Pink Slips

[Al_Miller]

Rumor has it that over 200 pink slips have been issued to Teachers & Staff over the past few days. This came down as they all were celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week. I wonder if it is a ploy to use in front of the Town Council and exactly how many will be called back. Some of these Teachers & Staff were tentured Teachers with quite a few years already in.

[James_Obrien]

Why does it always have to be a ploy or game that the Board is playing?

The simple fact of the matter is that this is happening all over the state. When you vote to payless you get less. It's that simple.

[Al_Miller]

Why a ploy? Well last year they told the Council they issued 70 + pink slips and it wasn't till the Council kept drilling them did they admit that they were bring all but about 30 something back. That is why I wonder if it is a ploy. If they don't bring any of them back it would mean No Art, Music, Computers, Media and other classes for the students.

[James_Obrien]

You would have to understand "bumping rights" to understand why so many "pink slips". You must notify each person that may be laid off with 60 days. It has nothing to do with sending out pink slip just to call people back. The notice gives people the oppertunity to look for a job in the event they are RIF'd.

This is part of Howell's problem, we can't get past the us against then additude.

[Michele_bell]

I think part of the problem is the way it was portrayed to the public. At the meetings that was never explained, even at the town meeting after the budget vote. If 40 people were to be RIF'd, but 70 had to be notified they were in the pool, the public should have been told that fact. Instead the only number that was ever mentioned, until pressed by the council, was 70. Why? There was more than ample opportunities to explain it at the regular meetings, community relations meetings, finance etc.

[James_Obrien]

It was explain very clear. 70 was the number of Positions that would be lost. The number of Bodies would depend on retierments, non-renewal of contracts and people simply leaving the district. But to eleminate 7o Positions 200 people must be notified while you work out the cuts.

I would rather know I should consider all opptions if I was a teacher in Howell right now. Now 200 people know where they stand.

[Gene_Tanala]

There is a requirement by law that we must notify tenured teachers  by a certain date. Because we do not know the number the towship is looking to cut, we must give slips  to everyone who MAY (key word is may) be affected.

There is no ploy or deception.  Based on the number the township comes up with will determine any additional cuts. We will not know this until the day of the BOE meeting, We will be meeting with the township the same date of the BOE meeting. And everyone  questions why important issues as this are acted on at the last minute.

The date was given by the township and we must abide by it.

It would be nice if the community would stop living in the past. We have five BOE members that average 1 year of experience. That is a majority Presently there is a nice mix with experience  and new.

What we all need to do is have a little more confidence in the people you elected. TRUST US for a change, this board is rolling up thier sleeves and looking to work hard for everyone affected by these serious cuts.

Gene Tanala   

[Michele_bell]

James and Gene, I was speaking about last years cuts. Not this year's. The public now knows what is going on, however, LAST year's communication issues is where a lot of the mistrust arose.

[Keith_Raposa]

"Trust us"  Are you serious.  When has trusting any elected person resulted in anything but more headaches and more of the samo samo?  Just because you were elected doesn't mean I trust you.  Trust must be earned.  Lets see how you do for a while before you ask me to trust you.

There is a requirement by law that we must notify tenured teachers  by a certain date. Because we do not know the number the towship is looking to cut, we must give slips  to everyone who MAY (key word is may) be affected.

There is no ploy or deception.  Based on the number the township comes up with will determine any additional cuts. We will not know this until the day of the BOE meeting, We will be meeting with the township the same date of the BOE meeting. And everyone  questions why important issues as this are acted on at the last minute.

The date was given by the township and we must abide by it.

It would be nice if the community would stop living in the past. We have five BOE members that average 1 year of experience. That is a majority Presently there is a nice mix with experience  and new.

What we all need to do is have a little more confidence in the people you elected. TRUST US for a change, this board is rolling up thier sleeves and looking to work hard for everyone affected by these serious cuts.

Gene Tanala   

[Ray_Spengler]

Vote to pay less, you get less?  I disagree since the budget in Howell has not passed in 15 years (something like that).  So that would lead me to think we always vote to pay less in recent memory and the educaiton of the children and most extra programs were not cut nor teachers laid off in those 15 years. 

Voters did vote yes for the technology reforendum a few years back to expand that area of learning for the children.  This leads me to believe voters care about educating the children.  I think it was a message all along (voting down the budget year after year) that tax payers can not sustain higher property taxes year after year.

