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  • Nash B.
    replied
    Dear teaching certification program: thanks for rejecting my application.

    Leave a comment:


  • Rick Modena
    replied
    Originally posted by Vertnut View Post
    I found a good example of why schools here in Texas are BROKE.

    La Joya, Texas has 34 campuses: 3 High schools, 8 middle school's, and 23 elementary's. The tax rolls show a "population" of 3303 people living in 969 "housing unit's". It's 98% Hispanic with over 40% living below the poverty line.
    La Hoya ISD has over 28,000 students in the system.

    Do the math.
    Yeah sure Ill do the math, because its obvious that you're a little un-educated, especially when it comes to the demographics in the state of Texas. The little city of LaJoya serves more than just 'La Joya', it's the school district for about 5 little towns and also serves the western part of Mission. If you did a little more research instead of opening your mouth about something you clearly don't know anything about. You do know that most of the produce, cotton, beef, come from this area of Texas right? If you did know that, you would also know that these farms are operated by people (legal citizens) and their kids have to go to school somewhere right? Do a little more research about something before you pick a border town to spew your nonsense.

    Leave a comment:


  • The King
    replied
    Originally posted by Leah View Post
    Actually, you're pretty spot on. There is so much money spent in providing undocumented students with health care, pre-k for non-English speaking students, and all the other 'special' programs there are for them, that it would probably result in a surplus by dropping them.
    If enough could be saved by doing so, then no positions would need elimination and the teacher/student ratio could be reduced. Win-win for all, except illegals who supposedly should have no claim on our public resources in the first place.

    Leave a comment:


  • Leah
    replied
    Originally posted by The King View Post
    Require proof of citizenship on the part of any child enrolling in public schools. Disqualify any who can not do so, close schools/facilities as needed, and eliminate some positions (not a good thing but unfortunately necessary).

    Problem solved.
    Actually, you're pretty spot on. There is so much money spent in providing undocumented students with health care, pre-k for non-English speaking students, and all the other 'special' programs there are for them, that it would probably result in a surplus by dropping them.

    Originally posted by Mr_Fiux View Post
    Yeah Leah this got me depressed, I am now highly qualified and this bullshit comes along. I got 3 separate emails from GPISD, FWISD, and AISD telling me they are not hiring this new school year. AND I AM BILINGUAL certified. Imagine that. Which means I am not going anywhere.
    That is terrible. It's an awful time for the teaching profession. Don't let it discourage you and keep you from trying-you never know what will happen! I will definitely keep my eyes open for anything (that goes for all of you who have said you're looking/will be looking).

    Leave a comment:


  • Broncojohnny
    replied
    Originally posted by S_K View Post
    I have been a computer consultant in the Texas education space since 1982. I have seen the budgets of virtually every school district in Texas and most of of the community colleges as well. In my business - knowlege is power. It is the only tool I have. To be able to sell solutions to these schools, I have to know what they spend money and how much they are willing to spend on services I wish to sell. It does me no good to try to sell a million dollar solution to a district that can't afford it. I will have lost a sale and maybe even permently damaged a relationship. To that end I have become very adept at reading school budgets. So if you want to know how much money your spends on athletics here is what you do...

    Request last years budget. You need actuals not projections. As a tax payer you are entitled to this. You will have to ask several times. The district will not provide you with a detailed breakdown without some prodding. Then, realize that the school district is very adept at hiding the money. You will need to do some digging. Here is where they hide most of costs:
    Bond payments - there will be several for athletic facilities. These will be hidden in the total costs.
    Facilities maintenance - Costs of stadiums, ball fields, Gyms, tracks, etc are a large part of the total maintenence budget. Remember to include to cost of extra employees as well. (ie a groundskeepers job is mainly athletic fields)
    Transporation - ditto for the cost of transporting teams to games
    Teachers salaries - if a coach teaches a single math class, his salary comes out of the Math and Sciences budget. Only his coach's stipend (uplift) is counted in the athletic budget.
    Utilities - Electric and water costs are significant.
    Everything else - Although it is a small percentage, Uniforms, team jackets and shirts, banquets, awards, etc also cost money.

    All in all, I have found that most Texas school districts spend 25%-35% of their total budget on athletics. Most spend less than 30%, a few spend more. On the other hand, I have rarely seen income from athletics (contributions, gate reciepts) exceed 8% of the total budget. An exception - I once saw a very poor class B school do 11% income for a single year. But then they had a football team that almost won state. (Expense that year was 38%)

    Don't take my word for it - check the facts yourself. As a taxpayer you have the right to know how your money is spent.
    Very interesting stuff, thanks for the post.

    Leave a comment:


  • TX21
    replied
    I can't wait to get my boy in the "system"

    Leave a comment:


  • Diabolic
    replied
    First....No Child Left Behind is a miserable joke of a program. If they don't attend, pass, or do the work, then leave their piss poor attitude asses behind. Someone needs to dig ditches for the future, and keep prison guards employeed.

