Green is cutting jobs in the wrong places
Has anyone else noticed that most of the cuts that Guilford County Schools Superintendent Maurice “Mo” Green has implemented are positions that deal directly with students? People are constantly asking, “Why are schools failing?”
The answer isn’t because the schools, the teachers or even the students are bad. It is because the “leaders” at the top end of the hierarchy of the school system do away with student support — ESL teachers, technology specialists, media center assistants, math teachers, science teachers, art teachers, EC teachers, supplies for students and student activities — all in the name of “saving money.” However, I don’t see Green’s job on the list.
There are other ways of saving money. Let’s look outside the box and start considering different ideas, such as a plan that might cut back on energy use.
Let’s not be hasty in making decisions. Let’s look elsewhere, even at unconventional ideas that might save money but not destroy our schools.
Rondi McGill
Kernersville
Comments (5)
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Perhaps administrators are reluctant to cut administrative jobs because they are afraid they can't compete. Interesting to not that people who go into educational administration have really low GRE scores compared to people who pursue other fields of graduate study.
From http://ednews.org/articles/74/1/GRE-Scores-of-School-Administrators/Page1.html
"Mean Verbal - 429, Mean Quantitative - 520, Total - 949
Those are the mean Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores of applicants for graduate study in Education Administration tested between July 1, 2000 and June 30, 2003. Of 51 intended areas of graduate study, applicants in 45 fields had higher Total GRE scores than applicants in Education Administration. Candidates in 5 fields — Home Economics, Social Work, Student Counseling, Early Childhood and Special Education — had lower total GRE scores. "
So, in general (I am sure there are exceptions) those who get an Ed.D. would probably have had a much tougher time getting a Ph.D. So they fire teachers (high school teachers generally have higher SAT scores than administrators) because they themselves don't want to compete with real scholars for other jobs.
Posted on April 2, 2009 8:36 AM
well mamaboilermaker, you're not talking about Mo Green; he has a law degree.
Posted on April 2, 2009 9:08 AM
I am aware of that. His job is not in jeopardy at the moment. But, given that budget decisions are made by administrators, with they cut one of their own admin buddies or will they cut some person who works out in a school and has contact with actual students?
The good news for many teachers is that, given many of them are smarter than those who are cutting them, they can find other ways to use their skills--perhaps working for people who actually value them. I wish them well and hope their next position brings them satisfaction.
Posted on April 2, 2009 9:19 AM
Mo, set a leadership example and cut the fat from your support staff and the Administrators. It will go a long way towards preserving your job.
Starting the cuts on positions that directly impact the children has gotten you negative press. Show some integrity and start at that top. You will gain respect in the community and that will help you in the long run.
Posted on April 2, 2009 9:44 AM
Folks, believe me, the Guilford County School Board, not Mo Green, makes most of the final decisions on who goes and who stays.
Posted on April 2, 2009 9:57 AM