Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The brutal truth, pp, is that this isn't unique to education, either. A significant amount of government spending goes directly and indirectly to labor. Government employees like teachers. Funding for labor-intensive services like health care. Maintaining government services at an equal level requires spending more money than inflation each year.

This is not inherently unsustainable, though. Economic output is increasing overall, too. If wages, overall, increase faster than tax increases, then it's fine indefinitely. Even if the tax rate goes up, if you still have more money due to the economic improvements, it's a net win for you.

Part of the problem is that wages have stagnated, though, with the bulk of those economic improvements going to the wealthy. That's a problem that needs societal improvements and tax changes.

The county employees don't get the same pay raises and benefits MCPS employees get, especially when you look at salaries of equal jobs and one is a 10 month employee vs. a 12 month employee.

MoCo needs to make spending cuts and choose its priorities.

Or choose its priorities and increase taxes.

DP, but I think a lot of people in the county would put schools at the top of their priority list for county resources.

And FWIW, I generally agree teacher pay is pretty good at first glance. But the working conditions, time demands, and lack of flexibility are major challenges. In light of those, the pay isn't great. Personally, I think we'd be better off hiring more staff to both improve education and reduce the demands on individual teachers, but that is a more expensive solution than paying teachers a little more to encourage retention.

Teachers and MCPS staff are paid better and get better benefits than county employees. Most people work evenings and weekends and don't have flexibility. Enough is enough with the lack of accountability and waste and increasing taxes.

Yes, teachers have generally have higher pay and better benefits than comparable county positions, adjusted for the 10 month position. But classroom teachers absolutely with longer hours and have significantly less flexibility than those other positions.

I'm generally not one to defend teachers, but the characteristics of the position are awful compared to other professional jobs. At least, until you get into positions that pay far more.

Clearly, you have never worked some of those jobs if you are saying teachers work longer hours and harder. Many of the county jobs are not 9-5.

Back on topic. Has anyone seen the actual FY27 Operating Budget? It is still not public. Maybe someone on a secret committee has a copy?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The brutal truth, pp, is that this isn't unique to education, either. A significant amount of government spending goes directly and indirectly to labor. Government employees like teachers. Funding for labor-intensive services like health care. Maintaining government services at an equal level requires spending more money than inflation each year.

This is not inherently unsustainable, though. Economic output is increasing overall, too. If wages, overall, increase faster than tax increases, then it's fine indefinitely. Even if the tax rate goes up, if you still have more money due to the economic improvements, it's a net win for you.

Part of the problem is that wages have stagnated, though, with the bulk of those economic improvements going to the wealthy. That's a problem that needs societal improvements and tax changes.

The county employees don't get the same pay raises and benefits MCPS employees get, especially when you look at salaries of equal jobs and one is a 10 month employee vs. a 12 month employee.

MoCo needs to make spending cuts and choose its priorities.

Or choose its priorities and increase taxes.

DP, but I think a lot of people in the county would put schools at the top of their priority list for county resources.

And FWIW, I generally agree teacher pay is pretty good at first glance. But the working conditions, time demands, and lack of flexibility are major challenges. In light of those, the pay isn't great. Personally, I think we'd be better off hiring more staff to both improve education and reduce the demands on individual teachers, but that is a more expensive solution than paying teachers a little more to encourage retention.

Teachers and MCPS staff are paid better and get better benefits than county employees. Most people work evenings and weekends and don't have flexibility. Enough is enough with the lack of accountability and waste and increasing taxes.

Yes, teachers have generally have higher pay and better benefits than comparable county positions, adjusted for the 10 month position. But classroom teachers absolutely with longer hours and have significantly less flexibility than those other positions.

I'm generally not one to defend teachers, but the characteristics of the position are awful compared to other professional jobs. At least, until you get into positions that pay far more.

