Bryan public school teachers will receive $800 pay increases this fall after school trustees agreed Friday to stick to the state-mandated bonuses.
Bryan schools Chief Financial Officer Amy Drozd said after Friday's budget workshop meeting that she could not recommend raises above the $800 because of financial constraints.
Trustees plan to ask voters to approve raising property taxes to make up for an estimated $2.4 million shortfall in the $106.7 million general fund budget for 2009-10.
"With the funds received from the raises, we're still at a $2.4 million shortfall, and until we can make that up, the administration isn't going to recommend any more [raises]," Drozd said.
School board members and administrators met for nearly three hours Friday afternoon to discuss the 2009-10 budget.
A public hearing is set for noon Thursday for trustees to discuss raising taxes by as much as 13 cents. To schedule an election for Oct. 3, trustees must approve a 2009-10 budget, decide on a proposed tax rate and call the election at next week's meeting.
The state supplied Bryan schools with an additional $2.1 million in revenue this year. Around $1.7 million of the increased aid will go toward the required raises for teachers, counselors, librarians, nurses and speech therapists.
The increases are in addition to raises that are built into the district's salary schedule for teachers based on years of experience, Drozd said. The average increase per person will be 3.29 percent, with 2.47 percent as the lowest and 4.97 percent as the highest raises for staff members.
Trustees approved the plan on a contingency basis hours before the Texas Education Agency announced that U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan had approved the state's request to use stimulus funds for state-mandated bonuses for teachers.
School board members also discussed giving raises to substitute teachers and some hourly workers because of the federal minimum wage increase, which went into effect this week.
School officials did not recommend giving raises to other staff members, including administrators, clerical workers, custodians and maintenance workers. Those groups received raises last year when the district dipped into savings to make ends meet.
"In order to remain financially sound, we can't do that again," Drozd said. "At this point in time, we're waiting to see the results of the [tax] election before we make a recommendation."
Administrators presented trustees Friday with a list of "non-required" items that could result in $521,000 in savings next year and long-term savings of $1.8 million.
The list of possible cuts will be considered if voters do not approve a tax increase and includes decreasing spending on special programs, asking for 5 percent budget reductions from all departments, eliminating convocation and changing the middle school schedule from eight to seven periods per day.
The hardest change, Drozd said, would result in the largest savings -- more than $1 million -- by eliminating team planning periods in high schools and middle schools.
Currently, teachers in four core subject areas meet daily to discuss instruction and how to help students. Teachers have said it would be "devastating instructionally" to remove the periods, Drozd told trustees, but it could save an amount equivalent to cutting 19 staff positions.
The tax rate is $1.29 per $100 assessed value, with $1.04 going to maintenance and operations and 25 cents to debt service.
State law requires school districts to seek voter approval to raise the tax rate above $1.04 for maintenance and operations. Districts cannot raise maintenance and operations taxes above $1.17.
Drozd said Friday that even increasing the tax rate to $1.15 -- which would result in a $6 million increase in revenue for the district -- would not cover the district's expenses after 2009-10.
The district's tax rate has decreased over the past nine years, according to information presented Friday to trustees. In 1999, the tax rate was $1.59 per $100 assessed property valuation.
42 comment(s) found!
Posted by:
On:
Monday, July 27, 2009 5:54 PM
Comment Title: Time to Fire the Superintendent
When a superintendent is surprized by a shortfall of income, it is time to get a new superintendent. Hire yourself a good business manager as superintendent and you will be a lot better off.
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Posted by:
On:
Sunday, July 26, 2009 10:26 PM
Comment Title: Thought it was possible
I thought it just might be possible but I was wrong. It happened again. What, you ask? A story about Bryan with thoughtful postings from readers without it being tainted by a CS Snob. But, no, Rocky couldn't control himself. He just had to display his childlike "humor" and stupidity for all to see. Please, Rocky, keep your postings to the story about CSISD being 2.2 million in the hole.
