tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289345346387194350.post4749936127781106158..comments2023-06-24T10:52:34.846-04:00Comments on EducateHilliard.com: T Minus 82 Days and CountingPaulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05960574627644930183noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289345346387194350.post-79963496355213003382008-07-17T17:01:00.000-04:002008-07-17T17:01:00.000-04:00KJ,Well said... And THAT is the direction my secon...KJ,<BR/><BR/>Well said... And THAT is the direction my second point was headed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289345346387194350.post-25036631254816791022008-07-16T03:17:00.000-04:002008-07-16T03:17:00.000-04:00ELL and Title teachers are a huge part of the cost...ELL and Title teachers are a huge part of the cost increase in this district in the past 5 to 8 years. When we talk about getting rid of the "extras" (and I've been known to be one of them) we are really calling for a reduction in ELL teachers, reading tutors, etc. Sure there are some admin fluff positions and some teaching positions that fall into that category. But the bulk of expansion in staff has been in the special teachers (non-classroom teachers) side of the house. Problem is if we don't teach non-english students to read, then they don't pass the test. And we all know how important the almighty test is. The state can, and will, make a negative impact if a district is considered failing to meet requirements.<BR/><BR/>Someone said it earlier, but in a different way. But we are "failing" while actually achieving in large part because of the ELL needs in our district.<BR/><BR/>I come from a very small town. The schools are nice but the caliber of education is nowhere near what my kids receive here in central ohio. Our kids are some much better prepared and the curriculum is so much more advanced, yet my alma mater is considered to be "excellent" while Hilliard, Dublin, and others are "achieving" or "failing to achieve". Not a true indication of the value of the school or the community. <BR/><BR/>Anyway, unfunded mandates have caused an influx of special teachers to meet poorly developed and implemented standards. So, the "problem" is clear.... too many special needs teachers. But not having them creates new and different problems. Not an easy solution.KJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08742741131942481773noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289345346387194350.post-64682934040027307572008-07-13T19:28:00.000-04:002008-07-13T19:28:00.000-04:00Two points...1) I don't understand when people say...Two points...<BR/><BR/>1) I don't understand when people say I have no choice but to vote "NO". <BR/><BR/>The very act of voting is expressing your choice. You may disagree with district policies and may even feel it is best to cut 100-200 teachers from the payroll. The fact of the matter is you are still making a choice.<BR/><BR/>2) I agree that costs should be tied to inflation and increases in student enrollment. However, I'm also curious as to whether the costs of education have gone up even apart from that. I'm curious how much the additional testing has added to costs as well as the increase in the cost of educating the rising number of ELL (English Language Learner) students.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289345346387194350.post-8041975246475309272008-07-11T17:21:00.000-04:002008-07-11T17:21:00.000-04:00I think if you are going to ask the question in te...I think if you are going to ask the question in terms of "how much are you willing to pay?" the answer is "It depends". You have to factor in economic conditions. I think school systems are basically "not for profit" enterprises, or should be. Costs should be tied to student population and rate of inflation. If you agree to a specific cost growth, then the Board and Admin will spend that money regardless of the real costs. They will give it away in raises and hires even if conditions don't warrant it. Then in lean times they will cry they need more because they didn't save for a rainy day. They should have never agreed to 7% contract without an approved levy. I blame them for the cost cuts that will have to come. They should be ashamed if they make petty cuts that hurt students and frighten parents. I don't know what we can do other than to watch them very carefully and make sure they know that we do remember. We remember what they did in spite of a levy defeat.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289345346387194350.post-74281922764934402622008-07-11T12:07:00.000-04:002008-07-11T12:07:00.000-04:00My concern about passing the levy is that if we do...My concern about passing the levy is that if we do, it will be business as usual (big raises, bloated admin, etc.) for the next three years until the music starts up again.<BR/><BR/>I would consider voting yes if I had confidence that the BOE and HEA had real plans to streamline things and get salaries under control. Given our economic situation as a district currently, they have the gaul to give 3% raises with 4% step and then the pettiness to cancel Camp Joy? I still don't think the board "gets it". For the long term sanity of our districts financing, I have no choice but to say NO to the levy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289345346387194350.post-8107508382983640242008-07-11T11:52:00.000-04:002008-07-11T11:52:00.000-04:00The evaluation scheme, by the state dept of educat...The evaluation scheme, by the state dept of education, is another mandate to track with no increase in funding to cover.<BR/>I have no issues insuring we are educating every student in every district as the payback is a positive one, versus those who fail and cost us all more dollars<BR/><BR/>I do have an issue with a system set up where you are succeeding yet failing at the same time.<BR/>More educational fog based communication to confuse everyone and justify someones job in Col. in the State Dept of Education.<BR/>Unfortunatly the regular public does not go into the details,<BR/>as posted here.<BR/><BR/>I also dont see people voting a levy down because of missing supposedly a couple of standards.<BR/>I think they vote no because of how money is distributed.<BR/><BR/>As has been posted repeatedly, and I am a big offender, the issue with passage of the levy in Hilliard will be<BR/><BR/>1. Economic uncertainty and pressures on the everyday family<BR/>2. Compensation increases that cannot be paid for without a huge tax increase.