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They could always minimize fuel costs by discontinuing the busing of students away from their closest schools.

Obviously they have the money they need or they would easily cut the pork. They would rather make this an emotional issue by threatening to cut teachers and teacher assistants - then they can blame the commissioners.

Just another reason they can't be held accountable and they are NOT good stewards of our tax dollars.

Last year the cuts to TA's was made from the money given from the state for TA's. I hear all the time that bad decisions are made at the school level with switching money... isn't that the same as the BOE does with the TA money from the state? Switching for what they think is best. Leave the money alone for the TA's.

Of course the Mission Possible will be left since there have been so many promises made with this years budget!
Stop new unproven programs-- spent money on 9th grade academy at HP Central on labs etc.. one/two years later spend money to move again.. no planning!
Stop all the Fullen/Racial Healing classes-savings over $500,000
Stop running three bus routes during exams--savings?
Stop paying for SAT/AP exams,SAT prep for 2nd go around. SAvings?
Close A&T/Bennet College programs (2 of the worst in the state, only about 20-20% passing) Savings?
Quit providing transportation for Magnet Schools-- with choice comes responsiblity. Savings?
Get rid of Eric Becoat's position. Savings?

All controversial ideas (I know someone is going to get mad, but this are suggestions I am not incharge so have no influence)

Other innovative ideas out there?

Reduce Mission Possible to two High Schools and two Middle Schools.

Freeze raises for people making over 100k per year.

Get SRO's out of Middle Schools. Replace with 9 month safety officers where needed.

Cap amount GCS will pay on Dental Ins.

Quit televising Board Meetings.

Quit buying Modular units and pods. We a tremendous amount of spacing comming on stream in the next 9 months. Instead of buying more, tighten belts for a few months.

Quit buying new school buses from local funds. Double up trips to the extent necessary.

Delete additional supplemental money for teachers due to the generous 8 percent raise coming from Raleigh.

Joe,
agree with the supplemental cut!

Don't agree with not televising board meetings. Many, many people watch because they can't leave their children alone at home or can't afford child care.

Even with new seats coming on board, we are out growing that pace. Moving trailers help, but their is a huge cost in that- moving, electrical, plumbing hookups, telephones etc.

What is a saftey officer? How is that different that SRO?

Jennifer,

Is it true that there are more than 1,200 people working in the school district's central office. Is is true there are more people working there now than when Guilford County and High Point consolidated?

Debora,

As always - you are right on target! I agree with everything you said. You should really consider running for the at-large seat in 2008!

By the way, did anyone read Grier's ideas for the 5 GCS core values?
1. Diversity
2. Empathy
3. Equality
4. Innovativeness
5. Integrity

But, NOT EDUCATION for all students??????????????

Quest,
you are too kind! But who in there right mind (besides Darlene) would want that job. I think we are always looking for something to impress people. Who cares what the logo is? Just educate our children, keep them safe and get them prepared for 'real' life.

Emery,

Not sure of the total at Central Office. I'd have to check. I have a spreadsheet somewhere with all that info, but it is just a snapshot in time, from about December. So it would not have additions/deletions from then. I'll see if I can post it in this thread. If not, I'll start a new one.

Emery,

OK, here's a link to some info.

This is two years old because the district didn't give me the same information this year or last year. All I have for 05-06 is name, title, age, salary. In previous years, we received a list that included each employee's department. I'll ask again for that for 2005-06.

Anyway, based on 03-04, there were about 600 "central office" employees. But my interpretation of central office might be too broad. For example, I included everyone in technology, maintenance and transportation (ie. bus drivers and mechanics).

However, I did delete social workers, psychologists, translators, etc. from some of the other departments because I figured they actually work in the schools even though they are assigned to a central office department.

Hope this helps.

Quest, children learn many other attitudes and beliefs AS they are memorizing facts, learning to do math and science, and expressing their ideas while (hopefully) thinking critically.

So, what's wrong with the "values" Dr. Grier lists? Yes, the words themselves are skewed: he probably meant Fairness and Respect for Differences; Equality and Diversity are states of relation, as math teachers and logicians know, not "values", per se. "Values" are what are IN said states of relation. And is not Innovativeness, just an awkward word for Creativity? The latter is usually taught OUT of children in institutional settings as a matter of course. More likely, its pale substitute is "Feeling Expressive".

Would you prefer teachers refrain from fostering these things, quest? Do you have substitutes of your own to nominate?

Perhaps I could recommend some already being learned:

1."Get Ahead by Cheating" (learned early from peers & testing pressure)
2."Impress the Girls (or Boys) with the Right Clothes & Cars"
3."Gang Up On/Deride Unpopular or Eccentric Students"
4."Find the Easiest Way to Blend in, Make No Waves and One Day Collect a Paycheck without Adding to the World"
5."Expect a Grade Because Your Parents Have Money"

I admit, they aren't as pithy as "Greed, Sloth, Pride, Lust, Anger". Oh, and get rid of PE and Health class while you're at it, so they can continue learning Gluttony, immediately followed (by many girls, especially) with vomiting so they can sate their Envy.

Avarice is Greed to the second power. And Greed is, as we all know, Good.

(I personally never understood why Sadness was lumped in there. There's plenty to be sad about.)

Dr. Grier's list does align in some not-very-obvious ways with th classic 7 (or more) Virtues, too.

Generosity might be seen as part of Diversity: diversity of mind requires Patience and generosity to others.
Humility comes from listening to others and being open to the sheer truth that we never know nearly enough, hence we should be less Prideful. I confess and chastise myself for this, regularly. Knowing one's limits in turn fosters Integrity.

Empathy is a first condition for Love, of course.

The call for Innovativeness is a great antidote for Sloth, and may encourage real passion for thought and academic achievement, a kind of healthy Zeal.

Finally, almost all the goals espoused by Dr. Grier can be strengthened by good old Grecian moderation, the practice of Temperance, to fight the gluttonous appetites that can wreck young people's lives forever: the drinking to excess, the bingeing on fast food, the desire to consume more, more, always more. Being content with less, or just enough, grants peace of mind. It lessens Envy, Anger, Greed and Lust. There's much to be said for Little.

I have said enough.

Yup..

With the rising cost of fuel, we need to start serving students in their neighborhoods. A serious
look needs to be made at the cost of transportation to the magnet programs and busing.

Frank,

I couldn't agree more. Other districts in this state require that magnet school transportation be provided by the parents, not the district.

The busing needs to stop at Eastern and in High Point. Period.