After School Activities Middle School

[James_Obrien]

Not criticizing anyone Rob, just supplying the facts. So choose not to accept them, thats fine with me. I have nothing to gain by it. I can only watch as my property value plumits as a result of failed school budgets.

 People come to meetings and state that they want sports and clubs. Well this is cost to provide everthing right now. If people are willing to wait a year or settle for less opptions then it may cost less.

But now that it's out there people can choose. For everyone that said no way here there was someone at the meeting saying yes.

[Tim OBrien]

Folks,
I believe the costs shown on the screen are a based on the actual costs that were incurred in the past when we ran these programs as a district and had a contractual agreement in place negotiated by past boards with the employees of the district.  Stipends are a significant portion.  So are other costs associated with the district running the programs. 

There was a discussion at the last board meeting on this.  View the recording on channel 77.  There are other ways of providing sports that might be less expensive.  An intramural program might be more inclusive and allow more children to participate in each school.  I am sure this will come up for discussion at the next board meeting.    Speaking here as a Parent, I would support an intramural program which offered more kids the chance to participate and allowed the district to outsource it to third parties at potentially lower costs. 
Tim O.

[Thomas Jennings Jr.]

These seem to be the costs the district incurred for the programs. Think of all it includes, busing for events, teacher stipend, equipment, building or field use, and most likely some payment to an insurance policy.

Everyone wanted cuts. Now they have gotten their cuts and think its an outrage. As I've said before, the district can't arbitrarily decrease teacher salaries until their contract is up. They need to maintain a certain number for the schools to remain efficient and provide adequate education.

For those that voted against the budget, you got what you voted for! I agree with tim...there is probably a solution in the middle....

I'm sure if parents want their children to enjoy these activities free of charge they could vote for the budget next year. Or maybe there will be tons of for profit leagues popping up here in howell.....

But the way it sounds, its going to be pay to play and these are pretty reasonable prices.

[Gene_Tanala]

To all:

Just information, not an opinion:

The costs for sports include paying referees also.  Additionally, as  previously stated above, there are contractual stipends, transportation, insurance, etc, this is why the prices have different ranges.

If you watch channel 77, no BOE member wanted co-curricular and/or sports removed. Does everyone think there is this huge conspiracy to not offer our students the best? 

As for Mr. Nicastro comments on our Adminstration, if Govonor Christies' plan goes through to rein in Administrators salaries, our Superintendent and others would be in for a raise. These Central Office Administrators (4) did what the Govonor asked and did not take thier raises this year.

The Govonors proposal would give them raises under his plan.

As a citizen

Gene Tanala

[Rob_Nicastro]

Gene, perhaps you're not familiar with the Governor's proposal. I believe according to the district website, our district Superintendent earns more than $185,000.00. and we have approximately 6700 students. If my math is correct, thats over $10,000 more than what is proposed. Maybe the savings could have covered some of the extracurricular activities cost.

"Gov. Chris Christie Thursday revealed a plan to end the bidding wars that have fattened school superintendents’ salaries, saying he will limit their pay based on how many students they serve and offer bonuses tied to student achievement.
The proposal would mean salary cuts for 366 superintendents at the end of their current contracts, saving school districts $9.8 million, the Republican governor said. The new rules also would encourage districts to share superintendents and administrative teams, reducing the overlap in those positions and producing more savings.


Maximum pay for superintendents would be pegged to enrollment, from $120,000 for the smallest districts up to $175,000 for districts with between 3,000 and 10,000 students".

[Gene_Tanala]

Mr. Nicastro:

I think we received conflicting reports, I think yours is correct, here fore I need to apoligize to you. I was wrong.

I received my figures  in error from NJ.com


I am corrected
Gene

[Rob_Nicastro]

Gene,

Apology accepted, although not necessary, it's appreciated.. We're all human.

Rob

[Thomas Jennings Jr.]

I think this move is the first one I wholly 100% agree with the Governor on. The fat is at the top...and $10,000 is $10,000 that could be used somewhere else. Put it into extracurriculars, or new supplies, or...anything than continuing to line the pockets of the rich (in this case, many many superintendents in NJ). A new superintendent shouldnt get paid the same amount as one that has been working in that position in the district for many years.