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Posted by:
On:
Sunday, July 26, 2009 9:51 PM
Comment Title:
Yes, and we are trying to correct the problem before all our children become dolts like the poster below.
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Posted by:
Rocky- BC On:
Sunday, July 26, 2009 9:39 PM
Comment Title:
Products of Bryan and BISD did this to themselves.
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Posted by:
On:
Sunday, July 26, 2009 5:07 PM
Comment Title: To: Curious
Remember that the raises that personnel are getting this year are raises that the state mandatated as bonuses. Their are no raises going to personnel that fall outside of the state mandated ones. BCS has not felt the recession that vast majority of the US has felt. Only just recently (last 2 months) did we here in this community of slumping home sales, layoffs, retail sales decline. Our family has not cut our budget and in fact have increased spending and tithing over the last year and we are still increasing our surplus. Proper money management it recession proof. Not overextending on credit cards, mortgages, auto installments, etc also have helped us. As for the categories of increase, I am making a general assumption that facilities maintenance and operations will increase due to Rudder increasing in capacity as well as Collegiate High School increasing capacity and the increasing cost of utilities. I also would assume that security and monitoring services will increase, extracurricular activities will increase as Rudder will be able to have two levels of athletic play this year instead of only one level last year as they increase another grade level this year, food services will increase as transportation costs have increased for these items... and like Brad said below, overall county property values did not move. Some saw minor increases, some saw decreases, but overall the valuation of the county is the relatively the same (small decrease) as it has been the last 2 years. FYI... General Administration category is declining from past two years. That is exciting.
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Posted by:
What I'd like to see: On:
Sunday, July 26, 2009 3:32 PM
Comment Title:
Where categories are the causes of the increases over last year (and prior years) that puts the ISD in a hole? This $800K isn't part of it because that is from the feds.
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Posted by:
On:
Sunday, July 26, 2009 3:05 PM
Comment Title: Curious
I find it curious that the story does not report any quotes or reaction from any of the trustees. Did they believe or accept that only $512,000 of potential savings could be found? Again that is less than 1/2 of 1% of the total budget. Most everyone else has had to cut back their own family budget during this recession and much more than 0.5%. And now, rather than BISD doing the same, they want to cut your family budget down even more by passing along their tax increase. Remember, all of the teachers are receiving a salary increase.
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Posted by:
On:
Sunday, July 26, 2009 12:22 PM
Comment Title: Non-required items
I'm sure this is not a comprehensive list, but non-required items would include anything not required by state or federal regulations. While elimination of some will not cause much impact,these may also include teacher - student ratios, special ed aides, athletics, fine arts, security, your 2008 recognized high school, magnet programs and others that you may or may not include on your own list of necessary programs.
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Posted by:
On:
Sunday, July 26, 2009 12:08 PM
Comment Title: One more time?
What are "non-required items?" If half a million dollars can be saved with one review of the budget, maybe another half a million dollars can be saved with a closer review. I still do not understand what falls under the realm of non-required items. These are taxpayer dollars.
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Posted by:
Brad On:
Sunday, July 26, 2009 2:10 AM
Comment Title: To: Anonymous
I completely understand that the tax rate is conclusive of both O&M and Debt Service. I understand that all the tax rates that I mentioned would also be inclusive of this and I also understand that the state cap is $1.04 for O&M unless approved by the voters; I also gave 2007-2008 data in my previous posts since much of the 2009 data has not been released yet. The only thing that is actually available for 2009 is the tax rates. I researched those further this evening and of the 21 districts that I researched, ones in the district like Belton, Waco, Temple and Copperas Cove all have $1.04 and Killeen has $1.03119 M Allen was $1.04 M&O and $0.4303 I&S; Pearland $1.04 M&O and $0.327 I&S; 2008 Deer Park M&O $1.1067 and $0.23 I&S. I will agree that the state legislature has created this problem. I personally was not in favor of HB 1 on property tax and school tax relief, but I think it did one thing and that was for the schools to trim up then. Unfortunately, I think it was capped too low. I think $1.50 was too high, but $1.04 is too low. Many school districts in this state are having the same meetings and workshops over this problem. I did see when I looked up current 2008-2009 data instead of the 2007-2008 that I had from TEA that the per student expenditure has increased, that the property value per student has decreased and that the revenue sources have changed with lower federal, higher state and lower local. I would like for all of you commenting to know that I would also only be in favor of a tax increase if BISD would provide a financial statement on 2008-2009 school year. The TEA data will not be out in time to do a complete review of the districts spending categories and a complete financial statement would only be appropriate when asking voters for what relates to about $6 million.
