Perhaps this year the Boe and TC should use the same amount of funds from the "rainy day fund" for the budget as the teachers agree to in concessions. Seems fair to me. Meet half way.
8:57, if I knew the answer to that question then I should know tonight's PowerBall numbers too. :-)
But, in all seriousness, in order for there to be any concessions, the teacher's union leadership needs to come to the table. That's not happening and they made it very clear it's not happening.
Well I'd make the offer to them anyway and if they refuse, then everyone will know they just will never help out when times are tough. Then the boe & tc should adjust the budget where they see fit.
No need to make that kind of an offer. Union leadership doesn't want to meet anybody half way. Instead they want the budget process to play out and let the reductions in the increase consume their newest and brightest teachers.
They still believe the public is sympathetic to this ploy. We didn't see much of that sentiment beyond the 100 or so people that attended the budget public hearing last year. Meanwhile there are 100 or so fewer kids in the system, the economy is only a bit better, the state is a mess and gas prices are rising.
And to prove breaking the teacher union mentality will take Gov. Christiesque strategies note how the democratic replacement for disgraced Tom Gaffey is a retired teacher, former union official and BOE member from Meriden. That's fine for them but it just more of the same old, same old for the vast majority of the rest of us.
Half way is way too optimistic. For them its a zero sum gain. The BOE should begin very soon to look at the curriculum in the High School. Reduce the huge menu of courses and we cut out waste and a few teachers. Teacher enrichment is largely created by more subjects being created and offered.
Good luck BOE. Educating our kids is your highest priority. After that its a bit muddy. Fewer dollars should be very clarifying.
"Good luck BOE. Educating our kids is your highest priority."
Educating our kids should be EVERYONE'S priority!!
"After that its a bit muddy. Fewer dollars should be very clarifying."
WOW, if that doesn't sound like a schoolyard bully, I don't know what does! BOE, don't bother with any of it and forward the first number out of a hat to the TC. They obviously don't value education or care either way.
"The BOE should begin very soon to look at the curriculum in the High School. Reduce the huge menu of courses and we cut out waste and a few teachers."
Show us the facts to support this because it sounds like nothing more than conjecture and guess what? The taxpayers are tired of that ploy too.
You either have supporting details or not. If you do, post them, if not then you know where you can stick your comments "TPS".
5;03 You seem to have an isiders view on the courses being offered at the high school. Why not enlighten all of us on the need for all of the courses offered? I bet there are some that don't need to be offered. Maybe Tony can tell us some of the more obscure courses. Would you rather keep the current curriculum and lose out on the extracurricular activities? You have to cut somewhere and if the teachers aren't willing to renegotiate, than what do you propose?
You may think the taxpayers want the TC to pass the high budget increase that Florio presented, but you are wrong. I recall being at last years TC budget meeting and hearing the parents say that the TC should give Florio whatever he was asking for because the turnout of 100 people showed that the town wanted that. Huh?? 100 out of 29,000 residents? If my math is correct, that is less than 1% of the towns residents. So you can stick your comments where the sun doesn't shine until you present a better solution then cutting some of the courses out from the high school. That is a start at least.
For some reason this tc always believes in a silent majority that's on their side. How come when it came time to speak last year nobody felt the need to come forward to represent any other opinion than do what you needs to to save the schools. When people don't show up to defend the education budget it's because "they don't care" in the tc eyes. But when people don't show up to say don't increase taxes it's ok just to assume that's what "everyone" thinks. Thats just not fair.
Also bullying statements like those above from tps are most likely why the teachers union won't open a contract. How can they trust someone who has repeatedly showed a lack of respect for who they are and what they do. They keep saying they want concessions from the union but what guarantee will the tc give for their give back? If they forgo their raise are you going to agree to no layoffs? Concessions are not one way streets.
I recall being at last years TC budget meeting and hearing the parents say that the TC should give Florio whatever he was asking for because the turnout of 100 people showed that the town wanted that. Huh?? 100 out of 29,000 residents? If my math is correct, that is less than 1% of the towns residents.
