[Kim Cobb PCSB Post 3]

Does the board have any concern at all that it could become very difficult to get decent teachers out here? Once again, who suffers for this oversight? You got it. Our little ones. Every time, it's our children that pay the ultimate price. For the board, or Mr. Ragsdale, to treat the teachers of this county with such disrespect, it seems to indicate that they could care less who they have to hire to be such a huge part of our children's lives.

There is no person on the planet that wants to feel disposable. It doesn't take that much effort to avoid treating people this way. If it's too difficult of a job, one should walk away.

Personal vent: I am so sick to death of the hush-hush, secret code, behind closed doors, "we own this" attitude of this BOE and all who join them in maintaining it. Don't dare have a teacher come to them for ideas, compliments, criticism. How dare they...they're just the backbone of the whole production! If this establishment is to be serving the public, so be it. Otherwise go work for a private company and wallow in your power all day, every day. If you are here for the teachers and the administration and the parents but best of all the kids, don't do in the dark what you would be ashamed to do in the daylight! Make it public, involve the public, invite your teachers to be INCLUDED rather than dare them to come.

Just for the record, we've only had one need to contact each and every board member. Kim Cobb took our concerns seriously and literally put herself in our shoes. Just sayin...

Thank you for the kind words.

Remember the central office and the school board are two separate entities. The "board" is often used interchangeable for both. The school board meetings are "open" meetings and the public is always welcome to attend. The only issues that are discussed in closed session are personnel, legal, and land issues that could adversely affect public interest if discussed in "open" session. Voting is only permitted in "open" session so that the public can witness decisions as they are made.

I did NOT post last night to place blame on anyone for the difficult decisions that local government has been forced to make this year. Very few in our community are unaffected by the dramatic downturn in the economy. We have come together for the flood recovery and other recent events. I request that everyone please remember that local government and the school board have not cut programs and budgets because anyone wants the cuts. The state government has passed budget issues onto the local economy. Rather than voting to raise the tax mileage rate, the school board has worked diligently to look at recommendations and cut the budget where possible.

I am not justifying any decisions with posts but I do want to help communicate and clarify any questions and concerns. I pray our community with continue to lean on one another and do our best to consider all involved when making it through these tough times. These issues are not only local but are trickling down from the federal and state level. Please contact all your elected officials starting with the federal level to allow that your concerns as an American are addressed. Please join us in praying for wisdom when making these decisions because we know there are no simple answers.

Thank you again.

[Kim Cobb PCSB Post 3]

I am also concerned about the rumored upcoming furlough days for the Jan-June time period. If it IS to be, then why not tell everyone now. My principal told us in a meeting that 3-6 more furlough days are being considered. Teachers are being hit hard this year, but what about the others...the support staff? We make very little money for what we do already. If we have more furlough days, it is asking us to work for a ridiculously minimal salary. I to keep hearing, "Be happy you have a job." I am lucky in that my pay is not what feeds my family so I think that the school system should be happy that I still choose to stay and continue to do my best for the child that I work with. However, there are MANY paras that LIVE on their salary. How are they supposed to do that with more furloughs?

Oh, and I am glad to see Kim Cobb posting on here to answer questions; especially since we are discouraged from using PCom.

The "furlough" days are coming from the governor and hitting Paulding just as the other counties. It is expected that the governor will ask for more of these days in January. No one knows what will happen until that decision is made. The UNKNOWNS make it difficult to be proactive. The school board did vote to spread the loss of income from these days over the longest period possible to do the best we could to lessen the impact to employees monthly budgets.

We would love to know what is going to happen with the future as much as anyone. But we have just been told to expect more cuts in education. Please contact your state representatives and let them hear concerns. We are sincerely trying to do the very best with the funds we ARE receiving, but just as many household budgets, those monies are not what they used to be.

[Lady Raider]

Kim as I read this whole topic, I kept wondering where you were, it is so good to see that since you used pcom to get a lot of your votes during election that you are still hanging in here and answering some very important questions and concerns that these BOE employees have.