Clearly, you have never worked some of those jobs if you are saying teachers work longer hours and harder. Many of the county jobs are not 9-5.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The brutal truth, pp, is that this isn't unique to education, either. A significant amount of government spending goes directly and indirectly to labor. Government employees like teachers. Funding for labor-intensive services like health care. Maintaining government services at an equal level requires spending more money than inflation each year.

This is not inherently unsustainable, though. Economic output is increasing overall, too. If wages, overall, increase faster than tax increases, then it's fine indefinitely. Even if the tax rate goes up, if you still have more money due to the economic improvements, it's a net win for you.

Part of the problem is that wages have stagnated, though, with the bulk of those economic improvements going to the wealthy. That's a problem that needs societal improvements and tax changes.

The county employees don't get the same pay raises and benefits MCPS employees get, especially when you look at salaries of equal jobs and one is a 10 month employee vs. a 12 month employee.

MoCo needs to make spending cuts and choose its priorities.

Or choose its priorities and increase taxes.

DP, but I think a lot of people in the county would put schools at the top of their priority list for county resources.

And FWIW, I generally agree teacher pay is pretty good at first glance. But the working conditions, time demands, and lack of flexibility are major challenges. In light of those, the pay isn't great. Personally, I think we'd be better off hiring more staff to both improve education and reduce the demands on individual teachers, but that is a more expensive solution than paying teachers a little more to encourage retention.

Teachers and MCPS staff are paid better and get better benefits than county employees. Most people work evenings and weekends and don't have flexibility. Enough is enough with the lack of accountability and waste and increasing taxes.

Yes, teachers have generally have higher pay and better benefits than comparable county positions, adjusted for the 10 month position. But classroom teachers absolutely with longer hours and have significantly less flexibility than those other positions.

I'm generally not one to defend teachers, but the characteristics of the position are awful compared to other professional jobs. At least, until you get into positions that pay far more.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The brutal truth, pp, is that this isn't unique to education, either. A significant amount of government spending goes directly and indirectly to labor. Government employees like teachers. Funding for labor-intensive services like health care. Maintaining government services at an equal level requires spending more money than inflation each year.

This is not inherently unsustainable, though. Economic output is increasing overall, too. If wages, overall, increase faster than tax increases, then it's fine indefinitely. Even if the tax rate goes up, if you still have more money due to the economic improvements, it's a net win for you.

Part of the problem is that wages have stagnated, though, with the bulk of those economic improvements going to the wealthy. That's a problem that needs societal improvements and tax changes.

The county employees don't get the same pay raises and benefits MCPS employees get, especially when you look at salaries of equal jobs and one is a 10 month employee vs. a 12 month employee.

MoCo needs to make spending cuts and choose its priorities.

Or choose its priorities and increase taxes.

DP, but I think a lot of people in the county would put schools at the top of their priority list for county resources.

And FWIW, I generally agree teacher pay is pretty good at first glance. But the working conditions, time demands, and lack of flexibility are major challenges. In light of those, the pay isn't great. Personally, I think we'd be better off hiring more staff to both improve education and reduce the demands on individual teachers, but that is a more expensive solution than paying teachers a little more to encourage retention.

Teachers and MCPS staff are paid better and get better benefits than county employees. Most people work evenings and weekends and don't have flexibility. Enough is enough with the lack of accountability and waste and increasing taxes.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The brutal truth, pp, is that this isn't unique to education, either. A significant amount of government spending goes directly and indirectly to labor. Government employees like teachers. Funding for labor-intensive services like health care. Maintaining government services at an equal level requires spending more money than inflation each year.

This is not inherently unsustainable, though. Economic output is increasing overall, too. If wages, overall, increase faster than tax increases, then it's fine indefinitely. Even if the tax rate goes up, if you still have more money due to the economic improvements, it's a net win for you.

Part of the problem is that wages have stagnated, though, with the bulk of those economic improvements going to the wealthy. That's a problem that needs societal improvements and tax changes.