Last years meeting was far more well attended that 100 people. Unfortunately due to TC shortsightedness not everyone was able to enter the room due to a lack of space. Maybe this year they should schedule these meetings at a larger venue so more people can participate in the democratic process. It's not right to turn citizens away like why happened last year. Perhaps the High School auditorium would work. Nobody should be turned away. Also where is the data to support your idea that most people share YOUR position?
It seems like poster TPS is trying to derail any attempt at negotiation or discussion with the teachers before it it even starts to get his agenda through the back door.
Also TPS, last year stated that we couldn't use the rainy day fund last year because we would need to this year. Will guess what its THIS YEAR.
For some reason there are some on the TC that think that because they were elected (in an off year election when turnout is low), that means that the majority of the town is in favor of growing the rainy day fund and keeping tax increases to a minimum. Well, if you don't turn out to vote you get people in office who don't represent your views. I personally can live with small (not huge) tax increases, but putting a $1 million dollar surplus and $0.5 million from state special ed reimbursement funds into the rainy day fund instead of the BOE budget is outrageous. Instead of keeping the quality of our schools at the high level that the town expects and deserves they want to punish the teachers union for a contract that was signed 3 years ago. By reducing the BOE budget they force them to make cuts in staffing, programs, or raise fees. Yes, these are tough times, but not for the rainy day fund, it keeps growing and growing.
The cost of insurance, utilities, and transportation keeps rising above the rate of inflation for the BOE, but yet the we want our taxes to stay the same? Where is the logic in that. No wait,the town had a $1 million dollar surplus this year, so that could help right? NO, the TC wants to keep it away from the BOE because they want the employees to pay for those costs. What's next are we going to make police,fire fighters, snow plow operators pay for the gas in their vehicles?
There are the clueless and then those that walk amuck in their own ignorance as evidenced by some of the comments here.
And for a Town that prides itself on Education, I'm embarrassed by the uninformed comments being made here.
Many of these posters are ill-informed and, more than likely, listening to gossip. For those of you that believe we have a $1M surplus (not true) actually talk to the TC to find out how the rainy day fund and surplus ACTUALLY works?
"NO, the TC wants to keep it away from the BOE because they want the employees to pay for those costs."
This is perhaps one of the most idiotic, ignorant and inflamatory statements yet. Frankly, it's stupid.
Here's an idea: Get off your backsides, get involved and show up to meetings with your questions and insinuations. Those than can DO and those that can't PREACH. If you're going to preach, at least have the courage to speak the truth.
At least show our students you have the ability to educate yourselves with fact, not fiction, when trying to defend them. Lead by example not inuendo.
"For those of you that believe we have a $1M surplus (not true) actually talk to the TC to find out how the rainy day fund and surplus ACTUALLY works?" If it is not true than why was that a feature story in the Cheshire Herald? Should they print a retraction? Based on what? I know exactly what the rainy day fund is for and how it can be used and ABUSED. I would really like some TC members to stop insulting the citizens who know what you are trying to do. Your not fooling us and we will fight to get you out of office.
"Here's an idea: Get off your backsides, get involved and show up to meetings with your questions and insinuations. Those than can DO and those that can't PREACH. If you're going to preach, at least have the courage to speak the truth." I see lots of people showing up to the meetings and asking questions. What do they get? Ignored. One TC member even brags about how he will ignore them. We also get insulting rhetoric about the rainy day fund being there for some "catastrophe".
Personally, I sick of watching some members of the TC sit there and roll their eyes and grimace while the public speaks. They need to have some respect for the people who are commenting regardless of whether they agree with the speaker or not. What kind of example are they setting?
What kind of example is being set by some of the public when the public gets up in front of the microphone and chastizes the TC knowing full well that TC members won't respond to the rheteroic. It's a bullying tactic on the part of some in the public.
Then, when a TC member disagrees with a public comment, it's perceived as rude or insulting. It seems that some in the public just want to abuse the TC using a microphone and will do as much crying, yelling and screaming as they can until they get their way.
Now I ask you, is this the example you should be setting for our children? It's embarassing.
