Deseret News | School districts feeling pain of budget cuts

Reader comments
School districts feeling pain of budget cuts

Page:
1
2
Next >

Anonymous | 7:27 a.m. April 11, 2009

At least the legislature has managed to save the rainy day fund on the backs of children, but they are young and can endure the burden because they don't know any better.

no surprise | 9:48 a.m. April 11, 2009

What do you expect from Utah? They have never given education the funding and respect it needs and deserves. I will say Gov. Huntsman was trying to improve education in the state, but the legislature seems anti-education and I think some of them are loving that schools and teachers are suffering now.

Reality Check | 11:20 a.m. April 11, 2009

People, let's get a grip. Education isn't the only career choice who has been laying people off. Almost every business has been doing that for the past year. I hate to lose teachers and/or school days, but the reality is that the coffers are millions of dollars short. You can't pay what you don't have.

Comments continue below

Science Teacher | 5:00 p.m. April 11, 2009

Exactly, Reality Check! Maybe better: Pay for what you have! As in the kids you have.

Too many people not paying for their children. We are already one of the highest taxed states in the nation, and yet education funding kinda blows chunks here.

go figure

Clare | 6:01 p.m. April 11, 2009

I'm much more worried about the kids than myself. I might make less money, but they will get a lot less teacher! Only so much of me to go around. Guess I shouldn't have taken off all of that weight.

Memorial day | 6:58 a.m. April 12, 2009

From a parent. You should end school on memorial day. After that it is a waste of time anyway. Memorial day to labor day should me summer vacation.

mom of students | 7:41 a.m. April 12, 2009

How many of you know what goes on the last 3 weeks of class? The kids turn their books in, play games and watch movies, hardy the quality education we all wanted for our children. I say end school then, because once the teachers have checked out, there's no reason to attend school.

Where are our values? | 7:45 a.m. April 12, 2009

How is it that those who benefit by the new Utah flat tax, mostly those in the upper tax brackets, are the only ones not asked to sacrifice?

We cut the school year before we take back this tax cut?

Jenny | 7:54 a.m. April 12, 2009

How about we keep the teachers and get rid of the administrative folks first, they are top heavy and top earners -- we need teachers we don't need so many school districts - typical get rid of the ones that count and keep the fluff

jr | 7:56 a.m. April 12, 2009

Keep people in ignorance then you have control - and people of Utah are worried about socialism, heck they are headed far beyond that if they keep voting as they do. Ignorance is great as then you are willing to believe those you think know better than you - scarey

oldman | 7:59 a.m. April 12, 2009

What a joke - we don't want to shorten the school year - we need teacher days. Why then - does it seem - that every year the teachers get more and more days off? I will never understand why a job with so many perks and great pay - has so many whiners wanting more. Then they say that they do it for the kids. Sure. Other people are suffering but the teachers think they should be immune and on top of that - first chance - they will be demanding more - not for the kids - but - for their wants.

The cuts are relly almost 17% | 8:06 a.m. April 12, 2009

This article is misleading. The real education budget cuts was almost 17%. Much of that was one time funding that is renewed every year. The stimulus money will only backfill next year and the year after and then Utah is still stuck with a 17% cut after that. That means districts need to look at how to balance their budgets based on a 17% cut not a 3-5% cut. This also means that the cuts won't really be felt until the 2011-2012 school year. Just wait, education hasn't begun to see how damaging our legislature's actions are yet.

Anonymous | 8:06 a.m. April 12, 2009

There is sooooo much fat in education. Notice no talk about cutting any of it. Get rid of bad teachers and lazy do nothing admin. Than's a 90% cut right there.

Breaks | 8:13 a.m. April 12, 2009

We can stop school at Memorial Day. That just means fewer breaks throughout the year. However, then you have parents pulling kids out of class for vacations. I'm sure that class time during their vacations was a waste of time too.

re:oldman | 8:37 a.m. April 12, 2009

What do you mean more and more days off? Teachers work 188 days a year, 180 of those with students and the rest are training or professional development days. What perks and what do you mean great pay? Those 188 days are the only days teachers are paid for, the days they don't work, they don't get paid. Instead of bashing teachers on a message board, why don't you get the training and education needed to be one.

Professor | 8:48 a.m. April 12, 2009

The administration ratio to classroom teacher needs to be cut in our school districts. Districts cutting the layer that does not teach are making wise decisions. Districts protecting their administrators and non-classroom staffs are going to be in trouble.

good pay | 8:51 a.m. April 12, 2009

Teachers do make good money when you look at the big picture. I have my kids in a private school because I can afford it. I will say the voters sure blew it by voting down the voucher bill.

