Any news on the public school budget for MoCo?

[Anonymous]

As class sizes go up, caseloads go up for everyone--teachers, counselors etc.
That means college recs are shorter and less thoughtful/personal (do they even KNOW your kid?),
teachers have less time for after-school help, and
fewer kids will get the extra support they need.
Teachers with 200 students may not remember who has what accommodation, even if they are supremely well-intentioned.
I think what people fail to realize is that when services fall away that YOUR child doesn't need, your child is still affected.
If there is no elementary school aide for the kid behind in reading,
the classroom teacher needs to direct her attention to the low performer before she can help your child attain his "best."
If everyone is okay with average everything, then sure, pinpoint teachers to take the hit. And by the way,
even if you don't have a school-age child, it will be your real estate that takes another hit if your local school can't meet their standards.
It's all one big domino effect.

[Anonymous]

Saying that we should preserve teachers from any adjustments to protect house prices is a joke.

[Anonymous]

FYI:

"The following information is passed on to any of our members who may be interested in participating in a rally scheduled for Tuesday, April 5 and sponsored by the three MCPS employee unions (MCEA, SEIU, MCAAP). Feel free to share within your communities.

While I received it in a very nice, colorfully formatted flyer, our elist unfortunately does not lend itself to such. Thus, simply the text:

----------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------

Put On Your Rally Shoes,
We Are Taking It To The Streets!

Stand Up for School Funding!

Speak Out Against:
- Increasing Class Sizes!
- Staffing Cuts in Schools
- Cutbacks in Essential School Programs!
- Shifting More Costs to Teachers & Other Staff!

Tuesday, April 5

Schedule
5:30 pm - Gather at Staging Areas (CESC and Julius West Middle School)
5:45 pm - March to the County Council Building
6:15 pm - Rally on the Steps of the County Council Building
7:00 pm - Public Hearing on the Budget; Testimony by MCEA, SEIU & MCAAP

Tips
. Dress warmly & wear school +/or union colors.
. Wear comfortable walking shoes.
. Carpool if possible.
. Make homemade signs!

Sponsored by: SEIU, MCAAP, MCEA"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:FYI:

"The following information is passed on to any of our members who may be interested in participating in a rally scheduled for Tuesday, April 5 and sponsored by the three MCPS employee unions (MCEA, SEIU, MCAAP). Feel free to share within your communities.

While I received it in a very nice, colorfully formatted flyer, our elist unfortunately does not lend itself to such. Thus, simply the text:

----------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------

Put On Your Rally Shoes,
We Are Taking It To The Streets!

Stand Up for School Funding!

Speak Out Against:
- Increasing Class Sizes!
- Staffing Cuts in Schools
- Cutbacks in Essential School Programs!
- Shifting More Costs to Teachers & Other Staff!

Tuesday, April 5

Schedule
5:30 pm - Gather at Staging Areas (CESC and Julius West Middle School)
5:45 pm - March to the County Council Building
6:15 pm - Rally on the Steps of the County Council Building
7:00 pm - Public Hearing on the Budget; Testimony by MCEA, SEIU & MCAAP

Tips
. Dress warmly & wear school +/or union colors.
. Wear comfortable walking shoes.
. Carpool if possible.
. Make homemade signs!

Sponsored by: SEIU, MCAAP, MCEA"

Thanks PP for this info. Will spread it around.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter already has 35 kids in her 5th grade math class..how do we go up from there??

Oh my gosh -- what school is that?!

typical at the high school level, where we can see from 150 or more each day
It's just trickling down now b/c of cuts and changes in population.

[Anonymous]

another idiot

When you cut from us, you harm your children. Very few wish to enter this field, and people like you are the cause. You treat us with little respect, claim we're overpaid (our salary each year stops in June), protest when we fight for OUR rights, and yet expect us to bend over backward to meet the needs of your child.

blood from a stone, honey bun

Be prepared to homeschool your future Einstein b/c there won't be anyone left in this profession.

