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Tuesday, July 20, 2010
New Bedford school budget approved minus 230 positions
When the money comes to save or "create" positions(and it will)...remember the members of the school committee that wanted us to bear the burden...and vote accordingly.
The loss of positions is staggering and I hope there is a way to bring them back.
I must commend the SC for attempting to minimize disruptions in the classroom. Reinstating the 3 middle school VP's would have made a bad situation worse.
The 2 middle school principals that have been moaning and crying are going to have to roll up their sleeves and work harder. If that isn't appealing to them, Fall River is looking for 2 middle school principals.
Lou, here are some ideas for concessions in preparation your meeting with the sub committee on Wednesday.
1. Have all union A/B members give up their step raises for one year. This will allow veteran members the privilege of not bearing the same burden as teachers entitled to step increases.
2. All unit A/B members forfeit one personal day this year.
3. All unit A/B members forfeit one sick day this year.
4. All unit A/B members take a 1% cut in this years pay raise.
All these suggestions will still result in a modest increase for all members while providing a significant savings.
Relinquishing PD days is a bad idea since each PD day we forfeit equals a reduction of 1/180th of our salary, a substantial wage loss.
The idea of no step increase, a 1% pay cut, and the loss of a personal day is far more Draconian than anything else that has been proposed. Our salary is for 185 days not 180. Giving up 1, 2, or even 3 days of PD as a worst case scenario is far less devastating to a salary than a pay freeze. Saving 358k a day for no PD is a significant amount of money. Remember any pay freeze you agree to now will NOT be restored when extra funding makes its way to the system which will happen. The federal government has over $400 billion of unspent stimulus money...you must know this money will make it to every system across the US soon. Don't give in to a pay freeze. Money is coming.
Give up a sick day and a personal day? How will that help? I still have a ton of days to take if I am sick. They still have to pay a sub to cover my classroom. I don't see that working.
So.... the State Capital Fund just gave BCC $26.5 million to build a new technology center on the Fall River Campus, but there's no money for Teachers at the elementary, middle and high school levels. Who exactly does the state anticipate will use this new center? There will be few HS graduates if there are no teachers to teach the students. Grad rate is already hovering not much above 50%, MCAS scores are abysmal.
Additionally, rumour has it that the principals and headmaster(s) submitted budget cuts that eliminated the deficit without eliminating teachers, but the school committee denied every cut line by line. If this is true, then do we not see that the school committee is just playing chicken with the union?
I've never heard of a school district so anti-teacher. We need 3 MS Vice Principals, we need a Superintendent for Equity and Diversity, but we don't need teachers in the classroom?
I still don't quite get it. Teachers give up steps, raises, sick days etc. and no other line items in that huge budget. Teachers always are the ones to sacrifice. There comes a time when we have to stand up and say no more. I realize that some people will be loosing their jobs; but some of us have been through this for years and nothing changes.New Bedford is not the only community going through this. They just happen to not rely on the tax payers to help carry the burden. Most communities do so. I really don't get it. Without state and federal aid New Bedford would have to close its doors. Most communities don't operate this way.
How exactly will these cuts be determined? The cuts I am inquiring about are the additional 55 that the school committee recently voted for. Would they be by seniority or by certification and/or need?
Also would the system be PURGED of all the NON-CERTIFIED employess FIRST???
I am a young teacher with certification and I would be extremely upset to learn I have to lose my job in order for a NON-certified teacher (who may have been working for this system 10 years or so) to continue working in this system.
I think that the school committee members have to go! We need people who are actually TEACHERS and not everyday people who have never been in a classroom setting.
In response to the last blogger's question it must be licensure/certification versus time of service. The Highly Qualified law does exist even though New Bedford doesn't think so. The only ones that can be teaching are those who are certified & hold a license in the subject that they teach regardless of whether they are elementary, middle or high school level. No one should be teaching without these credentials unless it can be proven that the district can't find someone who is qualified and then can be on a waiver such as in Special Education, Math, or Science usually.Therefore, the answer is simple HQ licensed teachers over non-certified HQ individuals who aren't regardless of time in the district.
