School Committee Votes To Issue 700 Layoff Notices
Most notices will likely be rescinded, but the teachers union still cries foul
Photos
With a crowd of angry teachers looking on, the School Committee voted Wednesday night to send layoff notices to 700 school department employees.
Despite the vote, most of those unionized workers — and possibly all — will likely keep their jobs. School Committee members said they took the action because state law requires them to send layoff notices by March 1. With no firm information about finances, they have no way of knowing if they'll have to trim the staff before the next school year starts in September.
"We have an abundance of wonderful, valuable, dedicated teachers, and I hope that all will be recalled," Superintendent Giovanna Donoyan said before the vote. "This action is out of caution. I do not wish to break your contract."
Committee members John Donlon and Eleanor Nadeau voted against sending the notices. "If this was to lay off 200 or 300, I could support it," Donlon said. "But not all. After they receive these notices, are teachers really going to give 100 percent for the rest of the year?"
"There's a hidden agenda," Nadeau added. In a brief interview after the meeting, she offered no insight into what that might mean. "How would I know?" she said. "It's hidden."
The vote came as the school department struggles to put an end to annual budget shortfalls. It ended last year $2.7 million in the red, and another shortfall is expected this year. At this point, no one is predicting how large it will be.
As a result of the school department deficits, two bond rating agencies have reduced the city's credit rating. Many residents are fearful Woonsocket could end up the next Rhode Island city in state receivership, and that a hike in the property tax rate could be coming soon.
The pink slips are also going to teaching assistants, custodians and clerks, but teachers are leading the protests. More than 100 attended Wednesday's meeting. Many of them donned purple T-shirts as a show of solidarity, and carried signs that bore the logo of the American Federation of Teachers.
Some members of the Woonsocket Teachers Guild have said they fear the School Committee is actually using the mass layoff to get rid of senior teachers, who are paid significantly more than those just starting their careers. Under that scenario, the committee would require teachers to reapply for their jobs, and base rehiring on salary.
Union president Jeff Partington echoed those sentiments during Wednesday's meeting. He told the School Committee to "respect seniority" when teachers are recalled, and he described the mass layoff as "ill-considered and poorly planned."
Avoiding the word "taxes," Partington insisted the city raise funds to pay school department salaries. "It's a revenue problem, not a cost problem," he said. "The well has run dry."
School Committee Chairwoman Anita McGuire Forcier agreed. "You're correct," she said. "The urban districts need additional funds. Unfortunately, as a school committee we cannot generate revenue."
The meeting drew a crowd of about 200 people, including several members of the City Council. "This isn't something I wanted to see happen," said Dan Gendron, the council's vice chairman, after the session ended. "But the School Committee was put in an awkward position by the March 1 deadline, which was pushed through years ago by the teachers' union."
Norman R Pelland
9:23 am on Thursday, February 23, 2012
"There's a hidden agenda," (Eleanor) Nadeau added. In a brief interview after the meeting, she offered no insight into what that might mean. "How would I know?" she said. "It's hidden."
While everyone is entitled to their opinion, counter-productive and negative remarks such as these by Ms. Nadeau are sending the wrong message. The state laws speak for themselves. Many people are thinking this but no one is posting this. I will: IT IS TIME FOR ELEANOR NADEAU TO RESIGN FROM THIS SCHOOL COMMITTEE; I demand it!!! She obviously cannot work with the team for the mutual benefit of our school-aged children. She has no grounds for her "suspicions". Utterly rediculous...
Brenda Galvin
10:58 am on Thursday, February 23, 2012
My feeling is that Eleanor is right there is a hidden agenda. While I do believe Eleanor says lots of things that get her in trouble, I feel she is a great person. We need people with different view points on every committee. Its how we as a society should be. When we are on a committee we should all have different view points and come to a mutual understanding of them. Thats what Ellie does.
Brenda Galvin
11:00 am on Thursday, February 23, 2012
My question is what are we going to do if these wonderful teachers get offered a job in another city and go? Where does that leave our children?
