Per the ORCSD Jan. 6 presentation (refer to ORCSD web site), I cite the following plans for 2010-2011:
* Place ceiling mounted projectors in every classroom in the district (cost not disclosed in presentation)
* Purchase interactive white boards for the elementary schools (cost not disclosed in presentation)
* Spend $16,200 on mobile computers at Mast Way to replace old mobile computers
* Spend $28,600 to replace teacher laptops and replace old desktops with thin clients at Mast Way
* Spend $16,200 to replace teacher desktops with laptops or add additional laptops to carts at MOH
* Spend $46,600 to replace computer science classroom and redistribute computers to classrooms, add thin client lab, and replace old computers
The above-cited expenses are in addition to the $95,000 TIP which includes an estimated $80,000 to $100,000 phone system upgrade. All these initiatives may have validity and should be part of a long range plan, but the district needs to carefully examine all purchases now.
Would some of the money earmarked for the above-cited spending be better used to save the ORMS secretary position, keep paraprofessional staffing levels, or save a custodial position? Or, does the district want some of the monies preserved to use toward building a high school track, starting a string / orchestral program, adding more foreign language offerings, etc.
An example of waste: Moharimet was closed for a day in October due to a water issue. The rest of the disrict remained open. Teachers at first were told to work, smarter heads prevailed with the realization to ask anyone in a building without running water was simply not okay, and were also excused from the closed school. Confusion then ensued. Do teachers and para's now have to make up the day? Do kids have to make up the day. Normally, no. However we are now being told we have to make up the day as do the students, the proposed dates are Saturdays.
ReplyDeleteCost=buses, pay for the para's.
Benefit=is this a day that we will even have students there and can this day be made worthwhile for education? The days being proposed are the Saturday's around February vacation, many families and staff have already made plans.
This is a cost to the district in money and morale.
I can not sign my name. I work in the district and fear for my job on a weekly basis. Since Howard arrived three years ago morale has sunk to an all time low. Deciions such as these and many more are the reason.
I think Howard Colter's raise this year could pay for the ORMS secretary position. Perhaps he could pay for her out of his salary.
ReplyDeleteHe needs the money for mustache management!
ReplyDeletePickle Boy lol'd
ReplyDeleteI think if the past due lunch accounts were collected...that would pay for a whole bunch of things
ReplyDeleteI am a walrus - goo goo g'joob
ReplyDeleteAs a teacher in this district I am upset that it seem funny to many that people are losing their jobs. We told Kim and Jennifer we do not need more technology, we need basics. We can't sign our names, we can't stand up at a meeting and speak.
ReplyDeleteWe are amazed that more citizens are not standing up for the kids and the teachers. We are sad that more people are not paying attention. We thank those on the board that have fought for us. We thank Kim for the courage to speak up. As many of us who have been in this district for years know, those who speak up are attacked. I hope there are those out there who will find the courage to act, to speak, to do what is right. I hope that tough questions are asked. We are waiting for someone to ask the questions raised by Kim, why is no one stepping foward? The kids and the teachers need your help. Who will help them?
Agreed. More folks need to demand information and answers. Teachers and staff who directly impact classroom learning or keep our schools clean and operational are vital. Any job loss or reduced employment should be scrutinized and not taken lightly.
ReplyDeleteThe central office administration's decisions and recommendations to the Board need to be explained clearly and openly to the community at large.
I am still waiting for a clear and open explanation of this budget. Is a real conversation with real answers going to happen here? The budget hearing saw questions being asked, but not answered. How can we support a $35million dollar budget, that has not been properly analyzed.
ReplyDeleteThe TIP and CIP are also jokes, and should be voted down if "nice to have" items are not removed. Take the nice to haves out, and you won't have to get rid of any positions. People over things!!!!!!!
Come on school board reps, represent us and ask questions that get actual answers.
Yes, I am yet another parent in the district afraid to sign my name. Just call me Dad.
I've decided to follow Mr Speidel's advice and "listen and question" and everyone else should too because he grossly misrepresents the facts! He consistently brings up the spending per pupil at Bow vs. the ORCSD...please know it is a very inapropriate and dishonest comparison for the following reasons:
ReplyDelete-The tax base is totall different in that Bow is the home of a power plant that significantly reduces property tax burdens while Durham has a University that doesn't contribute the value of property and services to the tax base.
- looking at a reduction in Bow's spending from 10 years ago is disingenupus since they were paying off a bond for a significant building project/new high school at the time
I could go on, but please Mr. Speidel, stop your grand standing. We have a good school system and a responsible budget.
I write this from home, watching the school board meeting, am retired and have no children in the ORCSD. We were all educated as part of the greater good principles of a democratic society. As a retired citizen, it is my turn to pay for the next generation.
Further, Anonymous, Mr. Speidel has publicly insulted our stellar school, calling ORHS a "mediocre school" that is "spending like a sailor on shore leave" (quoted in Fosters). This behavior makes it clear that Mr. Speidel's comments and agenda aren't motivated by a respectful concern and consideration for the welfare and success of ORHS students, but rather pure fiscal self-interest.
ReplyDeleteThe Pickle Boy
theoneandonlypickleboy@gmail.com
PB and Anonymous - Do not dismiss Roger Speidel and look more broadly. ORCSD is a very good school district, but it could be exceptional. How about a running track? A district string/orchestral program? Greater foreign language instruction, as early as possible, including Mandarin Chinese? A commitment to core curricula?
