On Tuesday night the Board approved a new budget. Does the budget reflect our values as a community? Does it reflect the notion of Schools that matter? We invite your stories, information, below.
From what I understand, the new budget has an 8% tax increase. It includes over 2 million dollars for a second gym for Milton School, and very little for differentiated teaching, curriculum reassessment, and new forms of assessment that are more accountable to the students. So, to sum it all up - it does not represent anything to do with Schools that matter.
I need to correct something from that last post. First, I have yet to see the last school board meeting in its entirety. However, I understand that there is a line item for a math coordinator to work on the elementary school level and to facilitate communication between elementary math and middle school math. Now that's a meaningful addition!
There are so many issues raised by this, including listening to the community. The problem of our kids not learning math was identified and advocated for by a tireless group of parents. Dan McCann ignored it, and simply tweaked numbers to get the illusion that the kids were learning.
I also want to add that for the Board to proceed with an increased budget the day after one of the worst storms in the county is an insult. Many of us get 3% cost of living increases, are replacing damaged possessions, and tutoring privately simply to prop up this "good" school district. If I didn't have to tutor my child, the difference would probably be the new tax increase - now I'm paying double. The new budget should reflect priorities - not castles in the sky.
The budget approved by the Board Tuesday, April 17th includes a tax increase of 5.54% and a total spending increase of 8.54%. In comparison to the current year's budget (versus actual spending which can differ for many reasons), a net of 14.6 positions have been added to the budget, increasing spending by a little less than $1 million. The positions added are: 8.4 for special education 2.4 for High School enrollment and art 0.8 for Middle School Math and Spanish 4.0 for Elementary Schools: + 0.5 Music + 2.0 Foreign Language (1st & 5th) + 1.0 Math development + 1.0 Midland Kindergarten aid - 0.5 Osborn Nurse - 1.0 Administrator.
I am disappointed that the leadership of the RCSD has not demonstrated compassion for those affected by the recent catastrophic events in our community. Many people had damage to their homes and our school facilities and community buildings were damaged, as well. The recovery from this event will require a team effort by our citizens. I feel that the school budget should be re-thought based on these circumstances. In particular, adding a second gymnasium to the already large new Milton school is not a priority at this time. The school district should be looking to evaluate the existing phys. ed program and usage of the new building spaces so that the phys. ed. program is able to operate within the existing new large space. What happens to the students and Coach during the assigned phys. ed. period when the gym is not available?? What has been done during the past 109 years? I cannot support this budget this year, for the first time in my 18 years as a Rye resident.
I thought it might be worthwhile posting the information here, but the Board reviewed revised interest estimates tonight and determined that they could be included in the proposed budget for 2007-2008. The expected tax rate increase is now just under 5% at 4.99% (exact number to be confirmed). That's a full percentage point than last year.
This blog is maintained by an ad hoc team of Rye citizens. Our goal is to foster community discussion on education issues and make information accessible to all.
6 comments:
From what I understand, the new budget has an 8% tax increase. It includes over 2 million dollars for a second gym for Milton School, and very little for differentiated teaching, curriculum reassessment, and new forms of assessment that are more accountable to the students. So, to sum it all up - it does not represent anything to do with Schools that matter.
I need to correct something from that last post. First, I have yet to see the last school board meeting in its entirety. However, I understand that there is a line item for a math coordinator to work on the elementary school level and to facilitate communication between elementary math and middle school math. Now that's a meaningful addition!
There are so many issues raised by this, including listening to the community. The problem of our kids not learning math was identified and advocated for by a tireless group of parents. Dan McCann ignored it, and simply tweaked numbers to get the illusion that the kids were learning.
I also want to add that for the Board to proceed with an increased budget the day after one of the worst storms in the county is an insult. Many of us get 3% cost of living increases, are replacing damaged possessions, and tutoring privately simply to prop up this "good" school district. If I didn't have to tutor my child, the difference would probably be the new tax increase - now I'm paying double. The new budget should reflect priorities - not castles in the sky.
The budget approved by the Board Tuesday, April 17th includes a tax increase of 5.54% and a total spending increase of 8.54%. In comparison to the current year's budget (versus actual spending which can differ for many reasons), a net of 14.6 positions have been added to the budget, increasing spending by a little less than $1 million. The positions added are:
8.4 for special education
2.4 for High School enrollment and art
0.8 for Middle School Math and Spanish
4.0 for Elementary Schools:
+ 0.5 Music
+ 2.0 Foreign Language (1st & 5th)
+ 1.0 Math development
+ 1.0 Midland Kindergarten aid
- 0.5 Osborn Nurse
- 1.0 Administrator.
I am disappointed that the leadership of the RCSD has not demonstrated compassion for those affected by the recent catastrophic events in our community. Many people had damage to their homes and our school facilities and community buildings were damaged, as well. The recovery from this event will require a team effort by our citizens. I feel that the school budget should be re-thought based on these circumstances. In particular, adding a second gymnasium to the already large new Milton school is not a priority at this time. The school district should be looking to evaluate the existing phys. ed program and usage of the new building spaces so that the phys. ed. program is able to operate within the existing new large space. What happens to the students and Coach during the assigned phys. ed. period when the gym is not available?? What has been done during the past 109 years? I cannot support this budget this year, for the first time in my 18 years as a Rye resident.
I thought it might be worthwhile posting the information here, but the Board reviewed revised interest estimates tonight and determined that they could be included in the proposed budget for 2007-2008. The expected tax rate increase is now just under 5% at 4.99% (exact number to be confirmed). That's a full percentage point than last year.
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