Norman R Pelland
4:51 pm on Thursday, February 23, 2012
Brenda, I so agree with you! Having participants in meetings with different points of view and opinions is what has made our country strong and great and must never be amended or changed in our Constitution. But, from my vantage point, everytime I read news articles and reports of this school committee, it is this particular individual's abraisive and insinuating behavior that make my skin crawl. And, frankly, it need not be. It appears [my opinion] that she intentionally and deliberately votes against any motions that the members are presenting, blatently accusing them of wrong doing, etc. If she has such information, she must come forth with the details. And when called to task about it, she says she doesn't. So, the bickering continues meeting after meeting... Childish? I think so...
Now. In her defense, I feel that if she genuinely feels so strongly about an issue or motion at hand, by all means, she should vote her conscience, and additionally, provide an explanation as to her voting decisions and feelings, rather than throw more darts...
Sue G
11:13 am on Thursday, February 23, 2012
In the not too distant past, all of the teachers of Central Falls were terminated. This was done because they refused to try to work with the state to improve scores. Woonsocket teachers have been more than cooperative and have enthusiastically continued to teach our children while working on concessions to assist with the financial disaster we seem to have created.
To lay off ALL the teaching staff for the first time in history must make these hardworking veteran teachers feel blindsided and unappreciated. It seems to me that this is only setting the stage for suspicion and poor morale.
Patrick Luce
11:42 am on Thursday, February 23, 2012
Just to clarify, no teachers were laid off. The School Committee just issued notices to all teachers in case any layoffs are required in the next year. State law requires such notification by March 1.
Brenda Galvin
12:33 pm on Thursday, February 23, 2012
Patrick I don't know where you are getting your information but ALL Woonsocket teachers are laid off as of June 30th. Unless School committe calls them back.
Hope Less
1:33 pm on Thursday, February 23, 2012
Thank you for the kind words. I am disheartened by this vote, especially when two of the three that voted in favor are a recent student, and one a parent of a recent graduate. I would have thought that these 2 committee members would treat us fairly and recognize that we are being pushed to the edge. Many of us veteran teachers are making less each year. And we are attempting to do more in our classrooms with less also. Not only have we worked under concessions we also invest hours away from our children and families attending professional development, or completing surveys and or reports that have allowed us to acquire texts, and/or materials for the classroom. How often have we started the school year with out supplies, even toilet paper was an issue in the faculty bathroom this year. Copy machines not working, no paper to print, It is time to make the hard decisions and dig deep to cut what needs to be cut. This is not the way to encourage our some of our new hardworking teachers either. Why would they want to stay? This was a bad decision. What a message to send!
la_mouffette
2:45 pm on Sunday, March 4, 2012
Brenda, they may or may not be genuinely laid off.
They are "technically" laid off. Something similar happened last year.
The school is drastically over budget by millions of dollars for the third year in a row. Last year the state gave us a loan to cover the gap and warned us not to do ti again... but we have. We won't know by how much until the city council meeting on Monday.
(there will be a special workshop first at 6 at town hall. IT WILL NOT BE ON TV.
Everyone who possibly can should attend. It is HUGELY important.)
The administration issued these lay-offs again this year
to keep every avenue of action open as they try to figure out how to keep us afloat. If they don't notify everyone by March, the Teachers Union contract bars them from laying anyone off later.
I don't like it anymore than you do,
but we are all in a horrible situation.
You don't want to lose your job.
We don't want to lose our homes to tax debt,
or our right to be governed by people we voted for as a city, which we will lose if we go into receivership.
Both could happen in the next couple of years.
XBOXONE RULES
11:15 am on Thursday, February 23, 2012
why is it that since mcguire forcier reorganized the subcommittes and elanor nadeau wasn't goona chair her favorite committee she seems to diagree with everything see thats whats wrong the this department they can't get along donlon was supported by our so called glorious mayor LEO FONTAINE so what does that say about him
John Galt
1:07 pm on Thursday, February 23, 2012
So apparently, it's not other staff, just teachers and aides.
Lori
7:38 am on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
all staff except administration
Steve
1:08 pm on Thursday, February 23, 2012
So I guess that 10 to 1 student to teacher ratio holds true?
Hope Less
11:08 am on Friday, February 24, 2012
When I speak of a teacher I speak of those of us in the classroom everyday, teaching. Unfortunately support staff are part of the count too, so the 10 to 1 ratio is misleading. Walk into a first grade classroom and I assure you there are more than 10 students. You are using those numbers to mislead the public.
