tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289345346387194350.post4720304595919056999..comments2023-06-24T10:52:34.846-04:00Comments on EducateHilliard.com: Fee or Tax?Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05960574627644930183noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289345346387194350.post-81064526848082805702010-08-09T11:13:23.979-04:002010-08-09T11:13:23.979-04:00To start charging all these fees is a scam. It'...To start charging all these fees is a scam. It's a particular insidious governmental trend; it reminds me of all the little taxes and fees that were added under Gov. Taft's administration in order to get revenues outside of the usual tax system. It also reminds me of Obama's plan to charge those who don't get health insurance. <br /><br />I'm tired of government sneaking around and trying to inflict ever new revenue sources. Either we choose to pay for it or we don't, but I don't like the way we split taxes up a million ways so that no one really knows how much they're paying.Eirenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289345346387194350.post-32402016072822512122010-08-04T10:47:51.191-04:002010-08-04T10:47:51.191-04:00Rick:
The official budget is available online on ...Rick:<br /><br />The <a href="http://www.hilliard.k12.oh.us/departments/pdf/FY10budget.pdf" rel="nofollow">official budget</a> is available online on the District's website. It is 121 pages of information, including much of the kind of detail Mark suggests.<br /><br />plPaulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05960574627644930183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289345346387194350.post-43783283237607009202010-08-04T10:24:59.232-04:002010-08-04T10:24:59.232-04:00I still believe it would be a huge mistake to sepa...I still believe it would be a huge mistake to separate extra- and co-curriculars from the schools. I also want to point out that I did not mention music or drama in my previous posts because I do not even consider those "extra" and capable of being separated, though I know this happens all too often. The truth is that ironically, these classes or activities are, in many ways, "super-academic subjects," blending disciplines in ways no other subject does and reinforcing a variety of key academic skills. You are right that the Rembrandts and Mozarts will still develop with school support, but creating professional-quality musicians or artists is not really the goal of having music, drama, and art in the schools anyway, as far as I can see. Imagine a school day filled with nothing but "traditional academics." As it is, we have dramatically increased the academic time demands on students in the middle schools, moving from a 9-period day a few years back that allowed MS students to sample a variety of electives in addition to the standard courses to a 7-period day that matches the high schools' time spent on academic subjects. Consequently, students have to choose certain paths and ignore others at even younger ages than before. Industrial technology is no longer even a course option in our middle schools, and Family and Consumer Science has changed in many ways, for example replacing an excellent unit on laundry basics with a unit on career planning. I am not saying a parent cannot teach kids to do laundry and that career planning is not important, but once again, in such a move we have switched from a primarily kinesthetic (or hands-on, practical) activity to a more standard academic one. Ask students what their favorite classes in MS or HS are, and you are likely to hear responses like "Ceramics," "Choir," or "Fitness for Life." What if the creative and physical energy expended in those "non-academic" courses enables students to be more focused when they do have to sit still and take a math test next period? I know difficult choices will have to be made in the future, but we have to keep the whole child in mind when we do so. <br /><br />Coming back to strictly academic fees, I wanted to add that students in upper-level HS math courses (Alg. 2 and beyond) are required to having graphing calculators that cost anywhere from $90-$115. I was glad to see this note emailed to parents two days ago:<br /><br />"If your family may not be able to afford a graphing calculator at this time, please contact your child's math teacher during the first week of school and we can work with you."<br /><br />Still, I wonder how many families find this calculator expense, which is significant, to be a hardship. Is it not just another type of fee? At what point do supplies expenses become excessive? (I am not saying kids don't need such calculators to do the work--I'm sure they do.) Just more food for thought on the fee issue.Keeping the Faithnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289345346387194350.post-38078326172267069312010-08-04T10:18:58.093-04:002010-08-04T10:18:58.093-04:00Mark,
Great questions as usual.