To the teacher who wanted to know when he/she would know if they are one of the 109. At the last SC meeting Larry O. stated that it would take them 5 weeks to sort out all of the personnel issues. 5 WEEKS! So I am figuring people should know the week before school starts. So we are back to the good ole days when teachers find out the day before the kids arrive where we are going. But don't feel bad, you are in the company of teachers who have given twenty-thirty years of dedication and hard work to the NBPS. Don't you get a warm and fuzzy feeling knowing that our central administrators know what they are doing????? Out of the fire and into the frying pan. The ship is sinking, we are all on it, and there is only 1 life jacket!!!!
I've heard from several veteran teachers that work for this district that this "budget crisis" happens every summer, but not to this severe extent. It's very disheartening for candidates such as myself that have worked extremely hard to earn my degree in education, worked for this district for a few yrs., is passionate about becoming a teacher, is certified, and now I learn that getting my own classroom is something out of my reach and only a dream. I feel for everyone that is involved in this mess....Education should be a top priority for EVERYONE...and it's very sad and unfortunate that teachers and students are going to suffer. No child left behind? We'll see when 40 plus students are in a class and many of them have IEP'S.
This situation is very disheartening to everyone. Every teacher has had to work hard for their education and continued professional development. We have all given this district our heart and soul day in and day out. For most of us, we are passionate about our jobs. Unfortunately, it isn't about that. The decision that lies before us, isn't about our passion for teaching, or how hard we worked and how dedicated we are. (and yes, veteran teachers are still passionate , hard working and dedicated people) It is about financial situations. When union members vote, we are not voting against new teachers or for veteran teachers. We are voting based on what we can and can not afford to do. We are voting based on what the school committee has said and done,(or not done). This isn't about veteran teachers vs young teachers. I would hope that educated professionals would know that by now! No one wants teachers to lose their jobs, however people need to make their own decisions based on their own situations. It is not PERSONAL.
When your vote means that a young teacher loses a job they worked hard to get to, of COURSE it's personal. If you're willing to see someone lose their job so that you can get yours, then claiming it's not personal just adds insult to injury.
Although, if your situation is such that even with making what is probably 50k+ a year, that $22 a week is going to make the difference between a comfortable life and poverty for you, then you must have some pretty giant obligations and maybe you need it even more than that young teacher with no savings and student loans to pay.
I am heartsick that people are so up in arms over less than $25 a week. Just as long as you get yours, right? And if the class sizes swell, kids' needs go unmet, and young, promising teachers end up on the unemployment line, at least you won't have to give up that morning coffee.
You know what? We're teachers, we work hard for what we make, and we put more into our classrooms than any outsider could possibly understand or appreciate. But the whole, "it's not personal. . .everyone's finances are different. . ." line is just insulting.
You can SAY, "Hey, I worked hard for my raise, I deserve it, I want it, and if someone else gets laid off so I can have it, that's too bad but it's not my problem."
There are valid arguments on both sides. For right now, let's keep the pressure on the U.S. Senate to send additional funding down to the states! Please E-mail Senators Kerry and Brown today!
Congratulations! You are giving the school committee exactly what they want. The us vs them mentality. How sad that educated people can't handle this situation in a more appropriate way. Whats even more sad is that people can't be honest about their finances without someone else bashing them. I do agree that 22 a week isn't a lot, but for some people it would and could make a difference for them. I am not going to sit here and pass judgment because people have different views on the subject. This is supposed to be a safe place for people to post their opinions. You don't have to agree with it, but you don't have to be arrogant about it, unless of course you are one of the school committee members yourself. It's nice to hide behind the anonymous name isn't it! The bottom line is that people are going to vote based on their own opinions, whether you like it or not.
