Alexandria City Council Fully Fund the Schools!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So your not in support of giving teachers cost of living increases and giving step increases to staff and teachers who haven't gotten them in years? Because that's what the school board is asking for due to parents and teachers advocating. Please explain how paying teachers and staff what they are worth so that they don't leave for other districts will make things worse.

Take it from the free lunches. And expel the kids that require cops in the school. Take those funds and give it to the teachers.

Yes, please screw over poor kids. And even if you expel a student, you still have to educate them.

Don't the schools provide free breakfast and lunch to all students? So rude to assume only poor students are getting meals. Lots of moms in North Ridge were over the moon to get the free food during the pandemic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So your not in support of giving teachers cost of living increases and giving step increases to staff and teachers who haven't gotten them in years? Because that's what the school board is asking for due to parents and teachers advocating. Please explain how paying teachers and staff what they are worth so that they don't leave for other districts will make things worse.

Take it from the free lunches. And expel the kids that require cops in the school. Take those funds and give it to the teachers.

Yes, please screw over poor kids. And even if you expel a student, you still have to educate them.

Don't the schools provide free breakfast and lunch to all students? So rude to assume only poor students are getting meals. Lots of moms in North Ridge were over the moon to get the free food during the pandemic.

No, that was only because of the pandemic. Free lunch funding has expired.

[Anonymous]

This is a re-boot of toxic PTAC's fully fund ACPS campaign from seven or eight years ago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So your not in support of giving teachers cost of living increases and giving step increases to staff and teachers who haven't gotten them in years? Because that's what the school board is asking for due to parents and teachers advocating. Please explain how paying teachers and staff what they are worth so that they don't leave for other districts will make things worse.

Take it from the free lunches. And expel the kids that require cops in the school. Take those funds and give it to the teachers.

Yes, please screw over poor kids. And even if you expel a student, you still have to educate them.

What a weird perspective. Are you 'screwing over' the kids in India right now by not giving them your money? Why would I have any obligation to feed and care for a kid that isn't mine? Do you wash your neighbor's car?

How about he people in the berg take care of their own offspring? I know that is truly a radical concept for you but its reasonable from any viewpoint.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry, I've heard this all before. This was a BS PTAC campaign about six years ago.

More money was thrown at ACPS then and things are worse.

How about demanding accountability at ACPS central office? How about instead of central office workers pulling in 100k+ for clerical work some of that goes to teachers?

+1
Compare the per pupil spend to other districts. I compare it to our amazing k-12, and the whole ACPS back office is a disgrace. It’s bloated and inefficient and as a taxpayer I have zero interest in throwing more money at it. Look at some of the small line items they waste money on and you get an idea of how they operate. I’d actually be in favor of a freeze on any increases until they are accountable and cut bloat in the central office.

Sure. The per pupil spend in Alexandria is $3,000 less per student compared to Falls Church public schools. It's $4,000 less per student compared to Arlington Public School. How can we expect ACPS to do better if they aren't funded!! Demand more where are our priorities if not for educating children!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry, I've heard this all before. This was a BS PTAC campaign about six years ago.

More money was thrown at ACPS then and things are worse.

How about demanding accountability at ACPS central office? How about instead of central office workers pulling in 100k+ for clerical work some of that goes to teachers?

+1
Compare the per pupil spend to other districts. I compare it to our amazing k-12, and the whole ACPS back office is a disgrace. It’s bloated and inefficient and as a taxpayer I have zero interest in throwing more money at it. Look at some of the small line items they waste money on and you get an idea of how they operate. I’d actually be in favor of a freeze on any increases until they are accountable and cut bloat in the central office.

Sure. The per pupil spend in Alexandria is $3,000 less per student compared to Falls Church public schools. It's $4,000 less per student compared to Arlington Public School. How can we expect ACPS to do better if they aren't funded!! Demand more where are our priorities if not for educating children!!

How is this time different than all the other times? Heck, how is it different from the last time PTAC was saying the exact same thing but ignoring the lack of results?

More money has been thrown at ACPS in the past. Things have continued to get worse (including pre-pandemic) so why is throwing more money at it going to work this time?

Has PTAC examined any of the waste in central office and called for cuts/reallocation there? If not, why not? Until they do that...this isn't a serious campaign.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Tell me you send your kids to private school without telling me you send your kids to private school.

Love this!

PTAC to taxpayers: Shut up and pay up. You don't get to have an opinion about what you're paying for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry, I've heard this all before. This was a BS PTAC campaign about six years ago.

More money was thrown at ACPS then and things are worse.

How about demanding accountability at ACPS central office? How about instead of central office workers pulling in 100k+ for clerical work some of that goes to teachers?

+1
Compare the per pupil spend to other districts. I compare it to our amazing k-12, and the whole ACPS back office is a disgrace. It’s bloated and inefficient and as a taxpayer I have zero interest in throwing more money at it. Look at some of the small line items they waste money on and you get an idea of how they operate. I’d actually be in favor of a freeze on any increases until they are accountable and cut bloat in the central office.

Sure. The per pupil spend in Alexandria is $3,000 less per student compared to Falls Church public schools. It's $4,000 less per student compared to Arlington Public School. How can we expect ACPS to do better if they aren't funded!! Demand more where are our priorities if not for educating children!!

