tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post7043455423055902028..comments2024-01-08T03:21:35.616-05:00Comments on DeKalb County School Watch: The Budget RecommendationCerebrationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comBlogger142125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-86599302203364689362010-04-19T22:56:01.253-04:002010-04-19T22:56:01.253-04:00Many Thanks to the DeKalb Parent blog for the copi...Many Thanks to the DeKalb Parent blog for the copious notes taken at the April 16 budget meeting available <a href="http://dekalbparent.wordpress.com/meetings/april16th/" rel="nofollow">here.</a>Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-4840006701595726182010-04-06T11:43:21.861-04:002010-04-06T11:43:21.861-04:00This was recently emailed from the Lakeside PTA - ...This was recently emailed from the Lakeside PTA - good info I thought I'd share -<br /><br />On March 26th, the Board of Education's Budget, Finance, and Facilities Committee approved a list of proposed budget cuts for the 2010-2011 school year. To view these cuts, click (the photo in this post above). <br /> <br />These budget cuts will be presented to the full Board of Education (BOE) at their next meeting April 12th at 6 p.m. at the William Bradley Bryant Center on Lawrenceville Hwy. The meeting is a combined work session (which includes citizen comments and Board discussion of agenda items) and business meeting. Discussion and changes to the proposed budget cuts could be made at that time. A tentative vote on the cuts is anticipated. <br /> <br />Once a tentative budget is approved, citizens may view the budget in its entirety at the Board of Education Office. Two public hearings on the budget will be held on April 21st and 28th at 6 p.m. also at the William Bradley Bryant Center. <br /> <br />There will be a BOE work session on May 3rd at Henderson Middle School - a final opportunity for citizen comments regarding the budget. The final vote on the budget will be at the May 10th Board of Education meeting.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-84785240520168285602010-04-02T20:41:46.309-04:002010-04-02T20:41:46.309-04:00An open comment to Kathy Cox ...
www.votekathycox....An open comment to Kathy Cox ...<br />www.votekathycox.com<br />kathy@votekathycox.com<br /><br />Kathy -- I cannot and will not vote for you because you and you top staff stood idly by while DeKalb County School System floundered in mud and murk. Even if you did not have the authority to do anything, you should have exhibited moral leadership. You did nothing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-85827449677401605162010-04-02T18:19:26.193-04:002010-04-02T18:19:26.193-04:00That is a really good point, Cougar. Make sure yo...That is a really good point, Cougar. Make sure you let the board know this. It's important and fair.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-83853819462458984902010-04-02T17:19:27.541-04:002010-04-02T17:19:27.541-04:00As a Clifton Elementary Magnet Parent, I am quite ...As a Clifton Elementary Magnet Parent, I am quite disturbed that the school closing meetings coincide with our school choice open enrollment period. Those of us that have students in the schools targeted for closure don't know whether to stand our ground or look for other options. In addition, parents who would normally be trying to enroll their children to enter our program in the third grade would naturally look elsewhere. This will only make our enrollment decrease even further. <br /><br />I think the prudent thing to do would be to postpone school choice enrollment until the budget is finalized and we all know where our schools stand.Clifton Cougarnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-74333795250521228212010-04-02T11:16:16.695-04:002010-04-02T11:16:16.695-04:00Well said, Anon. This is a war and we need an arm...Well said, Anon. This is a war and we need an army. Students need the National Guard (a large army of qualified teachers). Period.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-73214921811694089112010-04-02T09:27:39.547-04:002010-04-02T09:27:39.547-04:00"Again- the misconception is that all central..."Again- the misconception is that all central office personnel earn over 100k a year. This is far from the truth. Many are middle income wage earners who cannot afford to not have an income any more than teachers!"<br /><br />I have never been under the conception that all Central Office employees earn over $100,000 a year. I just know that 1,239 Central Office staff to 6800 teachers (that's excluding Media Specialists) is just too many employees who are not teaching students versus teaching students.<br /><br />Dr. Lewis steadily reduced teachers over his tenure as he increased class sizes. For example, 275 positions were not filled this past year 2009-10. Since Central Office personnel only exist to serve the teachers and their students (i.e. the classroom), every teacher reduction should have been followed by a Central Office reduction. This hasn't happened, and teachers know it. Now parents/taxpayers know it.<br /><br />I'm not sure what's going to happen to those 150 Central Office staff. Hopefully, many will be sent back to the classroom to teach students. Many, many more Central Office employees need to go back to schools to ensure the students will be impacted the least amount possible in this economic crisis. <br /><br />Every certified person in the county should be looked at as a potential teacher of students because that's what students most need at this point. Parents/taxpayer must let Ms. Tyson and the BOE know this.<br /><br />Some special teachers such as 87 gifted and 155 ESOL could take on additional schools in order to free others to go back to the classroom and help reduce class sizes. <br /><br />The 326 counselors in DCSS could be asked to take on more students so others counselors who are certified teachers could help fill our classrooms.<br /><br />Could some of the 510 art, music and PE teachers who are certified to teach regular ed could take on 2 schools so that others would be free to go back into the classrooms.