Clare to Mom of Students | 9:07 a.m. April 12, 2009

If we cut the last three weeks of school, as you suggest, when will we do our end-of-level testing? Also, I find it offensive that you suggest that all teachers spend the last few weeks just turning in their books, playing games, and watching videos. I make sure my students learn something EACH day of school, even the last. If I didn't, I'd lose my mind and feel like I was doing a disservice to my students. Every one of those weeks have stories and vocabulary and spelling, etc,... I each math lessons until the last day. I might watch a few videos, but they go with the core curriculum. You owe me an apology Mom of Students.

Andrew J. Marksen | 9:18 a.m. April 12, 2009

Education in this state gets almost 50% of the entire state budget. Lets put this in perspective. Almost half of the entire states expenses is education. How much more do you all want? The administrators in the districts need to be cut. I would consider strongly a 4 day school week. Parents need to stop treating school like day care. The union needs to be told to take a hit, a major one. The athletic budgets can be cut by getting rid of the 5A classification, stop inviting losing teams to the state tournaments, better regional alignments, and more intelligent scheduling. If we are going to fix the problems then there can not be any holy grails here. Teachers do not mind pitching in and taking a hit if the hit that they take is inclusive across the board.

Mike | 9:24 a.m. April 12, 2009

Why is it just the teachers getting layed off? The whole system is too top heavy with administrators. If this was privately run a lot of the staff would be gone. You don't need the big staff with less teachers. Also, you could save probably three teachers by eliminating one staff position.

Ignorant Mom of students | 9:33 a.m. April 12, 2009

Sure, let's cut the last three weeks and we won't have those three weeks. Huh? When do you suggest students turn in the books? When do you suggest students hand in all of the materials? If you cut the last three weeks, then there will still be the last three weeks. Are you the kind of mom who talks big and complains but never helps out in the classroom? I say, before any person complains about teachers, gain a little perspective and walk in our shoes for a year.

Huntsman... | 9:48 a.m. April 12, 2009

Gov. Huntsman is very good at promising what he knows the legislature will reject. It makes him look as if he cares about education, when in reality he hasn't done anything differently than any other gov. we've had. Education is still in the bottom quartile of the nation fiscally.

Schools will continue | 10:14 a.m. April 12, 2009

to suffer....this year many districts saw the mess coming....but for the next budget years I think things will be even worse. It could be 2012 until things turn around and we can get back to 2008 funding....yikes!

from a 7th grade teacher | 10:48 a.m. April 12, 2009

1) With most other states going through even more radical cuts then Utah (look it up), I'd say the legislators in our state did a pretty good job and I say "thank you."

2) To those who think we don't teach after Memorial Day--part of this problem is the government-mandated year-end (CRT) testing. At my school, we begin this testing at the end of April. It will run for five weeks. When the testing is over, the kids believe there is "nothing left to learn" and their minds go on vacation. We need to change this so that ALL testing is done at the end of May, so that students have a reason to learn until the very end.

3) Lastly, I believe we should start charging tution for public school, even if it's just a token amount. Parents will begin caring more about their children's education when they have to pay. And this could add teachers to the system. Also, our current tax system punishes single people--let the folks with the kids take responsibility and pay their honest share for education.

lovetoteach | 11:46 a.m. April 12, 2009

Teaching ends 3 weeks before school ends? Oh my,I have been doing wrong for 25 years!! I assume that since the students show up I am expected to teach and put in an honest days work! (I am being SARCASTIC) Next thing, you will be telling me is I shouldn't be putting in 10-12 hour days, working on weekends and working most of the summer in preparation for the following year! This information wasn't included in my handbook for teachers! (again I am being sarcastic)
Oldman,please spend a week in my classroom and I assure you your attitude will change!!!

Market forces | 12:18 p.m. April 12, 2009

Next year at my school we will have more students and have a smaller allocation of teachers. We know that already. What that means is that EVERY class has to be larger than it is this year.

Here's how market forces work. If we pay our young teachers so badly that they can't afford housing while increasing their workload, and then call them lazy and corrupt, they won't stay in the profession or in the state.

