All the years of spending without a thought to were the money was coming from has now ended. Dr. Kurtz should contact the state rep. from New Britain after all it is stated in the State Charter that the State is responsible for public education. Go back to neighborhood schools and teach reading, writtng, math, science and history. STOP babysitting, parents need to be involved.
You mean that there will be no more fancy catered lunches for the Superintendent and the board?
How about the glossy magazines and professionally developed and produced commercials that were sent home with each child?
Should our tax dollars really be spent for advertising keeping your children in public schools at our expense instead of relieving the taxpayers of the burden by sending them to better private schools?
How do the taxpayers win by paying for advertising advocating that you should increase our education spending by keeping your children in our schools?
If every teacher they list was actually teaching, the current ratio works out to just over 8 students per teacher, so does this mean they will have to dust off a bunch of teachers who don't teach, apparently getting paid to look out the window all day, and actually put them back in the classroom to do the job they have been getting paid all these years to do?
To those making broad based comments as to what should be cut and how the school system should be run, perhaps you should have attended last night to speak during the public comment session of the budget workshop. There were only three people present who spoke, a parent of an elementary student, Mike Wannik of the CPOA, and myself. If you feel so strongly that you have the solutions to the budget problems and the educational problems of the city then come out into the light of day and speak your mind.
I am the first to state that there is unneeded spending in the BOE budget, but some of the comments and accusations that people make from behind a cloak of anonymity have absolutely no basis in fact.
Stating, for example, that we should go back to teaching "reading, writing, math, science, and history" shows a lack of understanding the educational mandates and requirements schools face which require them to teach all of that and more.
The Board of Education is making tough decisions and the added transparency of the line item budget shows they are putting forward an honest and intelligent effort to work with the city. There is no need for the venomous rhetoric and vitriol that people seem to enjoy wallowing in. This budget season is going to be tough for all departments, BOE included; let's not make the process any more painful that it already is.
"If every teacher they list was actually teaching, the current ratio works out to just over 8 students per teacher, so does this mean they will have to dust off a bunch of teachers who don't teach, apparently getting paid to look out the window all day, and actually put them back in the classroom to do the job they have been getting paid all these years to do?"
This comment highlights what I'm saying about a generic statement being made in ignorance. I shows that the writer does not understand how schools operate.
For example in every elementary school in addition to the regular classroom teachers you have at least 1 music teacher, 1 art teacher, 1 physical education teacher, 1 library/media teacher. These teachers see students on a full time basis, their schedules are full. When a classroom teacher sends their students to one of these classes (typically one per day) they receive a preparation period that they can use to prepare materials and lessons. (Typically a prep period is anywhere from 35 to 45 minutes and not enough time for preparing an entire day of lessons, grading papers, etc. Which is why most teachers come in early, stay late, and take work home with them.) In addition to these teachers you also have special education teachers, reading and math aides, and other professionals who work with students constantly in a small group pull out setting.
So even though an elementary school of 350 students may have 25 teachers on the staff roster it does not mean that class sizes are 14.
So before you lob ignorant and uninformed statements go to the schools and ask to see the schedules. You will see that there are not teachers just "sitting around staring out the window."
My apologies for my harsh tone, but these comments have been made before and time and time again I have tried to explain the error in logic. But it becomes extremely frustrating when people continue to make inane accusations despite repeatedly being offered evidence that their accusations are completely false.
"Nick, you and everyone else doesn't get it. it is the State's responsiblity to provide public education not the taxpayes of New Britain."
Yes, and it would be lovely if they did that. But they don't. So we need to work within the current reality until we get some legislators, like Tim Stewart, who will work to fix the broken system. Until the system is fixed the job of the Mayor, Board of Finance and Taxation and Common Council, in my opinion, will be to balance the needs of the children of New Britain and the needs of the tax payers of New Britain and seek a common ground just as they do with every other departmental budget.
Why are Democrats so opposed to parents having a choice? Why do these oppressors insist on having such power over our children, screwing the children with inferior education opportunities simply to satisfy their union cronies?
I have commented previous times on why school vouchers are not necessarily the answer, especially in New Britain where they could potentially end up costing the tax payers more than they save. They could potentially be part of a solution, but just like the current magnet schools they typically cost more to the tax payers than they save.
I guess Nicholas D. Mercier must be a Democrat because it looks like his feelings were hurt by the earlier posting about Democrats screwing children for the sake of their union cronies.
"I guess Nicholas D. Mercier must be a Democrat because it looks like his feelings were hurt by the earlier posting about Democrats screwing children for the sake of their union cronies."
It is not surprising that you choose to completely abandon the issue being discussed because you have nothing to contribute to the actual topic at hand. My "feelings" don't enter into it. My response was based on the facts at hand in the current situation. May people who post about how to "fix" education have no connection to the education system or working knowledge on how schools function these days. My comments have nothing to do with the unions one way or another, nor did the comments I was replying to.
"By Dr. Kurtz own numbers, there are roughly 8 students per teacher employed by the district, so who will miss 100 teachers?"
You are using flawed math to draw your conclusions. Students are not divided among classrooms this way. See my above posting as to why this logic is flawed.
Who will even notice?
ReplyDeleteAll the years of spending without a thought to were the money was coming from has now ended. Dr. Kurtz should contact the state rep. from New Britain after all it is stated in the State Charter that the State is responsible for public education. Go back to neighborhood schools and teach reading, writtng, math, science and history. STOP babysitting, parents need to be involved.
ReplyDeleteYou mean that there will be no more fancy catered lunches for the Superintendent and the board?
