a little information about the referendum.
Times are tough across the nation and in Florida. There are a good number of reasons for that, which Supt. Dr. Dennis L. Thompson details on one of the TV shows. The result: the school district has been forced to make $26 million in budget cuts this year. The problem is that next school year, which technically begins July 1, 2009, is expected to be even more challenging. In the words of our superintendent, “Things are not good and they are getting worse!”
Where do you cut? In the business world, when you’ve made all the cuts you can, you find another revenue stream. In the education business, a referendum is the only way to do that. You should know that this is a “tax-neutral” referendum. There will be no increase or decrease in your property taxes as the result of voter approval at the polls on Nov. 4. Approval would just give the district flexibility with the money it will receive anyway. Quite simply, the district would move one-eighth of the millage (or property tax dollars) collected for “capital” projects (building of new schools, school renovations, maintenance) to the “operations” side of the ledger, keeping non-mandated or non-required educational opportunities alive – things like advanced placement courses, art, music, band, clubs and extracurricular activities – plus cover other expenses, such as salaries and benefits, textbooks and classroom materials.
Dr. Thompson’s mission is student achievement and development. In a budget crunch, the classroom is protected because that part of a student’s education is “mandated.” It’s the development piece – the non-mandated educational opportunities – that this referendum is all about.
Now for the TV shows: “Vote 2008” is focused on the referendum and school board candidates. It will air at 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday. “Visit with the Superintendent” was videotaped when Dr. Thompson spoke at a recent school advisory council meeting. It will air at 9:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Both will air at other times as well, so check the channel -- you’re sure to find them. Questions? Call us in the district communication office at 377-0180. Early voting begins on Monday.
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Why, heaven knows, would we participate in this shell game and give greater latitude and more money to the very individuals that have brought us several failing schools in Immokalee through their neglect, a severeve risk of losing our District's accreditation, and quite honestly a public school educational system in shambles (to and including feeding on our own custodians)?
We are not doing a creditable job with what we had and certainly this group cannot be trusted to right the ship.
The only reason that all of the past initiatives have failed is that the money never made it to the classroom and the front line teacher and the support staff. It was sucked up by the increasing vortex of administrators upon adminstrators that have served no purpose except to create a greater morass of uncertainty and personal job security.
Teachers know how to teach! Give them the tools and the money and it will happen.
What we are doing now just plain flat out ain't working!
After so many years, one would think that the Administration and the Union would have been able to work it out in the best interests of our students. That is why we are here!
No one seems to be able to know what to do except the properly oriented classroom teacher and they don't have the support of those who currently are unable and doing the unnecessary with a great degree of skill to ensure their positions and retirement.
From what I see: Stay well for as long as you can and die quick!
God Bless America and the students who crave discipline and guidence!
#1 Posted by chickendog on October 15, 2008 at 5:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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