Do you feel that your school district's budget will be cut significantly this coming school year?
pat
- 07/22/2011 12:50
No, as a matter of fact we have more money than last year, and instead of putting it back into educational initiatives, like computer and language classes, they are using the extra to turf our football field! Crazy, in this day and age.
Jan
- 07/19/2011 00:49
I know this budget cut is significant as I'm a teaher who's been surplused 2 years in a row.
Russell Grindle
- 07/12/2011 15:00
I began teaching Special Education last fall with no supply budget, then $84 which was magnanimously raised to $100. While getting the lowest pay in the SF Bay Area for what I do, I couldn't get a decent loan rate on my needed new (used) car because all of my student loans are calculated into my monthly debt/income ratio even though I am not paying them back except for interest. There is no prep time. This fall work begins when the students arrive but we are still expected to have viable lesson plans and staff supervision schedules in place when we begin. I have been told by both my staff and parents that I have it easy as a teacher because I get so much time off and work such a short day but the reality is that any caring teacher is always working. Oh, and did I mention that we are picking up a much larger share of our benefit costs in the fall? I love what I do but I have little respect for the politicians who condemn us without understanding the position they have put us in. Valuable experienced teachers are being driven away and little incentive exists for young people to enter the profession.
K Warren
- 07/10/2011 22:10
I entered my first art classroom with a budget of $1.800.00 in 1987. I will begin my 24th year in the classroom next month; my budget for 2011-2012 is $100.00. Yes, I would characterize that as being cut significantly. On the bright side, the visual arts have not been eliminated. I suggest that teachers take advantage of sites like Dick Blick's Art room Aid at http://www.dickblick.com/lists/find-
artroomaidlist/
Trish Lynch
- 07/10/2011 19:09
Go. Scott has made teachers public enemy #1. His view is that tenured teachers are sitting around waiting for their luxary retirement...OK. I have not had a raise in 3 years and since we are going on merit pay (which has not been funded) in 2014, I doubt that I will see a raise. Merit pay will vary, divided by # who earn it (they will keep that low) and how much money there is. We also are contributing to pension and health ins., which I know many do, and I do not disagree with in principal, but we are among lowest paid in state, and FL is one of lowest paid in country...not administrators, just teachers and support staff (2nd lowest in state). There is no money for supplies or books or anything else. Scott is pushing to put as many as possible on virtual school and dual enrollment, and we have just integrated the ESE full time in regular classes....can you say dismantling the public school system...it is not a factory, it is a school. They want all young teachers, burn them out and replace so they never have to raise pay or pay retirement. We will be on annual contracts so new principals can bring their buddies with them and put into the plum positions and keep tabs on the rest of the staff. It is a nightmare.