<br /><br />It goes without saying that the 80 Instructional Coaches should all be teaching students. If Title 1 doesn't allow them to teach in a regular ed classroom, then let them teach as special math or reading teachers like the Title 1 Math and Title 1 Reading teachers did in the 80s and 90s. Lord knows many of our kids are struggling in these areas.<br /><br />Ms. Tyson can spend $25,000,000 (America's Choice - $8,000,000, Instructional Coaches - $8,000,000, Springboard - $1,4000,000) a year for fancy educational programs, but with 35 to 40 students in a classroom, every parent I know would rather have that money spent on teachers in the classroom instructing their children. <br /><br />Parents need to push for more efficient use of as many certified personnel as possible teaching grade level and content positions. Adding the numbers up shows we have as many as 1,000 to 1,500 teaching personnel that are not regular ed, but could be (I didn't add in special ed because the most vulnerable students would be impacted). If DCSS could make more efficient use of these personnel, could we get at least 10% to 15% back in regular education classroom positions in order to keep class sizes manageable? We would still have counselors and art and music and PE, just do it with a reduction in personnel. <br /><br />As far as not being able to "afford not to have income", I hope this doesn't sound unsympathetic, but DCSS is not a jobs program. We expect every nickel to be squeezed and every dime to go to our kids. It only exists to educate children. Children only get one shot at an education.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-14266994660183189732010-04-02T07:18:40.464-04:002010-04-02T07:18:40.464-04:00Central Office staff are contractual as well. They...Central Office staff are contractual as well. They have not however received contracts. They have been told that it may be May 30th before they receive word as to if they will get a contract. This is unfair because their current contract expires June 30th. This gives them one month to look for a job! <br /><br />Again- the misconception is that all central office personnel earn over 100k a year. This is far from the truth. Many are middle income wage earners who cannot afford to not have an income any more than teachers!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-41151295805858694112010-03-30T17:56:16.050-04:002010-03-30T17:56:16.050-04:00The positions are the ones listed in the Budget Pr...The positions are the ones listed in the Budget Proposal passed by the Budget Committee on Friday, the 200 paraprofessionals, the 150 Central Office, 59 media clerks and 18 CTSS.M Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03055591929413425231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-49950188332921028872010-03-30T14:18:38.804-04:002010-03-30T14:18:38.804-04:00That's terrible, Anon 2:10 PM - I had no idea...That's terrible, Anon 2:10 PM - I had no idea.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-17978049898758922422010-03-30T14:16:49.525-04:002010-03-30T14:16:49.525-04:00See, here's a short-sighted proposed cut that ...See, here's a short-sighted proposed cut that doesn't make sense. They are leaving the tiny magnet Wadsworth alone (I'm going to assume it's due to fear of a lawsuit) - but will make deep cuts to the very successful DeKalb Early College Adacemy (DECA) - which has a positive effect on high school graduation rates - which is considered for AYP.<br /><br /><i>Michael Parks, co-PTA president at the DeKalb Early College Academy, said he is struggling to make ends meet at home but would support a half mill increase to his property taxes. The early college academy, which has about 180 students, will lose eight of its 14 teachers under the committee’s budget.</i><br /><br />http://www.ajc.com/news/dekalb/dekalb-committee-moves-to-406520.htmlCerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-53866379102245676422010-03-30T14:10:41.280-04:002010-03-30T14:10:41.280-04:00Under Georgia law, teachers can be held to the con...Under Georgia law, teachers can be held to the contracts but schools do not. Gwinnett County hired too many teachers a few years ago and laid off teachers a few months into the school year. However, if a teacher breaks a contract the school system can go after his/her license if they want to. I know - it seems bizarre - but that's the way it works.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-4240420714536127002010-03-30T14:05:11.447-04:002010-03-30T14:05:11.447-04:00I guess I'm dumb - I don't understand. Ho...I guess I'm dumb - I don't understand. How can they lay off teachers and paras after they just sent out everyone's contracts? Won't the board have to fulfill the contracts? I assume that the central office staff do not operate under a contract - but teachers do - do paras?Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-58114114218581956752010-03-30T13:53:15.376-04:002010-03-30T13:53:15.376-04:00As far as I know this figure doesn't include t...As far as I know this figure doesn't include teachers but does include the 200+ paras and 150ish central office personnel and media clerks, etc.<br /><br />At the meeting, they didn't share with the public what positions are on the list. The Board knows though.themommyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01829171693817032539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-76363430799479564172010-03-30T13:47:32.780-04:002010-03-30T13:47:32.780-04:00Likely the former. If the board had substantively...Likely the former. If the board had substantively differed with the recommendations given it that would be the headlineAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-65829468207170002072010-03-30T13:45:04.401-04:002010-03-30T13:45:04.401-04:00Is this AJC article referring to total potential l...Is this AJC article referring to total potential layoffs? If so, most are probably teachers and paras.<br /><br />Or has the BOE finally heard the teachers, parents and taxpayers and authorized layoffs of up to 450central office and non-teaching staff?<br /><br />I hate when the AJC runs a provocative heading with absolutely no helpful information.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-25154832258760359312010-03-30T13:06:31.133-04:002010-03-30T13:06:31.133-04:00Board approves 430 DeKalb school layoffs
