The first comment I have is a question. Why is newly elected Mike Barbis texting all through the meeting? Does anyone else believe that texting on two phones, no less, is rude? What is going on? I interpret that as rude with a total lack of interest! Anyone want to enlighten me?
I see it too - its disrespectful and rude. Jack needs to say something to him. His main job is a real estate agent - so I'm sure he is reading and responding to his emails. Now the budget - there is no way I support a 7.83% increase - once again we are still paying high salaries and out of control benefits. Nontheless, the city will not give us this much - they might give us 4-5% if lucky but I can't imagine the mayor increasing so much on taxes to support an educational systems that continuous to stay as status quo - I for one won't be fighting for this increase to simply support increases that benefits a system that is not moving forward.
Since we have the 2nd best paid teachers in The state, I expect to have the 2nd best district in the state. Well we don't so that leads me to believe that salaries and bens of all teachers should be reduced accordingly. We are not getting what we pay for!!!! Cut salaries and pease get rid of Mellion. BOE, I hope you're listening.
And let the hysteria begin . . . . The salaries are set by contract and there is nothing that can be done about them until the contracts are up (which is at end the 2012-13 school year for teachers). Let's tell the rookie supt. and the mostly-rubber-stamp BoE that you balance a budget based upon real numbers, not hope and foot-stomping. If you listened last spring and summer, you knew that we would be in a tough spot this year-- but, has the rookie done squat about figuring out how to save $$$? Nope. So we start with a deficit and increasing costs and no place to save money--- Parents, what BoE members do you think will figure out how to balance the budget this year, and who will sit through the meetings cheerleading for the superintendent?
10 a.m.- kind of harsh-- pretty accurate, but harsh. As for 6:11 last night-- pretty inaccurate, but kind of rabid (and not in that, wouldn't-he-a good-dog-if-only-he-wasn't-foaming-at-the-mouth kind of way)- but an interesting thought that the BoE has a choice over who is a union president. I have some pretty radical thoughts to cut costs in the school department-- don't think they'll be popular, but I'm just an Ernest-Hemingway-Reading-Dad . . . 1. Eliminate any afterschool care program that is not 100% self-funded. 2. Eliminate all overtime. If you need custodians for afterschool programs (or night events), plan those events in their schedules. 3. Move kids to schools that aren't crowded. 4. Start from scratch with the Special Ed department- fire the director and get someone who won't spead money she doesn't have. 5. Freeze all salaries unless contracts require raises. 6. Stop paying lifetime benefits for Sal Corda- let him sue Norwalk if he doesn't like it. 7. Let volunteers run the middle school and elementary school libraries. 8. Close the Planetarium. 9. Charge more for school rentals.
Here are my thoughts about Short Happy's suggestions--- 1. The Norwalk Ed Foundation runs the After the Bell Program-- they offer a lot but the school department funds a chunk of it. You will never see that program cut (it is very popular in Rowyaton). 2. OT is small dollars-- no one will plan to eliminate it. 3. Move kids? Redistricting? Yeah- right. 4. Maybe there's hope to fix special ed-- I hear that this new director is slightly better than the last, but still wasting $ fighting w/ parents and losing 5. A salary freeze? Sounds good- but we'll see 6. Who knows if you could fight Corda- ask Rosa Murray who voted to give them all to him. 7. They tried to just reduce some librarian hours last year and more than a few parents cried. 8. Close the Rowayton Planetarium-- seriously, I don't know who will suffer that backlash. 9. Maybe getting some bucks for rentals could bring in a few extra bucks---- but not real money.
To those who have taken the time to make some very interesting suggestions, thank you. Please share your thoughts about the school budget at the Finance Committee meeting of Jan. 4, 2012, starting at 7:30 p.m. in Concert Hall. We will be taking public comments on a topic-by-topic basis to give Committee members the opportunity to ask follow-up questions to Supt. Marks and COO Longo. We will be reviewing the budget, and taking public comments, as we work through each section of the budget in the following order: elementary schools, special education, middle schools, high schools, central office instructional areas and central office administrative areas.