Fairfax, Loudon, Manassas and Prince William all spend less than ACPS and have significantly higher rates of proficiency.

Alexandria's proficiency in Reading is 60%/Math is 53%/Science is 52%

Fairfax is 78%/75%/72%
Loudon is 80%/76%/74%
Manassas spends about 5K less per pupil and their results are very similar to ACPS: 59%/53%/46%
Prince William County: 75%/71%/66%

Even Mayor Wilson seems to understand the gross mismanagement of money at ACPS. ACPS' childish response to his questions was that they could stop building net zero buildings.

Until this School Board and Superintendent are willing to put forth real reform both fiscally and educationally, it's clear that they should have control over LESS money. Not more. It's disgraceful that PTAC would push this so aggressively without any demands for accountability. Again. and Again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sorry, I've heard this all before. This was a BS PTAC campaign about six years ago.

More money was thrown at ACPS then and things are worse.

How about demanding accountability at ACPS central office? How about instead of central office workers pulling in 100k+ for clerical work some of that goes to teachers?

+1
Compare the per pupil spend to other districts. I compare it to our amazing k-12, and the whole ACPS back office is a disgrace. It’s bloated and inefficient and as a taxpayer I have zero interest in throwing more money at it. Look at some of the small line items they waste money on and you get an idea of how they operate. I’d actually be in favor of a freeze on any increases until they are accountable and cut bloat in the central office.

Sure. The per pupil spend in Alexandria is $3,000 less per student compared to Falls Church public schools. It's $4,000 less per student compared to Arlington Public School. How can we expect ACPS to do better if they aren't funded!! Demand more where are our priorities if not for educating children!!

How is this time different than all the other times? Heck, how is it different from the last time PTAC was saying the exact same thing but ignoring the lack of results?

More money has been thrown at ACPS in the past. Things have continued to get worse (including pre-pandemic) so why is throwing more money at it going to work this time?

Has PTAC examined any of the waste in central office and called for cuts/reallocation there? If not, why not? Until they do that...this isn't a serious campaign.

This is correct.
This rally cry occurs every budget cycle.
They should be required to slash by 75% there central office staffing first.

[Anonymous]

When Council makes the City a sanctuary City they should be prepared to pay the $22k per year for an ELL student who has a $0 tax contribution.

[Anonymous]

You know I'd much rather pay a little more in taxes in order to save thousands on private school. Having good schools that are a source of pride for Alexandria should be the goal. It's insane that some posters are fighting to keep poorly performing schools.

The pp who said it's childish that the school board said that they would rather put money towards educating children instead of building net zero building if there's a budget crunch are actually being responsible and putting the needs of the students first. Good for them!

Also city council doesn't actually care about green schools. It's a buzz word. They were very happy to ignore the environmental managers concerns with putting in artificial turfs filled with forever chemical plastic pellets because it's cheaper!

That pp also cited higher profiency rates in city's that don't have Alexandria's demographics. 50% of Alexandria public school students are ELL. They require more resources. These resources cost money. Good schools cost money!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When Council makes the City a sanctuary City they should be prepared to pay the $22k per year for an ELL student who has a $0 tax contribution.

Right here is the argument against Wilson's unchecked "affordable housing" and density builds. There are thousands upon thousands of units in the works.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You know I'd much rather pay a little more in taxes in order to save thousands on private school. Having good schools that are a source of pride for Alexandria should be the goal. It's insane that some posters are fighting to keep poorly performing schools.

The pp who said it's childish that the school board said that they would rather put money towards educating children instead of building net zero building if there's a budget crunch are actually being responsible and putting the needs of the students first. Good for them!

Also city council doesn't actually care about green schools. It's a buzz word. They were very happy to ignore the environmental managers concerns with putting in artificial turfs filled with forever chemical plastic pellets because it's cheaper!

That pp also cited higher profiency rates in city's that don't have Alexandria's demographics. 50% of Alexandria public school students are ELL. They require more resources. These resources cost money. Good schools cost money!

Except it’s not about money. Look at Baltimore and even DC schools - plenty of money. No amount of money is going to make an ELL come from a home of literate, educated parents. However, if the ELL child learned to be a mechanic/plumber/electrician he may not be a high SOL performer, but at least he would have a marketable skill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You know I'd much rather pay a little more in taxes in order to save thousands on private school. Having good schools that are a source of pride for Alexandria should be the goal. It's insane that some posters are fighting to keep poorly performing schools.

The pp who said it's childish that the school board said that they would rather put money towards educating children instead of building net zero building if there's a budget crunch are actually being responsible and putting the needs of the students first. Good for them!

Also city council doesn't actually care about green schools. It's a buzz word. They were very happy to ignore the environmental managers concerns with putting in artificial turfs filled with forever chemical plastic pellets because it's cheaper!

That pp also cited higher profiency rates in city's that don't have Alexandria's demographics. 50% of Alexandria public school students are ELL. They require more resources. These resources cost money. Good schools cost money!

Then you should do that! Why haven't you cut your check to ACPS yet?

Tell me why this time is going to be different? In Alexandria more money has produced even worse results.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When Council makes the City a sanctuary City they should be prepared to pay the $22k per year for an ELL student who has a $0 tax contribution.

FACTS.