As far as the NECAP scores what is your point? What do you know about the test?
Not everything is as black and white as you think!
Stop blaming the teachers that have no control over student attendance among other things. Look at the culture, and the changing population in our school system along with the increase in rigor.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/10/education/education-gap-grows-between-rich-and-poor-studies-show.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1
Education Gap Grows Between Rich and Poor, Studies Say
By SABRINA TAVERNISE
Published: February 9, 2012
Meredith Phillips, an associate professor of public policy and sociology at the University of California, Los Angeles, used survey data to show that affluent children spend 1,300 more hours than low-income children before age 6 in places other than their homes, their day care centers, or schools (anywhere from museums to shopping malls). By the time high-income children start school, they have spent about 400 hours more than poor children in literacy activities, she found.
Upset Citizen
7:38 pm on Sunday, February 26, 2012
Steve, clearly you have no understanding of public schools and their structure. Special education and support staff make up a large part of the staff that are required to operate a school that provides a free and appropriate public education. If you think removing these positions (at the suggestion of someone with no clue how education works) will save money, you are so wrong. The entire district will be ut of compliance, and subject to multiple lawsuits. start adding up those figures, and you'll find that your negligent ideas will cost the district far more than filling these positions.
Norman R Pelland
4:38 pm on Thursday, February 23, 2012
People please... How many times must this be clarified for you? No one has yet been laid off. Again: Per state law, layoff notices are issued in advance just in case any layoffs are required in the next year. State law requires such notification by March 1 of each year... So when all teachers receive this notice, it is only in compliance of state law. It is absurd to remark that all teachers are laid off. That would never happen, who would be there to teach if that were the case?
John Galt
4:49 pm on Thursday, February 23, 2012
What exactly does the notice state Norman?
While I doubt that anyone realistically expects to terminate the entire staff, whom *should* consider themselves unemployed in June at this point?
Norman R Pelland
5:12 pm on Thursday, February 23, 2012
Not being a teacher John, I cannot provide exact wording of this advance notice. Perhaps one of the teachers or school committee members can provide that inquiry here on these pages. As stated previously, the actual number of layoff notices will not be know until final budget figures are completed. Only then can this be determined. Just a matter of routine...
Sue G
5:18 pm on Thursday, February 23, 2012
Obviously All cannot be laid off. The difficulty comes as during the time period of March 1 to June 30, not ONE member of the teacing staff feels that there is any job security. All are on pins and needles waiting for the other shoe to drop.
la_mouffette
2:54 pm on Sunday, March 4, 2012
in which case, Susan, the teachers who live out of town
know how the tax and rate payers in the city feel =(
we're in a big mess.
Those of us who pay attention have been on pins and needles for a long time now.
Some of us can barely make ends meet after we pay the water, sewer, trash collection....not to mention property taxes on what the city VALUES our homes at, rather than what the real market value is.
Look at how many boarded up and foreclosed homes you see as you drive around this city.
We are drowning.
We need good teachers, they are so precious.
And the teachers don't deserve this!
But we are all in a rotten, rotten, complicated mess, and the school going wildly over budget for three years straight is part of it =(
I don't know how we can survive without bravely facing some really tough measures. For you, it's wondering if you'll have a job come fall.
For us, it's wondering if our children will have a decent school in the fall...
provided we are still in our homes.
That homestead exemption may have to go the way of the Dodo soon.
Roxane
5:07 pm on Thursday, February 23, 2012
NECAP scores are going up. If you compare the data to past years and to similar communities you will see that the students are improving. Steve, not sure where you went to school BUT any teacher would tell you to research facts before writing things on public forums.
The teaching staff consists of more than just classroom teachers. There are reading specialists, librarians, educational coaches, school nurses, speech pathologists, guidance counselors, social workers, psychologists, occupational therapists, art teachers, physical education teachers and music teachers. I apologize to any sub group that I left out. There are about 500 certified employees, which were laid off last evening, many which are mandated by the BASIC EDUCATIONAL PLAN. In addition to the BEP, districts need to follow: P L 94-142 (Education of All Handicapped Children Act) also known as IDEA. The other 100 union positions are paraprofessionals.