By [ mai...Board approves 430 DeKalb school layoffs<br /><br />By [ mailto:mmatteucci@ajc.com ]Megan Matteucci<br /><br />The Atlanta Journal-Constitution<br /><br />12:24 p.m. Tuesday, March 30, 2010<br /><br />As many as 430 DeKalb County school employees will lose their jobs.<br /><br />The school board voted Tuesday morning to give interim superintendent Ramona Tyson the authority to reduce up to 430 positions, board chairman Tom Bowen told the AJC.<br /><br />The exact number of employees will be determined May 30, Bowen said.<br /><br />The layoffs are needed to help with an anticipated $115 million shortfall.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-48342309379969516292010-03-29T17:32:26.901-04:002010-03-29T17:32:26.901-04:00And then there's this:
"Note 15: Related...And then there's this:<br /><br />"Note 15: Related Party Transaction"<br /><br />The school district employed the services of Vincent Pope and Associates, Inc for various construction projects. This company is owned and operated by Vincent Pope, the husband of Patricia Pope, who is currently Chief Operations Officer (COO) for the DeKalb County Board of Education. While some of these services were secured by a bid procedure, all were not. Additionally, the contracts were signed prior to Ms. Pope becoming the School District's COO. Current year expenditures to Vincent Pope and Associates totaled $528,361.37."<br /><br /><br />This state audit of the finances dating to June 2008 was finished in Sept 2009. The school system made a statement regarding the services of Vincent Pope. I'm assuming this statement is truthful, since this is a legal document.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-11796648550137901162010-03-29T17:21:00.599-04:002010-03-29T17:21:00.599-04:00Here's another interesting factoid from the au...Here's another interesting factoid from the audit -<br /><br />"General Administration" just about doubled - from $10.6 million in 2007 to $20 million in 2008.<br /><br />"Improvement of Instructional Services" went from $53.4 million in 2007 to $56.9 million in 2008.<br /><br />But "Instruction" itself barely moved - from $631.4 million to $639.2 million.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-11352857706772467812010-03-29T16:18:26.785-04:002010-03-29T16:18:26.785-04:00I wish that the parents banning together to fight ...I wish that the parents banning together to fight for their child's school would ban together for the improvement of education across the district. We have parents fighting to keep programs and schools open, while the bigger picture shows that the children and the quality of education that they receive will suffer no matter where they go to school.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-49187846881885741552010-03-29T16:07:35.481-04:002010-03-29T16:07:35.481-04:00I downloaded the 2008 audit at the link - and it&#...I downloaded the 2008 audit at the link - and it's strictly financial, however, I did find this statement interesting - <br /><br />"In total, net assets increased $111.2 million to $1.164 billion. This represents an 11 percent increase from 2007. This total increase was due to governmental activities since the Board has no business-type activities."<br /><br />Now, I find it fascinating that the 'assets' increased 11%, when student population declined from 100,526 in 2007 to 99,778 in 2008 (a loss of 748 students).Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-16948443615695363472010-03-29T16:06:31.740-04:002010-03-29T16:06:31.740-04:00Can we make the Board go find that 2003 audit and ...Can we make the Board go find that 2003 audit and review it? Don't know whether it would be relevant now, but it might be, and it would buy them a clue about how an audit can show big savings.Dekalbparenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16376422781260452873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-80096466027387252362010-03-29T15:42:32.925-04:002010-03-29T15:42:32.925-04:00In fact, recently the board discussed performing a...In fact, recently the board discussed performing another such audit (someone stated that best practices suggest doing this every 5 years I believe) - however, the board quickly tabled the notion and haven't discussed it since.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-5295358693885181202010-03-29T15:37:48.848-04:002010-03-29T15:37:48.848-04:00@ Anonymous 1:18 pm
I don't believe that'...@ Anonymous 1:18 pm<br /><br />I don't believe that's the Comprehensive Compensation and Classification Study referred to in this blog. The Comprehensive Compensation and Classification Study was a study done by Ernst and Young at Dr. Brown's request and the BOE's approval, not a state mandated study.<br /><br />Here is the description of the study in 2003, from Dispatch, an internal DCSS newsletter:<br />"On September 8, 2003, the DeKalb Board of Education authorized the national firm Ernst & Young, LLP to conduct a comprehensive compensation and classification study in the DeKalb County School System. This study will be the first such study of this kind conducted in the school system in 15 years. As a result of the study, the DeKalb County School System expects to develop an objective, appropriate classification structure and a market-competitive compensation system. This structure will reflect fewer salary schedules; less distinct job titles; and job titles that comport with current industry nomenclature. It is further expected that the information gathered will This new system will be designed for easy management and maintenance by the Department of Human Resources. For more information, call them Compensation and Classification Hotline at 678/676-0400."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-68040021037745001142010-03-29T13:18:28.563-04:002010-03-29T13:18:28.563-04:00The audits can be found on the State DOE website:
...The audits can be found on the State DOE website:<br /><br />https://www.audits.state.ga.us/searchRpts.htmlAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com