The real problem...Mark,<br /><br />Great questions as usual.<br /><br />The real problem even more so than the lack<br />of attention by the electorate, is that our own school board, except for Paul, has been publicly silent about the last Audit committees report.<br /><br />I admit to be totally stupid but the report speaks volumes and our own board wont comment about anything. It seems this paradigm that this and many other boards have is they wont<br />speak up and talk about the real challenges <br />coming forth financially because they are afraid of the what the employees will think.<br /><br />Simple questions like making adjustments to supplemental contracts get treated like the schools programs are going to be gutted !<br />In an economic time that is fraught with people losing jobs, homes, increases in medical etc. the best we get back is you dont care, you have to pay, they put in long hours, and onward.<br /><br />We are reaching another "Unsustainable" moment is that we cannot even seem to suggest ANY way<br />to save any type of expenditure.<br /><br />The supplemental contracts would be a good place to start and Marks ideas are absolutely right on.<br /><br />Interesting, no one who doesnt want adjustments<br />hasany idea on how we afford to pay more and more. The small items to be cut could down the road SAVE programs. So what is left for many people to cut out so we can have upteem numbers of weight coaches, just as an example. 2 instead of 5 <br /><br />Some of these items are nice to have or would like to have but just how many Opportunities are we paying for that could be adjusted. <br /><br />Again, thank you Paul for doing your job as a School Board member. Thank you for bringing up tough issues and situations and at least coming up with ideas.<br /><br />Suggestion. Perhaps a group, (Educate Hilliard possibly) or any other group could delve line by line into the budget, supplementals etc and make suggestions to the board on adjustments.<br /><br />Paul, would you have access or submit a request that a group or individual could get a paper copy of the budget.<br /><br />As a starter, each meeting agenda has tons of <br />spending approval items. Might be a good starter to save some operating dollars.Ricknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289345346387194350.post-78088184601687046822010-08-03T22:47:52.620-04:002010-08-03T22:47:52.620-04:00MM:
1. Thanks for the info on Homewood. It would ...MM:<br /><br />1. Thanks for the info on Homewood. It would indeed be nice if they decided to build $350K homes on this tract. I'd be more than happy to sing their praises publicly if this happens.<br /><br />2. I've never questioned the value of extracurricular activities. But I don't think it's necessary for them to be school sponsored. <br /><br />I think the Boy Scouts are pretty important too, and they receive no public funding. If there was no school sponsored athletics, music, drama, etc, those things could still exist. <br /><br />There's no such thing as a school sponsored 5th grade soccer team, but there sure are tons of 5th graders playing soccer. If our taxpayers were relieved of the burden of funding all these things with taxes, they could still pool their money voluntarily and form clubs.<br /><br />Extracurricular activities have a degree of support and community engagement that doesn't need any help from me. We may not have anyone at school board meetings now, but if even a rumor emerged that the Board was considering a scale back of extracurriculars (and there is NO such conversation going on), you can bet that the Board meetings would be packed. Heck one of longest conversations that was had at the last Coffee With the Board was about scheduling conflicts for a middle school gym. <br /><br />Too bad we don't see the same kind of engagement when the Audit & Accountability Committee rendered their opinion that our current financial situation is unsustainable.<br /><br />You've asked the question before whether I want to live in a world without the arts and other kinds of programming. The answer is of course not. With just a little more talent (and a lot more discipline), I might have been a music major. Gee, I even met Mrs. Lambert at band camp.<br /><br />But I don't feel such things have to be funded with money taken from the taxpayers. I'm pretty sure Rembrandt and Mozart were funded without tax money.<br /><br />And before soccer, lacrosse, and softball were school sponsored varsity sports, they were played as club sports. There was no orchestra in my high school, but there were certainly kids who took string lessons and played in the city youth orchestra.<br /><br />The public school system can be a wonderful place to equalize opportunity. But it's not necessarily the only way to get there. As the economics get more and more challenging, these programs might have to be turned over to the private sector.<br /><br />I think I'd rather see that happen than have the fees charged by public schools get oppressive or exclusionary. It doesn't feel like a public school anymore once that's the case.<br /><br />And that was my original point.Paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05960574627644930183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289345346387194350.post-75187366510468876772010-08-03T22:04:33.007-04:002010-08-03T22:04:33.007-04:00Mark:
I think the most honest answer to your ques...Mark:<br /><br />I think the most honest answer to your question is: "Because the people haven't indicated that they care."<br /><br />I'm not talking about readers of this blog of course. But there is simply no effort expended whatsoever to hold the public officials in our community accountable for anything. I mean how many years have I been at this? Look at all the effort expended by you and the rest of the EducateHilliard team. Very little response.<br /><br />The Audit & Accountability Committee has been doing wonderful work, and has a slate of important things they're considering for their next report. How many people have bothered to read their reports? Darn few. I imagine it's pretty frustrating for them.<br /><br />I'll continue to work hard to get information out because that's what I committed to do. But it sure would be nice if more people cared....Paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05960574627644930183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289345346387194350.post-12407927054527522122010-08-03T20:33:36.479-04:002010-08-03T20:33:36.479-04:001. Homewood Homes is the larger parent company of...1. Homewood Homes is the larger parent company of Trinity Homes and Ambassador Homes, both of which offer houses in the 'luxury' price range of $300,000+. 'Homewood' the company owning the land does not indicate the 'Homewood' the builder will build there. In fact, when looking at Trinity Homes this past winter we were told Trinity would have some additional sites in Hilliard, including the site at Davidson Rd. and Leap Rd. A trip to visit Clarence Mingo shows me that field is owned by Homewood Corp.<br /><br />2. The talk that we eliminate all extra/co-curriculars (because they serve so few) is frightening because:<br />-Paul did not respond to it until a teacher called the individual out. I'd like my board members to JUMP at the opportunity to educate the public about the importance of those activites when presented with the chance.<br /><br />-We as a public don't seem to recognize the value of these activities in the development of the child, often to a larger extent then the 'academic' core we are so focused on. Think of a world without those extras and co's, and ask yourself if you want to live in that world.<br /><br />-When we say they serve few, we are looking at them on an individual basis. When you look at ALL of them together, isn't almost EVERY student participating in MORE than one extra or co?? In fact, I bet the average student participates in 3 or 4 of them, largely because they are so available at the public school they attend.<br /><br />It really scares me when we talk about throwing these important things away, because it is the parents job. It is OUR job, and we should provide them. I also agree with Paul though, the compensation structure is what squeezes these things to the chopping block come levy time.Music Mannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289345346387194350.post-41371366712098220402010-08-03T18:36:59.014-04:002010-08-03T18:36:59.014-04:00"The truth is that 90% or more of the new mon..."The truth is that 90% or more of the new money raised with a levy will be used to fund increases in compensation and/or benefits for our employee team. That's not a bad thing if the people of the community clearly understand this dynamic and are willing to pony up more tax dollars to fund such increases."<br /><br />Paul, then why isn't a breakdown of where operational costs are properly communicated to the voters? I know the data is hidden somewhere in the budget reports, but it would be very constructive to see the following categories:<br /><br />- Base salaries (Administrative, Classroom, Support staff, Classified, Substitutes)<br />- Benefits (same breakdown)<br />- Supplemental salaries<br />- Supplemental benefits<br />- Other Extra-curricular costs (e.g. equipment, fees, transportation,..)<br />- Transportation<br />- Facility Maintenance<br />- Utilities<br />- Educational Materials<br />- Misc (am I missing any broad buckets?)<br /><br />Unfortunately, my guess is the information is not presented this way because it would be too detrimental to efforts to raise revenue.<br /><br />Has the Audit and Accountability Committee done any of this work?Marknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289345346387194350.post-16779195675334129632010-08-03T17:11:52.635-04:002010-08-03T17:11:52.635-04:00Paul,
Have you heard anything about the price poi...Paul,<br /><br />Have you heard anything about the price point of the potential Homewood development? From what I've seen, it seems that most of the homes built by Homewood are more of the variety from $150K-$240K. My guess is that Hilliard CSD would fetch toward the upper-middle portion of that range (probably similar or maybe slightly more than Pickerington LSD). Still, that is nowhere near the $350K needed to 'tread water' without some serious commercial development to offset it. So, were not talking Heritage Lakes or Ballantrae. For that matter, we're not even talking an Estates at Hoffman Farms or Hampton Reserve (near YMCA & Darby Town Center) type of development that is currently underway.<br /><br />Of course, it is possible that Homewood is using Hilliard to foray into the trade-up ($250K-$400K) market. Now that you mention it, I thought I remember seeing something awhile ago from the mayor and/or City of Hilliard awhile ago indicating that the homes were going to be more of the mid-to-upscale price range. Of course, I think that was before the economy tanked. Again, just wondering...stjnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289345346387194350.post-44357379448392282312010-08-03T16:19:25.361-04:002010-08-03T16:19:25.361-04:00STJ and others interested:
There has been conject...STJ and others interested:<br /><br />There has been conjecture by me and others about what was going on with all the earthmoving equipment at the northwest corner at Alton-Darby Rd and Roberts Rd. I thought it was Homewood Homes starting the site prep for building houses. A neighbor heard that it was the project to take the 'jog' out of Roberts Rd.<br /><br />Turns out that it's a little both, plus something else.<br /><br />The work going on now is a "stream restoration" of a similar ilk to the one going on over at Clover Groff Creek, between Alton-Darby Rd. and Spindler Rd.<br /><br />However, in the process, they are also doing the site prep for the Roberts Rd realignment and for the commencement of homebuilding by Homewood (Homewood is contributing to the cost of the current project). The Roberts Rd realignment will likely take place next year when funding is secured, which I think is tied up in the TIF the City of Hilliard is considering for Schottenstein homes.<br /><br />More on this later.Paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05960574627644930183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289345346387194350.post-40576851189551364092010-08-03T13:24:07.864-04:002010-08-03T13:24:07.864-04:00(i)But it's not ethical, in my opinion, to fos...(i)But it's not ethical, in my opinion, to foster the misconception that new levies are primarily needed to continue funding optional programs and services.(/i)<br />And that, Paul, is the crux of the problem. I still don't understand how, with all the publicity about failed levies in Central Ohio, that people have not caught on that it is the programs for the kids that get held hostage by the levy votes, especially here in Hilliard where the last contract was agreed to with the Board fully knowing that the money wasn't there for it. I don't understand how school boards, who are supposed to be the stewards of the public's money, can be as unethical as they have been in denying that. I blame the Boards way more than I fault the teachers and/or the unions. No different than spoiled children - most kids are going to take whatever their parents give them and not see anything wrong with it. Granted, the teachers are not children and should hold their unions to a higher standard but it is still up to the Boards to say yea or nay. And when they say yea to an unreasonable contract, they stick us with both higher taxes and more/higher fees. Again, I would love to see no fees passed on to the parents but there is no such thing as a free lunch - it if comes out of the budget, it comes out of our pockets, just in a less direct manner.Hillirditehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04502059362611692461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289345346387194350.post-90269496391190178642010-08-03T11:18:59.060-04:002010-08-03T11:18:59.060-04:00It's the engineering training - strip a proble...It's the engineering training - strip a problem down to its simplest components and understand the basic relationships before moving on to the complexities. Like when you first start studying physics, they tell you to ignore friction.<br /><br />So I pose the question: "Why not turn all extracurricular activities into club activities?" not because I believe it's the correct solution, but rather because stripping away complexity often reveals more basic, raw issues.<br /><br />In the case of extracurriculars, I think a community like ours pours a significant amount of money into programming that benefits a relatively small number of kids (out of the population of 15,000 students). Much of it is capital costs (athletic facilities and performing arts centers), but there is also a good chunk of money that goes into compensation of staff and maintenance of facilities.<br /><br />Those things also are the pawns of levy campaigns, and we're going to have one pretty soon. Once the union contracts are settled, the only things determined by a levy vote is whether or not optional programs and services will be cut, and if some of our youngest teachers will get laid off. The salary increases and other personnel costs will have been already determined in the union negotiations.<br /><br />When it is said during a levy campaign that if the levy doesn't pass, things like extracurriculars will be cut, I think it makes people believe that the levy is to pay for the increased cost of those programs.<br /><br />The truth is that 90% or more of the new money raised with a levy will be used to fund increases in compensation and/or benefits for our employee team. That's not a bad thing if the people of the community clearly understand this dynamic and are willing to pony up more tax dollars to fund such increases.<br /><br />But it's not ethical, in my opinion, to foster the misconception that new levies are primarily needed to continue funding optional programs and services. The costs of those programs and service and services are simply what gets squeezed out of the budget by growing compensation costs when a levy doesn't pass.Paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05960574627644930183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289345346387194350.post-70000879802896216502010-08-03T10:36:51.965-04:002010-08-03T10:36:51.965-04:00I completely agree about the academic fee concerns...I completely agree about the academic fee concerns and that once again, the working poor take the worse of it. I only commented about the extracurriculars because you had suggested dropping all activities and making them private. And I'm afraid I just don't know the answer to your last question in terms of any hard data. It is really hard to tell as most kids in secondary school are not very likely to say "I can't do this sport, go on this field trip, or take this class because we can't afford it." Instead, they are much more likely to say, "I don't want to play that sport