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Posted by:
On:
Sunday, July 26, 2009 12:51 AM
Comment Title: To Brad:
Brad, since you have all the figures, how many millions does BISD have in savings? Seriously.
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Posted by:
Observer On:
Sunday, July 26, 2009 12:39 AM
Comment Title: The State Legislature is to blame!
The State Legislature is to blame for a lot of this. Their misguided ideas of how to run schools and crazy formulas for determining payment to the schools have brought a lot of this on. As to the reader who would like to grab Fred Brown and Steve Ogden by their throats, I'm there with you. I found it laughable when Fred Brown stated he secured funding for night courses at colleges. The person who wrote the letter to the editor identified Brown for what he is - a nothing, a piece of furniture. When you have someone like this, who thinks he is creating college night classes because he secured funding (where has he been the last decade?), as your representative to the state, you get nothing in return. And that is exactly what our area schools received under his leadership.
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Posted by:
On:
Sunday, July 26, 2009 12:20 AM
Comment Title:
Brad, I'm not sure where you pulled all of the tax information you've cited, but from a quick check of your data, I can only find one of those districts whose Maintenance & Operations tax rate is over the state maximum of $1.04 per $100 value. The overall tax rates that you are comparing include higher I&S rates that these districts are using to pay against bonds. When their debt service is satisfied, this portion of their tax rate will be lowered (provided, of course, that they do not take on additional bond debt). BISD is not proposing raising this portion of the tax rate, but rather the M&O rate which is capped by law at $1.04 unless voters approve an increase (which cannot exceed $1.17). At least two of the districts you cited (Crowley and Harlandale) proposed similar tax increases and both were defeated. Sure, the district can lower that rate when times are better. You wanna bet they ever do? Furthermore, once the voters approve raising that cap, the district can raise it whenever they wish. This doesn't even take into consideration that BISD is also contemplating bond issues in he near future. Your hand-ringing is touching, but I suggest that a better course of action would be to insist that BISD trim all of its fat before asking me to pony up more tax money in these tough times. That and grab Fred Brown and Steve Ogden by their throats and demand they lead the fight for a better school finance system.
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Posted by:
Brad King On:
Saturday, July 25, 2009 11:43 PM
Comment Title: Re: To Brad
The statistics are only the facts that I have to go on. Again and again, I dont like tax any more than the next person, but its like choosing the lessor of two evils. You made the point that if I want additional taxes, they will come back to us next year. When is the next year too late? Maybe they wont come to us next year. Maybe our property taxes will increase 5-7% and they will get the money, but so will the county and the city, who are not asking for tax increases, but will get it anyway. I dont want to get in to a heated debate on private schools, but have you seen the tuition rates for private schools. They are fair for members or parishoners, but if you are non-parishoner, the cost is around $7000. They have low student to teacher ratio's and they can be selective. Public schools are not selective and attempt to educate EVERYONE. If the private schools got to the ratio's that the public school system has and took on the programs that the state mandates to public schools, the cost would be considerably higher than public school. I know we are only discussing BISD, but other districts are in the same delimna. Like I said, I am a proponent of the increase and I know many are not. Thats the great thing about this country, we all have a voice AND a vote. If the tax increase doesn't pass, then it doesnt pass and I go on living just the same as I did the day before. I am passionate about anything that involves children. I am sure there are cost cutting areas in the district. There are cost cutting areas in every