I respect Ellie, John, Anita and Vimala. I am not happy with the 2-3 decisions however they at least tried to justify their votes. I hope they are true to their words and follow the contract.
If you think teachers have it made, go to college and get a Master’s Degree. You can be a substitute for multiple years. If you are good enough to get hired you can expect to get laid off your first 5 years of teaching. ****No one knows what it is like to walk in someone else’s shoes. Until you do, you shouldn’t make any judgments.
Steve
7:45 pm on Thursday, February 23, 2012
Roxane, not sure why you're asking me where I went to school, as I don't see this clouding or affecting any facts or counterpoints that I have or will state now:
1.) The WED has been in a deficit situation for the last five years now, resulting in the City of Woonsocket's credit rating status being downgraded to "Junk Bond" status.
2.) The WED had reported a surplus for the 2010 budget only to find out that it’s a 2.7 Millions dollar deficit .
3.) The WED has no clue as to what their current deficit will be for 2011, and this continued dysfunctional work ethic has resulted in the addition of 4 to 5 additional folks just to try to determine how much the WED is in arrears for their current fiscal year.
Steve
7:45 pm on Thursday, February 23, 2012
4.) The tax payers of Woonsocket are already paying some of the highest tax rates in the state, and when you figure this year and last year’s deficits into the equation, the tax payers of Woonsocket are looking at a supplemental tax bill and another 5% increase in the property rate just to balance these two deficits.
With these facts in mind, it would seem to me (not having a “Masters”degree) that with a collection of minds and positions that we currently have in the Woonsocket school system including: reading specialists, librarians, educational coaches, school nurses, speech pathologists, guidance counselors, social workers, psychologists, occupational therapists, art teachers, physical education teachers and music teachers and such, you collectively, would be able to figure out how to actually “Balance” a budget from one year to another without putting the city and school system at risk of going into bankruptcy and being taken over by the state!
At one point, the WED was under a court order to balance their books, but that wasn’t even adhered to!
I’m assuming that you offer an actual economics class for your students? These consistent WED deficits may be a good case study for your students going forward.
But then again, I don’t have a “Masters” degree so I guess my post doesn’t count.......
Mike
8:38 am on Saturday, February 25, 2012
Thanks Steve. good points. A quick look at national teacher to student ratios shows theft RI has the second highest teacher to student ratio in the country. One way this happens is temporary grants to schools. The school gets a grant, and people under the provisions of the grant. The grant runs out, and the school keeps the people on the payroll.
Lastly, not all the teachers need be rehired. Student numbers are falling. The poor performing teachers (and you know who they are) should not be rehired.
Juliette
4:58 pm on Saturday, February 25, 2012
Well said Roxanne!
Upset Citizen
7:45 pm on Sunday, February 26, 2012
another note to steve... why are you blaming the teachers, and supporting the school committee? They are the ones that are supposed to balance the budget. This is not the fault of the teachers who are working hard in this district. Why are you blaming them for other people's mismanagement? If you really are really an concerned tax payer (as am I) you should be screaming at SC members for the awful things they have done to this town. If you've still got some fire, turn towards city hall. This happened on Leo Fontaine's watch, he should have to explain himself.
Norman R Pelland
5:14 pm on Thursday, February 23, 2012
Well said Roxane.
Linda L. Jellows
5:56 pm on Thursday, February 23, 2012
Elle Nadeau is a brilliant woman and a friend of education. Perhaps that's the problem. Linda L. Jellows. p.s. Great speech Roxane. Thank you.
Still Hope
8:32 pm on Thursday, February 23, 2012
Steve, don't mix up teachers and administration. The teachers are doing what they can with what little they have. What makes this all a shame is that we are having a discussion on how we can salvage this school system to where it can operate on the lowest standard possible. We should be at a point where we should be adding enrichment programs instead of cutting basic programs.
I work in the Weston/Wellesley area of MA. They operate on a higher budget than Woonsocket with only half the number of students. Which town do you think has better test scores and greater opportunity? Woonsocket is a great city and is peppered with amazing culture. It just needs a competent leadership to take it from scraping the barrel to filling the barrel. The children are losing here.
Steve
10:10 pm on Thursday, February 23, 2012
Still Hope, how about a competent leadership in the WED? One that can actually balance a budget and stay with what they project on a yearly basis. Is that too much to ask?