Thank you

[Mark_GB]

First off, thank you for the teachers who commended me on taking a stand. That makes it very hard to publish this post.

After spending MUCH time discussing this with my wife, who is really the one in the family affected by this situation, I have decided not to go forth with my appearance at tomorrrow night's BOE meeting.

She's scared to speak up. She's scared to have ME speak up. She's scared of repercussions from her administration and from those above her. The fact that she feels that way makes me sick to my stomach. It is to the point that I really just wish she had the passion for something else to do career-wise. I wish she would turn her back on this position and on an employer that continues to make greater and greater demands on her as a teacher and yet keeps supporting her less and less. But she won't. I know MOST of the teachers out there won't. Because it's not for the money, it's not for the extra time or summer vacation, it's not for any other reason she is there but to make a positive impact on a child's life. It is her passion and her calling as it is to most of you dedicated teachers out there.

So THANK YOU. To all of you teachers who make a difference even though you continue to get the royal shaft from the state and the county. I WISH I could be your voice. I WANT to be that voice. But without my wife's support and approval, I simply can't in good conscience do it this time.

I hope someone steps up and does make a stand because this IS unfair. It was handled poorly and with the amount of additional days at the end of the year plus additional make up days, it does seem to be potentially a legal issue here.

But until someone, anyone, has the will to stand up and address these issues with the BOE without fear, they will continue...and continue...and continue.

Saddened,

Mark

[katcol]

Thank you for the kind words.

Remember the central office and the school board are two separate entities. The "board" is often used interchangeable for both. The school board meetings are "open" meetings and the public is always welcome to attend. The only issues that are discussed in closed session are personnel, legal, and land issues that could adversely affect public interest if discussed in "open" session. Voting is only permitted in "open" session so that the public can witness decisions as they are made.

Actually, I'm already aware that the meetings are open, etc. The fact remains that one is only allowed to speak if they (and their content) are "approved" ahead of time. If it is indeed a public meeting, the public should be invited to be involved, not forced to go through a screening process. If that would call for a three week long meeting, then maybe it's time for three week long meeting. The public should always be in control (notice I did not say one or two beligerent parents should make decisions). The public, the tax payers, the REASON for having a BOE, board or office.

It seems that tight reigns are kept on the public opinions and the ability to make them heard. Only when the board feels that the public may revolt do they then hold an open meet n greet where they can have their "experts" onhand to tells us why they are right. Common sense will almost always trump an expert with a tad too much power.

I have to say that we appreciate that they board heard us with our issue and even finally addressed it. I just can't fathom that it took what it took for that to happen. Long story. But I can tell you that we, as a community, were underwhelmed to say the least, with our representation....with the exception of Miss Kim, of course.

As far as the cuts, they are difficult. Someone has to make them. It sucks. Be diplomatic and respectful. Communicate with those who's lives you are affecting. It goes a long way. This BOE seems to need a PR person or something.

Just a note.....I don't know all the facts but according to Hubby, this is how things originally started with CLAYTON COUNTY. Can anyone confirm or deny?

I can appreciate the difficulty of the job. Just think the big picture is lost.

[Im Right]

I am also concerned about the rumored upcoming furlough days for the Jan-June time period. If it IS to be, then why not tell everyone now. My principal told us in a meeting that 3-6 more furlough days are being considered. Teachers are being hit hard this year, but what about the others...the support staff? We make very little money for what we do already. If we have more furlough days, it is asking us to work for a ridiculously minimal salary. I to keep hearing, "Be happy you have a job." I am lucky in that my pay is not what feeds my family so I think that the school system should be happy that I still choose to stay and continue to do my best for the child that I work with. However, there are MANY paras that LIVE on their salary. How are they supposed to do that with more furloughs?

Oh, and I am glad to see Kim Cobb posting on here to answer questions; especially since we are discouraged from using PCom.