I find it funny that you believe that anyone expressing their opinion is whining. if you think hearing constituents viewpoints is whining you missed something about the purpose of democratic government and shouldn't be on the council.
Perhaps the reason the public becomes angry when no one responds is no one knows what individuals on the panel actually believe. People want to know why TC members vote the way they vote. We never seem to get that. How do you expect people to respect the councils vote and also be informed voters if councilors never openly state or defend their position. Simply saying "we can't afford it" is hardly a piece strong logic when you've been funneling money into a lemon of a pool that the public no longer supports and socking away money into a rain day fund. Maybe its time the council supports their opinion with facts that can be reviewed by the public and ACTUALLY ANSWERS THE QUESTIONS that towns people put forward. Its exhausting speaking to a council of deaf ears lets hope that the new members of the TC demand answers from their jaded colleague and the votes replace them in the fall.
"What kind of example is being set by some of the public when the public gets up in front of the microphone and chastizes the TC" It's called democracy. Those who support the BOE budget outnumber the oppoonents by 50 to 1 at these meetings, but does the TC listen? No, they claim to represent a silent majority. This November you need to VOTE! Get this TC out for good.
- Maybe 50 people in total have attended the meetings so far. 5 have spoken.
- Tony, is the only one asking questions about the budget. The rest of the BOE seems content in taking up space, if they bother to attend the meetings at all.
- Few (literally) people attend the meetings. Even fewer ask questions or submit ideas.
- It appears that unless someone cries that the "Sky is falling" nobody shows up to the meetings unlike last year when it was rumored Chapman would close.
- The music parents show up to save music but suggest cutting sports.
- The sports parents show up to save sports but suggest cutting music.
- The Superintendent is always perturbed by the questions, at least Tony's. Ease up.
- People want to have their cake and eat it too no matter what the cost may be.But watching last week's meeting, I learned something new: Mike Evans should not be given a microphone. What was that about?
21 comments:
Perhaps this year the Boe and TC should use the same amount of funds from the "rainy day fund" for the budget as the teachers agree to in concessions. Seems fair to me. Meet half way.
Any chance of this happening, Tony?
8:57, if I knew the answer to that question then I should know tonight's PowerBall numbers too.
:-)
But, in all seriousness, in order for there to be any concessions, the teacher's union leadership needs to come to the table. That's not happening and they made it very clear it's not happening.
We'll never know.
Well I'd make the offer to them anyway and if they refuse, then everyone will know they just will never help out when times are tough. Then the boe & tc should adjust the budget where they see fit.
3:42 PM
No need to make that kind of an offer. Union leadership doesn't want to meet anybody half way. Instead they want the budget process to play out and let the reductions in the increase consume their newest and brightest teachers.
They still believe the public is sympathetic to this ploy. We didn't see much of that sentiment beyond the 100 or so people that attended the budget public hearing last year. Meanwhile there are 100 or so fewer kids in the system, the economy is only a bit better, the state is a mess and gas prices are rising.
And to prove breaking the teacher union mentality will take Gov. Christiesque strategies note how the democratic replacement for disgraced Tom Gaffey is a retired teacher, former union official and BOE member from Meriden. That's fine for them but it just more of the same old, same old for the vast majority of the rest of us.
Half way is way too optimistic. For them its a zero sum gain. The BOE should begin very soon to look at the curriculum in the High School. Reduce the huge menu of courses and we cut out waste and a few teachers. Teacher enrichment is largely created by more subjects being created and offered.
Good luck BOE. Educating our kids is your highest priority. After that its a bit muddy. Fewer dollars should be very clarifying.
TPS
TPS Is that Tim Slocum?
"Good luck BOE. Educating our kids is your highest priority."
Educating our kids should be EVERYONE'S priority!!
"After that its a bit muddy. Fewer dollars should be very clarifying."
WOW, if that doesn't sound like a schoolyard bully, I don't know what does! BOE, don't bother with any of it and forward the first number out of a hat to the TC. They obviously don't value education or care either way.
"The BOE should begin very soon to look at the curriculum in the High School. Reduce the huge menu of courses and we cut out waste and a few teachers."