Juliette
5:00 pm on Saturday, February 25, 2012
I agree Steve, they do need a competent leadership to balance the budget.
Any spending to the school department is brought before the school committee for approval.....so I ask you.....when there is a deficit, why go after the teachers? They are not the ones who spent all the money!!
XBOXONE RULES
9:38 pm on Thursday, February 23, 2012
Steve what is going on in your head are you really that bull headed as to suggest WED is running deficits on purpose,unfortunately the city's bond rating being downgraded started before this problem with WED so check your facts again before running it, so steve where did you go to school not around here apparently because you trash this school department like a child to their bedroom
Steve
10:30 pm on Thursday, February 23, 2012
Hello again Robert, how are you? Good I hope. Once again, as you continually live in denial, the WED is the ONLY reason the city is in the state it is today. Please come off the WED support limb you keep clinging on to and face the facts. Both you and I know full well why the city is in this position, and without any real action on the part of the WED or School Committee, the city WILL go bankrupt. Period! The WED needs to reduce headcount by 5 to 10 % across the board. They need to consolidate duplicate services that exist within the school system, both from an administration and education support services standpoint, and they need to consolidate schools by eliminating at least one of the elementry schools in the city. The student population has declined by 500 students within the last 5 years, and will most likely decline even further within the next five years as more people leave the city due to increasing rents, decreasing property values and increased tax rates. The handwriting is on the wall, It doesn't take a "Masters" degree to read it.........
And for the teachers who don't feel "Comfortable" in their positions, welcome to the real world. Maybe now you'll know what it feels like to see your 401k plan turn to crap, your retirement plan go down the tubes, your property values drop by 40% and tax rates increase by 20% within the last 4 years........ Yeah, welcome to our world.
Juliette
5:12 pm on Saturday, February 25, 2012
Yes Robert, I agree. Now Steve, you, being a Woonsocket Graduate, should have some personal ties to all of this. You went through the system and I am sure you had teachers who inspired you to do well. I do not believe that the city is in this mess because of the school department. Financially the city officials need to learn how to balance their budget...welcome to the real world! I too, am in the corporate world and know how 401K's and salaries all work. I have had many friends lose their jobs only to find out there is not much out there due to the economy. As far as taxes increasing, property values going down........and don't forget, cost of living has gone up, yes that is the real world and teachers live in it just like you and I. So your 401K is crap?? Who knows what the teachers will have when they retire????? I value the education I received.....do YOU??
Dawn Mackenzie
11:15 pm on Thursday, February 23, 2012
Steve, Why didn't you apply for the superintendent position? You have ALL the answers. Oh that's right you won't even tell us where you went to school.
Steve
1:33 am on Friday, February 24, 2012
Well Dawn and co., for your information, I'm a proud graduate of WHS, class of 73. Happy now, like it makes a difference right? How about you and some of other folks that are asking? Where did you go to school? I'm really interested, no wait, I really couldn't care less! How about this novel thought though, why don't you list your ideas on how to maintain a balanced budget and get the city back on track rather than ask stupid questions that really have no relavance what so ever to the conversation, or maybe you just like to belittle anyone that doens't conform to the teachers way of thinking.......
Mew
5:05 pm on Friday, February 24, 2012
Steve you are absolutley right on target!! I love the way the teachers come out of the woodwork when its on line!! They never had the guts to get in front of a michrophone at city hall and speak to the people of Woon. in regards to how they feel. I am so digusted with this whole situation,it's all about them!! They care nothing about this city,it's all about the big pensions. UNIONS!!! I HATE THEM ALL!!!!!
Upset Citizen
7:54 pm on Sunday, February 26, 2012
Steve, why not try talking about brain surgery instead, you likely know just as much about that.
Steve
10:18 pm on Sunday, February 26, 2012
Well, again I say to Upset Citizen, where are YOUR ideas on how to turn this now 5+ million dollar WED budget deficit around? Gee, no answers, just, it's the other guy's problem, it's the other guy's fault, not mine right? Well, here's the reality, when the state gets done dissecting the WED and Woonsocket school system, you'll wish that some of your so-called "Special Education and support staff majority teaching force" had come together and come up with ideas, rather than just pass the buck to other groups in the system! The day of reckoning is coming and it's coming quickly.