Steve, it's been clearly noted that the city is not supporting the BOE 2012-13 budget request and deep and out of the box thinking must go into the budget with an alternative % - so what options/ suggestions is the Board considering to present other than the 7.8%. What are you expecting from parents when we are not sure what we are suppirting? You and the board can't expect parents to support such increase when in fact majority of those increases are due to salaries and benefits. There is little to no evidence that are our schools are meeting expectations, we are still lacking behind. Yes, I will agree that some efforts are being made in the schools but it is not enough to gain full support from parents.
I, too, believe that city officials cannot support the type of tax increase which the Superintendent's proposed budget would require-- the problem is that we must start the process of examining the budget and obtaining public comment before we know how much money we will have to spend. I was expecting that the public would have been presented with greater detail about cost-savings measures such as a true reorganization of central office functions that could result in savings, plans to better allocate open seats in elementary schools and initiatives to provide certain special education services in Norwalk.
...true reorganization of central office functions... Steve, have you been on the third floor of CO lately? It's a ghost town. Please stop in and take a look, it's kind of scary to think that more bodies can be removed.
The secretaries at central office are the worst offenders when it comes to using the computers for their own entertainment. Susan Marks needs to demand monitoring of that group. Let the fur fly where it may. Some of these secretaries need to be reviewed for attendance, computer use and lack of loyalty to their bosses and to the school system. They gossip constantly about everything and everyone. Never bite the hand that feeds you!
The superintendent is supposed to be a leader. Where is her leadership on this budget? Really, where is her leadership anywhere? She gets paid enough to do the work! Show me the money!
"Reorganization" does not mean reducing secretaries-- it means using staff more efficiently so that we, as a district, can avoid many past problems that have created financial problems. It also means maintaining clear lines of authority which assures accountablity.
Steve, thank you for that response! Your last statement should be an attainable vision, which I agree with wholeheartedly. Bringing this vision to a reality will ensure that those who work hard and with ethic will be recognized and those that work to milk the system will be weeded out! CLEAR lines of authority and ACCOUNTABILITY...would love to see this happen.
Well then, let's start with the superintendent who has been milking the system. There isn't one thing that she has brought to the Norwalk Public Schools that has been positive. She should be the first to be reviewed. Has she brought forward a reasonable budget for 2012? Has she supported the school improvement plans? Has she chosen well for central office positions? Has she sought accountability? Has she created a peaceful and less antagonistic environment in the school system? Answer those questions, please.
Is there any truth that the school department is running at a deficit of almost one million bucks? If that's the case, how does Supt. Marks still have a job?
Eeks- sounds a bit harsh. I wish I knew why figuring out the budget doesn't interest the superintendent-- but I think she has a lot on her mind and she is still learning the ropes in Norwalk. As for this deficit, can you really blame her if the department heads don't spend properly?????
If it is indeed true that there is a million dollar deficit, then yes, the superintendent is responsible. The department heads have budgets and can't spend more than what is allocated without someone's authorization. The buck stops at the top. As for the superintendent still learning the ropes, well....what a complete disappointment. She hasn't learned anything yet. She is totally overwhelmed and I've heard she appears to have mood swings. Everyone seems to give her anything she wants just so she'll stay 'happy.' Is this what we hired? Someone who is a complete rookie and who has to be appeased because we are afraid she'll get upset and leave us? Would someone please tell me why we are paying a high salary to someone who seems to be wrong for the job in so many different ways?
One must imagine the frustration so many feel. We all had such high hopes after the autocratic Corda, the bumbling Papallo and the cryptic Nast (who seemed dedicated to protecting his friends Dan Cooke and Faye Ruotolo, no matter the cost to the district). What many have perceived is someone with at least a vague vision, but neither the political acumen nor management savy to implement it. Certainly numerous mis-steps have limited her credibility with the broader public. Her refusal to ever distance herself from the many who have attacked Board of Education members (ostensibly on her behalf), or to refute their claims, could lead one to conclude that she prefers to hide in the shadows while others do her bidding. Such would not be an endearing trait to instill public confidence in a take-charge leader.