ReplyDeleteSo, when Roger points out some fiscal missteps and overspending in certain areas, do not disregard his comments. The district's decisions to spend in one area versus another are critical; these are opportunity costs. Roger may be focused on the bottom line, but take at look at other districts with similar budgets and see what they are offering our children. We have committed and motivating educators, but there are areas where we could do even more.
Megan, One has to disregard his comments if they are dishonest and misleading. His Bow comparison fuels an argument that has no basis of truth. Regarding your comments on similar districts and what they are offering, it is true that choices ultimately need to be made and what you are advocating for(running track, district string/orchestra, and expanded foreign language)costs money. In some cases, the cuts you are advocating for wouldn't offset the costs of the programs you'd like to see and would mean additional spending or cuts to the budget.
ReplyDeleteI don't work in the ORCSD, but do work in another seacoast district. It would seem that we live in the type of a community that could sponsor a string/orchestra program if there was a large scale interest. Wouldn't it be great to have a multigenerational string orchestra formed that would include schoolchildren and adults still wanting a forum to respond? Why does it always need to fall on the school when we have vocal, minority demands for budget cuts and a Board that is forced to defend minutia rather than explore possibilities. Last night's time spent on the cutting of a custodial position embarrased me as an ORCSD citizen.
There are creative solutions and if we stopped micromanaging the Board and directed them to start looking outside the box at solutions which included community and UNH options, I agree w that we could be exceptional. My district has started using the Virtual Learning Academy as part of a solution to expand curriculum with zero impact to the budget. Students can take core courses, AP courses, courses for dual college & high school credit, middle school courses, and foreign language courses, including Mandarin Chinese. We have students in middle school taking high school courses through this option.
There are all sorts of possibilities that are budget neutral. Perhaps if there was more trust given to the people we pay to develop and approve the budget and direct the Board and administration to begin thinking a bit outside the box to add programs with zero budget impact, we could change the tone of the conversation; and not spend so much time diliberating on a custodila position that was part of a $38 million dollar budget.
My two cents...
Anonymous - I appreciate your comment and applaud your innovative thinking. I agree we should take advantage of the opportunities the broader community and UNH affords. Personally, I think it would be more fulfilling joining these efforts than scrutinizing a budget! I also agree that it is unfortunate that so much time had to be spent last night discussing the custodial position. However, the discussion was tied into the Board ultimately cutting the supervisory position, a more substantial budgetary item.
ReplyDeleteAnother concern is that current budget coding and budgetary presentation does not provide a clear picture. I have tried to focus on big ticket items too (e.g., how much is the phone system upgrade, how much does the digital portfolio program cost, why is the fringe rate for central office administration so high), but still struggle to get clear answers.
Some of my proposed cuts may not fund a new track or new foreign language offering outright. However, what is the harm in allocating funds for some of these initiatives as part of a long range district plan? I need to mention that, although the Virtual Learning Academy offers Mandarin, virtual learning environments cannot substitute in-person instruction or living in-country. I studied Chinese and lived in China, so I can attest to this!
Personally, I would rather not delve into this minutia, but, until I trust that money is being spent wisely, I feel obliged to scrutinize spending and demand our long range plan is in place, including improved fiscal planning. With such a plan, Central Office Administration and Board decision-making should become more transparent and not require such intense scrutiny.
Thank you for your participation on this blog. These posts are very constructive!
Megan, a couple of points in response to your post:
ReplyDeleteIt would seem that if we don't trust money is being spent wisely. then we don't trust the administrators developing the budget and spending the money. If that is the case, we are starting at a point that can't get to a constructive conversation until that trust is in place.
The current budget coding is established by the state and is a coding that all public schools must use in developing their budgets.
The Virtual Learning Academy is not a typical online experience. Students are assigned a live, NH certified instructor and the technology allows for face to face conversations and lessons. Teachers and students can share their desktops and take a virtual field trip to anywhere in the world if they'd like and have interactions with other schools and classrooms. This is an example of how we as a community are not thinking outside the box and limiting the possibilities within a framework of our own experience. By the way, the virtual school is funded by the NH Dept. of Ed. and NH students take courses at no costs to the local school or community; it has no impact on our property taxes or school budget.
Off to work...
My two cents
Aramark should replace Randy Loring if he can't do his job
ReplyDeleteIf all of you knew what you were talking about then you would know that ORHS already has students taking classes at the Virtual Learning Academy.
ReplyDeleteWhat most of all of your arugments come down to are the following:
1. The tax structure of NH is flawed - communities rely nearly entirely on property taxes. THis is not fair to towns w/ low tax base and those towns with significant amounts of land owned by the state (Concord, Keene, Plymouth, Durham, etc.). The solution is a fairer tax structure in NH. Too bad you all don't put your energy into changing it.
2. The OR community has very little commercial and idustrial property. Many would suggest this would change the community feel of our towns. While this may be true, there are other options -special tax districts, etc.
HOpefully, the taxpayers and voters of the district won't hold the children in our schools hostage to the real problem -- the state tax structure and lack of commercial/industrial properties.
Also, please don't scapegoat those students who have a documented learning disability. It is not their fault children have this disability and it is not the fault of the OR staff for identifying it.
ReplyDeleteHey anonymous(1/29), I agree with your thoughts on a need for a fairer tax structure and putting all our energies to the state legislature. Your point on the Virtual Learning Academy falls short however. The school offers both middle school courses and high school courses, as well as courses for dual high school and college credit. Comments in this thread were directed at those lamenting that there weren't foreign language options for younger students. Those options are available through the Virtual Learning Academy to middle school students. The school is available to a wider range of students than the ORCSD is currently taking advantage of.
ReplyDelete