anymore; it takes too much time," or "I don't like to bowl or swim (or whatever the field trip is)." When I personally collect fees for an activity (which is maybe once a year), I always mention that anyone with a financial concern can talk to me privately or write me a note and we will waive the cost because we want everyone to go. It's very rare, though, that any kid ever takes me up on this offer, yet I know there are kids in the class whose families struggle financially. Perhaps teachers of younger kids, who might theoretically not try to hide their circumstances as much, are more aware of this. I definitely think this issue is worth examining, though, so I'm glad you are looking into it.Keeping the Faithnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289345346387194350.post-42022441187228345472010-08-03T09:53:03.444-04:002010-08-03T09:53:03.444-04:00Keeping the faith
The point made is that I questi...Keeping the faith<br /><br />The point made is that I question, in time of <br />"Unsustainability" that is well documented expenditures like 5 contracts, for a short period of time for $1200 is something that needs to be looked at and I am sure there are similar opportunities to make adjustments, not totally cut out by the way,to supplemental contracts. <br />If anyone questions, just take a look at<br />the meeting agendas that detail each one.<br />It simply would be the proper thing to do to make a proper financial anaylsis. Everything should be on the table, otherwise we are faced with levy increases ( and yes there will be one and supported ) that for many are going to cause <br />financial issues. All of us do not benefit from a very favorable increase after increase compensation plan, and 45.00 per month for medical contributions <br /><br />Its simply about a spending trajectory that <br />requires looking at each line item. And also as a teacher you know that the upcoming contra ct will add significant further costs to the budget.<br /><br />All of us have continually voted to support the district financially. Why is it such a big deal to examine some cost savings.... somewhere.<br /><br />Coaching time ? Working with student athletes from the City of Detroit was rewarding, successful, challenging, and among the best <br />rewarding time of my life, that was at best<br />a 7 day a week guidance, coaching, babysitting, finding homes to stay in for them. And many of us volunteered to assist in coaching other sports ie Basketball.<br /><br />The alternative to not looking at some cost containment will mean huge levies that many will not be able to afford as they have endured <br />their own pay cuts, increases in medical costs<br />layoffs, and yes foreclosure. <br /><br />It continues to amaze me that the financial sacrifice is only supposed to come from one side.<br />The HCsd has benefitted from outstanding community financial support. This can be jeopardized by the continued upward spiral in increases that cannot realistically be supported<br />by the community who pays the bill.Ricknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289345346387194350.post-79796032230748228502010-08-03T08:21:06.015-04:002010-08-03T08:21:06.015-04:00Keeping the Faith:
Thanks for commenting. I very ...Keeping the Faith:<br /><br />Thanks for commenting. I very much appreciate the opportunity to have teachers engage in the dialog. You're on the front lines of this kind of thing every day.<br /><br />I absolutely agree with you that converting all extracurricular activities to club activities would probably further restrict access and participation for the very kids our public school system is supposed to serve. That's why I believe it should go the other way - having all such activities be fully tax supported so as to be accessible based on interest, ability and commitment - not wealth.<br /><br />What we have is a little of this and a little of that. A school system which is mostly supported by taxes, but which also collects a million dollars in additional fees from the families of students. Most families can afford it, and those with the greatest need get their fees waived.<br /><br />It seems like this philosophy sticks it to the working poor, as is often the case. Families who just barely stay above water - not too different from where I come from. They make a little too much to qualify for assistance, and not enough to have the kind of disposable income many Hilliard families enjoy.<br /><br />We've gotten a little off track here, in that my original concern was about academic fees, not extracurricular activity fees. I would be very alarmed if there has been even one kid who very much wanted to take some subject in high school, but chose not to because the family needed the money for something else.<br /><br />It would also be of concern if there were any kids for whom participation in an extracurricular activity was out of economic reach.<br /><br />Are these just hypothetical concerns, or have there been real cases of this?Paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05960574627644930183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289345346387194350.post-36631193056080187142010-08-03T00:37:59.148-04:002010-08-03T00:37:59.148-04:00I have two thoughts to share. Paul, you wrote the ...I have two thoughts to share. Paul, you wrote the following: "So why not go all the way and drop all 'extracurricular, cocurricular, athletic and music' from the public school programming, and let them become privately funded activities operated outside the purview of the public school system?"