Saturday, June 2, 2012
The Cuts
http://portal.norwalkps.org/BOE/Board%20Meeting%20Agendas%20%20Minutes/Info%206-5-12.pdf
This is the link for the budget cuts. Go to page 5 for the specifics.
If the link does not work, go to the Norwalk Public Schools website, click on Board of Education, then go to the board meeting information for June 5th. This info is found in the board packet, page 5.
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Once again, it looks like the little "struggling to hold on" employees get penalized. Know there's a HUGE problem, however, hope someone is thinking of all the repercusions that will come from these decisions.
ReplyDeleteWhile the press release doesn't come right out and say it, it appears that this proposal would eliminate all-day kindergarten at some or all of the schools. Otherwise, how can one interpret the statement in the press release that if the $4 million payback to the City is spread over 2 years rather than 1 year, it would "potentially allow us to preserve all-day kindergarten at all of our elementary schools"?
ReplyDeleteAnd if curtailing all-day kindergarten is part of this proposal, why didn't they have the courage to come right out and say so?
You are so right! How else could there be so many elementary teachers on the list to cut? It's not like we have several dozen extra teachers roaming around the halls in the schools.
ReplyDeleteSo much for transparency--- going to half-day kindergarten but not telling the public about it.
ReplyDeleteWhat does this move say for Supt Marks' priorities--- save jv sports, but make every 5 year old pay for it?
Why is the school system hanging onto the alternative High School? Yes there is a need for an alternative form of education, but with less than 50 or so students on a good day, why are we keeping it open, paying a director at a high salary, and a full staff when it could be brought back to the high schools for now? Seems like a complete waste of money. Focus on education early on with struggling, readers, full-day kindergarten, is what is needed.
ReplyDeleteFrustrated parent, taxpayer, educator!
Remember the Three Act Play?
ReplyDeleteAct I: Discovery of Deficit
Act II: Board of Ed forced to propose cuts
Act III: Moccia presents himself as hero by allowing the $4 million to be paid back over more than one year
Well, it looks like we are quickly moving to Act III. From today's Hour:
"The mayor's plan, if approved by the Board of Estimate and Taxation, would modify how the Board of Education pays the city back $4 million that sprang from overruns in current fiscal year accounts. The $4 million was taken out of the Board of Education's fiscal year 2012-13 budget in early May by the Board of Estimate and Taxation to cover the overrun. If Moccia gets his way, that $4 million could be paid back to the city and spread out over an extended period of time."
...
In recent weeks board members have insisted everything is on the table and subject to cuts and Wilms said it was his understanding full day kindergarten was being considered as a cut.
"We want to make sure ... the schools don't get wrecked. That they can continue their core mission and certainly we believe full day kindergarten is part of the core mission," Wilms said. "We believe based on (city Finacne Director) Tom Hamilton's discussion with the ratings agencies, that we do have some room to provide some relief to the Board of Education, especially when we can do it to save a vital program. We're not doing it just to cover some operating budget hole, if it happens, it'll be to preserve a vital program."
It's quite clear that ever since the deficit was discovered, this was the plan. If they had any interest in being straightforward with the public, they would have skipped the theater and adopted a multi-year payback from the very start. The only reason why we are having to endure this moronic charade is so that the Mayor can claim credit for saving all-day kindergarten.
It is always about politics. The Mayor is no exception, and he plays it very well. I hope the public reads your comment. You nailed it!
DeleteI would say the Mayor plays this type of politics not well, but only with a bare level of competence. When a politician's attempts to manipulate public opinion are so ham-handedly obvious, it hardly marks him as a master of the game.
DeleteFull day K has been in norwalk for over 20 years and has been on the chopping block a few times. Now with such high expectations with what is expected from students how will they learn in half a day? What about columbus will their K be cut or will they be the exception. Marks is letting the aides keep their benefits when the rest of the aides are being thrown under the bus. Maybe she favors one type of school over another. ITs not fair to students and staff. Let them lose there benefits and give the rest of the aides a chance to get some of their jobs back.
ReplyDeleteWho in their right mind would seriously listen to the likes of a Mellion or a Ditrio on how to cure all the financial ills of the BOE. Neither one of them have been a part of the solution.......they are and have been a part of the problem. Please wake up Susan Marks, Mayor Moccia and Steve Colarossi. These 2 guys are the enemy, not an ally.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to Bridgeport, I mean Norwalk.
ReplyDeleteI know I must be missing something . . .
ReplyDeleteThe superintendent contributes to a deficit and needs the City to bail her out. The Mayor offers to "help" with a loan that has to be repaid immediately. He insists that no one gets blamed for the mess.
The superintendent then issues a plan that eliminates all-day kindergarten to balance the budget. The Mayor then offers to "save" the day by changing the terms of his "loan". He gets credit saving kindergarten. Parents rejoice. Mayor gets votes. Superintendent keeps her job.
Did anyone clue in the elected board of education?
This sounds a lot like the superintendent and the mayor were planning this all along. All hail to the king and queen of politics in Norwalk.
ReplyDeleteThere are still alot of cuts. So we extend 2M over a couple of years. Chalk it up to politics, but my math still leaves 8M to shave. Unless the teacher's union agree to concessions we will be doing this again next year.
ReplyDeleteUnless the teacher's union agree to concessions????? I think you mean if his Lord Majesty Mellion agrees.
ReplyDeleteWhat about Briggs? Can someone respond? If boe reads this, and does simple math--go visit that school see that no one is there, and count the number of staff members...
ReplyDeletewe are keeping it open why? to save what or whom?
Until a strong plan for alternative education is designed--save the money put the students back in their schools, and manage. Even though my own kids did not go through an alternative plan, I do see the need for one--but why this way now? The system is economically broke, and the alternative high school needs a total makeover.
Parent of high school student!
800,000 dollars to educate 50 students? 16,000 per student - ABSURD! For kids that are trouble??? Time to close down Briggs or move it to another school
DeleteTo post 2:51... thank you. In speaking to some teachers, they claim they have never heard of a payfreeze or concessions for next year and most said they would AGREE to it. Let the union members be heard and not just one man speaking for them!!!
ReplyDeleteIt's the Board of Ed that should be making an offer. They want a pay freeze and should negotiate for it. I know teachers who would agree but don't want to see their money wasted on Marks' pets. Can't say that I blame them.
DeleteBack to the days of scare tactics and backroom deals! If Marks and Chiaramonte golfed together, it would be a scary alternate universe.
ReplyDeleteThe taxpayers in Wisconsin voted yesterday. Reform, reform reform! It IS coming to Norwalk.
ReplyDeleteGet rid of the house master who never shows! Get rid of the PHDs who can not control their classrooms. Get rid of all who were in charge of the missing millions. Offer early graduation to seniors, to reduce second semester population. 1/2 day kindergarten is not a bad idea. Biggs is not working for the money spent. And look into the students who are home schooled, special transportation when students could take the regular bus. So many opportunities to save and cut where there is waste. Reform-yes, but reform in the overall way of doing the business of education.
ReplyDeleteWho is the housemaster who never shows? The one who is always absent at Norwalk High?
Delete