Bravo to 10:24 AM for saying it exactly like it is. Yes, she's hiding in the shadows while collecting a large paycheck for doing nothing. 7:55 AM, there's really a Santa Claus too! Lol
Rowayton cowgirl - if there is a deficit as you stated - why should she be fired when the city is the one that keeps giving the schools less and less? The school started its year in the red - they were in trouble to begin with. if leadership seems to be the problem blame the board of Ed members first, they have no idea what leadership means - so we get based on their lack of intelligence.
7:21- if the schools "started its year in the red", then shame on the schools' leader (Suzie Marks from Maryland) for not doing a better job figuring out how to spend what she had! Do you forget that she wanted to hire a new CO Adminstrator for over $150K??????????????? We know what three BoE members had the stones where it counted to stop that nonsense. Imagine what the deficit would be if she could spend what she wanted?
7:21PM, let me explain how a budget works. Whether an individual or a company, the budget is set at a certain dollar amount. It's calculated so that an individual, a leader or a company knows what is te bottom line. Whether the individual, the leader or the company likes the bottom line or not, it is all the money that is available to them. It is irresponsible for the person in charge to go above that amount. Susan Marks allegedly spent more than she had. This is bad. When spending exceeds the budget, the school system does not have a credit card to fall back on. This is a rookie superintendent who is making every mistake in the book. Doesn't look like she is on a learning curve either based on the 2012 budget she submitted. How many times do you need reality to hit you over the head before you accept the truth?
11:01 has a good handle on how a leader is SUPPOSED to be held ACCOUNTABLE for her group's budget. If last year's budget meeting is any sign of what will happen this year, Artie K. and Steve C. will make constructive suggestions and Midaglia Rivas will shine a spotlight on lots of glitches in the process that hurt kids. They'll need 2 more members to get any thing done. Any clues who will help take charge of the Supt's runaway spending?
The first comment I have is a question. Why is newly elected Mike Barbis texting all through the meeting? Does anyone else believe that texting on two phones, no less, is rude? What is going on? I interpret that as rude with a total lack of interest!
ReplyDeleteAnyone want to enlighten me?
I see it too - its disrespectful and rude. Jack needs to say something to him. His main job is a real estate agent - so I'm sure he is reading and responding to his emails. Now the budget - there is no way I support a 7.83% increase - once again we are still paying high salaries and out of control benefits. Nontheless, the city will not give us this much - they might give us 4-5% if lucky but I can't imagine the mayor increasing so much on taxes to support an educational systems that continuous to stay as status quo - I for one won't be fighting for this increase to simply support increases that benefits a system that is not moving forward.
ReplyDeleteSince we have the 2nd best paid teachers in The state, I expect to have the 2nd best district in the state. Well we don't so that leads me to believe that salaries and bens of all teachers should be reduced accordingly. We are not getting what we pay for!!!! Cut salaries and pease get rid of Mellion. BOE, I hope you're listening.
ReplyDeleteAnd let the hysteria begin . . . .
ReplyDeleteThe salaries are set by contract and there is nothing that can be done about them until the contracts are up (which is at end the 2012-13 school year for teachers). Let's tell the rookie supt. and the mostly-rubber-stamp BoE that you balance a budget based upon real numbers, not hope and foot-stomping.
If you listened last spring and summer, you knew that we would be in a tough spot this year-- but, has the rookie done squat about figuring out how to save $$$? Nope.
So we start with a deficit and increasing costs and no place to save money---
Parents, what BoE members do you think will figure out how to balance the budget this year, and who will sit through the meetings cheerleading for the superintendent?
10 a.m.- kind of harsh-- pretty accurate, but harsh.
ReplyDeleteAs for 6:11 last night-- pretty inaccurate, but kind of rabid (and not in that, wouldn't-he-a good-dog-if-only-he-wasn't-foaming-at-the-mouth kind of way)- but an interesting thought that the BoE has a choice over who is a union president.
I have some pretty radical thoughts to cut costs in the school department-- don't think they'll be popular, but I'm just an Ernest-Hemingway-Reading-Dad . . .
1. Eliminate any afterschool care program that is not 100% self-funded.
2. Eliminate all overtime. If you need custodians for afterschool programs (or night events), plan those events in their schedules.