    Second....What happened to all that lottery money that was suppose to go into the school fund? Did it end up being placed in the general fund and pissed away? Legalize gambling and lets get some State operated casinos going around here. Stop spending our money in NM, Lousianna, and Oaklahoma. Pump all the net profit back into the school system.

    Third...Stop letting every lazy ass parent that lives off the already broke system from registering their child with a "learning disability" so they can collect some extra greenbacks from the state. Stigmatize the child as a dumbass from the get go so that you can buy some more cigs on me!

    I could go on and on, but until the bottom falls out nothing will get done.....Sucks for those that are losing their jobs. You can thank all the lazy, system working, no tax contributing, professional loser, sob's for this mess.

    Leave a comment:


  • Slowhand
    replied
    Originally posted by jdgregory84 View Post
    That's quite possibly the dumbest "solution" to a problem, ever. Yeah, it costs a lot to maintain, but after helping my dad with a lot of the Quarterback Club shit at my little brothers HS over the past couple of years, I've seen how much money that it brings in. Highschool football is a cash cow for most schools. If you want to get rid of a sport that provides little income in highschool, get rid of baseball, softball, basketball, and track and field. Football and volleyball have the most in attendance. However, if you get rid of those sports that I mentioned, you're gonna have a lot of kids wanting to go somewhere else.
    Seeing the revenue end without any reference to the expense end of it is hardly a good reason to determine that it's a "cash cow" for schools. Bringing in revenue ≠ making money.

    Leave a comment:


  • ceyko
    replied
    Here is my input for what it is worth...

    1. Don't use AISD, BISD...etc...even in the same county, this is hard to figure out sometimes. I thought Aledo ISD at first then possibly Allen...then read that it was Arlington.

    2. As a consultant in a certain field I see a MASSIVE difference between schools like (well, I'm not going to name them on a public board) the ones further away from the major cities and the ones around major cities. The more rural schools, it's borderline not worth the effort and if there is one glitch it's not worth it. The other schools, just RFP everything which is NOT the cheapest solution regardless of what people think. All RFPs do is get vendors lined up. However, everyone independently bids and usually RFPs are decided before they are put out.

    3. Generally speaking they can cut a lot of these programs and positions. I've seen it myself, where plenty of the administrative staff seems down right bored. I get that part. Some of the other things make sense too. i.e. mowing their own lawns, if it saves money do it. Dunno if it equates the same as at my house, but it sure is a lot cheaper to mow my own lawn.

    4. I also agree with negating as much money going to a lot of the sports, unless privately subsidized. School is school and teaching (which in theory should require teachers) should be it's ONLY concern. All the other activities are secondary in my opinion. However, we all know this is not reality. I think especially in the state of Texas.

    5. I can not comment on laying off teachers to be honest. Everything I do is never around the teachers. So I really don't know if the ISDs I visit have enough teachers or not.

    6. Also, some of those cuts seem common sense to me, while other I have no idea what the hell they are.

    Yall did notice that 2 coaches at each HS being eliminated are part of that list though right?

    Leave a comment:


  • Denny
    replied
    Originally posted by Vertnut View Post
    I found a good example of why schools here in Texas are BROKE.

    La Joya, Texas has 34 campuses: 3 High schools, 8 middle school's, and 23 elementary's. The tax rolls show a "population" of 3303 people living in 969 "housing unit's". It's 98% Hispanic with over 40% living below the poverty line.
    La Hoya ISD has over 28,000 students in the system.

    Do the math.
    iAye Dios mio!

    Leave a comment:


  • Vertnut
    replied
    I found a good example of why schools here in Texas are BROKE.

    La Joya, Texas has 37 campuses: 6 High schools, 8 middle school's, and 23 elementary's. The tax rolls show a "population" of 3303 people living in 969 "housing unit's". It's 98% Hispanic with over 40% living below the poverty line.
    La Hoya ISD has over 28,000 students in the system.

    Do the math.
    Last edited by Vertnut; 02-17-2011, 04:09 PM.

    Leave a comment:


  • Mr_Fiux
    replied
    Originally posted by Leah View Post
    Guys, this is bad. Districts are out of money and teachers (who once had job security) are facing furlows, Reduction in Force, SCHOOLS ARE CLOSING, etc. This is what is on the district website:

    The state of Texas is facing its most serious budget crisis in decades with revenue estimates $27 billion short of the $99 billion needed to maintain the same level of services, taking into consideration projected growth. With public education spending making up about 44 percent of the state budget, we expect devastating reductions to state public education funding. As it stands, the AISD could lose $35 million in state foundation and grant funding next year. Compound that with our district’s $13.3 million deficit, and we are facing a shortfall of $48 million.

    District staff has begun to identify ways to reduce spending in the AISD. We have a difficult road ahead, and we must work together to ensure that our 64,000 students continue to have access to More Than a Remarkable Education.