DITTO

This post has been edited by Im Right: 12 October 2009 - 05:22 PM

[Im Right]

First off, thank you for the teachers who commended me on taking a stand. That makes it very hard to publish this post.

After spending MUCH time discussing this with my wife, who is really the one in the family affected by this situation, I have decided not to go forth with my appearance at tomorrrow night's BOE meeting.

She's scared to speak up. She's scared to have ME speak up. She's scared of repercussions from her administration and from those above her. The fact that she feels that way makes me sick to my stomach. It is to the point that I really just wish she had the passion for something else to do career-wise. I wish she would turn her back on this position and on an employer that continues to make greater and greater demands on her as a teacher and yet keeps supporting her less and less. But she won't. I know MOST of the teachers out there won't. Because it's not for the money, it's not for the extra time or summer vacation, it's not for any other reason she is there but to make a positive impact on a child's life. It is her passion and her calling as it is to most of you dedicated teachers out there.

So THANK YOU. To all of you teachers who make a difference even though you continue to get the royal shaft from the state and the county. I WISH I could be your voice. I WANT to be that voice. But without my wife's support and approval, I simply can't in good conscience do it this time.

I hope someone steps up and does make a stand because this IS unfair. It was handled poorly and with the amount of additional days at the end of the year plus additional make up days, it does seem to be potentially a legal issue here.

But until someone, anyone, has the will to stand up and address these issues with the BOE without fear, they will continue...and continue...and continue.

Saddened,

Mark

I understand and I would tell my husband the same thing. Trust me, if you did this, She would be gone from her position, some way ,some how, she would be gone. I've seen it too many times. Thanks anyway

[katcol]

I understand and I would tell my husband the same thing. Trust me, if you did this, She would be gone from her position, some way ,some how, she would be gone. I've seen it too many times. Thanks anyway

Very sad!

[sutler]

There are many teachers who work in a very unhappy work place due to lack of support, lack of supplies, poor discipline and distrust of the administrators. When positions outside Paulding County come available, they will jump at the opportunity to leave.

[fishnthec]

There are many teachers who work in a very unhappy work place due to lack of support, lack of supplies, poor discipline and distrust of the administrators. When positions outside Paulding County come available, they will jump at the opportunity to leave.

I am afraid this statement is all to true. It makes me worry about the state of our schools in the very near future when our best teachers go elsewhere. So sad.

[Jane Doe]

I hope you don't mind, but I have to say that I love teaching in Paulding. Yes, the short notice for the furlough/make-up flood day was a pain. I heard rumors of it, then it happened. We have to work this Friday.

I've had a trip planned. At first I heard that unless teachers have plane tickets or cruise obligations, they wouldn't get off work. My trip didn't fit into either category. Our principal said to ask for a personal day if plans were made. I did it and I'm off work. No biggie to me because I have lots of days accumulated. I'd rather take a personal day on a teacher work day. Being away from my students always makes me feel so guilty. I understand the inconvenience for those without many days.

I think it could be great for the BOE. I'm glad that teachers didn't lose jobs over the summer. It's been tougher in other counties. I think that using my personal day, on top of the school not needing to hire a sub for Friday, is going to give the county more money in their pockets; I support that.

It is also my hope that personal days can be used for Dec. 21. In this case, I don't have a trip planned (but could plan one on the spot!). I think taking a personal day would somehow support our BOE because students aren't affected and subs don't need to be hired.

I know many are frustrated on this board. I taught elsewhere and I believe the BOE does the best it can with what it has to deal with (more than the other county I taught in).

Anyway, just my 2 cents. I can't wait to have a long weekend off!

[brown*eyed*girl]

I hope you don't mind, but I have to say that I love teaching in Paulding. Yes, the short notice for the furlough/make-up flood day was a pain. I heard rumors of it, then it happened. We have to work this Friday.