Lillian
1:17 pm on Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Wow Steve you sure have a lot of time on your hands during the day, hopefully you are not writing all these posts on company time. You seem to be a know it all on everything. Are we a bit angry because you didn't get into city politics like you wanted?
Steve
7:18 pm on Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Well Hello Lillian, how are you?
Welcome to the Patch posting list.
I don't know if I should be flattered or insulted by knowing that your first TWO posts on the patch are asking ME who I work for, if I’m an aspiring politician, if I’m a defeated politician or if I’m a “Know it all”?
Out of all the various topics, posters, and the like that are posted on the Patch daily, you seem to post your first two posts, that have absolutely no substance, opinions, facts, ideas or anything similar to an actual thought that can be stated other than to demean or belittle me on the Patch site.
You must find my posts interesting and comment able? Do I make you think for a change?
I see you’re off to a flying start. Keep up the good work, and maybe some day, you’ll actually post something that will make people say Hmmmmm, maybe he or she has a point! But then again, maybe not.
Lillian
6:32 am on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Hi Steve, I just thought your comments were the most ignorant ones on the Patch that is why I responsed to you. It seems like you think you know it all when it comes to city and school government but you also seem to have a chip on your shouldfer about something. If the city is so bad you could always move to Central Falls.
Steve
2:13 pm on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Hello again Lillian, well I seem to be at a bit of a disadvantage here, seeing how you think my posts ALL of my posts are the most ignorant posts on the Patch.
(I guess even my posts that are meant to inform folks of documented data, relative news articles, recent press releases, opinion supporting data and such is ignorant in your book too right, oh well, se la vie!)
There's one consideration here though, how can you say my posts are the most ignorant posts, when you haven't posted anything on the Patch for me to even consider as a response to your opinion? Gee, and I would have thought that at least the "Best French Fries" piece would have brought out the Shakespeare in you.
So, with that in mind, I'll hold onto my comments or opinions on your postings until such a time that you actually post an idea, comment or opinion on something other than your opinion of my posts. Ok?
Lillian
6:40 am on Thursday, March 1, 2012
Have to say Steve, if the Patch had an award for the most posts you would get it hands down. Must be nice to be able to post and respond on every matter in the city and be so knowledgeable on everything. Glad you have the time and energy for that buddy.
Lillian
6:44 am on Thursday, March 1, 2012
It is called a Fair Funding Formula that allows the city of Woonsocket to get what they deserve. AS citizens we need to fight for this. The one that came down last year is not fair to the major cities in Rhode Island. That is my solution Steve. Also, how about going back a few years to the superintendents that allowed all this to happen, things are being swept under the rug, the students and staff have to suffer because of Rhode Island's basic education plan, fair funding formula, and poor past management.
Steve
1:50 pm on Thursday, March 1, 2012
Hi Lillian, finally, a post that is relevant to a topic.
So, you’re saying the WED's budget deficits were caused by Dr. Gerardi's past performance (regardless of any financial oversight) and the current state funding formula. The solution is to go back to the state and ask them for more money because their funding formula is wrong, right?
Ok, with that in mind, should the WED continue to operate as normal, running up 2+ million dollar deficits each year going forward, planning or hoping for more money from the state somewhere down the line, or do they make the necessary changes to their budget now, reducing the city's exposure to further decline of its financial status classification, limiting the need to increase tax rates, limiting the need for a supplemental tax bill and avoiding a further reduction to city services in an attempt to balance their budget in the wake of constant WED deficits?
Also, from the looks of it, the WED seems to running another 2 million dollar plus deficit for the current year as well.
How long do they run at these deficit levels before real corrective action is taken?
Dawn Mackenzie
9:11 am on Friday, February 24, 2012
After reading the article today about how the president of the teacher's union is proposing a way to save money I have to stop and wonder.. Why are cost savings ideas coming from the teacher? They all got laid off and they are still trying to help the district. Way to step up and show how classy and professional you are.
It is both the city's and state's lack of funding for the education department that has caused this disaster. Anita is pushing for the FAIR funding formula for a reason. I would like to know how the city's contribution to the education department is compared to other communities. I looked on line but I couldn't find a site which stated the % of taxes which go toward education. Then compare that to other communities. Before we blame mismanagement of funds lets see how much they had.