The county employees don't get the same pay raises and benefits MCPS employees get, especially when you look at salaries of equal jobs and one is a 10 month employee vs. a 12 month employee.

MoCo needs to make spending cuts and choose its priorities.

Or choose its priorities and increase taxes.

DP, but I think a lot of people in the county would put schools at the top of their priority list for county resources.

And FWIW, I generally agree teacher pay is pretty good at first glance. But the working conditions, time demands, and lack of flexibility are major challenges. In light of those, the pay isn't great. Personally, I think we'd be better off hiring more staff to both improve education and reduce the demands on individual teachers, but that is a more expensive solution than paying teachers a little more to encourage retention.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The brutal truth, pp, is that this isn't unique to education, either. A significant amount of government spending goes directly and indirectly to labor. Government employees like teachers. Funding for labor-intensive services like health care. Maintaining government services at an equal level requires spending more money than inflation each year.

This is not inherently unsustainable, though. Economic output is increasing overall, too. If wages, overall, increase faster than tax increases, then it's fine indefinitely. Even if the tax rate goes up, if you still have more money due to the economic improvements, it's a net win for you.

Part of the problem is that wages have stagnated, though, with the bulk of those economic improvements going to the wealthy. That's a problem that needs societal improvements and tax changes.

The county employees don't get the same pay raises and benefits MCPS employees get, especially when you look at salaries of equal jobs and one is a 10 month employee vs. a 12 month employee.

MoCo needs to make spending cuts and choose its priorities.

Or choose its priorities and increase taxes.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tonight, Dr. Taylor will release his 2027 operating budget recommendations:

This is going to drive the rest of the conversation for the school system between now and the June, so you'll want to tune in, pay attention and take lots of notes.

I predict gimmicky props and cringey dad jokes from Taylor. But given the budget shortfalls at the state and county levels, I also expect some pretty sobering statements and decisions as well as we simply don't have the money to fix all that is broken with MCPS. At least not all at once and in the face of declining enrollments and stagnant growth in the county.

Let's be clear: we- the county and state- do have the money if we would prioritize and fund schools appropriately, as has been done in the past. There just isn't public support or political will to do the necessary tax increases or other-spending decreases to do so.

We have a $1.5 billion shortfall at the state level. What kind of pocket change can be found in the couch cushions to close that kind of gap?

At the county level: We JUST raised taxes in 2023 https://dcist.com/story/23/05/25/md-montgomery-county-council-property-taxes-hike/

You think there's more appetite or willingness to raise property taxes AGAIN in the face of our county being decimated by DOGE and all of the chaos at the White House?

And even if we could muster that political will up, WHY should anyone feel good about pouring more money into MCPS with all of its systemic failures and incompetence?

MCPS has been a problem that seemingly no amount of money can fix.

Couldn’t agree more. Let’s get a proper audit of all the programs and central office staff. Program after program yet no true idea of they are actually working except students barely meeting standards. How many central staffers that make $200k contribute something tangible. The debacle of the boundaries is ongoing. This system feels rudderless with everyone just going off on their pet project.

Now they want more money??

So you want a pay freeze and reduction in benefits for teachers?

Most people don’t get regular raises. They make good money for 10 month jobs. Central office staff salaries should be cut or jobs eliminated.

Some people bounce around between jobs to get bigger, but less frequent, raises. But that doesn't apply to positions like teaching. Instead they get smaller annual raises. Notice how public sector positions also don't see windfalls during economic booms.

Public sector trade stability and they can move around jurisdictions. Many don’t get raises at all. My spouse gets no raises, no benefits and no pto.

You're limited in your ability to move around because of how pensions work. And the size of the districts.

Also, part of that stability that overall pay is traded off for is the small annual salary adjustments.

The unfortunate truth is that government employees generally don’t get raises when there is a recession or economic downturn. MoCo is definitely in the midst of an economic downturn. Lots of MoCo citizens are struggling now and government employees aren’t immune from economic woes.