business in America. One cut will affect some people and wont affect others. I don't have all the data for all the spending in the district, but I can tell you that I think highly of ALL the staff in this district. I am highly impressed with the teachers that I see shopping at store's, spending their own money on items to help educate their students. Again, I dont see any specifics from anyone posting on where do they make the cuts... salaries? (they are one of the most underpaid professionals in the country with all other public service professions), cut positons?, increase the ratio to about 26:1? go to longer days with less total days in school per year to save utilities? do away with technology? etc. We cant change the bussing issue, since that would cause segregation and would violate state laws, we cant stop bussing as that violates state laws, we cant cut state mandated programs. Like I said, BISD spends less per student than many other schools already, that's why we are in the position we are in here. Maybe Texas should impose a state income tax where a portion of the money goes to Education, maybe Texas should legalize all gambling where the money goes to education. I am merely stating that I am ok with a $300-400 extra tax at the end of the year if it really does help the students. That means I will have to cut back on 1 soda every day all year long and drink a glass of water instead. It's so minor. If I had a million dollar property and had to pay $1300 extra a year, then so be it... if I could afford a million dollar property, I would think the $110 extra per month would be a drop in the bucket. I will say that I have enjoyed hearing everyone's comments about this. It proves that we are all passionate about the education of the children in this community, no matter if we agree on the tax increase or not. I am honored to be in a community of people like this.
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Posted by:
On:
Saturday, July 25, 2009 11:04 PM
Comment Title: To Brad:
I'm not impressed by those statistics. So what if our tax rate is lower than the areas you cited? It's the same, tired, flawed idea that more money thrown at a problem equates to solving it. It doesn't. Otherwise all of the money this country has spent on poverty since the 1960s would have eliminated poverty long ago. Private and religious schools produce consistently better results with far less money per child. Why should public schools be different? We expect far too little from our schools even while providing them with more and more resources. They are capable of doing more with less. I firmly believe that. By the way, the amount they proposed to save was pathetically low. 521K is one-half of 1% of the entire budget. You can't tell me that was a serious effort at cost savings. That is why we need to force the issue and vote NO to this tax increase. If you want additional taxes, Brad, no worry - they will come back to us again next year.
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Posted by:
Working 2 jobs and paying tax's not to live in a slum area. On:
Saturday, July 25, 2009 10:35 PM
Comment Title:
Stop busing students from the Far-East side of Bryan past schools to the Poverty Ghetto west side of Bryan. This would save gas and maybe keep so many wealthy people from moving into CS-ISD. Sending children into gangbanger areas from wealthier areas will only force more people out of Bryan ISD. Anyone wishing to send their children into a Poverty ghetto area could have bought a cheaper house in poverty slum area and saved allot of Tax's money.
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Posted by:
On:
Saturday, July 25, 2009 10:17 PM
Comment Title: To voting yes
Cagill has been told several times that there was not money to fund certain program and he spend the money anyway. That is mismanagement!!! You can quit talking about something you have no idea about. Funding programs is one thing, wasting money and spending money you do not have is another. The point is no one holds the district accountable. There are no checks and balance and no oversight. The school board simply rubber stamps what this guy wants and now we have to pay the tab. I want to know when is the middle class going to get to quit being the money pot for everyone else. Quit drinking the Kool-Aid and wake up, Cargill is lying.