    Plan to Reduce SpendingReductions to be announced at Feb. 7 board meeting: Total $15,275,121 (THIS IS WHAT HAS ALREADY BEEN APPROVED)


    Reduce administration department budgets by 5 percent: $2,231,293
    Dissolve the student affairs department: $196,000
    Dissolve the safe and drug-free schools/parent relations department: $125,000
    Reduce the district’s monthly contribution toward health insurance by $25 for professional employees and $10 for all other employees: $1,224,000
    Eliminate Convocation: $12,000
    Eliminate the Success program for first through sixth grades: $578,000
    Close the Turning Point Elementary campus and place these students and teachers at grade-level specific sites. Move the AISD employees who office at Annex V and Pioneer Plaza into the former Turning Point Elementary campus: $169,000
    Reduce junior high assistant principals to a ratio of 1:750 students: $235,828
    Eliminate a receptionist position per secondary campus: $365,000
    Eliminate guidance techs at all schools: $1,500,000
    Eliminate two kindergarten teaching assistants per elementary campus: $1,600,000
    Assign high school teachers one additional teaching period: $4,500,000
    Eliminate teaming at the junior high level: $2,000,000
    Delay IB implementation at Martin and Seguin high schools: $100,000
    Eliminate printing of the Annual Wall Calendar and School Boundary Map: $40,000
    Eliminate the UTA stadium rental: $99,000
    Eliminate contract mowing from the plant services budget: $300,000

    THIS IS WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT DOING:
    Reductions being considered for the future


    Eliminate all teachers with probationary contracts. Some positions might be hired back depending on need: $38,950,000
    Eliminate two coaches at each high school: $624,000
    Eliminate one fine arts teacher at each high school: $312,000
    Eliminate all cafeteria monitors at the elementary level: $912,000
    Eliminate three attendance officers: $150,000
    Eliminate three intervention specialists: $184,000
    Eliminate fifth- and sixth-grade orchestra and sixth-grade band: $1,000,000
    Close Kooken Education Center: $730,000
    Close one junior high: $1,800,000
    Reduce teachers in grades K through 4 if the state legislature changes the 22:1 student-teacher ratio: $10,000,000
    Reduction in force: As needed


    All in all, I may not have a job next year. I am considered a probationary teacher since this is my first year in this district. (note that a probationary teacher may be a teacher that has taught less than 3 years within the district)

    Parents-this is the time to GET INVOLVED. They are cutting needed programs for our kids. Taxes may have to be raised, but that may be a necessity. PLEASE support your local district and administration.
    Yeah Leah this got me depressed, I am now highly qualified and this bullshit comes along. I got 3 separate emails from GPISD, FWISD, and AISD telling me they are not hiring this new school year. AND I AM BILINGUAL certified. Imagine that. Which means I am not going anywhere.

    Leave a comment:


  • The King
    replied
    Originally posted by 03trubluGT View Post
    Paying for illegals education and medical is going to end up breaking us like it did Kalifornia.
    Require proof of citizenship on the part of any child enrolling in public schools. Disqualify any who can not do so, close schools/facilities as needed, and eliminate some positions (not a good thing but unfortunately necessary).

    Problem solved.

    Leave a comment:


  • The King
    replied
    Originally posted by ELVIS View Post
    im not even sending Jr to school.

    god bless.
    He doesn't need no stinkin' school....after all he's a shoo in for the music business.

    Originally posted by talisman View Post
    Parents aren't the only ones paying for children to go to school. Looked at your property taxes lately? I get to pay over 3k a year towards school funding and I don't even have kids.
    The standard logic given for this is "Paying school taxes makes for better communities, so everyone benefits whether or not they have children utilizing the public school system".

    Leave a comment:


  • jdgregory84
    replied
    Originally posted by Kart21 View Post
    How about just dropping football for a few years ??
    Would save a bunch of $$$$$$$$$$$.

    Just a thought.
    That's quite possibly the dumbest "solution" to a problem, ever. Yeah, it costs a lot to maintain, but after helping my dad with a lot of the Quarterback Club shit at my little brothers HS over the past couple of years, I've seen how much money that it brings in. Highschool football is a cash cow for most schools. If you want to get rid of a sport that provides little income in highschool, get rid of baseball, softball, basketball, and track and field. Football and volleyball have the most in attendance. However, if you get rid of those sports that I mentioned, you're gonna have a lot of kids wanting to go somewhere else.

    Property taxes and lottery money is supposed to go to schools. I seriously doubt that most of that money is going where it's supposed to be.

    Leah, I've been watching the news down here in Austin and they're talking about in AISD alone, over a thousand jobs were lost and schools are closing down like crazy. There was an article yesterday about where school funding has actually been going. Unfortunately I missed it, but I agree. This is a serious problem.

    Leave a comment:

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