Generally they have, with it being just a recent idea that they might not. The problem should be obvious. If you won't give COLAs during recessions, and it is politically intractable to provide more than the annual inflation rate other years, then pay simply goes down.

MCPS has "gone back" on raises many times during the years. It is common for the news to report large pay increases, but then the pay raise in the later years of the contract do not actually occur. How much pay has increased or not throughout the years for MCPS staff is probably better than what teachers feel like it has been, but not as good as the public thinks it has been.

You do realize most people don’t get yearly raises including other county employees. Many of us did not get paid during the fed shut down, many Feds and private industry have lost their jobs, county keeps increasing taxes and we are all being hit with inflation.

If you don't get a raise most years to keep you even with the cost of living, you need a better job, a union, or both. Not everyone gets merit raises but everyone should be getting cost of living increases almost every year no matter what your job is.

You clearly don’t get how other jobs work. The only way to get more money is job jump. Expecting another increase in taxes is obnoxious right now.

+1. Many many jobs do not give increases every year that keep up with cost of living. Just like many don’t give bonuses or stock options. Some of ya’ll are clearly out of touch with the real world.

It would be different if, when times are good, we provided higher-than-inflation adjustments to make up for the bad years. But people complain about that too. So unless COLAs are consistent, wages go down. What do you think happens to the quality of employees when you continue to reduce pay over time? Particularly professional jobs?

Also, I suspect much of the increase covers the district's increased costs for its share of benefits. Even if wages remain fixed, employers end up paying more for benefits each year.

My issue with your comments is that you're ignoring basic facts about labor costs. You did argue that the increased funding would go to something unreasonable. You suggested any increase was unreasonable, while failing to acknowledge that, over time, increases are inevitable. Your lack of understanding regarding labor costs leads you to wildly unreasonable expectations.

Do you understand that most people are not getting raises and many are lucky to have their jobs, yet cannot afford higher property taxes? Do you get some people didn't get paid with the government shutdown (contractors), and many service jobs didn't either due to the trickle-down effect? Do you understand how many feds have lost their jobs in the last two years and some still aren't working?

We already pay a huge amount in taxes. MCPS needs to cut back on other areas or learn to say no. This is all our tax money, and there should be accountability and transparency in every dollar spent. MCPS has gotten out of control and not much to show for it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The brutal truth, pp, is that this isn't unique to education, either. A significant amount of government spending goes directly and indirectly to labor. Government employees like teachers. Funding for labor-intensive services like health care. Maintaining government services at an equal level requires spending more money than inflation each year.

This is not inherently unsustainable, though. Economic output is increasing overall, too. If wages, overall, increase faster than tax increases, then it's fine indefinitely. Even if the tax rate goes up, if you still have more money due to the economic improvements, it's a net win for you.

Part of the problem is that wages have stagnated, though, with the bulk of those economic improvements going to the wealthy. That's a problem that needs societal improvements and tax changes.

The county employees don't get the same pay raises and benefits MCPS employees get, especially when you look at salaries of equal jobs and one is a 10 month employee vs. a 12 month employee.

MoCo needs to make spending cuts and choose its priorities.

Or choose its priorities and increase taxes.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The brutal truth, pp, is that this isn't unique to education, either. A significant amount of government spending goes directly and indirectly to labor. Government employees like teachers. Funding for labor-intensive services like health care. Maintaining government services at an equal level requires spending more money than inflation each year.

This is not inherently unsustainable, though. Economic output is increasing overall, too. If wages, overall, increase faster than tax increases, then it's fine indefinitely. Even if the tax rate goes up, if you still have more money due to the economic improvements, it's a net win for you.

Part of the problem is that wages have stagnated, though, with the bulk of those economic improvements going to the wealthy. That's a problem that needs societal improvements and tax changes.

The county employees don't get the same pay raises and benefits MCPS employees get, especially when you look at salaries of equal jobs and one is a 10 month employee vs. a 12 month employee.