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Posted by:
Brad King On:
Saturday, July 25, 2009 10:16 PM
Comment Title: Reply to: "To Voting Yes"
I appreciate your comment, and I respectfully believe that I do get the point here. The point is, we have schools that are full already (except Rudder, which is increasing as they ramp up the incoming freshman), our student to teacher ratios are getting worse, our teacher turnover rate is high, and we our annual expenditure is in line with all other school districts comparable in size. The problem is the demographics of our community. The taxable value per pupil for BISD is $267,912. Those districts that I gave earlier have taxable values of $310,573; $360,921; $183,541; $549,240; $301,829; $84,900 (gets 64%, 22% and 14% from state, local and federal government respectively for their operating costs vs. Bryan at 38%, 53% and 9% respectively); $399,439; $235,959; $282,231; and $653,563. So, the only districts that have lower taxable value per pupil is Alvin, who gets 46% from state, Harlandale which I explained, and Hays Cons who gets 47% of their revenue from the state. BISD is getting all the help from the state they can. We need to adopt the tax rate that gets us in line with the other schools, since we do not have the high priced properties that those cities do. Like I said, if we dont adopt it, I can promise you the property values will go up and we will pay everyone based on that value instead of just paying the school. I dont like paying taxes any more than the next person, but I dont want to give it to the county and city for no reason, when I can just give it to the school only. Can you give specific examples of wasted money, without stating programs, like athletics, collegiate high school, after school programs, special education programs, band, etc. Where is the wasted money. I know, people are saying administration, but do the research and you will see that BISD has 1% staff for central admin which is exactly the average of 21 schools comparable in size to BISD. BISD's % expenditure for athletics is 2%, gifted is under 1%, Career and Tech 3%, bilengual 1%, accelerated education 14%, special education 15% and regular education 63%. Those same 21 schools in which BISD is the mean, average 2.81%, 1.86%, 3.33%, 2.48%, 9.05%, 16.33%, and 63.29%. Where do we differ in average? We have more going to accelerated education (I am assuming the Collegiate High School) which is an excellent program. It is giving 1st generation college students a chance at earning up to 60 hours of college credit in partnership with Blinn and A&M. This is giving kids an incentive to complete a degree and I think it is a great program. So, again, I would ask, where is the mismanagement of money. I just dont see it. Again, all these statistics are available for everyone. You can see that BISD is not spending carelessly, but they are giving our kids the most that they can give for the money they get. We need to give more.
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Posted by:
On:
Saturday, July 25, 2009 9:37 PM
Comment Title: To "to voting yes"
It is you who does not get it. You have to spend money to keep up with all of the programs that the state and federal government mandate. That doesn't mean that there is mismanagement of funds. It means that because taxes haven't been raised, the district can't keep up with all of the demands being placed on them. Quit talking about things that you don't know about!!! Live with the fact that everything costs a little more - even education!!!!!
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Posted by:
On:
Saturday, July 25, 2009 9:22 PM
Comment Title: To voting YES
You have totally missed the point. It is the total financial mismanagement of BISD which has got the voters angry. It has got nothing to do with paying more taxes or denying services to children. You know every time BISD needs money it breaks out their "Do it for the Children" banner. How about managing money like the average voter has to do instead raising taxes. The only way to stop this spend, spend, spend is to say NO. If you what to pay more taxes then you can pay my part as well. Lets quit drinking the Kool-Aid and shut this folks down. Vote No.
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Posted by:
On:
Saturday, July 25, 2009 8:38 PM
Comment Title: angry
I am quite angry at ONCE AGAIN BISD and their sidefalls of management. Do many of you even realize WHAT BISD speads that doesn't need to be spent? When is enough enough. Ever heard of making do, saving money and management. Amy Drozd already knew even before the last bond election, the money wasn't enough. Is it all her fault, no...there is a school board and other administrators that don't want to be told no. She was already saying another bond election would be needed. So, who are these people fooling. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH........this is crazy
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Posted by:
Brad King On:
Saturday, July 25, 2009 8:37 PM
Comment Title: VOTING YES