I find myself shoulder deep in the muck of the current predicament that our city faces in this budget crisis. I have a child in NB Public elementary, one in middle and I work at the high school, whose administrative staff has just been amputated at both knees. I make my own morning coffee at home, dye my own hair, clip coupons, drive a very used car and shop at Wal-Mart....and I still really can't afford to give up my raise. (I'll technically be taking home less since insurance and everything else will go up) Does that mean I still wouldn't just bite the bullet and take it so my children wouldn't be in classes of 40? Of course I would! My kids take all my money now! Hey, wait a sec; they do take all my money, so what if I’m making less? What am I going to do? I guess I could cut my son’s music lessons, which has improved his math skills or my daughter’s dance classes which is the only physical activity she will engage in. (Let’s not even talk about how this wouldn’t be a problem if the district had money for arts!) See my dilemma? Where do my loyalties lie first? My own children or all the children I serve in the district? I guess Jack might say it's my civic duty to throw my own kids to the wolves, but as a teacher I know all to well the consequences of that kind of attitude. Doesn't turn out so good for the kid. If I had to vote on this tomorrow, I wouldn’t know which way I’d go. I guess that makes me an avaricious witch because I would hesitate at burning myself financially to sacrifice for the greater good. For those of us that straddle the fence, it’s a lose-lose situation. It’s personal and business.
Amen to the "this is supposed to be a safe place to voice your opinions". It does, at times, tend to appear more like a bash/attack than an open, engaging, idea-exchanging forum. Ask a question and look out- incoming.... I guess its understandable to a point- when you have emotional topics, people tend to get emotional. I also agree (ugh oh- I gave an opinion- just waiting now for the attack). Here goes anyway...As many others have stated here(and others out in the community),I agree and have faith that "the money"(in whatever form/way that may be)will come in. It may take until the end of Aug., but in true N.B. School style, it will find its way home. See u all Aug. 5th!! God bless!
Just for all of you to realize, If the union votes to take a pay freeze, the amount of money people would be giving up will vary. Some teachers, depending on the step they are on, will give up more than others. It might not be just 22 dollars a week for some people. Also, you are all forgetting about the teachers who might like to retire soon. They can only count on this years increase. If we give that up we are letting those people down for the rest of their lives. These are people who have been in the system for over thirty years. Lets not forget about them!
The contract is not a suicide pact, the contract is not written by Nostradamus. Every contract is a negotiation of terms based on circumstance. Is anyone really saying that circumstances have not changed? We need to vote to preserve as many jobs as possible.
There has been some interesting posts the past few days. Personal or not, there are those looking to hold on to what they have and will have, if you factor in the retirement angle, verses those who may not have but would like to. There are those who may have paid union dues for more than three decades and those who may have only paid dues for one to five years. Not that this makes a difference. It is understandable, however, that those entering the final years of their careers have to think about life after teaching, having paid their respective dues. "Give up your raise so that I can have a job, give up your step increase, take a one day pay cut so that I can have a job" sure sounds personal to me. Keep in mind the old saying that "Once you have been in teaching for 10 years you can't do anything else." When a veteran teacher is laid off and looks for work how many times have we heard of the horror stories of new teachers, right out of college, being hires over them because they cost half as much? Basically, what this means is that new and lower step teachers have an easier time finding a job, because of salary requirements, that their more experienced peers. When was the last time a new teacher said " I won't take this job. There may be a veteran teacher out there who need a job?" I will be very interested in seeing who and how many union members actually attend a meeting as important as the one scheduled for August 5th at Keith. No. I will not support a secret, paper ballet and neithe should Lou. The President needs to know where his membership stands.
This is a very important meeting and our President is looking for direction. As opposed to the safety and security of everyone being "anonynmous" stand up and be counted. One thing I am relatively sure of is that those looking for everyone else to sacrifice in order for them to keep their jobs will be well represented. Then again, maybe money from the government will become available and jobs will be restored.