<BR/>3. Entitlement, that is the way it is ideology. Yes , we all agree some raises are necessary, and step raises are part of the deal<BR/>4. Any questions raised are treated as they are totally negative just because the questioner may not be in lock step with the powers to be.<BR/><BR/>I believe a contract reopener to adjust the 7% + figures combined with a 3 year 4.5 mill levy can work.<BR/><BR/>My own thoughts are that it will be business as usual, cuts to busing, athletics, music, arts, <BR/>increased fees. No mention of compensation adjustments which would be the best way to go Short termAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289345346387194350.post-79033098743357685142008-07-11T00:02:00.000-04:002008-07-11T00:02:00.000-04:00I disagree - most people don't even know what perc...I disagree - most people don't even know what percentage the school taxes are of their total property taxes (63%), and really only want to know how much more they're going to be asked to fork out.<BR/><BR/>But the answer is that the school component of their property taxes would go up about 15% every three years in this scenario.<BR/><BR/>PLPaulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05960574627644930183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289345346387194350.post-74287607146585891422008-07-10T23:55:00.000-04:002008-07-10T23:55:00.000-04:00Paul, the property tax rate is unimportant. You ne...Paul, the property tax rate is unimportant. You need to calculate the increase in school taxes since that's what we are discussing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289345346387194350.post-70760019238933811632008-07-10T23:16:00.000-04:002008-07-10T23:16:00.000-04:00Thanks for the thoughts on the report card. If you...Thanks for the thoughts on the report card. If you're correct and we don't get the "Excellent" rating, then it doesn't matter what the rest of the component scores look like. Few folks will read past the headline...Paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05960574627644930183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289345346387194350.post-43022008345673918332008-07-10T23:14:00.000-04:002008-07-10T23:14:00.000-04:00Thanks for the link to the Worthington story, here...Thanks for the link to the Worthington story, here it is again as a <A HREF="http://www.snponline.com/articles/2008/07/10/worthington_news/schools/woscharele_20080708_0151pm_2.txt" REL="nofollow">clickable link</A><BR/><BR/>It's an interest notion - to ask the community what they think the sustainable levy rate should be. For example, are people willing to see their property tax bill increase say 10% every three years to cover the cost of ever-increasing school employee compensation?<BR/><BR/>That's ballpark would it would cost in our district, given the 3% base plus 4.15% step deal just negotiated between the Board and the HEA (be happy to share my back-of-the-envelope analysis if you want).<BR/><BR/>If the community is okay with that - great. Passing a 10 mill levy this fall should be a piece of cake, as should another one in three years.<BR/><BR/>I wonder if anyone in the school leadership is brave enough to ask the question...<BR/><BR/>PLPaulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05960574627644930183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289345346387194350.post-54141341455261235282008-07-10T18:46:00.000-04:002008-07-10T18:46:00.000-04:00Perhaps we should do something like this - http:/...Perhaps we should do something like this - <BR/><BR/>http://www.snponline.com/articles/2008/07/10/worthington_news/schools/woscharele_20080708_0151pm_2.txtAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289345346387194350.post-20990400516240361972008-07-10T18:29:00.000-04:002008-07-10T18:29:00.000-04:00Hilliard CSD has done quite well on the standardiz...Hilliard CSD has done quite well on the standardized tests for years, but (as you pointed out) the overall designation has suffered recently due to missing the AYP measure. In 2005/2006, Hilliard met 25/25 indicators and in 2006/2007, Hilliard met 28/30 indicators. Both years, the Performance Index was over 100. Normally, this would have been enough to get an 'Excellent' rating. However, Hilliard ended up with 'Continous Improvement'.<BR/><BR/>This year, Hilliard CSD has met 22/23 of the indicators according to the preliminary results. Hilliard missed the other by less than 1%. When the final results are released, this is likely to shift upward enough to make it 23/23. I expect that when the Report Card is released that Hilliard will meet all 30 indicators. I will still be surprised if this nets an 'Excellent' rating, due to AYP again. <BR/><BR/>Dublin school officials have already braced their community to expect a 'Continuous Improvement' (commonly referred to as a 'C') designation due to missing AYP for a third year in a row. This will happen despite meeting all 30 indicators.<BR/><BR/>While I feel that it is important that ALL students are served by their respective school districts, I feel that the system Ohio employs is flawed at worst and confusing at best.<BR/><BR/>According to Dublin's website, Dublin CSD is asking state legislators to look into this. I believe that Hilliard CSD has done the same.<BR/><BR/>Aside from the observations above, I can understand the need for accountability. However, I have some concerns that these standardized tests are being overemphasized. I think they need to be put in perspective and considered as just one measure of district's effectiveness. Not to mention, the State needs to come up with a system that is less confusing and misleading (IMHO).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4289345346387194350.post-89167871811080189502008-07-10T14:34:00.000-04:002008-07-10T14:34:00.000-04:00"People have to remember"????? Remember what?! We ..."People have to remember"????? Remember what?! We haven't been TOLD anything, what are we supposed to remember? And I agree <BR/>that 9.5 mills is more than what the community can afford, regardless if they have to come back with another request in a year or two. Too bad they did not think of that when they agreed to the HEA contract, which was not only fiscally irresponsible but politically unsound.Hillirditehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04502059362611692461noreply@blogger.com