I dont understand all the complaining here. Property tax increases stalled out and the school district is suffering just like the county and the cities. They have cut positions at Admin and teacher levels already and now they are looking to cut beneficial programs that our children NEED. Are you really asking our children to suffer special education programs, athletic programs, band programs, etc., just so you dont have to pay an additional $350 in taxes on your $250,000 property. Go to the TEA site, look up the statistics and demographics for all the other comparable school districts of our size and you will see that we have equal or less % of administration than other districts. Also, look at the other district tax rates. The tax rate here of $1.29 compared to Pearland, Allen, Alvin, Comal, Crowley, Harlandale, Rockwall, Hays Cons, Duncanville, and Deer Park who are $1.427, $1.47, $1.328, $1.31, $1.41, $1.349, $1.47, $1.461, $1.418, and $1.318 respectively. The state average for cost per pupil is $9,101 and Bryans average cost per pupil is $7,657. For all of you who say we need to do an audit, you can pull an open records request and do your own analysis. You have that right, but if you look hard at the list of 90 items that TEA lists for each school, BISD is better than average. I understand times are tough for everyone, but now is not the time to just put our kids on the back burner, now is the time to make sure we can keep them in school, give them an education that they can use to get this country out of trouble in the future. Todays students are our leaders of tomorrow. Dont cheat them now. If we cant afford the extra money we are already living well beyond our means and need to cut back on our lifestyle. I am personally a PROPONENT of the tax increase. I don't have a child in the school's here yet, I don't work for the district, I don't consult for the district and I am willing to pay the extra because of the time and research I have put into analyzing the district. I challenge all of you to do the same before being so critical of how this district is operating. I would rather spend my money on the schools than waiting for someone to lobby for higher property values so that they get it anyway. If property values go up, then I have to pay extra to the city and the county also. If we dont support the school tax, then be prepared for us to support building a bigger jail and juvenile detention center, because without programs to keep our kids in school, they will be out terrorizing the town. Where do you want to put your money? I VOTE FOR GIVING IT TO THE SCHOOLS.
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Posted by:
On:
Saturday, July 25, 2009 8:10 PM
Comment Title: 2-year contract extension
The superintendent was given a 2-year contract extension, I believe, back in February. I can only assume that the school board wanted, among other things, to avoid paying for a professional search for a new one. As a voter, as a taxpayer, as a citizen, I am disappointed and dissatisfied with his performance and the school board's.
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Posted by:
On:
Saturday, July 25, 2009 8:04 PM
Comment Title: Oh come on
Hasn't anyone noticed that college station isd is in the same boat along with most other school districts in the state???? First of all federal funding keeps getting cut along with state funding. Second of all- a lot if these so called little programs where there are only a few kids in a class are a direct result of "no child left behind". There are a lot of people complaining about money but no one complaining about their kid being in a specialized class. Let's face it. No one is getting less for more. Rates are going up everywhere... Do we stop providing the extensive bus transportation because gas costs so much or do we quit serving all of the choices of food at lunch because food costs have risen? No... Prices have increased everywhere. I guess we could do what other schools have done- make parents pay for their children to be in extracurricular activities, cut fine art programs, cut after school care programs, cut technology use in the district, etc. Oh buy then you would complain because there would be no Friday night football and you would not be able to see your children's best performance, you would have to pick your kids up on time, and your children would not be ready to enter the real world upon graduating... Come on people, quit bellyaching and realize that this is a result of the fact that funding had diminished and the people of Bryan ISD are only doing what they are supposed to do - educate all of the children!!!!
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Posted by:
On:
Saturday, July 25, 2009 6:37 PM
Comment Title: Liar, Liar
Folks, we are being lied to by Cargill and his gang. Cargill has been told several times by the financial people at BISD that the district can not afford certain programs, but he does it anyway and then lies to the public and the school board about the situation. The resulting shortfall rest completely on their shoulders. He has been totally irresponsible in his spending and the school board has not asked any hard questions. One way to save another $150,000.00 is to give this guy the boot. We as taxpayers need to vote NO to the tax hike, ask the school board to fire this guy and then we need to recall the entire school board and then asked for a complete accounting of BISD finances. It is time that the voters quit letting our elected officials and their appointees run over us. It is time that we take this country back and we might as well start right here in Bryan, TX. Let them know that WE are sick and tired and WE are not going to take it anymore.
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Posted by:
On:
Saturday, July 25, 2009 3:01 PM
Comment Title: re: High Noon
I agree with Roy. This meeting should be at a more convenient time for more people - like 7:00PM. In my opinion, just another example of the board not caring about the taxpayers and trying to limit the voices of opposition. CS and Bryan councils has their meetings in the evening.