3. Move kids to schools that aren't crowded.
4. Start from scratch with the Special Ed department- fire the director and get someone who won't spead money she doesn't have.
5. Freeze all salaries unless contracts require raises.
6. Stop paying lifetime benefits for Sal Corda- let him sue Norwalk if he doesn't like it.
7. Let volunteers run the middle school and elementary school libraries.
8. Close the Planetarium.
9. Charge more for school rentals.
Here are my thoughts about Short Happy's suggestions---
ReplyDelete1. The Norwalk Ed Foundation runs the After the Bell Program-- they offer a lot but the school department funds a chunk of it. You will never see that program cut (it is very popular in Rowyaton).
2. OT is small dollars-- no one will plan to eliminate it.
3. Move kids? Redistricting? Yeah- right.
4. Maybe there's hope to fix special ed-- I hear that this new director is slightly better than the last, but still wasting $ fighting w/ parents and losing
5. A salary freeze? Sounds good- but we'll see
6. Who knows if you could fight Corda- ask Rosa Murray who voted to give them all to him.
7. They tried to just reduce some librarian hours last year and more than a few parents cried.
8. Close the Rowayton Planetarium-- seriously, I don't know who will suffer that backlash.
9. Maybe getting some bucks for rentals could bring in a few extra bucks---- but not real money.
To those who have taken the time to make some very interesting suggestions, thank you.
ReplyDeletePlease share your thoughts about the school budget at the Finance Committee meeting of Jan. 4, 2012, starting at 7:30 p.m. in Concert Hall.
We will be taking public comments on a topic-by-topic basis to give Committee members the opportunity to ask follow-up questions to Supt. Marks and COO Longo. We will be reviewing the budget, and taking public comments, as we work through each section of the budget in the following order: elementary schools, special education, middle schools, high schools, central office instructional areas and central office administrative areas.
Steve, it's been clearly noted that the city is not supporting the BOE 2012-13 budget request and deep and out of the box thinking must go into the budget with an alternative % - so what options/ suggestions is the Board considering to present other than the 7.8%. What are you expecting from parents when we are not sure what we are suppirting? You and the board can't expect parents to support such increase when in fact majority of those increases are due to salaries and benefits. There is little to no evidence that are our schools are meeting expectations, we are still lacking behind. Yes, I will agree that some efforts are being made in the schools but it is not enough to gain full support from parents.
ReplyDeleteI, too, believe that city officials cannot support the type of tax increase which the Superintendent's proposed budget would require-- the problem is that we must start the process of examining the budget and obtaining public comment before we know how much money we will have to spend.
ReplyDeleteI was expecting that the public would have been presented with greater detail about cost-savings measures such as a true reorganization of central office functions that could result in savings, plans to better allocate open seats in elementary schools and initiatives to provide certain special education services in Norwalk.
...true reorganization of central office functions...
ReplyDeleteSteve, have you been on the third floor of CO lately? It's a ghost town.
Please stop in and take a look, it's kind of scary to think that more bodies can be removed.
The secretaries at central office are the worst offenders when it comes to using the computers for their own entertainment. Susan Marks needs to demand monitoring of that group. Let the fur fly where it may. Some of these secretaries need to be reviewed for attendance, computer use and lack of loyalty to their bosses and to the school system. They gossip constantly about everything and everyone. Never bite the hand that feeds you!
ReplyDeleteThe superintendent is supposed to be a leader. Where is her leadership on this budget? Really, where is her leadership anywhere? She gets paid enough to do the work! Show me the money!
ReplyDelete"Reorganization" does not mean reducing secretaries-- it means using staff more efficiently so that we, as a district, can avoid many past problems that have created financial problems. It also means maintaining clear lines of authority which assures accountablity.
ReplyDeleteSteve, thank you for that response! Your last statement should be an attainable vision, which I agree with wholeheartedly. Bringing this vision to a reality will ensure that those who work hard and with ethic will be recognized and those that work to milk the system will be weeded out! CLEAR lines of authority and ACCOUNTABILITY...would love to see this happen.