MoCo needs to make spending cuts and choose its priorities.

Anonymous wrote:The brutal truth, pp, is that this isn't unique to education, either. A significant amount of government spending goes directly and indirectly to labor. Government employees like teachers. Funding for labor-intensive services like health care. Maintaining government services at an equal level requires spending more money than inflation each year.

This is not inherently unsustainable, though. Economic output is increasing overall, too. If wages, overall, increase faster than tax increases, then it's fine indefinitely. Even if the tax rate goes up, if you still have more money due to the economic improvements, it's a net win for you.

Part of the problem is that wages have stagnated, though, with the bulk of those economic improvements going to the wealthy. That's a problem that needs societal improvements and tax changes.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tonight, Dr. Taylor will release his 2027 operating budget recommendations:

This is going to drive the rest of the conversation for the school system between now and the June, so you'll want to tune in, pay attention and take lots of notes.

I predict gimmicky props and cringey dad jokes from Taylor. But given the budget shortfalls at the state and county levels, I also expect some pretty sobering statements and decisions as well as we simply don't have the money to fix all that is broken with MCPS. At least not all at once and in the face of declining enrollments and stagnant growth in the county.

Let's be clear: we- the county and state- do have the money if we would prioritize and fund schools appropriately, as has been done in the past. There just isn't public support or political will to do the necessary tax increases or other-spending decreases to do so.

We have a $1.5 billion shortfall at the state level. What kind of pocket change can be found in the couch cushions to close that kind of gap?

At the county level: We JUST raised taxes in 2023 https://dcist.com/story/23/05/25/md-montgomery-county-council-property-taxes-hike/

You think there's more appetite or willingness to raise property taxes AGAIN in the face of our county being decimated by DOGE and all of the chaos at the White House?

And even if we could muster that political will up, WHY should anyone feel good about pouring more money into MCPS with all of its systemic failures and incompetence?

MCPS has been a problem that seemingly no amount of money can fix.

Couldn’t agree more. Let’s get a proper audit of all the programs and central office staff. Program after program yet no true idea of they are actually working except students barely meeting standards. How many central staffers that make $200k contribute something tangible. The debacle of the boundaries is ongoing. This system feels rudderless with everyone just going off on their pet project.

Now they want more money??

So you want a pay freeze and reduction in benefits for teachers?

Most people don’t get regular raises. They make good money for 10 month jobs. Central office staff salaries should be cut or jobs eliminated.

Some people bounce around between jobs to get bigger, but less frequent, raises. But that doesn't apply to positions like teaching. Instead they get smaller annual raises. Notice how public sector positions also don't see windfalls during economic booms.

Public sector trade stability and they can move around jurisdictions. Many don’t get raises at all. My spouse gets no raises, no benefits and no pto.

You're limited in your ability to move around because of how pensions work. And the size of the districts.

Also, part of that stability that overall pay is traded off for is the small annual salary adjustments.

The unfortunate truth is that government employees generally don’t get raises when there is a recession or economic downturn. MoCo is definitely in the midst of an economic downturn. Lots of MoCo citizens are struggling now and government employees aren’t immune from economic woes.

Generally they have, with it being just a recent idea that they might not. The problem should be obvious. If you won't give COLAs during recessions, and it is politically intractable to provide more than the annual inflation rate other years, then pay simply goes down.

MCPS has "gone back" on raises many times during the years. It is common for the news to report large pay increases, but then the pay raise in the later years of the contract do not actually occur. How much pay has increased or not throughout the years for MCPS staff is probably better than what teachers feel like it has been, but not as good as the public thinks it has been.

You do realize most people don’t get yearly raises including other county employees. Many of us did not get paid during the fed shut down, many Feds and private industry have lost their jobs, county keeps increasing taxes and we are all being hit with inflation.