Wow! What a highly-charged conversation! I hope that the majority of members show up for the meeting on August 5th, and vote their own conscience. And no one should hold anything against anyone -- this is a democracy you know, and majority rules. Just know that everyone is doing the best with what they've got, which means for some, they need to keep their pay raise to afford their bills and take care of their families, and for others they just want to have a job come September. Either way, some will be disappointed while others will feel a bittersweet elation. We'll just have to wait and see what happens, and meanwhile pray that the U.S. government, in all of its wisdom, has the foresight to preserve and protect the educational rights of our children and our futures.
My two cents here: as a parent of 3 students that play instruments at various levels I am very very dissapointed that the SC is considering eliminating the 4 elem. instrumental music teachers. I have not heard anything about sports being cut. Do we really NEED freshman, JV, and varsity sports? Why do the music kids always take a hit?? They can say that it is all about their feeder program, but guess what.... if you cut the elementary instrumental dept. you cut the ENTIRE feeder program!!! I know many people out there could care less about music and don't see the value of it but you really should read the literature on what music does for kids. You would be amazed, I know I was!! I also learned this year that 3 out of our 4 elem. instrumetal music teachers are products of this system. Doesn't that say something??? Please consider the over 400 kids that play instruments in our city. They could be the future of the music department.
To the last poster: The four instrumental teacher positions are not being cut. That was a suggestion made by the principals, but it was shot down by the school committee. You are right about sports however. As a parent you should be fighting for the welfrae of your three students. I just hope they are not in elementary school because that is where most of the hits are being taken. All of the after school clubs for elementary were cut, and our class sizes were already large last year. Voice your opinion where it will be heard. You should be attending the meetings, writing letters, and making phone calls. If I were a parent of a New Bedford School child I would be furious that the school committee refused to look at any other cuts but teachers and staff. Get your friends together. This is going to be tough! and next year is not going to be any easier!!!!
29 comments:
When the money comes to save or "create" positions(and it will)...remember the members of the school committee that wanted us to bear the burden...and vote accordingly.
when would we know if we were one of the 109 to be cut?
The loss of positions is staggering and I hope there is a way to bring them back.
I must commend the SC for attempting to minimize disruptions in the classroom. Reinstating the 3 middle school VP's would have made a bad situation worse.
The 2 middle school principals that have been moaning and crying are going to have to roll up their sleeves and work harder. If that isn't appealing to them, Fall River is looking for 2 middle school principals.
Lou, here are some ideas for concessions in preparation your meeting with the sub committee on Wednesday.
1. Have all union A/B members give up their step raises for one year. This will allow veteran members the privilege of not bearing the same burden as teachers entitled to step increases.
2. All unit A/B members forfeit one personal day this year.
3. All unit A/B members forfeit one sick day this year.
4. All unit A/B members take a 1% cut in this years pay raise.
All these suggestions will still result in a modest increase for all members while providing a significant savings.
Relinquishing PD days is a bad idea since each PD day we forfeit equals a reduction of 1/180th of our salary, a substantial wage loss.
Good luck and keep us updated.
The idea of no step increase, a 1% pay cut, and the loss of a personal day is far more Draconian than anything else that has been proposed. Our salary is for 185 days not 180. Giving up 1, 2, or even 3 days of PD as a worst case scenario is far less devastating to a salary than a pay freeze. Saving 358k a day for no PD is a significant amount of money. Remember any pay freeze you agree to now will NOT be restored when extra funding makes its way to the system which will happen. The federal government has over $400 billion of unspent stimulus money...you must know this money will make it to every system across the US soon. Don't give in to a pay freeze. Money is coming.
Give up a sick day and a personal day? How will that help? I still have a ton of days to take if I am sick. They still have to pay a sub to cover my classroom. I don't see that working.
So.... the State Capital Fund just gave BCC $26.5 million to build a new technology center on the Fall River Campus, but there's no money for Teachers at the elementary, middle and high school levels. Who exactly does the state anticipate will use this new center? There will be few HS graduates if there are no teachers to teach the students. Grad rate is already hovering not much above 50%, MCAS scores are abysmal.