I've had a trip planned. At first I heard that unless teachers have plane tickets or cruise obligations, they wouldn't get off work. My trip didn't fit into either category. Our principal said to ask for a personal day if plans were made. I did it and I'm off work. No biggie to me because I have lots of days accumulated. I'd rather take a personal day on a teacher work day. Being away from my students always makes me feel so guilty. I understand the inconvenience for those without many days.

I think it could be great for the BOE. I'm glad that teachers didn't lose jobs over the summer. It's been tougher in other counties. I think that using my personal day, on top of the school not needing to hire a sub for Friday, is going to give the county more money in their pockets; I support that.

It is also my hope that personal days can be used for Dec. 21. In this case, I don't have a trip planned (but could plan one on the spot!). I think taking a personal day would somehow support our BOE because students aren't affected and subs don't need to be hired.

I know many are frustrated on this board. I taught elsewhere and I believe the BOE does the best it can with what it has to deal with (more than the other county I taught in).

Anyway, just my 2 cents. I can't wait to have a long weekend off!

Thanks for posting. It means a lot to a mother of three. You are exactly the kind of teacher I love for my kids to have and I think they have some pretty terrific teachers. Sometimes I get off here and wonder if they are really happy or just really good at hiding the fact they would rather be somewhere else. It's scary but I'm glad they have a place they can vent and have their voice heard. I hope well, I don't know. Just thanks and I hope you have a great trip this weekend!

[Kim Cobb PCSB Post 3]

I hope you don't mind, but I have to say that I love teaching in Paulding. Yes, the short notice for the furlough/make-up flood day was a pain. I heard rumors of it, then it happened. We have to work this Friday.

I've had a trip planned. At first I heard that unless teachers have plane tickets or cruise obligations, they wouldn't get off work. My trip didn't fit into either category. Our principal said to ask for a personal day if plans were made. I did it and I'm off work. No biggie to me because I have lots of days accumulated. I'd rather take a personal day on a teacher work day. Being away from my students always makes me feel so guilty. I understand the inconvenience for those without many days.

I think it could be great for the BOE. I'm glad that teachers didn't lose jobs over the summer. It's been tougher in other counties. I think that using my personal day, on top of the school not needing to hire a sub for Friday, is going to give the county more money in their pockets; I support that.

It is also my hope that personal days can be used for Dec. 21. In this case, I don't have a trip planned (but could plan one on the spot!). I think taking a personal day would somehow support our BOE because students aren't affected and subs don't need to be hired.

I know many are frustrated on this board. I taught elsewhere and I believe the BOE does the best it can with what it has to deal with (more than the other county I taught in).

Anyway, just my 2 cents. I can't wait to have a long weekend off!

Thank you for trying to understand!!!! Thank you even more for your dedication to our students!!!!

I normally love a "snow day" with great family fun but the kids and I can sled on the grass this winter if need be!!!!!

[workingforaliving]

Thanks for posting. It means a lot to a mother of three. You are exactly the kind of teacher I love for my kids to have and I think they have some pretty terrific teachers. Sometimes I get off here and wonder if they are really happy or just really good at hiding the fact they would rather be somewhere else. It's scary but I'm glad they have a place they can vent and have their voice heard. I hope well, I don't know. Just thanks and I hope you have a great trip this weekend!

A lot of the teachers who have "vented" are actually GREAT teachers.....but it gets tough sometimes and we need to let it out, for sanity's sake. It's important for me to let SOMEONE know that I don't feel communicated with or like my opinion matters anymore. This hasn't always been the case. I will still do my job with as much zeal as I have for the last 6 years. Something will have to give, and soon, because many are barely holding on as it is. WE understand that economic situations are out of the hands of the BOE, but other issues are NOT. :shrug: I love my job....I REALLY do......just like I love my daughter----even when she colors on the wall, spills her juice, or asks Why? a thousand times.

[MeWhoElse]

I hope you don't mind, but I have to say that I love teaching in Paulding. Yes, the short notice for the furlough/make-up flood day was a pain. I heard rumors of it, then it happened. We have to work this Friday.