ReplyDeleteHow about the glossy magazines and professionally developed and produced commercials that were sent home with each child?
Should our tax dollars really be spent for advertising keeping your children in public schools at our expense instead of relieving the taxpayers of the burden by sending them to better private schools?
How do the taxpayers win by paying for advertising advocating that you should increase our education spending by keeping your children in our schools?
If every teacher they list was actually teaching, the current ratio works out to just over 8 students per teacher, so does this mean they will have to dust off a bunch of teachers who don't teach, apparently getting paid to look out the window all day, and actually put them back in the classroom to do the job they have been getting paid all these years to do?
ReplyDeleteTo those making broad based comments as to what should be cut and how the school system should be run, perhaps you should have attended last night to speak during the public comment session of the budget workshop. There were only three people present who spoke, a parent of an elementary student, Mike Wannik of the CPOA, and myself. If you feel so strongly that you have the solutions to the budget problems and the educational problems of the city then come out into the light of day and speak your mind.
ReplyDeleteI am the first to state that there is unneeded spending in the BOE budget, but some of the comments and accusations that people make from behind a cloak of anonymity have absolutely no basis in fact.
Stating, for example, that we should go back to teaching "reading, writing, math, science, and history" shows a lack of understanding the educational mandates and requirements schools face which require them to teach all of that and more.
The Board of Education is making tough decisions and the added transparency of the line item budget shows they are putting forward an honest and intelligent effort to work with the city. There is no need for the venomous rhetoric and vitriol that people seem to enjoy wallowing in. This budget season is going to be tough for all departments, BOE included; let's not make the process any more painful that it already is.
Nick, you and everyone else doesn't get it. it is the State's responsiblity to provide public education not the taxpayes of New Britain
ReplyDelete"If every teacher they list was actually teaching, the current ratio works out to just over 8 students per teacher, so does this mean they will have to dust off a bunch of teachers who don't teach, apparently getting paid to look out the window all day, and actually put them back in the classroom to do the job they have been getting paid all these years to do?"
ReplyDeleteThis comment highlights what I'm saying about a generic statement being made in ignorance. I shows that the writer does not understand how schools operate.
For example in every elementary school in addition to the regular classroom teachers you have at least 1 music teacher, 1 art teacher, 1 physical education teacher, 1 library/media teacher. These teachers see students on a full time basis, their schedules are full. When a classroom teacher sends their students to one of these classes (typically one per day) they receive a preparation period that they can use to prepare materials and lessons. (Typically a prep period is anywhere from 35 to 45 minutes and not enough time for preparing an entire day of lessons, grading papers, etc. Which is why most teachers come in early, stay late, and take work home with them.) In addition to these teachers you also have special education teachers, reading and math aides, and other professionals who work with students constantly in a small group pull out setting.
So even though an elementary school of 350 students may have 25 teachers on the staff roster it does not mean that class sizes are 14.
So before you lob ignorant and uninformed statements go to the schools and ask to see the schedules. You will see that there are not teachers just "sitting around staring out the window."
My apologies for my harsh tone, but these comments have been made before and time and time again I have tried to explain the error in logic. But it becomes extremely frustrating when people continue to make inane accusations despite repeatedly being offered evidence that their accusations are completely false.
Laying off 100 overpaid under worked teachers isn't going to solve all of our problems, but it certainly is a good start.
ReplyDelete"Nick, you and everyone else doesn't get it. it is the State's responsiblity to provide public education not the taxpayes of New Britain."
ReplyDeleteYes, and it would be lovely if they did that. But they don't. So we need to work within the current reality until we get some legislators, like Tim Stewart, who will work to fix the broken system. Until the system is fixed the job of the Mayor, Board of Finance and Taxation and Common Council, in my opinion, will be to balance the needs of the children of New Britain and the needs of the tax payers of New Britain and seek a common ground just as they do with every other departmental budget.
School vouchers would be the answer!
ReplyDeleteLet the parents have the choice of where they send their children.
Why are Democrats so opposed to parents having a choice? Why do these oppressors insist on having such power over our children, screwing the children with inferior education opportunities simply to satisfy their union cronies?
ReplyDeleteI have commented previous times on why school vouchers are not necessarily the answer, especially in New Britain where they could potentially end up costing the tax payers more than they save. They could potentially be part of a solution, but just like the current magnet schools they typically cost more to the tax payers than they save.
ReplyDeleteI guess Nicholas D. Mercier must be a Democrat because it looks like his feelings were hurt by the earlier posting about Democrats screwing children for the sake of their union cronies.
ReplyDelete"I guess Nicholas D. Mercier must be a Democrat because it looks like his feelings were hurt by the earlier posting about Democrats screwing children for the sake of their union cronies."
ReplyDeleteIt is not surprising that you choose to completely abandon the issue being discussed because you have nothing to contribute to the actual topic at hand. My "feelings" don't enter into it. My response was based on the facts at hand in the current situation. May people who post about how to "fix" education have no connection to the education system or working knowledge on how schools function these days. My comments have nothing to do with the unions one way or another, nor did the comments I was replying to.
By Dr. Kurtz own numbers, there are roughly 8 students per teacher employed by the district, so who will miss 100 teachers?
ReplyDeleteTo Anonymous:
ReplyDelete"By Dr. Kurtz own numbers, there are roughly 8 students per teacher employed by the district, so who will miss 100 teachers?"
You are using flawed math to draw your conclusions. Students are not divided among classrooms this way. See my above posting as to why this logic is flawed.