School Budget and Program Cuts....

[jen276here]

So I am going to the school board meeting tonight to find out what the proposed cuts are, but am curious how everyone feels about this. What programs are 'cuttable' and why? What shouldn't be cut?

[beth119]

MOST of the arts, IMO are NOT cuttable.

The sailing team is.

Libraries...NOT...
Teachers..NOT (or their salaries)
Substitubes (being eliminated here) I could see getting by with if need be
The landscaping (other than mowing and bug control) can go. My kids don't need flower beds for a good education at this point...
THings like new playgroud equptment can wait, unless it is not handicapped accessible or is dangerous (falling apart)
The beauty pagents for ELEMENTARY can GO (or at least have a PRODUCTIVE fundraiser)
New computers can wait.
New smartboards can wait.
If new textbooks aren't NEEDED they CAN wait...
Company cars for superintendent and other admin can GO
Leave the teachers benefits alone...
This whole drive across town for one kid for a special program bus system can GO....

OMG... I could sit here all day...

[jen276here]

BEAUTY PAGEANT FOR ELEMENTARY????? OMG what school district does that?! If that is school funded, that would be out.the.door..... We all think our kids are wonderful and cute but competitions based on appearance do not belong in a school!!! What is the educational basis of a beauty pageant anyway???

[thorrocks1]

Beth, this is the 2nd time in just a few days that you have "made me" spit water on my keyboard .. BEAUTY PAGEANTS .. oh my gosh .. that is hysterical ..

[thorrocks1]

I don't believe computers should be put on hold .. update where needed .. let's face it technology is here to stay and our kids need to stay up to date.

smart boards are a waste of money as well ..

sports, art, music, drama etc. need to stay .. kids need to stay busy .. there is a school system here in MA that just voted to cut out all extra curricular things and the parents, teachers and kids are furious

[beth119]

BEAUTY PAGEANT FOR ELEMENTARY????? OMG what school district does that?! If that is school funded, that would be out.the.door..... We all think our kids are wonderful and cute but competitions based on appearance do not belong in a school!!! What is the educational basis of a beauty pageant anyway???

Beth, this is the 2nd time in just a few days that you have "made me" spit water on my keyboard .. BEAUTY PAGEANTS .. oh my gosh .. that is hysterical ..

LOL. Actually it was PTA funded. The most insanely ridiculous thing I have EVER seen.
If they need money, lets try something with a more educational slant...
It prob shouldn't have been included on the list...but I am still PISSED that they would even do it! (although, it was held on school property, which uses resources..)

I don't believe computers should be put on hold .. update where needed .. let's face it technology is here to stay and our kids need to stay up to date.

smart boards are a waste of money as well ..

sports, art, music, drama etc. need to stay .. kids need to stay busy .. there is a school system here in MA that just voted to cut out all extra curricular things and the parents, teachers and kids are furious

Computers can be updated without being replaced. If they NEED to be replaced, then ok. But IMO, there is no need for new ones every year. Especially if it means cutting teachers.

I think that 99% of extra curricular needs to stay too. (except for the sailing team ) I don't oppose a pay for play fee though. Within reason.

[thorrocks1]

As a former PTO President, I am really shocked that the board agreed to do such a fundraiser! I am still laughing ..

[beth119]

As a former PTO President, I am really shocked that the board agreed to do such a fundraiser! I am still laughing ..

Thankfully, it wasn't at my kids school. We have 7 or 8 elementary schools in the county, and it was the one down the road.
I have several friends who have kids their. They refused to let their girls participate. They even had a list of rules like, "No false teeth".. WTH? When an elementary school has to put that on a list...its time to rethink the whole darn thing. :hectic1:

Its a HORRIBLE image to send to girls through THEIR SCHOOL! There were signs and posters all up and down the halls, millions of flyers sent home...ugh.

I doubt they got permission from anyone. They never do.

[beth119]

Oh, and another thing....

They had this thing about buying tickets to vote for the "Overall Ms Sterling" or something like that.

Basically, whoever wanted to spend the most money, could buy their kid the crown.

[CW&M Mom]

MOST of the arts, IMO are NOT cuttable.

The sailing team is.

Libraries...NOT...
Teachers..NOT (or their salaries)
Substitubes (being eliminated here) I could see getting by with if need be
The landscaping (other than mowing and bug control) can go. My kids don't need flower beds for a good education at this point...
THings like new playgroud equptment can wait, unless it is not handicapped accessible or is dangerous (falling apart)
The beauty pagents for ELEMENTARY can GO (or at least have a PRODUCTIVE fundraiser)
New computers can wait.
New smartboards can wait.
If new textbooks aren't NEEDED they CAN wait...
Company cars for superintendent and other admin can GO
Leave the teachers benefits alone...
This whole drive across town for one kid for a special program bus system can GO....

OMG... I could sit here all day...

I agree with everything but this This whole drive across town for one kid for a special program bus system can GO....

They are required to pick up the kid for the special program IF they are in special ed (which is where most of the picking up one child comes from). However some places have figured out that you don't need a freaking bus always to pick up one child... Use a van, car, heck hire a cab LOL can be cheaper than the bus.