ReplyDeleteWell then, let's start with the superintendent who has been milking the system. There isn't one thing that she has brought to the Norwalk Public Schools that has been positive. She should be the first to be reviewed. Has she brought forward a reasonable budget for 2012? Has she supported the school improvement plans? Has she chosen well for central office positions? Has she sought accountability? Has she created a peaceful and less antagonistic environment in the school system? Answer those questions, please.
ReplyDeleteIs there any truth that the school department is running at a deficit of almost one million bucks? If that's the case, how does Supt. Marks still have a job?
ReplyDeleteEeks- sounds a bit harsh.
ReplyDeleteI wish I knew why figuring out the budget doesn't interest the superintendent-- but I think she has a lot on her mind and she is still learning the ropes in Norwalk.
As for this deficit, can you really blame her if the department heads don't spend properly?????
If it is indeed true that there is a million dollar deficit, then yes, the superintendent is responsible. The department heads have budgets and can't spend more than what is allocated without someone's authorization. The buck stops at the top.
ReplyDeleteAs for the superintendent still learning the ropes, well....what a complete disappointment. She hasn't learned anything yet. She is totally overwhelmed and I've heard she appears to have mood swings. Everyone seems to give her anything she wants just so she'll stay 'happy.' Is this what we hired? Someone who is a complete rookie and who has to be appeased because we are afraid she'll get upset and leave us? Would someone please tell me why we are paying a high salary to someone who seems to be wrong for the job in so many different ways?
She says she is going to get all our students ready for college- I'm good with that.
ReplyDeleteOne must imagine the frustration so many feel. We all had such high hopes after the autocratic Corda, the bumbling Papallo and the cryptic Nast (who seemed dedicated to protecting his friends Dan Cooke and Faye Ruotolo, no matter the cost to the district).
ReplyDeleteWhat many have perceived is someone with at least a vague vision, but neither the political acumen nor management savy to implement it. Certainly numerous mis-steps have limited her credibility with the broader public. Her refusal to ever distance herself from the many who have attacked Board of Education members (ostensibly on her behalf), or to refute their claims, could lead one to conclude that she prefers to hide in the shadows while others do her bidding. Such would not be an endearing trait to instill public confidence in a take-charge leader.
Bravo to 10:24 AM for saying it exactly like it is. Yes, she's hiding in the shadows while collecting a large paycheck for doing nothing. 7:55 AM, there's really a Santa Claus too! Lol
ReplyDeleteRowayton cowgirl - if there is a deficit as you stated - why should she be fired when the city is the one that keeps giving the schools less and less? The school started its year in the red - they were in trouble to begin with. if leadership seems to be the problem blame the board of Ed members first, they have no idea what leadership means - so we get based on their lack of intelligence.
ReplyDelete7:21- if the schools "started its year in the red", then shame on the schools' leader (Suzie Marks from Maryland) for not doing a better job figuring out how to spend what she had!
ReplyDeleteDo you forget that she wanted to hire a new CO Adminstrator for over $150K??????????????? We know what three BoE members had the stones where it counted to stop that nonsense. Imagine what the deficit would be if she could spend what she wanted?
7:21PM, let me explain how a budget works. Whether an individual or a company, the budget is set at a certain dollar amount. It's calculated so that an individual, a leader or a company knows what is te bottom line. Whether the individual, the leader or the company likes the bottom line or not, it is all the money that is available to them. It is irresponsible for the person in charge to go above that amount. Susan Marks allegedly spent more than she had. This is bad. When spending exceeds the budget, the school system does not have a credit card to fall back on. This is a rookie superintendent who is making every mistake in the book. Doesn't look like she is on a learning curve either based on the 2012 budget she submitted. How many times do you need reality to hit you over the head before you accept the truth?
ReplyDeleteMaybe 7:21 PM is the superintendent!
ReplyDelete11:01 has a good handle on how a leader is SUPPOSED to be held ACCOUNTABLE for her group's budget.
ReplyDeleteIf last year's budget meeting is any sign of what will happen this year, Artie K. and Steve C. will make constructive suggestions and Midaglia Rivas will shine a spotlight on lots of glitches in the process that hurt kids. They'll need 2 more members to get any thing done. Any clues who will help take charge of the Supt's runaway spending?