We're looking at 10% cut in certified staff and 3.5% pay cuts for the rest

[Catshrink]

It sucks but I was afraid it would be worse. All-day kindergarten is going away, with an option for all day for a fee. I think our admins are going to make the cuts very visible so that the parents/voters see what they've elected.

The state legislature, who just slashed $133 million from the K-12 budget, is mounting a campaign to counter the bad publicity --- the legislators are getting swamped with phone calls, letters, and emails not to mention bad, very bad press. Right. I still don't get how people who feel so strongly don't show their passion at the polls.

The cuts for next year will be far worse. Thinking of moving to Arizona? Don't if you value education.

[LakeSamish706]

1. I honestly don't think that there is any State that is in any better shape right now. n/t

[terisan]

2. Do the cuts have to do with the drop in value of housing ?

[Catshrink]

3. No, we have a very low property tax rate

and very low state income taxes. Arizona has one of the lowest tax burdens in the country. It relies on sales tax revenues. Then the cities make mega-deals with retail developers for sales tax concessions/payments to lure them to town. So the amount collected goes partically to the developer and with the economy in a downturn the total amount collected is lower.

The cry goes out "cut taxes" every time this issue is addressed. Bunch of libertarians.

[Reader Rabbit]

4. Here in Oregon, it looks like we'll all be cutting days.

They don't want to have to take away people's jobs, so that's the plan. We won't know anything for sure until February 20th. Sadly, at every new information meeting we have, the situation gets worse and worse. They will probably have to cut teachers after all.

[proud2BlibKansan]

5. Call your senators and ask them to vote for the Stimulus Bill!

There is money for education in it. Money schools need to avoid these kinds of cuts.

[Catshrink]

6. Done.

But they are uber-neocons and my pleas will fall on deaf ears. They only care about themselves.

[Sancho]

7. Florida is as bad or worse...

Support for higher ed in Florida is 50th per capita. The legislature has ignored a class size amendment passed by the voters. I'm sure we'll have layoffs K-12 and in the university system since we've already had a 15% across the board cut and froze hiring last year. We have a rich tax base here, but no state income tax and a legislature that hates public education. Our calls and press are critical, but we have gerrymandered districts, biased election supervisors, and downright cheating on the votes. A few new Democrats have gotten elected, but not enough. It is pretty grim.

Since Florida does have collective bargaining, there will be some showdowns that may be nasty.

[Catshrink]

8. Sounds a lot like Arizona.

With the budget just passed, we fall to 50th in K-12 funding. It won't be pretty.

[Smarmie Doofus]

9. NYC is threatening cutbacks and demanding givebacks.

We'll end up paying more for medical coverage. Par for the course. Kids will get less, one way or another.

What bugs me is that there are * layers * of administrative fat that could, but won't be cut. See the thread below re. Caroline Kennedy.

What a system.