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Nemo14

Nemo14

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Nemo14 said:
Yes we're funded through property tax, which is part of the problem. Since the airport has taken so many homes, the tax base is smaller, and many of our property values are decreasing. Right now the elementary schools are running at 70% "capacity", so those numbers apparently justify closing that many buildings.
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(didn't mean to click before I finished typing)

We also get some state aid, but the state is so far in the red, that deep cuts are being made there, so we probably can't count on anything from them.

Which leads us to another dilemma. The state is talking about raising the retirement rules (right now you can retire with 75%(?) of your salary after 30 years. They want to change that to 35 or age 59 and change the percentage to 68 or something like that, so Dave (who finishes his 30th year in June) might have to retire in June to save his pension benefits.
 
PotteryGal

PotteryGal

Active Member
Nemo14 said:
Yes we're funded through property tax, which is part of the problem. Since the airport has taken so many homes, the tax base is smaller, and many of our property values are decreasing. Right now the elementary schools are running at 70% "capacity", so those numbers apparently justify closing that many buildings.
Click to expand...

At our last PTG meeting, I brought up the issue of grade leveling to our principal. From an academic standpoint, she sees it as an opportunity for Dover elementary staff to get feedback from each other and really make each grade level even better. But my question was this: if you tell the public, 'please vote for the levy, or we will go to grade leveling', the levy passes, and then 4-5 years down the road, you level the grades anyway, isn't that a tad....dishonest? For her, her job won't change...we'll either keep things as they are, or she'll become principal of an entire building of pre-school, K, and 1st graders. So she's really for leveling.
I don't know of parents who are, though. And my friend was talking to someone who teaches at another elementary, and she mentioned she didn't know what would happen to the special ed program. Know what this teacher said? 'Oh, those children would stay at South elementary' :fork::fork:
No, I don't think so. Sensitivity training will take place for anyone with that kind of attitude toward our kids. Or I'll raise one devil of a public stink the district doesn't need. :mad:
 
Nemo14

Nemo14

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
PotteryGal said:
At our last PTG meeting, I brought up the issue of grade leveling to our principal. From an academic standpoint, she sees it as an opportunity for Dover elementary staff to get feedback from each other and really make each grade level even better. But my question was this: if you tell the public, 'please vote for the levy, or we will go to grade leveling', the levy passes, and then 4-5 years down the road, you level the grades anyway, isn't that a tad....dishonest? For her, her job won't change...we'll either keep things as they are, or she'll become principal of an entire building of pre-school, K, and 1st graders. So she's really for leveling.
I don't know of parents who are, though. And my friend was talking to someone who teaches at another elementary, and she mentioned she didn't know what would happen to the special ed program. Know what this teacher said? 'Oh, those children would stay at South elementary' :fork::fork:
No, I don't think so. Sensitivity training will take place for anyone with that kind of attitude toward our kids. Or I'll raise one devil of a public stink the district doesn't need. :mad:
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it's so maddening - these are children not numbers we're dealing with!
 
PotteryGal

PotteryGal

Active Member
Nemo14 said:
(didn't mean to click before I finished typing)

We also get some state aid, but the state is so far in the red, that deep cuts are being made there, so we probably can't count on anything from them.

Which leads us to another dilemma. The state is talking about raising the retirement rules (right now you can retire with 75%(?) of your salary after 30 years. They want to change that to 35 or age 59 and change the percentage to 68 or something like that, so Dave (who finishes his 30th year in June) might have to retire in June to save his pension benefits.
Click to expand...

I hate government. :( Any idea of when they'll put that into place?
 
PotteryGal

PotteryGal

Active Member
Nemo14 said:
it's so maddening - these are children not numbers we're dealing with!
Click to expand...

If it weren't for the social skills my son so desperately needs, I would seriously think about homeschooling. We are sinking deeper and deeper into a mess the politicians don't want to deal with.
 
Nemo14

Nemo14

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
PotteryGal said:
I hate government. :( Any idea of when they'll put that into place?
Click to expand...
Right now it's the governor's proposal, which has to get approved by the house and senate, but he's looking at a target date of June 2008, which leaves very little time for Dave to make a decision.
 
Nemo14

Nemo14

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
PotteryGal said:
If it weren't for the social skills my son so desperately needs, I would seriously think about homeschooling. We are sinking deeper and deeper into a mess the politicians don't want to deal with.
Click to expand...
I think there are so many good teachers out there that are getting so fed up too, that we'll lose them all soon!
 
PotteryGal

PotteryGal

Active Member
Nemo14 said:
Right now it's the governor's proposal, which has to get approved by the house and senate, but he's looking at a target date of June 2008, which leaves very little time for Dave to make a decision.
Click to expand...

:eek: I have to wonder how many staff will be voluntarily leaving this year - we've already had two resignations; I have a feeling that number will increase if March 7th doesn't go our way.
((hugs)) for you and Dave. :kiss:
 
Nemo14

Nemo14

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
PotteryGal said:
:eek: I have to wonder how many staff will be voluntarily leaving this year - we've already had two resignations; I have a feeling that number will increase if March 7th doesn't go our way.
((hugs)) for you and Dave. :kiss:
Click to expand...
Thanks - I know this will work out somehow, and he'll get another job if he does have to retire, he's just not ready to do that so soon!
 

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