RSCC office staff

[Anonymous]

1. The recently departed Program Director was dismissed in some part because they associated with the families of students outside of school hours. This rule clearly does not apply to the President/CEO.

2. Why can't they find testimonials from regular parents instead of from the President/CEO's family? They are named on the school's website, see the testimonial page.

3. The plaque at the playground continues to annoy me. I can see putting it up for a non-paid, volunteer parent that did a lot for the school. That's cool. But why would a compensated person need to have their name out there? You don't see a plaque honoring Howard Schulz outside Starbucks.

4. The school "is a non profit, 501(c)(3), child care organization with a mission of providing affordable, quality child care and preschool services to families of the local community." On the About Us page. The Tuition page talks about the annual fee increase being 5%. Does that not conflict with the "affordable" mission?

5. Let's follow the money. How do we do this? How can we have the CEO post be split from the Presidency?

[Anonymous]

Nothing to tolk. Betsy was always so warm and cheerful, smiling, and friendly to everyone. we disappoint over losing a wonderful asset to our kids (& the school ) Management have to think twice

[Anonymous]

All of you who've worked yourself up into a frenzy, just find somewhere else to send your kids. If it makes you that upset, just go. If your answer to that is "but we love the teachers and the attention they give to our kids" then recognize that leadership is doing something right. If you want to challenge how the place is run, volunteer to be on the board. All of this sideline quarterbacking is ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

I totally diagree with the last person who wrote on this blog. It is clear to me through all this conversation that there are serious administration issues at RSCC. Betsy was the catalyst for all of this coming to light and now the victim of the same. We miss you Betsy

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I totally diagree with the last person who wrote on this blog. It is clear to me through all this conversation that there are serious administration issues at RSCC. Betsy was the catalyst for all of this coming to light and now the victim of the same. We miss you Betsy

So do something about it, rather than just complaining on a forum. Go volunteer for the board.

[Anonymous]

FYI - You can't just volunteer for the board. You have to interview and be selected. It isn't open for whoever wants it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:FYI - You can't just volunteer for the board. You have to interview and be selected. It isn't open for whoever wants it.

Have you tried?? I know how boards work. What I'm saying is if you are so fed up about things, do something about it. Fill out an application. Get involved. Be a part of the solution and don't wait for others to fix a problem that people have complained about for pages and pages.

[Anonymous]

No, I personally haven't tried, but I'm not 12:46. Just a reader/lurker. There was no complaining in my post (tone is so hard to hear in typed words). Just an informational post.

Change may not be as easy as saying I want my voice to be heard so I'm going to be on the board. I guess that is the point anyway...many parents are unhappy with a number of issues, but find this to be their only medium to express the issues and hope that the current board members and directors take notice. They don't know how to express it without what they think are ramifications against them. On the other side are parents annoyed at these posts and tired of parents bitchin and complaining and find name calling and hopes for personal ruin ridiculous (rightfully so).

Can we come together and work as a group? Isn’t the goal to be a community? No, you can’t please everyone, but it is apparent that more then a few are upset. Where does 12 pages leave us? How many more pages will this back and forth continue? Is there a course of action between doing nothing and all hell breaking loose? I don’t have the answers…..just putting out there that it may be time to either let it go and deal with the current administration or start discussing next steps. Perhaps a parent’s meeting offsite?

[Anonymous]

Maybe Betsy should be invited to this off site meeting.

[Anonymous]

For the follow the money poster(s) please feel free to do so - as a 501(c) RSCC's tax return is a matter of public record.

Google Guide Star - you'll have to register but the free level will give you access to their Form 990s (tax returns). You will need to search under the Center's old name, Christ Church Children's Center.

You can clearly see where the money is going. 2010 isn't available yet as it was probably just file last month.

For 2009 here are the major expenses as a percentage of tuition income:

Wages and Salaries (not including directors/officers) 43.5%

Occupancy (Rent) 21%

Compensation of Directors/Officers 11.5%

Insurance 6%

Remaining expenses include Payroll Taxes, Advertising, Depreciation, Program Supplies, Office Supplies, Telephone, Accountant, Repairs and Maintence, Cleaning, Etc.