Show us the facts to support this because it sounds like nothing more than conjecture and guess what? The taxpayers are tired of that ploy too.
You either have supporting details or not. If you do, post them, if not then you know where you can stick your comments "TPS".
5;03
You seem to have an isiders view on the courses being offered at the high school.
Why not enlighten all of us on the need for all of the courses offered?
I bet there are some that don't need to be offered. Maybe Tony can tell us some of the more obscure courses.
Would you rather keep the current curriculum and lose out on the extracurricular activities? You have to cut somewhere and if the teachers aren't willing to renegotiate, than what do you propose?
You may think the taxpayers want the TC to pass the high budget increase that Florio presented, but you are wrong.
I recall being at last years TC budget meeting and hearing the parents say that the TC should give Florio whatever he was asking for because the turnout of 100 people showed that the town wanted that. Huh?? 100 out of 29,000 residents? If my math is correct, that is less than 1% of the towns residents.
So you can stick your comments where the sun doesn't shine until you present a better solution then cutting some of the courses out from the high school. That is a start at least.
For some reason this tc always believes in a silent majority that's on their side. How come when it came time to speak last year nobody felt the need to come forward to represent any other opinion than do what you needs to to save the schools. When people don't show up to defend the education budget it's because "they don't care" in the tc eyes. But when people don't show up to say don't increase taxes it's ok just to assume that's what "everyone" thinks. Thats just not fair.
Also bullying statements like those above from tps are most likely why the teachers union won't open a contract. How can they trust someone who has repeatedly showed a lack of respect for who they are and what they do. They keep saying they want concessions from the union but what guarantee will the tc give for their give back? If they forgo their raise are you going to agree to no layoffs? Concessions are not one way streets.
I recall being at last years TC budget meeting and hearing the parents say that the TC should give Florio whatever he was asking for because the turnout of 100 people showed that the town wanted that. Huh?? 100 out of 29,000 residents? If my math is correct, that is less than 1% of the towns residents.
Last years meeting was far more well attended that 100 people. Unfortunately due to TC shortsightedness not everyone was able to enter the room due to a lack of space. Maybe this year they should schedule these meetings at a larger venue so more people can participate in the democratic process. It's not right to turn citizens away like why happened last year. Perhaps the High School auditorium would work. Nobody should be turned away. Also where is the data to support your idea that most people share YOUR position?
It seems like poster TPS is trying to derail any attempt at negotiation or discussion with the teachers before it it even starts to get his agenda through the back door.
Also TPS, last year stated that we couldn't use the rainy day fund last year because we would need to this year. Will guess what its THIS YEAR.
For some reason there are some on the TC that think that because they were elected (in an off year election when turnout is low), that means that the majority of the town is in favor of growing the rainy day fund and keeping tax increases to a minimum. Well, if you don't turn out to vote you get people in office who don't represent your views. I personally can live with small (not huge) tax increases, but putting a $1 million dollar surplus and $0.5 million from state special ed reimbursement funds into the rainy day fund instead of the BOE budget is outrageous. Instead of keeping the quality of our schools at the high level that the town expects and deserves they want to punish the teachers union for a contract that was signed 3 years ago. By reducing the BOE budget they force them to make cuts in staffing, programs, or raise fees. Yes, these are tough times, but not for the rainy day fund, it keeps growing and growing.
The cost of insurance, utilities, and transportation keeps rising above the rate of inflation for the BOE, but yet the we want our taxes to stay the same? Where is the logic in that. No wait,the town had a $1 million dollar surplus this year, so that could help right? NO, the TC wants to keep it away from the BOE because they want the employees to pay for those costs. What's next are we going to make police,fire fighters, snow plow operators pay for the gas in their vehicles?
There are the clueless and then those that walk amuck in their own ignorance as evidenced by some of the comments here.
And for a Town that prides itself on Education, I'm embarrassed by the uninformed comments being made here.
Many of these posters are ill-informed and, more than likely, listening to gossip. For those of you that believe we have a $1M surplus (not true) actually talk to the TC to find out how the rainy day fund and surplus ACTUALLY works?