We don't have enough tax paying citizens' in Woonsocket. It really isn't fair to ask the selected few (home owners and businesses) to cover such a large expense. We need to look at a supplemental tax bill for people in the public housing. If they can afford to get their nails done, smoke and have the latest technology, then they can afford a $500. yearly tax bill. Lets not blame the teacher but lets blame the people NOT paying taxes already. It is sad that it isn't polite to tell people to get off welfare but it is polite to call teachers who work and pay taxes selfish.
Hope Less
11:16 am on Friday, February 24, 2012
That is the problem, not enough tax paying citizens in Woonsocket and if we are teaching we have actually had a decrease in spending but yet my property taxes which include sewer and water, and by the way no trash pick up at my house any more have increased. Where have all those tax (water, sewer) dollars gone? Have fire and police given back? Are they downsizing? Stop blaming and squeezing the teachers for the mistakes of the administration in the budget!
Let's start charging the parents when their students aren't in uniforms or need to retake classes due to poor attendance? The parent who didn't take the time to bring their child to the library where books are free. So now this student needs a reading specialist.
Let's collect from those that are part of the cause!
la_mouffette
2:57 pm on Sunday, March 4, 2012
Those are the people I feel the absolute worst for, Hope...
the teachers who still live in the city and own property here.
Absolutely horrible predicament to be in,
especially since it's difficult to sell in Woonsocket right now.
Still Hope
2:22 pm on Friday, February 24, 2012
@Steve. I can count at least 4 school that have been closed and consolidated in the last 10 years. You keep using enrollment stats to make your points, but what you fail to show it that the population of Woon has remained 40-42k for the last 20 years and the student population comes in waves as well. So, you cut 10% of your staff this year and rehire them the next year...sound move for a corporate business, not so much for running a community school system. Also consider the consistent decrease in overall school funding, years back it was upwards of $74M+, this year they need to work with $59M. That's a huge swing when you consider the cost of everything has risen greatly in last decade. Steve, can you fill your gas tank with $40 like you could 10 years ago? Then how can you run a school like it's 10 years ago?
Steve
5:11 pm on Friday, February 24, 2012
Still Hope, I'm not seeing your figures of 74+ million dollars in this data posted by the Patch? Is this data incorrect?
http://woonsocket.patch.com/articles/finance-subcommittee-requests-input-on-school-budget-cuts#photo-5443604
Still Hope
11:01 pm on Friday, February 24, 2012
Sorry, my data was third hand. You had to go back a couple more years to find it. Turns out $79 million is the figure I was lookin for.
http://woonsocket.patch.com/articles/school-committee-puts-hold-on-spending
I remember in 1995 having to fight to save languages, arts, school sports, and other programs. I can't imagine what they are trying to do with the budget they have now...that see-through toilet paper must be a luxury now.
Still Hope
2:23 pm on Friday, February 24, 2012
@Dawn. The breakdown of the State's support to WED used to be close to 80/20. The State gives a flat amount of money based on a number of factors (pop, tests, poverty, sped, etc). This year the amount is about $47M from State. That means the City must cover the remaining $13M of a $60M budget. If we raise or lower this budget the City covers it. You cannot compare other communities because they will weigh differently on the funding scale. For instance, another town may have less poverty but better scores and receive similar state funding. It sucks that we must rely on poverty to get our state aid, rather than through our merits and execution. Many communities get gederal and state grants from achievements and excellence. These grants go directly to enriching the students education and preparation.
Stat: 16% of Woon high school graduates are proficient in math. 1 in 6 can't do basic Algebra. This is the highest score in 5 yrs. You want to cut costs? I want to get the kids what they need to be excellent.
Quit failing the children. Get it done.
WoonsocketResident
8:35 pm on Friday, February 24, 2012
I invite all who think Woonsocket teachers are overpaid to walk a mile in our shoes. My 27 children (in my classroom every day) are my priority. Teachers are not responsible for this deficit. They do not make the budget, they do not overspend, they do not decide where funds go. We as a city provide PUBLIC education to ALLLLLLLLL children. Very few are serviced by outside agencies. YES some classrooms require less than 10 students and more than one adult. If your child had multiple handicapping conditions, wouldn't you want them to be serviced in their cities school instead of a school across the state? What should we do with these children? You think we are failing the children? There are amazing educators in this city. Volunteer in the classrooms if you think what we do isn't enough. See what we face on a daily basis. Unless you are in the room, in the school... please do not judge.
