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If my public school math and logic skills are properly honed, it seems that there is little decison-making to be done here. The board has stated that it needed $10 million just to cover rising fixed increases. If they were awarded an $11 million increase, then simple math ($11-$10=$1) tells you that they have $1 million of discretionary spending. So, they clearly can't do all of the other things that they budgeted to do, can they? That is, unless the budget that was developed had a lot of pork, and the $10 million rising fixed costs wasn't as a hard figure as they have suggested. These questions will be answered as we go forward in the school year, and we will see how the district actually spends it's money. If the board elects to award the $1 million pay raise to teachers, which it should, then the other things have to go undone, don't they, unless the budget was a sham? And, if we see later that, as usual, funds are mysteriously found to permit spending on pet projects of the board and Terry Greir, then we know that this is all just a game, won't we? Oh, and if funding is as tight as they would have us believe, do you think that the board might decide to forego their salary increases that would amount to almost 10% of that $1 million. Well, do you?

Jennifer,

What is the logic behind airing the meetings live? I think most people tape them so they can fast forward as needed. It really irritates me that they are doing this and will have no meetings in High Point - just more evidence that Dr Grier and the Board don't care about HP.

This whole budget situation is a mess. If the people elected to spend our education funds had their priorities straight, we wouldn't be having many of our current financial problems. If it would help, I would give up my teacher raise if it meant my kids would be in safe, clean schools with adequate books and materials. It would be worth it to me to lose the money if in return I got to teach--really teach and not teach to a test--and have the things my students need.

I'll admit it. Money does help and the teacher raises will encourage many teachers to stay in Guilford County or to hold off on early retirement (at least for one more year). Even so, all the money in the world would not be enough to encourage me to teach at some of our schools in Guilford County. My family, safety, and health come first and those are things that money can not replace.

One item left out of the budget is cost-of-living raises for substitute teachers. This is unfair and must be addressed.

The million dollars of additional compensation for teachers goes, for the most part, to experienced teachers with 15+ years of experience. The older teachers already make too much compared to rookie teachers. The money would be better used in giving new teachers a higher starting level.

The reason the older teachers get more is because they complain more. Here again, the BOE must keep the eye on the ball. They should worry about doing what is best for Guilford County, not what is best for one group of employees.

I agree regarding the sub pay. I am a certified teacher, and the pay here is lousy compared to other states. In fact, the sub pay is even worse if you take a long-term position. I took a long term position thinking I would be compensated with decent pay. Well, GCS does not give you teacher's pay until the teacher on leave has used up all their sick time. Then they wonder why the can't get certified teachers for long term assignments.

And far as the County Commissioners, they blindly give the schools 11 million and as someone who has followed the issues, it will not go to the teachers. They just care about the fat cats at central office.

With oil at $60 & China looking to buy all it can, I'm concerned that transportation costs are going to bust the budget.

My vote is for the $1M to go to the teachers (I'll leave to better minds to decide how it is allocated to subs/full time).

REF: Paragraph 1, Joe Stafford (above)

THANK YOU JOE. Simply put; truthful; long overdue and to the point.

This oversight of subs has got to be corrected. The movement in the past few years to a non-collegial approach is not working. The only reason to deny a group a raise is a determination that they are overpaid compared to other employers for that type of work. This has not been done.

I hope some of you will come to the meeting on Thursday night and try to get a raise for subs.

Joe, we'll leave the public speaking to you. You are passionate about what you believe in and are to be commended for that.

The rest of us are going to be celebrating the the 4th of July a few nights early.

Can't make the meeting Joe. I know you will do a great job and many of us appreciate it. I have not always agreed with you in the past on some subjects, but you do have passion and for that we thank you.

Summer is a crazy time for many of us - lots of other things going on with family and traveling.

I gave my little speach on the need for sub pay to be increased. The BOE did nothing. However, Dr. Grier did mention that regular teachers are out a lot on personal leave and that uses up the money in the post that might be available for raises.

A decent wage should be independent of whether
the teachers take a lot of personal leave.
There is noone speaking up for sub teachers.

Joe,

Thank you so much for going to the meeting and trying. I watched your speech; that is all I watched of the board meeting. Sent you an email regarding same.

You are right about personal leave time using up money for subs. That is pure b.s.

Many times subs are so scarce, they have none or they pull a teacher's assistant. We all know from what we have read and heard that the assistants are being cut - also dependent on cuts in Raleigh. When a teacher's assistant is pulled, it leaves that teacher shorthanded.

Re: today's newspapers. The courts have ruled that the state is giving all that money from fines, etc. to EDUCATION. There is money right there to pay subs. It is simple as you said so truthfully in your speech. There is right and there is wrong.

If they can get subs that cheap, they will. It is taking advantage of the human spirit. The problem is for that pay, they have difficulty finding subs for teachers on long term leave or finding decent subs. Subs are not going into problems schools where kids cuss, fight and disrupt. They don't have to.
In the end, as always, it is the kids who lose out.

For myself, and many of the subs I know, they certainly do it because they like kids and not for the money. However, there are those who do indeed need the money. Regardless, they should be paid a fair wage.

I have always had the philosophy that every adult a child is around has a positive or negative influence on that child. This is how I raised my daughter since pre-school. Postive people - both adults and friends; music; art; theater, etc. Especially, I feel for every minute a child is around a positive, adult role model, that is a part of their life they are not around someone who could influence them negatively.

Whether it is a full-time teacher, a coach, a sub,a janitor, an office clerk, a cafeteria worker, etc., if that person comes in contact with that child, he has influence.

What the system is willing to pay teachers, , bus drivers, and especially subs who NEVER receive a raise, sends a very strong message how little they truly value their employees.

Thank you for trying.

Barbara Ann