Additionally, rumour has it that the principals and headmaster(s) submitted budget cuts that eliminated the deficit without eliminating teachers, but the school committee denied every cut line by line. If this is true, then do we not see that the school committee is just playing chicken with the union?
I've never heard of a school district so anti-teacher. We need 3 MS Vice Principals, we need a Superintendent for Equity and Diversity, but we don't need teachers in the classroom?
Really?????
I still don't quite get it. Teachers give up steps, raises, sick days etc. and no other line items in that huge budget. Teachers always are the ones to sacrifice. There comes a time when we have to stand up and say no more. I realize that some people will be loosing their jobs; but some of us have been through this for years and nothing changes.New Bedford is not the only community going through this. They just happen to not rely on the tax payers to help carry the burden. Most communities do so. I really don't get it. Without state and federal aid New Bedford would have to close its doors. Most communities don't operate this way.
How exactly will these cuts be determined? The cuts I am inquiring about are the additional 55 that the school committee recently voted for. Would they be by seniority or by certification and/or need?
Also would the system be PURGED of all the NON-CERTIFIED employess FIRST???
I am a young teacher with certification and I would be extremely upset to learn I have to lose my job in order for a NON-certified teacher (who may have been working for this system 10 years or so) to continue working in this system.
I think that the school committee members have to go! We need people who are actually TEACHERS and not everyday people who have never been in a classroom setting.
The certification question is a good one. What is the union's position re: Time in service vs certification/licensure?
In response to the last blogger's question it must be licensure/certification versus time of service. The Highly Qualified law does exist even though New Bedford doesn't think so. The only ones that can be teaching are those who are certified & hold a license in the subject that they teach regardless of whether they are elementary, middle or high school level. No one should be teaching without these credentials unless it can be proven that the district can't find someone who is qualified and then can be on a waiver such as in Special Education, Math, or Science usually.Therefore, the answer is simple HQ licensed teachers over non-certified HQ individuals who aren't regardless of time in the district.
To the teacher who wanted to know when he/she would know if they are one of the 109. At the last SC meeting Larry O. stated that it would take them 5 weeks to sort out all of the personnel issues. 5 WEEKS! So I am figuring people should know the week before school starts. So we are back to the good ole days when teachers find out the day before the kids arrive where we are going. But don't feel bad, you are in the company of teachers who have given twenty-thirty years of dedication and hard work to the NBPS. Don't you get a warm and fuzzy feeling knowing that our central administrators know what they are doing????? Out of the fire and into the frying pan. The ship is sinking, we are all on it, and there is only 1 life jacket!!!!
I've heard from several veteran teachers that work for this district that this "budget crisis" happens every summer, but not to this severe extent. It's very disheartening for candidates such as myself that have worked extremely hard to earn my degree in education, worked for this district for a few yrs., is passionate about becoming a teacher, is certified, and now I learn that getting my own classroom is something out of my reach and only a dream. I feel for everyone that is involved in this mess....Education should be a top priority for EVERYONE...and it's very sad and unfortunate that teachers and students are going to suffer. No child left behind? We'll see when 40 plus students are in a class and many of them have IEP'S.
This situation is very disheartening to everyone. Every teacher has had to work hard for their education and continued professional development. We have all given this district our heart and soul day in and day out. For most of us, we are passionate about our jobs. Unfortunately, it isn't about that. The decision that lies before us, isn't about our passion for teaching, or how hard we worked and how dedicated we are. (and yes, veteran teachers are still passionate , hard working and dedicated people) It is about financial situations. When union members vote, we are not voting against new teachers or for veteran teachers. We are voting based on what we can and can not afford to do. We are voting based on what the school committee has said and done,(or not done). This isn't about veteran teachers vs young teachers. I would hope that educated professionals would know that by now! No one wants teachers to lose their jobs, however people need to make their own decisions based on their own situations. It is not PERSONAL.