And because apparently folks think someone is getting rich - he's not. The Compensation above is made up of 4 salaries and his isn't even the highest.

I really like the school and from my review of the 990 I am confident that my money is not lining someone's pockets. Running a daycare of this caliber is expensive particularly with the high ratios maintained (better then the states requirement which is what you are lucky to get at most centers), the great teachers, the nice modern facilities and the convient location.

(oh and I didn't give more detailed financial numbers because that somehow seemed wrong for this forum - if you want to see just go take a look and stop whining)

[Anonymous]

I just wanted to say that I think Betsy was the heart and soul of the school. My children have graduated and gone on, but they still talk about her.

I too want to know what the CEO/Board President is being paid for his part time work, and will absolutely reference the forms mentioned. However, we also need to remember those forms are only as accurate as the filer chooses them to be. If there are no checks and balances, as their seem not to be, who knows if those numbers are complete and accurate.

Finally, I think this whole situation has been handled horribly. I have so much respect for Betsy for addressing her side of the story, and from what she said it sounds like she has a fantastic wrongful termination case (there was so little consideration put into her termination - they had to leave the room to decide what to do??!! So unbelievably unprofessional).

[Anonymous]

I believe the other longtime director should have defended Betsy and tried to prevent her wrongful termination instead of throwing her her under the bus. This was certainly a case of the other director covering her own ass. Whatever happened to loyalty and speaking up for what's right? Betsy and the other director worked very well together for years before the president and CEO came to RSCC. To my knowledge Betsy and the other director were friends, not just co-workers. This situation is so wrong and unfortunate on so many levels- what a shame.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For the follow the money poster(s) please feel free to do so - as a 501(c) RSCC's tax return is a matter of public record.

Google Guide Star - you'll have to register but the free level will give you access to their Form 990s (tax returns). You will need to search under the Center's old name, Christ Church Children's Center.

You can clearly see where the money is going. 2010 isn't available yet as it was probably just file last month.

For 2009 here are the major expenses as a percentage of tuition income:

Wages and Salaries (not including directors/officers) 43.5%

Occupancy (Rent) 21%

Compensation of Directors/Officers 11.5%

Even if these numbers are correct (who knows if they are accurate?), how is it reasonable for the 4 people in charge to make 11.5% of the budget, whereas all of the other teachers in the whole school make a combined total of 43.5%? The school employs many teachers. And don't forget that the president and CEO also does not pay for his children to attend the school. This benefit alone accounts for 18-20k/year for 1 child. Double that amount for the years when both of his children attended the school. Not bad for a part-time gig.

Insurance 6%

Remaining expenses include Payroll Taxes, Advertising, Depreciation, Program Supplies, Office Supplies, Telephone, Accountant, Repairs and Maintence, Cleaning, Etc.

And because apparently folks think someone is getting rich - he's not. The Compensation above is made up of 4 salaries and his isn't even the highest.

I really like the school and from my review of the 990 I am confident that my money is not lining someone's pockets. Running a daycare of this caliber is expensive particularly with the high ratios maintained (better then the states requirement which is what you are lucky to get at most centers), the great teachers, the nice modern facilities and the convient location.

(oh and I didn't give more detailed financial numbers because that somehow seemed wrong for this forum - if you want to see just go take a look and stop whining)

[Anonymous]

I agree that 11.5% for total director compensation sounds high but when I looked at the actual numbers it doesn't seem so bad, an average of about $55K each.

Interesting point about tuition, anybody know what the policy is - a reasonable discount would be one thing (and should then be available to all directors/staff - and maybe is???) but free tuition sounds like compensation.

[Anonymous]

Who is this person that has repeatly said "stop whining?" The choice of words is not in the least productive and smacks of someone at the center....maybe a bit defensive.