<br /><br />As a teacher and parent, I cringed when I read this. Making all of those activities private will just further reduce opportunities for lower SES kids (and really all kids) to participate. With both parents working in most families these days, so many of our students depend on school transportation to athletic and band events, not to mention the fact that private activity programs are typically WAY more expensive than our school ones, which in my experience are typically well-supervised and coached. Most parents I know feel that the fees are a relatively good deal for school extracurriculars, which is not to say these fees still don't exclude some people. I'm sure they do, and we should always be looking for ways to make opportunities possible for each kid, through fundraising, write-offs, or donations. Moreover, although I teach an "academic" subject, I know all too well that it's the extracurriculars that keep some kids coming to high school. This is not a bad thing; we all suffer if they give up on education at such a tender age, so it should be worth it to us all to keep them coming. <br /><br />And Rick, in response to your point about reducing/eliminating supplementals, I just want to point out that the coaches I have observed spend significantly more time working with the kids today than I'm guessing coaches did when you coached. My own father coached three high school sports for 30 years and readily admits he could never do that today. My kids have had coaches who are consistently at the school by 5:00 a.m. each day, then up late viewing films. Most high school sports meet for practice or competitions six days a week during the season, with coaches continuing to put in long hours year-round anymore. The demands in the weight room are unparalleled, with our kids (and coaches) expected to invest WAY more time in there now than they did even three years ago. I'm not saying that's necessarily a good thing...in fact, I'm personally very ambivalent about it, as these increased time expectations have made it all but impossible for my kids to participate in multiple sports. But that seems to be the reality of activities in a large suburban district.Keeping the Faithnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289345346387194350.post-24283866057126215452010-08-02T23:21:43.215-04:002010-08-02T23:21:43.215-04:00In 1979, right after the desegregation ruling, hou...In 1979, right after the desegregation ruling, houses in Clintonville weren't in such demand.<br /><br />It's always a supply/demand question, and better school districts create demand for housing which in turn drives up the prices of houses in highly sought after school districts.<br /><br />Ask the developers who built all those houses and condos north of Hayden Run Rd, land formerly in our school district but shifted to Columbus due to the terms of the Win-Win Agreement. Those properties would have sold for substantially more had the developer been able to finagle a way to keep it in Hilliard Schools.<br /><br />But in a tough market, builders build what buyers will buy. That's why all this open land just annexed by Hilliard scares me. Some still think it's going to be homes like Ballantrae or Heritage Lakes. I just don't see how the current market will support that.Paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05960574627644930183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289345346387194350.post-60598434265659203012010-08-02T22:07:50.888-04:002010-08-02T22:07:50.888-04:00Not sure I buy the Clintonville comparison, as I w...Not sure I buy the Clintonville comparison, as I work there and can't afford to live there, at least not in a house with the size and amenities I have in Hilliard. I do however get your point only I see it as a matter of priorities, at least to some extent. I could easily buy a 3 BR house in another part of the HCSD for less money than my current home; heck I could have stayed in Cross Creek where I started 20 years ago. Yes, I would be giving up the overall size and amenities I have living in the northern part of Hilliard proper but if that is what I needed to do in order to have my kids not attend, say Columbus City Schools, then I would be Ok with it. Now you may think I am validating your point but I still maintain it is about priorities and choices, looking at the big picture. Call it a split decision.<br /> And very interesting note on the Homewood project. Would not happen to have any references to our wonderful mayor's previous statements, would you? Not that I doubt them in the least - I know where the priorities lie with the city administration, and lets just say they conflict strongly with the desire for an affordable school district.Hillirditehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04502059362611692461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289345346387194350.post-27365204832572172592010-08-02T18:01:05.389-04:002010-08-02T18:01:05.389-04:00STJ:
I've learned that this may be a project ...STJ:<br /><br />I've learned that this may be a project of the Franklin County Engineer - the long-awaited alignment of Roberts Rd. I've got some feelers out.<br /><br />PLPaulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05960574627644930183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289345346387194350.post-25416699707639476512010-08-02T17:48:21.206-04:002010-08-02T17:48:21.206-04:00Paul,