When your vote means that a young teacher loses a job they worked hard to get to, of COURSE it's personal. If you're willing to see someone lose their job so that you can get yours, then claiming it's not personal just adds insult to injury.
Although, if your situation is such that even with making what is probably 50k+ a year, that $22 a week is going to make the difference between a comfortable life and poverty for you, then you must have some pretty giant obligations and maybe you need it even more than that young teacher with no savings and student loans to pay.
I am heartsick that people are so up in arms over less than $25 a week. Just as long as you get yours, right? And if the class sizes swell, kids' needs go unmet, and young, promising teachers end up on the unemployment line, at least you won't have to give up that morning coffee.
You know what? We're teachers, we work hard for what we make, and we put more into our classrooms than any outsider could possibly understand or appreciate. But the whole, "it's not personal. . .everyone's finances are different. . ." line is just insulting.
You can SAY, "Hey, I worked hard for my raise, I deserve it, I want it, and if someone else gets laid off so I can have it, that's too bad but it's not my problem."
At least tell it like it is.
There are valid arguments on both sides. For right now, let's keep the pressure on the U.S. Senate to send additional funding down to the states! Please E-mail Senators Kerry and Brown today!
Congratulations! You are giving the school committee exactly what they want. The us vs them mentality. How sad that educated people can't handle this situation in a more appropriate way.
Whats even more sad is that people can't be honest about their finances without someone else bashing them. I do agree that 22 a week isn't a lot, but for some people it would and could make a difference for them. I am not going to sit here and pass judgment because people have different views on the subject. This is supposed to be a safe place for people to post their opinions. You don't have to agree with it, but you don't have to be arrogant about it, unless of course you are one of the school committee members yourself. It's nice to hide behind the anonymous name isn't it!
The bottom line is that people are going to vote based on their own opinions, whether you like it or not.
I find myself shoulder deep in the muck of the current predicament that our city faces in this budget crisis. I have a child in NB Public elementary, one in middle and I work at the high school, whose administrative staff has just been amputated at both knees. I make my own morning coffee at home, dye my own hair, clip coupons, drive a very used car and shop at Wal-Mart....and I still really can't afford to give up my raise. (I'll technically be taking home less since insurance and everything else will go up) Does that mean I still wouldn't just bite the bullet and take it so my children wouldn't be in classes of 40? Of course I would! My kids take all my money now! Hey, wait a sec; they do take all my money, so what if I’m making less? What am I going to do? I guess I could cut my son’s music lessons, which has improved his math skills or my daughter’s dance classes which is the only physical activity she will engage in. (Let’s not even talk about how this wouldn’t be a problem if the district had money for arts!) See my dilemma? Where do my loyalties lie first? My own children or all the children I serve in the district? I guess Jack might say it's my civic duty to throw my own kids to the wolves, but as a teacher I know all to well the consequences of that kind of attitude. Doesn't turn out so good for the kid. If I had to vote on this tomorrow, I wouldn’t know which way I’d go. I guess that makes me an avaricious witch because I would hesitate at burning myself financially to sacrifice for the greater good. For those of us that straddle the fence, it’s a lose-lose situation. It’s personal and business.
Amen to the "this is supposed to be a safe place to voice your opinions". It does, at times, tend to appear more like a bash/attack than an open, engaging, idea-exchanging forum. Ask a question and look out- incoming....
I guess its understandable to a point- when you have emotional topics, people tend to get emotional.
I also agree (ugh oh- I gave an opinion- just waiting now for the attack). Here goes anyway...As many others have stated here(and others out in the community),I agree and have faith that "the money"(in whatever form/way that may be)will come in. It may take until the end of Aug., but in true N.B. School style, it will find its way home.
See u all Aug. 5th!! God bless!
If you want a place to target your anger, then this may enlighten you.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_CONGRESS_WAR_FUNDING?SITE=OHCIN&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2010-07-22-22-56-59
Doesn't look good or right or fair to anyone in this country if you ask me.