If you don't get a raise most years to keep you even with the cost of living, you need a better job, a union, or both. Not everyone gets merit raises but everyone should be getting cost of living increases almost every year no matter what your job is.

You clearly don’t get how other jobs work. The only way to get more money is job jump. Expecting another increase in taxes is obnoxious right now.

+1. Many many jobs do not give increases every year that keep up with cost of living. Just like many don’t give bonuses or stock options. Some of ya’ll are clearly out of touch with the real world.

It would be different if, when times are good, we provided higher-than-inflation adjustments to make up for the bad years. But people complain about that too. So unless COLAs are consistent, wages go down. What do you think happens to the quality of employees when you continue to reduce pay over time? Particularly professional jobs?

Also, I suspect much of the increase covers the district's increased costs for its share of benefits. Even if wages remain fixed, employers end up paying more for benefits each year.

My issue with your comments is that you're ignoring basic facts about labor costs. You did argue that the increased funding would go to something unreasonable. You suggested any increase was unreasonable, while failing to acknowledge that, over time, increases are inevitable. Your lack of understanding regarding labor costs leads you to wildly unreasonable expectations.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tonight, Dr. Taylor will release his 2027 operating budget recommendations:

This is going to drive the rest of the conversation for the school system between now and the June, so you'll want to tune in, pay attention and take lots of notes.

I predict gimmicky props and cringey dad jokes from Taylor. But given the budget shortfalls at the state and county levels, I also expect some pretty sobering statements and decisions as well as we simply don't have the money to fix all that is broken with MCPS. At least not all at once and in the face of declining enrollments and stagnant growth in the county.

Let's be clear: we- the county and state- do have the money if we would prioritize and fund schools appropriately, as has been done in the past. There just isn't public support or political will to do the necessary tax increases or other-spending decreases to do so.

We have a $1.5 billion shortfall at the state level. What kind of pocket change can be found in the couch cushions to close that kind of gap?

At the county level: We JUST raised taxes in 2023 https://dcist.com/story/23/05/25/md-montgomery-county-council-property-taxes-hike/

You think there's more appetite or willingness to raise property taxes AGAIN in the face of our county being decimated by DOGE and all of the chaos at the White House?

And even if we could muster that political will up, WHY should anyone feel good about pouring more money into MCPS with all of its systemic failures and incompetence?

MCPS has been a problem that seemingly no amount of money can fix.

Couldn’t agree more. Let’s get a proper audit of all the programs and central office staff. Program after program yet no true idea of they are actually working except students barely meeting standards. How many central staffers that make $200k contribute something tangible. The debacle of the boundaries is ongoing. This system feels rudderless with everyone just going off on their pet project.

Now they want more money??

So you want a pay freeze and reduction in benefits for teachers?

Most people don’t get regular raises. They make good money for 10 month jobs. Central office staff salaries should be cut or jobs eliminated.

Some people bounce around between jobs to get bigger, but less frequent, raises. But that doesn't apply to positions like teaching. Instead they get smaller annual raises. Notice how public sector positions also don't see windfalls during economic booms.

Public sector trade stability and they can move around jurisdictions. Many don’t get raises at all. My spouse gets no raises, no benefits and no pto.

You're limited in your ability to move around because of how pensions work. And the size of the districts.

Also, part of that stability that overall pay is traded off for is the small annual salary adjustments.

The unfortunate truth is that government employees generally don’t get raises when there is a recession or economic downturn. MoCo is definitely in the midst of an economic downturn. Lots of MoCo citizens are struggling now and government employees aren’t immune from economic woes.

Generally they have, with it being just a recent idea that they might not. The problem should be obvious. If you won't give COLAs during recessions, and it is politically intractable to provide more than the annual inflation rate other years, then pay simply goes down.

MCPS has "gone back" on raises many times during the years. It is common for the news to report large pay increases, but then the pay raise in the later years of the contract do not actually occur. How much pay has increased or not throughout the years for MCPS staff is probably better than what teachers feel like it has been, but not as good as the public thinks it has been.

