Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It depends on *which* Syphax positions are cut. For instance, occupational therapists are technically “Syphax positions,” even though the OTs work in schools. So it depends…

Duran’s presentation specifies the positions that are proposed to be eliminated. They don’t appear to be student facing positions.

Most Syphax positions are not student facing. Most are just there to give schools more to do. 19 positions cut will have zero effect on schools.

More positions need cut. Too much bloat at Syphax!
They should also go back to their old leave schedule- no more FREE leave for Syphax folks!

+1000

Anonymous wrote:I am baffled at the proposed budget- 1% COLA and a step adjustment is absolutely inadequate, particularly when compared to FCPS's 6% increase on top of the 2% increase in Jan. How can the superintendent say that employee retention and compensation is a priority and then turn around and give teachers basically nothing. I am in a higher level step and my salary will increase by less than $2000.

Thanks Duran! Try again.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It depends on *which* Syphax positions are cut. For instance, occupational therapists are technically “Syphax positions,” even though the OTs work in schools. So it depends…

Duran’s presentation specifies the positions that are proposed to be eliminated. They don’t appear to be student facing positions.

Most Syphax positions are not student facing. Most are just there to give schools more to do. 19 positions cut will have zero effect on schools.

More positions need cut. Too much bloat at Syphax!
They should also go back to their old leave schedule- no more FREE leave for Syphax folks!

Unpopular opinion how to save money: Do residency checks, and the whole enrollment address verification annually. Unenroll, rinse repeat. Cut all the live translators at every single event and meeting unless they are unpaid volunteers. Preschoolers don’t need iPads, neither do young elementary students. Introduce in 4th or 5th grade. Cut the option programs with the lowest interest and enrollment. Like the 24 high school kids in dual immersion. Cut the bloated administrative apparatus. We do not need 50 DEI divisions at every school *and* at Syphax. Instead invest in teachers salaries, including SPED teachers, counselors, social workers. Hold firms who build for APS accountable, their proposals are far too expensive and they don’t get enough competition or scrutiny. It’s like the million dollar bus stop every time.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It depends on *which* Syphax positions are cut. For instance, occupational therapists are technically “Syphax positions,” even though the OTs work in schools. So it depends…

Duran’s presentation specifies the positions that are proposed to be eliminated. They don’t appear to be student facing positions.

Most Syphax positions are not student facing. Most are just there to give schools more to do. 19 positions cut will have zero effect on schools.

My point was merely to challenge the OP on what they think should be done to improve the proposed budget. In other places, people have said central office staff should be cut, but they are actually doing that in this budget. If 80% of the budget goes to compensation, I’m not sure there are actually cuts they can make elsewhere that will make a significant impact on the ability to do things like give bigger raises. I think they need to bring in more revenue and the way to do that is advocate for more from the state or county.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It depends on *which* Syphax positions are cut. For instance, occupational therapists are technically “Syphax positions,” even though the OTs work in schools. So it depends…

Duran’s presentation specifies the positions that are proposed to be eliminated. They don’t appear to be student facing positions.

Most Syphax positions are not student facing. Most are just there to give schools more to do. 19 positions cut will have zero effect on schools.

Anonymous wrote:It depends on *which* Syphax positions are cut. For instance, occupational therapists are technically “Syphax positions,” even though the OTs work in schools. So it depends…

Duran’s presentation specifies the positions that are proposed to be eliminated. They don’t appear to be student facing positions.

It depends on *which* Syphax positions are cut. For instance, occupational therapists are technically “Syphax positions,” even though the OTs work in schools. So it depends…

What do you recommend they do? Duran’s presentation said they are cutting 21 FTEs from the central office and 80% of the budget is allocated to compensation. Given that much is allocated to compensation, it doesn’t seem like there’s a lot of places to cut that would have a marked effect on the ability to raise salaries much more. The budget has teachers get an average 3.3% raise. Where I work in the private sector, 3% has been the average annual salary increase for the past few years (maybe 5% average if it’s a good year). Health insurance costs are up everywhere (public and private sectors). It seems the best thing to do would be to advocate for more money from the state or county.

But they are also cutting syphax significantly, right? That seems like something positive. I see all these tech items in the budget and outside contracts with various online tutors and counseling. Do people really use these? So they work? When you put them all together they cost a ton!!

And decreases in teaching positions per school? What the actual….

Anonymous wrote:And Syphax laughs...

and enjoys the beach with all their days off.

And Syphax laughs...

Totally agree. How did we get into this mess in the first place?? Nobody saw it coming when they added so many new positions?

I am baffled at the proposed budget- 1% COLA and a step adjustment is absolutely inadequate, particularly when compared to FCPS's 6% increase on top of the 2% increase in Jan. How can the superintendent say that employee retention and compensation is a priority and then turn around and give teachers basically nothing. I am in a higher level step and my salary will increase by less than $2000.