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Posted by:
On:
Saturday, July 25, 2009 2:07 PM
Comment Title: Tax rates Fallen - HA!
Yeah, they reduced the rate per $100 because the Tax District increased everyones apraisal by 50%!! Ya'll think we are stupid or something!!
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Posted by:
RoyFlores On:
Saturday, July 25, 2009 1:12 PM
Comment Title: Response to Caren Quinn
Caren We should be asking our superinendent to "Stop" overcroweding our class rooms. By hiring more teachers. Some of the special program class mr. Cargill has created, have some teachers with only a few students, and other teachers have to take up the slack. That is the problem. "Cause and Effect" Miss Quinn. I'm glad to see your concern, but lets not let the administration off the hook just yet. and blame everything on the teachers, parent, and students. the administration is hired to administrate. in this case, or lack there off.
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Posted by:
On:
Saturday, July 25, 2009 1:09 PM
Comment Title: TO Caren:
This article has nothing to do with the dedication of teachers. I agree that parents should be more directly involved in the education of their children including volunteering their time. That would reduce the need to pay teacher's aids. But that whole issue really doesn't address the fact that BISD comes to us year after year for more money even while performance continues to be poor. My wife and I provide a better, more focused education to our children through home schooling for a small fraction of the cost that BISD spends per child per year. And frankly, they are better prepared academically and better adjusted socially than most public school kids I encounter - an observation confirmed by institutions of higher learning all over the country. My desire is for BISD to perform better with less - just like the private schools do. With the right leadership and greater involvement of parents, they can do it.
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Posted by:
RoyFlores On:
Saturday, July 25, 2009 12:48 PM
Comment Title: "HIGH NOON"
superinendent Cargill must think he's in a spaghetti western. giving Taxpayers a chance to bring their concerns on thusday July 30th "HIGH NOON". but only if they can get off work at the lunch hour, get in line to grab a bit to eat, and drive as fast as we can with out getting a ticket, park, run into the meeting ask their questions and not wait for the answer because they have to rush back to work before our lunch hour is over. So they can still have a job to pay for thoses taxes he's expecting them to pay.
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Posted by:
Caren Quinn On:
Saturday, July 25, 2009 12:22 PM
Comment Title: Voluneer
If those of you who are so bitter about the extra time teachers need to plan to help students be successful would volunteer just ONE DAY per semester to help teachers with course prep, sharing your expertise, or just being an extra pair of hands in the classroom to help with instruction, would lead to more ownership in your schools and show you the reality of the situation that teachers have to deal with on a daily basis. During the school year (actually beginning well before) teachers will spend most of their waking hours on school/classroom business. Most spend 7 days a week working on lesson prep, analyzing data to make plans to alter instruction for the myriad of learning levels in just one class, assessing student performance on homework in a timely manner, and the list goes on and on. If our schools are not top notch, then the community suffers as a whole. I challenge you, no I dare you, to get up off your duff and volunteer at a local school. I know of several teachers who are already decorating their rooms, planning their lessons, and could use some help in the most basic of ways that you do not need any special skills in order to volunteer to help. So, put up or shut up!
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Posted by:
RoyFlores On:
Saturday, July 25, 2009 12:06 PM
Comment Title: The "Big" Question
If Superintendent Cargill did not see this comming when, there were not funds avalible to staff the new high school that has been half empty for the first year, then maybe we should look into finding someone that can do the job. If he knew drawing moneys away for new pet projects was draining district funds. And now he dumps it in the lap of the school board and tax taxpayers to fix the problem for him, maybe the bryan school board should make him present cuts to the budget. Isn't that his job? maybe we should let him earn his money for a change.