Anonymous wrote:I'd much rather see furloughs and benefits changes than cutting positions. The rest of County government has taken that hit the past few years. Why can't teachers?

[Anonymous]

another future homeschooling parent

Keep it up; soon they'll be 1 teacher to every 45 kids at the elementary level b/c of your attitude.

way to support future generations, you selfish *&*

Anonymous wrote:Teachers need to take a stronger hit. We should understand they are upset about this possibility, but it must be done. We are thankful for the teachers' dedication, but it must be done. If they want to try the private sector, so be it. We wish them the best.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:another idiot

When you cut from us, you harm your children. Very few wish to enter this field, and people like you are the cause. You treat us with little respect, claim we're overpaid (our salary each year stops in June), protest when we fight for OUR rights, and yet expect us to bend over backward to meet the needs of your child.

blood from a stone, honey bun

Be prepared to homeschool your future Einstein b/c there won't be anyone left in this profession.

Anonymous wrote:I'd much rather see furloughs and benefits changes than cutting positions. The rest of County government has taken that hit the past few years. Why can't teachers?

Wow, classy. A teacher calling someone an idiot. I see we only hire the very best.

[Anonymous]

speaking of idiots-how many of you voted for leggett? how many voted for anyone who was on the last county council? don't you see the pattern?

$12 million -8 of it over budget for the Filmore
$4 million for the call n ride program
$500,000 for leggetts seucrity detail
the 52 ride on buses they couldn't use for over a year because the breaks caught on fire and they sat on a lot not being used.
Seeing they were the small buses each one probably cost about $75,000 so that is just about $4 million

just that small blurb there could saved $20 million

They can't manage, they can't lead yet the require restaraunts to post calories, they spent weeks on a transgender issue, and have no idea that if you invest in education, you get more popele off welfare down the road.

[Anonymous]

You are not better than anyone. We all work hard and, given the limited budget, there is a clear trade off between class size and teachers' take home pay. I am sure would prefer kids to take the hit through larger class sizes, but you must understand that parents do not agree with you. Do not pretend you are a better person. Honestly, when I listen to teachers (?) like you I feel worried. You should know that many of us can pay for private school.

Anonymous wrote:another future homeschooling parent

Keep it up; soon they'll be 1 teacher to every 45 kids at the elementary level b/c of your attitude.

way to support future generations, you selfish *&*

Anonymous wrote:Teachers need to take a stronger hit. We should understand they are upset about this possibility, but it must be done. We are thankful for the teachers' dedication, but it must be done. If they want to try the private sector, so be it. We wish them the best.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are not better than anyone. We all work hard and, given the limited budget, there is a clear trade off between class size and teachers' take home pay. I am sure would prefer kids to take the hit through larger class sizes, but you must understand that parents do not agree with you. Do not pretend you are a better person. Honestly, when I listen to teachers (?) like you I feel worried. You should know that many of us can pay for private school.

How much have you had to drink tonight?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You are not better than anyone. We all work hard and, given the limited budget, there is a clear trade off between class size and teachers' take home pay. I am sure would prefer kids to take the hit through larger class sizes, but you must understand that parents do not agree with you. Do not pretend you are a better person. Honestly, when I listen to teachers (?) like you I feel worried. You should know that many of us can pay for private school.

How much have you had to drink tonight?

Are you a teacher? Can you handle opinions different than yours without loosing your temper?

[Anonymous]

It's Jerry Weast and the school board who CHOOSE to make class sizes larger. The Council and Leggett have very little to do with it. MCPS could take the cuts in different ways and not impact children's education.

[Anonymous]

The vast majority of the budget goes to wages and benefits. It seems difficult to adjust to lower revenues without touching that. Things will get worse from here as interest rates go up in a year or two and funding becomes more expensive.

[Anonymous]

Wow, classy. A teacher calling someone an idiot. I see we only hire the very best.

I seriously doubt a teacher posted that... at least, I hope not!