You do realize most people don’t get yearly raises including other county employees. Many of us did not get paid during the fed shut down, many Feds and private industry have lost their jobs, county keeps increasing taxes and we are all being hit with inflation.

If you don't get a raise most years to keep you even with the cost of living, you need a better job, a union, or both. Not everyone gets merit raises but everyone should be getting cost of living increases almost every year no matter what your job is.

You clearly don’t get how other jobs work. The only way to get more money is job jump. Expecting another increase in taxes is obnoxious right now.

+1. Many many jobs do not give increases every year that keep up with cost of living. Just like many don’t give bonuses or stock options. Some of ya’ll are clearly out of touch with the real world.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tonight, Dr. Taylor will release his 2027 operating budget recommendations:

This is going to drive the rest of the conversation for the school system between now and the June, so you'll want to tune in, pay attention and take lots of notes.

I predict gimmicky props and cringey dad jokes from Taylor. But given the budget shortfalls at the state and county levels, I also expect some pretty sobering statements and decisions as well as we simply don't have the money to fix all that is broken with MCPS. At least not all at once and in the face of declining enrollments and stagnant growth in the county.

Let's be clear: we- the county and state- do have the money if we would prioritize and fund schools appropriately, as has been done in the past. There just isn't public support or political will to do the necessary tax increases or other-spending decreases to do so.

We have a $1.5 billion shortfall at the state level. What kind of pocket change can be found in the couch cushions to close that kind of gap?

At the county level: We JUST raised taxes in 2023 https://dcist.com/story/23/05/25/md-montgomery-county-council-property-taxes-hike/

You think there's more appetite or willingness to raise property taxes AGAIN in the face of our county being decimated by DOGE and all of the chaos at the White House?

And even if we could muster that political will up, WHY should anyone feel good about pouring more money into MCPS with all of its systemic failures and incompetence?

MCPS has been a problem that seemingly no amount of money can fix.

Couldn’t agree more. Let’s get a proper audit of all the programs and central office staff. Program after program yet no true idea of they are actually working except students barely meeting standards. How many central staffers that make $200k contribute something tangible. The debacle of the boundaries is ongoing. This system feels rudderless with everyone just going off on their pet project.

Now they want more money??

So you want a pay freeze and reduction in benefits for teachers?

Most people don’t get regular raises. They make good money for 10 month jobs. Central office staff salaries should be cut or jobs eliminated.

Some people bounce around between jobs to get bigger, but less frequent, raises. But that doesn't apply to positions like teaching. Instead they get smaller annual raises. Notice how public sector positions also don't see windfalls during economic booms.

Public sector trade stability and they can move around jurisdictions. Many don’t get raises at all. My spouse gets no raises, no benefits and no pto.

You're limited in your ability to move around because of how pensions work. And the size of the districts.

Also, part of that stability that overall pay is traded off for is the small annual salary adjustments.

The unfortunate truth is that government employees generally don’t get raises when there is a recession or economic downturn. MoCo is definitely in the midst of an economic downturn. Lots of MoCo citizens are struggling now and government employees aren’t immune from economic woes.

Generally they have, with it being just a recent idea that they might not. The problem should be obvious. If you won't give COLAs during recessions, and it is politically intractable to provide more than the annual inflation rate other years, then pay simply goes down.

MCPS has "gone back" on raises many times during the years. It is common for the news to report large pay increases, but then the pay raise in the later years of the contract do not actually occur. How much pay has increased or not throughout the years for MCPS staff is probably better than what teachers feel like it has been, but not as good as the public thinks it has been.

You do realize most people don’t get yearly raises including other county employees. Many of us did not get paid during the fed shut down, many Feds and private industry have lost their jobs, county keeps increasing taxes and we are all being hit with inflation.