Bottom line - the students suffer.

former teacher and mom | 12:30 p.m. April 12, 2009

yes I agree the last few weeks are a waste, the kids think it and so do parents. It is just a free babysitter for some. Field Days, movies, busy work, while teachers are turning in books. After the CRT testing it a joke. I have been PTA president, a former teacher and a parent. I am speaking first hand from Granite School District. I also know some of the best teachers we have and the new ones. We have some older teachers, that are burnt out, do as little as possible but can't be layed off. Yes they are not the only industry being layed off, but the poor performers are the ones who are safe in the schools. Good Luck, I am glad my lst child is almost out of school.

What a mess | 1:16 p.m. April 12, 2009

Schools should be increasing instructional days by 10%. No matter how much of the state budget that is earmarked for education the people of Utah and Utah students are getting great "bang for the buck" from educators. I have seen the last two days of school become a little "loosy goosy" not three weeks. The PCE seems to want and Charter Schools seem to provide an education that is often times unbalanced and biased to whatever political, religious, or intellectual beliefs the patrons of that school are into. There seems to be alot of opinions and very little documentation of how we should handle this mess.

here's a shout out!! | 1:28 p.m. April 12, 2009

to all the workers in the san juan school district , although things can always get better..i feel my children are and have gotten a good solid education. the new recent principals and administration in blanding have exhibited some innovatives ideas...i would like to see a good tracking system which will help identify where the needs are. once again thanks to all as i don't know how you guys do it but it is working as much has changed even within the past 3 years. just keep thinking outside of the box and the students will benefit!

Re; the 7th grade teacher... | 1:33 p.m. April 12, 2009

You want to charge a small token to attend public schools. I believe that we all pay a "small token" now with property taxes for our children to attend public schools. I'm sure that you were one that voted against "VOUCHER'S." If I am paying more money for my children to attend public school I dang well better have the option to take that money to a school of my choice.

I work in the public school system and it is a joke! We continue dishing out money for old outdated programs that are not effective anymore. Change is good without it we live in a time warp.

Also a teacher | 2:02 p.m. April 12, 2009

I've read with interest the many comments posted on this site. I've been an educator for 25 years, and am always amazed that there are so many, with so little information, who are willing to comment and criticize teachers and the profession. I tire of hearing people talk about all the "time off" teachers have. Thank you to the poster who reminded the public that teachers have a contract that lasts approximately 184 days, and are not paid for days they don't work. In this state, taxpayers are getting one heck of a good deal. Every teacher I have ever known and worked with, myself included, puts in hundreds of hours a year for no pay. In what other college-educated profession does that happen? There is no overtime, no paid vacation, not a single paid holiday. Yes, I knew this going in, so I have no room to complain. Yes, it's a decent income for a second income earner in a family. I make what would be considered a good wage now, but it's taken me 25 years to get to this place,
earning a wage that most professional earn after graduation.

Additional thoughts.... | 2:23 p.m. April 12, 2009

I have to chuckle when people suggest getting rid of administrators. There are probably districts where administration is top heavy, but in smaller districts, that's usually not the case. Also, who do you think will run the district office, and the schools, when you cut all the administration? Yes, I'm sure there are always way to become more efficient with our resources, but I doubt wholesale slashing of administration is the answer.
I'm a classroom teacher in a small district, and I'm glad that I don't have the responsibility of dealing with this fiscal mess at the district level.
Also, as a veteran teacher I'm always looking for ways to improve my skills. I work hard, and love my work, in spite of the challenges. I'm often discouraged when I encounter poor teachers. Sadly, they are out there. I think our colleges of education need to do a better job preparing teachers, & weeding out people who don't belong in the profession. After that, there needs to be sufficient support at the district level to support new teachers. Poor teachers should receive remediation, then be let go if they don't improve.

re:mom of students | 2:41 p.m. April 12, 2009

In response to "mom of students," I have only one question: What district do you live in? The district I live in has my kids working and learning right up until the very last day of school. Year end testing, field trips, activity days, and awards ceremonies, are secondary to the primary activity of learning. Have you gone to the school that your children attend, and addressed your concerns to their principal and/or teachers? You might find that to be a productive activity. Then you can be part of the solution, and not part of the negative attitude promoted by so many in regard to education in our state. Even in the most dismal areas of Utah, I find it extremely hard to believe that any teacher or principal would sanction three weeks of doing nothing.

Nan | 3:47 p.m. April 12, 2009

I was room-mother for two years for a first grade class. They did not get more than twenty minutes of instruction daily.

My son was tested at the beginning of kindergarten and then again at the end. The test showed that he lost learning.

The summer after that pathetic test I decided to take his education into my own hands. He advanced three grade levels in three months.