I think this year is different because the state does not have enough $ for the expected contribution to the schools in the entire state (not just Howell) so when the vote came last month and it failed - once again, now the pain is felt because the state does not have the $ to pay out. 

If the state does not do something, can the state go bankrupt?  What then?  Fire everyone and shutdown the schools and start over with the hiring process?

Just an opinion - its a lose lose for all involved unless the way to fund schools changes and people on both sides become reasonable to work something (that is fair) out for union workers and tax payers.

[James_Obrien]

Vote to pay less, you get less?  I disagree since the budget in Howell has not passed in 15 years (something like that).  So that would lead me to think we always vote to pay less in recent memory and the education of the children and most extra programs were not cut nor teachers laid off in those 15 years.

This is the typical response from someone that is glancing in once in awhile to see what is going on. Every year the budget was voted down cuts from $500,000 to 2 million dollars were made. Some cuts stand out more than others. The goal of class sizes in the teens has been lost. Fifth grade sports and club have been lost. A school has been closed. And many changes have been made that the occasional visitor would not see.

Voters did vote yes for the technology reforendum a few years back to expand that area of learning for the children.  This leads me to believe voters care about educating the children.  I think it was a message all along (voting down the budget year after year) that tax payers can not sustain higher property taxes year after year.

The technology referendum was more like 12 years ago. And while I voted for it and still support it many people thought support ended at the vote. A network like the one built in Howell needs never ending support. Computers need to be replaced software needs to be updated and the entire system needs a support team. Budgets that have been voted down have put many of these upgrades on the back burner.

I think this year is different because the state does not have enough $ for the expected contribution to the schools in the entire state (not just Howell) so when the vote came last month and it failed - once again, now the pain is felt because the state does not have the $ to pay out.

This year is different because we have a Governor that wants blood. And the cuts he has enacted are not enough for him. He cut everyone’s budget this year he cut everyone’s budget for next year and still allowed a vote on the budgets in order to force any council where the budget got voted down to cut even more. This is a man that does not support public education. That is clear his children go to private school.

Quality Education cost money. It’s sad to say but Howell Township does not support quality Education.

[Al_Miller]

Many of the cuts that are made are prior to the budget going before the Public for Vote. Such as Closing Southard, Cutting Courtesy Bussing, Reducing Media, Music, Computer Teachers, Elementary VPs and etc. So why would a parent want to pass a budget knowing they are losing many things that affect their child the most. While people at Central Administration are sitting pretty and not being affected.

As far as trusting the BOE Members I think the BOE needs to be move open and upfront with the Community and gain the trust of the community. Trust is like respect it is earned. I personally feel very confident and trust most of the current members.

[James_Obrien]

Many of the cuts that are made are prior to the budget going before the Public for Vote. Such as Closing Southard, Cutting Courtesy Bussing, Reducing Media, Music, Computer Teachers, Elementary VPs and etc. So why would a parent want to pass a budget knowing they are losing many things that affect their child the most. While people at Central Administration are sitting pretty and not being affected.

As far as trusting the BOE Members I think the BOE needs to be move open and upfront with the Community and gain the trust of the community. Trust is like respect it is earned. I personally feel very confident and trust most of the current members.

All cuts made as a result of years of FAILED budgets.

[Al_Miller]

True and until the Community has complete Trust in Administration and they stop making cuts on the School level and start making them at Central Administration I don't see budgets passing.

[Gene_Tanala]

Keith:

One would imagine you voted for people that you trust, and vote out people you do not. As far as "samo samo"  you are correct, the budget has been rejected 13 times in 15 years.

This is where the trust factor comes in. Obvioulsy, the community does not even trust who they elected or they would pass a budget. Did you ever wonder if you passed a budget, any busget, our situation finacialy would be better than it is?

Too much negativity on both sides. Do not believe everything you hear as the laws that govern education are much different than your local government., etc;

As a board, we need to educate the community on the budget process, unfortunately, the only time attendace is abundant is when the local BOE is proposing its budget. Where are all these taxpayers throughout the year? 

Perhaps workshops, attendance at county educational meetings, etc, can help educate the community. We need input from everyone. especially in the beginning of the budget process, which startes immeadiately after the BOE's reorganization.

Lets work together not against each other, and perhaps we can learn from each other.

Just a though!

Gene Tanala