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Posted by:
On:
Saturday, July 25, 2009 11:40 AM
Comment Title: Re: Angry
Relax. Here's one BISD employ who will vote "NO" on the tax increase. The Board and current administration got us into this mess and they need to get us out of it. They have cut teaching positions and departmental budgets already. The only thing that hasn't been cut is Administrative positions and as a result we are top-heavy at the Travis Building. Couple that continued non-essential spending and you have an entirely predicable $2.4 million shortfall. Oh, and don't forget... a bond issue is forthcoming to build more elementary schools.
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2MJCK On:
Saturday, July 25, 2009 11:29 AM
Comment Title: Audit BISD
I say we do a thorough audit of BISD finances and fiscal practices before providing them any additional monies. Have they really used all of their assets in the most responsible way? For example, what has happened to the old Bonham Elementary school building and property? Last I heard it was being used as warehouse! That building and property could be sold. And what other unused or unneeded assets are sitting around that can sold to help their budget situation. I don't think we are getting the complete picture.
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Posted by:
On:
Saturday, July 25, 2009 11:17 AM
Comment Title: Use savings
Does anyone know how much savings BISD has? I bet it's in the millions. They need to use that for make up the "shortfall" instead of coming to us with their hand out. That's what its there for.
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Posted by:
On:
Saturday, July 25, 2009 11:13 AM
Comment Title: Angry
I can't begin to tell you how angry this article and turn of events makes me. I'm so sick of government entities coming to us, year after year, for more and more. There is no reason in the world to come to voters for 2.2M. They can find more substantial cuts than they have proposed. They just don't want to make any significant sacrifices like the rest of us have. These board members have total disregard for taxpayers. They simply don't care what we think. I'm sure there will be enough BISD employees who vote, and enough apathy in the community that this tax increase will pass yet again. I say we vote to recall these board members instead. And can you believe CFO Amy Drozd patronizing us by reminding the readers that BISD used to stick it to us even more in previous years. So, in other words, be thankful that they have been so generous in recent years. People, don't just sit and take this!
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Posted by:
On:
Saturday, July 25, 2009 10:56 AM
Comment Title: About convocation---
I don't know any teacher who thinks Convocation is the best use of time or money. Get rid of it. It's also a major traffic jam and waste of gasoline. And that's a fact.
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Posted by:
On:
Saturday, July 25, 2009 10:53 AM
Comment Title: About team planning....
I'm sure that many in the public will say that teachers don't need that common planning time. Believe me, team planning is to the benefit of middle school students-- especially when campuses have very many teachers new to teaching and new to the district. Students will be the losers if the team planning time is lost. I thought students were what we are concerned about.
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Posted by:
On:
Saturday, July 25, 2009 10:40 AM
Comment Title: Non-Required Items?
"Administrators presented trustees Friday with a list of "non-required" items that could result in $521,000 in savings next year and long-term savings of $1.8 million." Why are administrators spending half a million dollars a year on NON-REQUIRED items, whatever that means? What are NON-REQUIRED items exactly? With benefits, etc., that could probably fund 6 or 7 teaching positions or more. What time frame does $521,000 translate into 1.8 million dollars in future savings? This is curious. Math class anyone? Let's see, times are tough, we have no money. Let's start cutting NON-REQUIRED items last after we eliminate teaching positions and talk about eliminating planning periods for teachers, which is a bad idea.
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Posted by:
On:
Saturday, July 25, 2009 10:39 AM
Comment Title:
The lights were a necessary expense. The old lights had cracks in the bases and were a major safety hazard. Although I'm sure that the district would have rather not had to make that purchase, there really was no choice. Cut the 3 hour pep rally called convocation! Not necessary at all!
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Posted by:
On:
Saturday, July 25, 2009 10:26 AM
Comment Title: Trustees plan to ask voters to approve raising property taxes
Vote NO. Good god almighty, when is this more, more, more attitude going to end? PS - my taxes are frozen so its no skin off my arse.
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Posted by:
On:
Saturday, July 25, 2009 9:48 AM
Comment Title:
And how much were the new lights at the football stadium. Your board operates about like the CS school board. To heck with academics lets play football.
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