I've had a trip planned. At first I heard that unless teachers have plane tickets or cruise obligations, they wouldn't get off work. My trip didn't fit into either category. Our principal said to ask for a personal day if plans were made. I did it and I'm off work. No biggie to me because I have lots of days accumulated. I'd rather take a personal day on a teacher work day. Being away from my students always makes me feel so guilty. I understand the inconvenience for those without many days.

I think it could be great for the BOE. I'm glad that teachers didn't lose jobs over the summer. It's been tougher in other counties. I think that using my personal day, on top of the school not needing to hire a sub for Friday, is going to give the county more money in their pockets; I support that.

It is also my hope that personal days can be used for Dec. 21. In this case, I don't have a trip planned (but could plan one on the spot!). I think taking a personal day would somehow support our BOE because students aren't affected and subs don't need to be hired.

I know many are frustrated on this board. I taught elsewhere and I believe the BOE does the best it can with what it has to deal with (more than the other county I taught in).

Anyway, just my 2 cents. I can't wait to have a long weekend off!

Great post!!!

[sutler]

Teachers are being told that part of their job is to teach out of their field (middle schools).

Teachers are being required to work at athletic events (middle schools and high schools). This involves giving up weeknights and weekends.

Teachers are asked to buy their own supplies for their classrooms (all levels). This after their budgets are cut and then their salaries are cut.

Yes, the teachers are lucky to have jobs. They are lucky to have a paycheck to pay their bills (at least partially). They are lucky to spend a minor fortune on going to college for 4, 5 or 6 years to get one of these jobs with the extra hours, extra work and lower pay.

Do we want to be teachers so we can babysit and be hall monitors without the right to discipline the students?

This is not the way it was for many teachers when they started the profession many years ago but those that love it may not last much longer.

[fishnthec]

Teachers are being told that part of their job is to teach out of their field (middle schools).

Teachers are being required to work at athletic events (middle schools and high schools). This involves giving up weeknights and weekends.

Teachers are asked to buy their own supplies for their classrooms (all levels). This after their budgets are cut and then their salaries are cut.

Yes, the teachers are lucky to have jobs. They are lucky to have a paycheck to pay their bills (at least partially). They are lucky to spend a minor fortune on going to college for 4, 5 or 6 years to get one of these jobs with the extra hours, extra work and lower pay.

Do we want to be teachers so we can babysit and be hall monitors without the right to discipline the students?

This is not the way it was for many teachers when they started the profession many years ago but those that love it may not last much longer.

I fear you are right. Too many teachers are afraid to speak up because of backlash but I hear them talking and I know that they are frustrated and I worry that we may lose many experienced teachers soon.

[Kim Cobb PCSB Post 3]

FYI.....Just an update after last evening's board meeting. Sorry I was not able to post this earlier but it was a LATE meeting and a busy day today.

October 16th will be a teacher work day but December 21st will return to a "furlough" day with teachers and most staff off. This will extend the post-planning by one day in June. Some of us expressed that we regret our individual vote last week regarding work schedule and requested this issue be revisited. Due to short notice again, it was decided not to alter the October date any further but to do our best to correct the later date also affected.

We also approved the recommendation to approve a waiver so that the students will not be making up the days missed due to the flooding. 4 days are excused by law but the 5th day required a waiver from the state available to counties declared to be most affected by natural disaster.

Please pray we do not lose any more days to inclement weather or furloughs by the governor but only time will tell. Please continue to check the district website for more details.

Our schools still need more business partners and volunteers!!!! I appreciate our community support and our awesome staff and students.

It is not an easy task but it is a BLESSING to serve this county!!!

[katcol]

FYI.....Just an update after last evening's board meeting. Sorry I was not able to post this earlier but it was a LATE meeting and a busy day today.

It is not an easy task but it is a BLESSING to serve this county!!!

Kim, thanks so much for keeping everyone in the loop. It's great to hear the concerns are being addressed.