Parents of public schooled children are already doing most of the work at home. (Otherwise, why do teachers want to blame parents for the kids who fail? The teachers have the children six hours a day! How does it become the parents fault? Homework is that important!) When the children have two hours or more of homework at night, they are already home educated.

Cut out kindergarten and first grade. That would take care of the problem with very few additional cuts.

Pay for every family to have a computer and let the kids do the work at home. You could save a fortune!

Of what benefit is all of our education, if we cannot think our way through this?

disillusioned | 4:30 p.m. April 12, 2009

You know---I'm loving this discussion. The ignorance, the truths. All of it, as a former Utah teacher, who was pushed out because of poor pay, incredibly poor treatment (both in and out of the school), and poor support of my students, is highly entertaining!!!! Although--I think "pay back" stated the facts the most truthfully of anyone!!!! That is the reality right there: The neo-conservative state legislature, that the majority of the state continues to ignorantly vote back into office will do ANYTHING--ANYTHING in their power to get rid of public school--and then blame public school for ALL of the state's problems!! Why? Because, although the UT people could not EVER educate the thousands of children they produce without public funding (and I'M NOT AGAINST PRODUCING CHILDREN), prideful people prefer to not admit nor accept this. Rather it is perpetually better to kick those whom truly keep public education in UT going (and always have)--the "slaves of the state"--the teachers! Why? Because how dare people dedicate their lives to the SERVICE of the people of UT without then kissing their prideful feet! This attitude is why I left!!!!!

Reality Check | 5:55 p.m. April 12, 2009

Utah is very last in the student to administrator ratio as well as the student to teacher ratio. Education in Utah isn't cutting fat; there is none to cut. We are starting to amputate limbs now folks. Because of petty politics Utah education is being mangled.

Starlene | 8:02 p.m. April 12, 2009

I am a principal of an elementary school in Alpine School District. I appreciate the care and effort that is going into the decision making at the district level. What do we cut to meet the needs of the students in a time of shrinking budgets? Our district administrators are making decisions based on basic principles. Our students come first and we are all focusing on student learning and creating the educational environment to promote that learning. I admire our teachers who focus their energy and time on the teaching and learning of students. I admire our administrators who likewise focus their energy and time on the teaching and learning of students. We will continue to teach because we recognize that education makes a difference in the life chances of all students. We know that the future of our democracy depends on opportunities for all students to learn and become productive citizens of our great nation. Let's all give a little extra to make our schools even better under the budget cuts.

Anonymous | 8:06 p.m. April 12, 2009

I have a solution to your problems...

ELECT NEW PEOPLE AND LET THEM KNOW WHY YOU ARE DOING IT!!!

Re:good pay | 8:37 p.m. April 12, 2009

As a teacher for 8 years, your comment is mis-informed. I get paid for a 8 hour day and RARELY do I put in JUST an 8 hour day. I teach because I love my students and I believe that an educated people is a better well-informed people.

Therefore, I work for a small amount in comparison to my friends who get paid for the time they work. I spend my summer getting ready for the next year as well as professional development classes to be the best teacher I can. If you believe that my pay is good for all the hours and time I put in to being a teacher, I invite you come do my job for a year, no just a week, with all the expectations I have plus testing and No Child Left Behind. Then we can reasonably discuss my pay and if it is "good" as you put it.

Thanks for everyone who realizes that MOST teachers work very hard and don't complain! I don't look forward to the cut. Regardless, I will spend my summer and time being the best teacher I can.

Re: Andrew Marksen | 8:47 p.m. April 12, 2009

Where are you getting the numbers that show Utah's budget is 50% education? That was like 20 years ago. According to the Governor's website, public education has been a smaller percentage of our budget every year for the last 10 years. k-12 education's budget is barely even 33% of our budget. If Universities are included then it is barely 40%. Also, let's not forget that Utah has the highest rate of under 18 population in the country.
Cutting anything in education is a disaster in this state. This state doesn't value education at all really. The first governor of this state valued education greatly, but we have gone away from that.

Re: good pay | 8:51 p.m. April 12, 2009

How did the voters blow it by not supporting vouchers? With a budget like this do you realize how much more money would have been taken away from public schools if vouchers had passed? Vouchers wouldn't have solved anything, they would have only made them worse in this economy. And since vouchers wouldn't have paid for the whole cost of private schools, how many people could afford to the pay difference with this economy? Oh wait only the wealthy would have benefited from vouchers in this economy- or ever.