If you don't get a raise most years to keep you even with the cost of living, you need a better job, a union, or both. Not everyone gets merit raises but everyone should be getting cost of living increases almost every year no matter what your job is.

You clearly don’t get how other jobs work. The only way to get more money is job jump. Expecting another increase in taxes is obnoxious right now.

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Anonymous wrote:Tonight, Dr. Taylor will release his 2027 operating budget recommendations:

This is going to drive the rest of the conversation for the school system between now and the June, so you'll want to tune in, pay attention and take lots of notes.

I predict gimmicky props and cringey dad jokes from Taylor. But given the budget shortfalls at the state and county levels, I also expect some pretty sobering statements and decisions as well as we simply don't have the money to fix all that is broken with MCPS. At least not all at once and in the face of declining enrollments and stagnant growth in the county.

Let's be clear: we- the county and state- do have the money if we would prioritize and fund schools appropriately, as has been done in the past. There just isn't public support or political will to do the necessary tax increases or other-spending decreases to do so.

We have a $1.5 billion shortfall at the state level. What kind of pocket change can be found in the couch cushions to close that kind of gap?

At the county level: We JUST raised taxes in 2023 https://dcist.com/story/23/05/25/md-montgomery-county-council-property-taxes-hike/

You think there's more appetite or willingness to raise property taxes AGAIN in the face of our county being decimated by DOGE and all of the chaos at the White House?

And even if we could muster that political will up, WHY should anyone feel good about pouring more money into MCPS with all of its systemic failures and incompetence?

MCPS has been a problem that seemingly no amount of money can fix.

Couldn’t agree more. Let’s get a proper audit of all the programs and central office staff. Program after program yet no true idea of they are actually working except students barely meeting standards. How many central staffers that make $200k contribute something tangible. The debacle of the boundaries is ongoing. This system feels rudderless with everyone just going off on their pet project.

Now they want more money??

So you want a pay freeze and reduction in benefits for teachers?

Most people don’t get regular raises. They make good money for 10 month jobs. Central office staff salaries should be cut or jobs eliminated.

Some people bounce around between jobs to get bigger, but less frequent, raises. But that doesn't apply to positions like teaching. Instead they get smaller annual raises. Notice how public sector positions also don't see windfalls during economic booms.

Public sector trade stability and they can move around jurisdictions. Many don’t get raises at all. My spouse gets no raises, no benefits and no pto.

You're limited in your ability to move around because of how pensions work. And the size of the districts.

Also, part of that stability that overall pay is traded off for is the small annual salary adjustments.

The unfortunate truth is that government employees generally don’t get raises when there is a recession or economic downturn. MoCo is definitely in the midst of an economic downturn. Lots of MoCo citizens are struggling now and government employees aren’t immune from economic woes.

Generally they have, with it being just a recent idea that they might not. The problem should be obvious. If you won't give COLAs during recessions, and it is politically intractable to provide more than the annual inflation rate other years, then pay simply goes down.

MCPS has "gone back" on raises many times during the years. It is common for the news to report large pay increases, but then the pay raise in the later years of the contract do not actually occur. How much pay has increased or not throughout the years for MCPS staff is probably better than what teachers feel like it has been, but not as good as the public thinks it has been.

You do realize most people don’t get yearly raises including other county employees. Many of us did not get paid during the fed shut down, many Feds and private industry have lost their jobs, county keeps increasing taxes and we are all being hit with inflation.

If you don't get a raise most years to keep you even with the cost of living, you need a better job, a union, or both. Not everyone gets merit raises but everyone should be getting cost of living increases almost every year no matter what your job is.

You clearly don’t get how other jobs work. The only way to get more money is job jump. Expecting another increase in taxes is obnoxious right now.

You know a nominal increase in funding doesn't necessarily mean an increase in tax rates, right? Tax revenue typically goes up each year, too. The other post floating around wasn't saying that tax revenue was projected to decrease- it was saying it just isn't projected to increase by as much as previously expected.