"NO, the TC wants to keep it away from the BOE because they want the employees to pay for those costs."
This is perhaps one of the most idiotic, ignorant and inflamatory statements yet. Frankly, it's stupid.
Here's an idea: Get off your backsides, get involved and show up to meetings with your questions and insinuations. Those than can DO and those that can't PREACH. If you're going to preach, at least have the courage to speak the truth.
At least show our students you have the ability to educate yourselves with fact, not fiction, when trying to defend them. Lead by example not inuendo.
"For those of you that believe we have a $1M surplus (not true) actually talk to the TC to find out how the rainy day fund and surplus ACTUALLY works?"
If it is not true than why was that a feature story in the Cheshire Herald? Should they print a retraction? Based on what?
I know exactly what the rainy day fund is for and how it can be used and ABUSED. I would really like some TC members to stop insulting the citizens who know what you are trying to do. Your not fooling us and we will fight to get you out of office.
"Here's an idea: Get off your backsides, get involved and show up to meetings with your questions and insinuations. Those than can DO and those that can't PREACH. If you're going to preach, at least have the courage to speak the truth."
I see lots of people showing up to the meetings and asking questions. What do they get? Ignored. One TC member even brags about how he will ignore them. We also get insulting rhetoric about the rainy day fund being there for some "catastrophe".
Personally, I sick of watching some members of the TC sit there and roll their eyes and grimace while the public speaks. They need to have some respect for the people who are commenting regardless of whether they agree with the speaker or not. What kind of example are they setting?
"What kind of example are they setting?"
What kind of example is being set by some of the public when the public gets up in front of the microphone and chastizes the TC knowing full well that TC members won't respond to the rheteroic. It's a bullying tactic on the part of some in the public.
Then, when a TC member disagrees with a public comment, it's perceived as rude or insulting. It seems that some in the public just want to abuse the TC using a microphone and will do as much crying, yelling and screaming as they can until they get their way.
Now I ask you, is this the example you should be setting for our children? It's embarassing.
I find it funny that you believe that anyone expressing their opinion is whining. if you think hearing constituents viewpoints is whining you missed something about the purpose of democratic government and shouldn't be on the council.
Perhaps the reason the public becomes angry when no one responds is no one knows what individuals on the panel actually believe. People want to know why TC members vote the way they vote. We never seem to get that. How do you expect people to respect the councils vote and also be informed voters if councilors never openly state or defend their position. Simply saying "we can't afford it" is hardly a piece strong logic when you've been funneling money into a lemon of a pool that the public no longer supports and socking away money into a rain day fund. Maybe its time the council supports their opinion with facts that can be reviewed by the public and ACTUALLY ANSWERS THE QUESTIONS that towns people put forward. Its exhausting speaking to a council of deaf ears lets hope that the new members of the TC demand answers from their jaded colleague and the votes replace them in the fall.
"What kind of example is being set by some of the public when the public gets up in front of the microphone and chastizes the TC"
It's called democracy. Those who support the BOE budget outnumber the oppoonents by 50 to 1 at these meetings, but does the TC listen? No, they claim to represent a silent majority. This November you need to VOTE! Get this TC out for good.
9:00 Can you tell me 10 things you learned about the boe's budget by watching or attending the budget meetings?
The budget meetings can be summed up as follows:
- Maybe 50 people in total have attended the meetings so far. 5 have spoken.
- Tony, is the only one asking questions about the budget. The rest of the BOE seems content in taking up space, if they bother to attend the meetings at all.
- Few (literally) people attend the meetings. Even fewer ask questions or submit ideas.
- It appears that unless someone cries that the "Sky is falling" nobody shows up to the meetings unlike last year when it was rumored Chapman would close.
- The music parents show up to save music but suggest cutting sports.
- The sports parents show up to save sports but suggest cutting music.
- The Superintendent is always perturbed by the questions, at least Tony's. Ease up.
- People want to have their cake and eat it too no matter what the cost may be.But watching last week's meeting, I learned something new: Mike Evans should not be given a microphone. What was that about?
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