Anonymous | 9:20 p.m. April 12, 2009

It's raining, it's pouring, the legislature is snoring.....

USE THE RAINY DAY FUND! It won't be raining any harder than it is right now!

re: anonymous | 10:10 p.m. April 12, 2009

Using the rainy day fund sounds like a great idea in theory, but leading economists do not predict an upswing in the economy anytime soon. Education, and a lot of other areas for that matter, have been bailed out this year by Obama's economic stimulus package, but remember, it's a one-time fix, spread out over approximately a two-year time frame. Where will we go if the economy is still in the tank when the federal funds are gone, and we've used our rainy day fund? The reality is that it still could rain a whole lot harder down the road.

Re: Nan | 10:18 p.m. April 12, 2009

I have a difficult time understanding how it is possible that your first grader did not receive more than 20 minutes of instruction daily. What were they doing for the other five+ hours of the day? Was the teacher disorganized and ineffective? Did you complain to someone? the teacher? the principal? It is stories and attitudes like yours that give public education a bad name. Surely there is much more to the experience than you are reporting. Teachers are evaluated. Principals are evaluated. A classroom of 20+ first graders all have parents, who I'm sure would not stand idly by and watch their children lose one of the most important, foundational years of their educations, without so much as ever uttering a peep. Do you know what children do in first grade? They learn to read. Reading is one of the most critical skills they will need for the rest of their lives. Do you know what the research on learning to read states? In kindergarten, children acquire many of the phonemic awareness skills that they must have in place in order to become good readers. Cut kindergarten and first grade? Are you kidding?

complainers | 10:38 p.m. April 12, 2009

All of you that sit and complain; that teachers are terrible, they make too much, they have an easy schedule, they don't do anything hard, they waste time, they have a ton of perks. Why don't you all become teachers, my guess is some of the loudest complainers about teachers cannot get into college, let alone graduate.

Teacher | 7:34 a.m. April 13, 2009

What did you expect when the state of Utah subsidizes many thousands of children of illegal immigrants that seldom pay taxes back into the system to help offset these costs. At an average of $4000 a year to educate a child, multiply this number by even just 10,000 kids of illegal immigrants and you get $40 million. And that doesn't include millions spent on special programs for non-english speakers. I wonder how far that money would go in education? Compassion for illegals, yeah right, not from me! Without spray painting the actual writing on your face I wonder how many of you will keep your head in the sand in regards to this problem.

DO DA | 10:06 a.m. April 13, 2009

RE:Nan | 3:47 p.m. April 12, 2009

WOW!! You forgot to mention your real name...Forrest!!!

can't squeeze blood out of a roc | 10:34 a.m. April 13, 2009

Utah is trying to squeeze blood out of a rock with education. Cutting teachers, cutting curriculum,increasing class size etc... all have consequences. Nothing is for free. Utah subsidizes thousands of illegals and those illegals don't pay taxes either.This system is broken in Utah. Compound the fact that Utah families are HUGE and the bigger the family the less taxes they pay which means that that families with no children or all children out of the home end up trying to pick up the tab which doesn't work and isn't fair. Here are some solutions for Utah:
1. Limit income tax deductions for families. I know parents that just keep hatching out the kids because someone else can then pay for their kids education. No kidding - this is there mentality and it is unfair. Limit deductions to 5 or 6 per family.
2. State run lottery (Like Idaho). Idaho raises a lot of money for education via the state lottery.

there comes a point where nothing but more money will solve the problem in education and Utah is there. Either raise the money or suffer the consequences.

Anna | 10:39 a.m. April 13, 2009

RE:Re:good pay | 8:37 p.m. April 12, 2009

That's right work for free...that will teach em!!!

Teachers work so hard and yet you are your own worst enemy.

Always caving into the public and their weak, uneducated points of view.

I don't see them stepping into the profession. Truth is most couldn't get through college. Teaching is easy, yeah right!!

Pitiful!!!

Nan | 1:21 p.m. April 13, 2009

Why is it that a parent can teach all of this stuff at home with no budget to speak of and be highly successful?

Come on! You can make cuts in education. You can do things a different way. Quit making excuses for failure!

Page:
1
2
Next >

Add your comment

Comments are monitored. Any comments found to be abusive, offensive, off-topic, misrepresentative, more than 200 words or containing URLs will not be posted.

Words Remaining

E-mail address: For internal use only. We may want to contact you to publish your comment (not your e-mail address) in the newspaper or for a separate story idea.