[John Gazire]

I am busy this week with VBS and can't attend the meeting but I do have one comment. In Rec. leagues everyone plays. You may start your best players but you make every attempt to get EVERY child fair playing time. In school leagues you want to win and on some there are cut lists and the best players play. What do you tell the parents who's kids aren't starting or the star?  Some parents go crazy over playing time when there is a small rec fee. What will happen when they are dropping $500 to see their kid sit on the bench every game?
Also some kids go out for things to try something new and see if they like it. Some want to do it to be with their friends. This is part of growing up and being a pre-teen/teen. At $200-$500 a pop the kids who might want to try something will not be able to.

[Pat Garaffa]

"What will happen when they are dropping $500 to see their kid sit on the bench every game? "

Or worse, 2 or 3 kids?  We all have kids and they all want to be involved.  My kids played on soccer, lacrosse and my youngest is a cheerleader.  And that in addition to many clubs both inside and outside of school that we paid into or volunteered our time.  I have no idea what all those in-school programs would cost these days but I assure you – we probably wouldn’t be able to participate if I was writing $1000 checks every autumn and again in the spring.    

And what happens when you can afford 1 but not 2 kid’s sports programs?  Maybe 500 is tolerable but $1000 is not?  Do both kids have to suffer?  Apparently so.  

This is a dollar chasing after a dime.  The money saved will cost us 100 times that in housing values down the road as the schools continue to deteriorate.  We already have enough challenges in the housing area and keeping values stable is a real problem.  We don’t need the town and the schools accelerating this problem (lack of housing demand) by turning the schools into a giant cash register or eliminating popular programs.  They are just adding fuel to the fire.    

You made an excellent point John.  I feel bad for those who sit the sidelines at every game and rarely, if ever, participate.  Their uniforms are retired as clean as the day they got them but they continue to come out and support the team's efforts - even if that means standing on the sidelines.  

You are 100% correct - how many in any sport will continue to do this, pay these fees, and still not get into the game?   They won’t.  And they’ll leave.   And then we will have 30 kids instead of 60 on a football team.  And the remaining 30 will have to pick up the fixed costs and their $500 will become $800.  And then another 15 kids parents will hit their budget’s threshold and will have to leave.  And the remaining kids will have to pick up the team’s fixed costs again and the price goes to $1000 and a few more leave.  Eventually, the team goes away because only wealthy Waldo can afford to participate.  And he is a crappy player who always drops the ball!  

What sounds great on paper rarely works out to be a good idea when put into action.  My opinion – this is a stupid idea.  The same with charging the Boy Scouts $100 to use the gym for 1.5 hours each week.  We give back much more than $100 per week in community service.  Should we start charging to help old ladies across the street?  

The school has determined the costs of everything but has overlooked the value.  Less kids will play and participate which translates to lower demand for the programs and teams.  So they disband.  The kids have nothing to do in school or out because there is nothing left  - only a school parking lot filled with expensive cars.  

Eventually, we will have less demand for Howell because our schools don't offer these programs but other towns continue to do so.  The 50 bucks we saved in property taxes will equate to thousands of dollars when it's time to sell your home.   Assuming you are lucky enough to get it sold at all!  

[James_Obrien]

Pat sometimes I just can't figure out what side of the fence you are on.

But it takes the whole community to support the district and every part of the educational process in order to offer all the great things the district has offered over the years.

The fact is the district is charged with educating our children. Offering clubs and sports in a format we all could afford and participate in takes the support of the entire community.

[Jody_Branin]

And my question still stands.  Peer Tutoring - who pays?  Those that are tutoring or those being tutored?

[Al_Miller]

Sadly when I asked this question I was told they both would pay. Even though I can't see a parent pay to have their child pay to tutor another child.

[Kathy_Baratta]

Even though I can't see a parent pay to have their child pay to tutor another child.

It looks great on a college application so to some, the price is negligible when you look at the potential 'payoff" on their kid's resume/application for college.

[Jody_Branin]

Sadly when I asked this question I was told they both would pay. Even though I can't see a parent pay to have their child pay to tutor another child.

Thank you for asking and answering.  

All I can say is harumph.. that's not going to work.  I'm betting they will still have peer tutoring but it won't be considered a "club".  Was it always considered a club?  

Kathy, I don't think my son put down on his College Application that he tutored in Middle School.  High School, yes.  I don't recall it being a "club" in High School either.  There was tutoring through National Honor Society and my son's Guidance Counselor asked him to tutor a younger student in one of his best subjects.  (for free)

Tutoring is a service and a good deed.  To ask one to pay to perform such a service is an insult.