Administration in this city has come and gone. Our teachers remain. We have taken pay cuts. We have taken pay freezes. We pay more into our health insurance. Alll the while, other municipal departments have gotten raises. We are being expected to do more with less. Over 15 years of dedication and I am LAID OFF. I am not angry about being laid off. I am angry about the morons that say I am not! Please do not make such comments unless you are well informed! Do not judge unless you take time and spend it in a classroom to form an informed opinion.
Jerry
9:18 am on Saturday, February 25, 2012
How about asking students, who really want to learn and get a good education or who just go to school to cause trouble? We would probably all be surprised at the answer. Maybe then we wouldn't need so many teachers. How about people starting to pay for students who aren't taxpayers? Maybe a fee per child? Why should taxpayers get stuck bailing everyone else out. I don't care if you don't agree, rules and laws need to change and something has got to give. They should cancel busing immediately and everyone should pitch in, especially those parents who live in our city who don't work, and we all know who they are. It's called keeping our community alive.
Upset Citizen
8:00 pm on Sunday, February 26, 2012
Is that your plan Jerry? How about if your house catches fire we send you a bill, and if you have a heart attack and call 911, the operator first looks at your property value, and determines whether or not you are worth an ambulance. Sure, we have plenty of people in this community that are on the take, but blaming school aged children is a cowards response. Stop hating.
Dawn
10:30 am on Saturday, February 25, 2012
As a parent of a special ed student in the middle school I believe in the teachers there a few that have been around to teach all my kids and I would hate to see them laid off. I believe in my son and his growth as a young man in this critical time. But I also believe in our Mayor who is just trying to find a way to save our city so we don't become like central falls the state wants a resolution to our deficit.
Carole
2:46 pm on Saturday, February 25, 2012
Now the superintendant sent us another letter that says she is not trying to break the union. Ellie Nadeau says the opposite and that there is a "hidden agenda" behind laying off the entire staff.
Which is the liar? Does it matter?
Sue G
10:27 am on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
I do not know who Steve is, but I do believe he has some valid viewpoints worth checking out. I do not agree with his whole perspective, but I will not attack him personally and I do not understand the few of you that think calling Steve names is more productive than offering suggestions to h
elp the situation in which we ALL now find ourselves.
sam brown
2:39 pm on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Teachers in Woonsocket please. The students run the class. Start cleaning out the dead beats and rehire some new teachers that want to teach. Teacher aids what a joke. What do they do pass out pencils and wipe the noses of the little monkeys.
Jerry
10:23 am on Thursday, March 1, 2012
Why can't we start at the top? Stacey Busby still on paid vacation?? I mean "paid administrative leave", really? Isn't it one in the same? Why isn't she fired SCHOOL COMMITTEE? Still, after all this discussion, no one gets it...nothing has changed, why can't busing be stopped! because of state law?? give me a break..The state doesn't even know what they are doing. There should be a freeze on everything, and a meeting of the "brains" should take place...but really, who is that?
John Smith
2:20 pm on Friday, March 2, 2012
Most cities and towns in Rhode Island allocate 80% of their budget to education and the remaining 20% to municipalities, woonsocket is the exact opposite. Why isn't Woonsocket supporting the education of their children??
The Chorus
3:16 pm on Friday, March 2, 2012
Hmm...Mr Smith...how are you coming up with 80/20 numbers? I did a quick comparison on 2011/2012 municipal budgets for Smithfield, Cranston and Woonsocket. I randomly chose Smithfield and Cranston as one is a town and one is city...each spends about 53% of their overall budgets on education...I checked Woonsocket...spends about 58% of the overall budget on education. Just trying to understand how you get to those figures.
John Smith
4:30 pm on Friday, March 2, 2012
This information was in the Woonsocket Call this week, I believe Wednesdays edition. It also stated Woonsocket has only increased its aid to education by 1.5% a year while other communites were at 4 to 5%
The Chorus
5:29 pm on Friday, March 2, 2012
Thank you - much appreciated.