[edu]

FYI.....Just an update after last evening's board meeting. Sorry I was not able to post this earlier but it was a LATE meeting and a busy day today.

October 16th will be a teacher work day but December 21st will return to a "furlough" day with teachers and most staff off. This will extend the post-planning by one day in June. Some of us expressed that we regret our individual vote last week regarding work schedule and requested this issue be revisited. Due to short notice again, it was decided not to alter the October date any further but to do our best to correct the later date also affected.

We also approved the recommendation to approve a waiver so that the students will not be making up the days missed due to the flooding. 4 days are excused by law but the 5th day required a waiver from the state available to counties declared to be most affected by natural disaster.

Please pray we do not lose any more days to inclement weather or furloughs by the governor but only time will tell. Please continue to check the district website for more details.

Our schools still need more business partners and volunteers!!!! I appreciate our community support and our awesome staff and students.

It is not an easy task but it is a BLESSING to serve this county!!!

It would be great if the teachers were provided the information from the board meetings. Everything they hear is second hand "through the grapevine".

[Kim Cobb PCSB Post 3]

It would be great if the teachers were provided the information from the board meetings. Everything they hear is second hand "through the grapevine".

I would love to see this also. Working on cost effective ways to get meetings to public via technology.

[katcol]

I would love to see this also. Working on cost effective ways to get meetings to public via technology.

Could they not just post the minutes on the website? How much effort would it take to email them to anyone who signed up to get them?

[edu]

They send out an "Athletic Newsletter" each month. Could they email each teacher the important points of the board and/or administrative meetings?

[workingforaliving]

On to work schedule #3 for the year and we're only 9 weeks in...

I suspect this won't be the last change....

[lovekandj]

FYI.....Just an update after last evening's board meeting. Sorry I was not able to post this earlier but it was a LATE meeting and a busy day today.

October 16th will be a teacher work day but December 21st will return to a "furlough" day with teachers and most staff off. This will extend the post-planning by one day in June. Some of us expressed that we regret our individual vote last week regarding work schedule and requested this issue be revisited. Due to short notice again, it was decided not to alter the October date any further but to do our best to correct the later date also affected.

We also approved the recommendation to approve a waiver so that the students will not be making up the days missed due to the flooding. 4 days are excused by law but the 5th day required a waiver from the state available to counties declared to be most affected by natural disaster.

Please pray we do not lose any more days to inclement weather or furloughs by the governor but only time will tell. Please continue to check the district website for more details.

Our schools still need more business partners and volunteers!!!! I appreciate our community support and our awesome staff and students.

It is not an easy task but it is a BLESSING to serve this county!!!

I appreciate that regret was expressed over the vote last week. While it doesn't necessarily make the sting of that slap in the face any less, the fact that people were big enough to admit their mistake and rectify the situation in December certainly helps.

One last question: why were there two days added to post-planning in June? The memo from Ragsdale was unclear, and made it sound like we were given this 1 day back, but we'd make it up with 2 in June.

[jigglypuff]

Never fear..your lunch ladies will be there also...or they will be using their personal days.

[Kim Cobb PCSB Post 3]

I appreciate that regret was expressed over the vote last week. While it doesn't necessarily make the sting of that slap in the face any less, the fact that people were big enough to admit their mistake and rectify the situation in December certainly helps.

One last question: why were there two days added to post-planning in June? The memo from Ragsdale was unclear, and made it sound like we were given this 1 day back, but we'd make it up with 2 in June.

Trust me. It is very hard to keep up with all the changes in the days and why!!! I had to review all days again and this is what I figured out.

August 14th - governor furlough day....done
October 16th - was governor furlough day...... in progress...... now a flood make up day #1.
December 21st - governor furlough day........OFF

These three days complete the 3 furlough days from the governor and make up #1 of 3 days missed due to the flood. That leaves the remaining 2 days missed from the flood that are now post planning days.