Just for all of you to realize, If the union votes to take a pay freeze, the amount of money people would be giving up will vary. Some teachers, depending on the step they are on, will give up more than others. It might not be just 22 dollars a week for some people. Also, you are all forgetting about the teachers who might like to retire soon. They can only count on this years increase. If we give that up we are letting those people down for the rest of their lives. These are people who have been in the system for over thirty years. Lets not forget about them!
Let's not forget the fact that the negotiating team fought long and hard for all members. We should honor the contract!
The contract is not a suicide pact, the contract is not written by Nostradamus. Every contract is a negotiation of terms based on circumstance. Is anyone really saying that circumstances have not changed? We need to vote to preserve as many jobs as possible.
There has been some interesting posts the past few days. Personal or not, there are those looking to hold on to what they have and will have, if you factor in the retirement angle, verses those who may not have but would like to. There are those who may have paid union dues for more than three decades and those who may have only paid dues for one to five years. Not that this makes a difference. It is understandable, however, that those entering the final years of their careers have to think about life after teaching, having paid their respective dues. "Give up your raise so that I can have a job, give up your step increase, take a one day pay cut so that I can have a job" sure sounds personal to me. Keep in mind the old saying that "Once you have been in teaching for 10 years you can't do anything else." When a veteran teacher is laid off and looks for work how many times have we heard of the horror stories of new teachers, right out of college, being hires over them because they cost half as much? Basically, what this means is that new and lower step teachers have an easier time finding a job, because of salary requirements, that their more experienced peers. When was the last time a new teacher said " I won't take this job. There may be a veteran teacher out there who need a job?"
I will be very interested in seeing who and how many union members actually attend a meeting as important as the one scheduled for August 5th at Keith. No. I will not support a secret, paper ballet and neithe should Lou. The President needs to know where his membership stands.
This is a very important meeting and our President is
looking for direction. As opposed to the safety and security of everyone being "anonynmous" stand up and be counted. One thing I am relatively sure of is that those looking for everyone else to sacrifice in order for them to keep their jobs will be well represented.
Then again, maybe money from the government will become available and jobs will be restored.
Wow! What a highly-charged conversation! I hope that the majority of members show up for the meeting on August 5th, and vote their own conscience. And no one should hold anything against anyone -- this is a democracy you know, and majority rules. Just know that everyone is doing the best with what they've got, which means for some, they need to keep their pay raise to afford their bills and take care of their families, and for others they just want to have a job come September. Either way, some will be disappointed while others will feel a bittersweet elation. We'll just have to wait and see what happens, and meanwhile pray that the U.S. government, in all of its wisdom, has the foresight to preserve and protect the educational rights of our children and our futures.
My two cents here: as a parent of 3 students that play instruments at various levels I am very very dissapointed that the SC is considering eliminating the 4 elem. instrumental music teachers. I have not heard anything about sports being cut. Do we really NEED freshman, JV, and varsity sports? Why do the music kids always take a hit?? They can say that it is all about their feeder program, but guess what.... if you cut the elementary instrumental dept. you cut the ENTIRE feeder program!!! I know many people out there could care less about music and don't see the value of it but you really should read the literature on what music does for kids. You would be amazed, I know I was!! I also learned this year that 3 out of our 4 elem. instrumetal music teachers are products of this system. Doesn't that say something??? Please consider the over 400 kids that play instruments in our city. They could be the future of the music department.
To the last poster: The four instrumental teacher positions are not being cut. That was a suggestion made by the principals, but it was shot down by the school committee. You are right about sports however. As a parent you should be fighting for the welfrae of your three students. I just hope they are not in elementary school because that is where most of the hits are being taken. All of the after school clubs for elementary were cut, and our class sizes were already large last year. Voice your opinion where it will be heard. You should be attending the meetings, writing letters, and making phone calls. If I were a parent of a New Bedford School child I would be furious that the school committee refused to look at any other cuts but teachers and staff. Get your friends together. This is going to be tough! and next year is not going to be any easier!!!!
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