Syphax

[Anonymous]

Since there is a lot of chatter about the budget and the “bloat” at syphax I’m curious if there is somewhere you can see the positions that have been added since Duran came into office (is there a website?)

I’m not looking to debate whether the additional positions should be cut. I’d just like to see what the positions are and how many have been added….

Though, id love to see data on how these positions have contributed/ advanced the education of APS students, but I know that’ll never happen.

[Anonymous]

Outdoor Lab has two newer admins that don't serve a purpose at the center. They cost the county around 300K + benefits and other administrative costs. Things tanked after the new coordinator showed up on site. Sat in the office in case of phone calls and attempted to babysit one problematic staff that the school system has placed at the center. The outdoor lab coordinator then took staff off of the program and chose not to be present or have students supervised during overnights which led to the molestation last year. The program has become increasingly unsafe under their direction. Prior to their arrival hundreds of successful overnights happened for APS students being the highlight of their educational journeys.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the response. But where can we find info on what positions have been added since Duran took office?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the response. But where can we find info on what positions have been added since Duran took office?

Okay, I'll start. His first budget was FY22. On page 39, you can see the 58 new FTE's. Biggest categories were enrollment growth (24), new neighborhood school, which was Cardinal (26) investments to support growth (13.25), schools and students (12) and special ed (9). Division re-org is (-.5) and there are +3 for division counsel's office. There is also a reduction of 37 FTE's. So, looks like... 2.5 new FTE's for central office out of 58.

[Anonymous]

Here's FY23. https://www.apsva.us/wp-content/uploads/sites/57/2023/09/FY-2023-School-Boards-Adopted-Budget-Document.pdf

New FTE's start on page 47. Mostly school based, reducing class size, interventionists.

Wow, I'm glad you asked. He's made some great investments!

[Anonymous]

FY 24, page 49
https://www.apsva.us/wp-content/uploads/sites/57/2023/12/FY-2024-School-Boards-Adopted-Budget-Document.pdf

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here's FY23. https://www.apsva.us/wp-content/uploads/sites/57/2023/09/FY-2023-School-Boards-Adopted-Budget-Document.pdf

New FTE's start on page 47. Mostly school based, reducing class size, interventionists.

Wow, I'm glad you asked. He's made some great investments!

Looks like syphax is in here again

[Anonymous]

Duran has also added a ton of paid vacation and holidays for the Syphax staff. I think there's an ArlNow article on it.

[Anonymous]

Thank you! This is really helpful. We are one of the schools losing teachers (we are north Arlington) and I have a child in a class that already has 27 kids 😳. Again, don’t mean to debate but trying to understand this all and why we are cutting teachers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Duran has also added a ton of paid vacation and holidays for the Syphax staff. I think there's an ArlNow article on it.

https://www.arlnow.com/2024/02/05/an-uptick-in-paid-holidays-for-12-month-aps-employees-rankles-school-board-watchdog-and-some-teachers/

[Anonymous]

Wow

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Duran has also added a ton of paid vacation and holidays for the Syphax staff. I think there's an ArlNow article on it.

https://www.arlnow.com/2024/02/05/an-uptick-in-paid-holidays-for-12-month-aps-employees-rankles-school-board-watchdog-and-some-teachers/

26-32 paid holidays? Wow. I’m a fed and don’t have that many.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Duran has also added a ton of paid vacation and holidays for the Syphax staff. I think there's an ArlNow article on it.

https://www.arlnow.com/2024/02/05/an-uptick-in-paid-holidays-for-12-month-aps-employees-rankles-school-board-watchdog-and-some-teachers/

26-32 paid holidays? Wow. I’m a fed and don’t have that many.

What's mind boggling is that these Syphax staff:

1) frequently are unresponsive, or delayed in responding to school staff on the few days (or hours) they actually are on the job
2) frequently WFH
3) get an absurd amount of paid holidays that don't include sick days (while working from home!)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Duran has also added a ton of paid vacation and holidays for the Syphax staff. I think there's an ArlNow article on it.

https://www.arlnow.com/2024/02/05/an-uptick-in-paid-holidays-for-12-month-aps-employees-rankles-school-board-watchdog-and-some-teachers/

26-32 paid holidays? Wow. I’m a fed and don’t have that many.

What's mind boggling is that these Syphax staff:

1) frequently are unresponsive, or delayed in responding to school staff on the few days (or hours) they actually are on the job
2) frequently WFH
3) get an absurd amount of paid holidays that don't include sick days (while working from home!)

I agree. It is not working out. We are feeling the effects of the extra three weeks. Not getting things we need in a timely manner.

[Anonymous]

The school security officers were a big addition but those are school based positions I think.