Not sure where to start. I'll readily ...Paul,<br /><br />Not sure where to start. I'll readily say that I'm a bit concerned with the fees, but what really caught my eye was your post about Homewood Homes. I noticed the clearing that was happening on the NW corner of Roberts & Alton Darby. Like you, I was aware that Homewood was not typically a builder of homes $250K & up. I knew that they had built/were building in Pickerington (IMO, a community VERY similar to Hilliard), but wasn't sure what to expect here in Hilliard. <br /><br />I'm not as concerned about the small-scale development going on near Hilliard Darby HS around the YMCA & Darby Town Center, nor the build-out of Ballantrae as I am with this potentially large-scale development. <br /><br />I don't want to muddy this thread with a different topic than the original post had, but if you can give any more info. on the Homewood development, it would be much appreciated.stjnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289345346387194350.post-33497603637653404902010-08-02T17:15:29.023-04:002010-08-02T17:15:29.023-04:00Rick:
I can't make it to the meeting about th...Rick:<br /><br />I can't make it to the meeting about the Renner Rd project. The Board has already expressed its concerns about this project. My personal concern is not so much that this might be affordable housing as it is that our community seems unwilling to hold municipal officials accountable for doing their part to keep our school district economically viable.Paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05960574627644930183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289345346387194350.post-69174710705885386742010-08-02T17:08:08.743-04:002010-08-02T17:08:08.743-04:00Thanks for the followup. I would have been surpris...Thanks for the followup. I would have been surprised if the handbooks were in conflict with very specific wording in the policy.Paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05960574627644930183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289345346387194350.post-12832315377208941682010-08-02T17:05:10.783-04:002010-08-02T17:05:10.783-04:00As a follow up to my prior entry, I just noticed t...As a follow up to my prior entry, I just noticed that the 2010-2011 elementary handbook has been posted on the website, and the entire section regarding user fees has been removed entirely - so perhaps the reduced fee lunch children will be expected to pay the entire fee.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289345346387194350.post-49049892980374776952010-08-02T16:46:59.567-04:002010-08-02T16:46:59.567-04:00Just an FYI, the 2009-2010 Elementary Handbook sta...Just an FYI, the 2009-2010 Elementary Handbook states that students who pay reduced lunch fees only pay $15 of the $30 user fee. I don't know whether their are tiered fees in upper grades, but it is the case in the elementary schools. <br /><br />Also, students in the elementary schools also pay for required Scholastic News subscriptions (something like $5/year) and for 3rd through 5th grades, additional amounts for required calendars/planners ($4/year). At our school, usually the PTO picks up the amount for the families that can't pay, or teachers pay this themselves, or other families make donations to cover those costs. <br /><br />These items are in addition to the money spent on other designated school supplies that must be purchased before school starts. In my experience, these average $20 per child IF you shop for the absolute lowest prices. No doubt, supplies run more for upper grades as fancy calculators, etc. enter the picture (can't wait for that).<br /><br />So, my point is, there is a lot asked of us beyond "user fees" for those who can afford to pay it, and a lot supplemented for those who can not. In my view, this is still preferable to wrapping these costs into additional taxes. However, it does lead me to wonder why school districts can't manage to afford to supply pencils anymore (most school districts require families to purchase these necessities now).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289345346387194350.post-59204424584417703232010-08-02T15:10:56.918-04:002010-08-02T15:10:56.918-04:00Paul,
First, I think that some of these fee costs ...Paul,<br />First, I think that some of these fee costs could be offset by adjusting the supplemental contracts<br />downward. It seems we as well as other districts are paying a lot of money to staff members who are reaping a lot of extra compensation, and then we hear how much time not compensated they put in. !<br />This is part of the contract and this is one place to save a little bit of money. <br /><br />Example: Recently the board approved 5 $1200 <br />compensation for weight room supervisors at Bradley<br />Why are not the coaches in charge of this.<br />When I coached that was part of your job description. I have looked everywhere and where were these jobs posted and when. I think this has become part of the buddy system and who you know. Are these people certified ? What are<br />the experience requirements.<br /><br />I think we have a lot of positions to look at in this district without eliminating programs, <br />etc.<br /><br />I think the academic fees should be eliminated<br />Athletics, music, band etc can have a fee system for the participants that make the squad, choir<br />band, not for tryouts.<br /><br />There is a meeting tommorrow evening about the new housing project going up on Renner. UMC<br />at 7pm As described as Section 8 housing I would only assume that this will add to our costs. I have no particular issue with Section<br />8 housing personnally, but the powers to be must understand that this has a huge impact on the schools and increased costs to the school district.<br /><br />Unless there is a hold the line on spending for the next 2 years with the next contract all of the above are moot points. The HEA endorsed<br />board members have been strangely silent about <br />the "unsustainable" spending growth. <br /><br />Every line item needs are second and third look<br />to maximize our investmentRicknoreply@blogger.com