It is a good possibility that the governor will add more furlough days after the first of this year. If that does happen, these added post planning days would not necessarily be worked but could cover furlough days once again.

None of us enjoy making these tough decisions and some are coming from different levels of government. Thank you for understanding that this is not to be considered a reflection of our feelings toward teachers and staff. You all are definately an appreciated ASSET to the district!!!!! Thank you again!!!!

[lovekandj]

Trust me. It is very hard to keep up with all the changes in the days and why!!! I had to review all days again and this is what I figured out.

August 14th - governor furlough day....done
October 16th - was governor furlough day...... in progress...... now a flood make up day #1.
December 21st - governor furlough day........OFF

These three days complete the 3 furlough days from the governor and make up #1 of 3 days missed due to the flood. That leaves the remaining 2 days missed from the flood that are now post planning days.

It is a good possibility that the governor will add more furlough days after the first of this year. If that does happen, these added post planning days would not necessarily be worked but could cover furlough days once again.

None of us enjoy making these tough decisions and some are coming from different levels of government. Thank you for understanding that this is not to be considered a reflection of our feelings toward teachers and staff. You all are definately an appreciated ASSET to the district!!!!! Thank you again!!!!

Honestly, I do understand that no one wants to make the decisions. I think the biggest issue that teachers have is that we don't feel like our voices are being heard. When this calendar was first adopted 2 years ago, there were a LOT of teachers who legitimately asked for the 'planning' day in December to be moved to post-planning so that it would be better utilized, and so that one Monday didn't totally screw up any Christmas/vacation plans. There was never any response from the BOE or the county office, and while most schools held teachers the entire day, the county office started trickling down around noon. It's that kind of thing that furthers the divide.

We sat down today and looked at the new calendar, and there are now 187 days that teachers will work. I have no idea how that makes sense, but it does work out.

One last question: is there a reason that the county chose to require teachers to make the days up? The state offers a waiver for counties on student and teacher make-up days, and I'm just genuinely curious.

Thanks Kim for being on here. I have a feeling that you were a large reason that the 21st was looked at again, and I appreciate that more than you could know.

[Kim Cobb PCSB Post 3]

Honestly, I do understand that no one wants to make the decisions. I think the biggest issue that teachers have is that we don't feel like our voices are being heard. When this calendar was first adopted 2 years ago, there were a LOT of teachers who legitimately asked for the 'planning' day in December to be moved to post-planning so that it would be better utilized, and so that one Monday didn't totally screw up any Christmas/vacation plans. There was never any response from the BOE or the county office, and while most schools held teachers the entire day, the county office started trickling down around noon. It's that kind of thing that furthers the divide.

We sat down today and looked at the new calendar, and there are now 187 days that teachers will work. I have no idea how that makes sense, but it does work out.

One last question: is there a reason that the county chose to require teachers to make the days up? The state offers a waiver for counties on student and teacher make-up days, and I'm just genuinely curious.

Thanks Kim for being on here. I have a feeling that you were a large reason that the 21st was looked at again, and I appreciate that more than you could know.

I was not alone in revisiting the decision. Others were also concerned so I do not want to "take the credit." I did inquire as to why teachers had to make up the days and was told that the contract days are listed as 190. The furlough decisions to come are the largest unknown and the biggest issue.

[lovekandj]

I was not alone in revisiting the decision. Others were also concerned so I do not want to "take the credit." I did inquire as to why teachers had to make up the days and was told that the contract days are listed as 190. The furlough decisions to come are the largest unknown and the biggest issue.

See that's the advantage of speaking out in a public forum. Since we have no idea how the other members felt, we can only go with what we know.

As for the contracts, I have to jokingly say that just because something is, or is not, in a contract has never stopped anyone from requiring it or ignoring it before

Here's hoping that Sonny finds money elsewhere and the other furlough days won't come to fruition.

[Troublet]

I've been teaching in this county for 15 years and have loved every minute of it. I still love my school and our kids.

Am I saddened by the furloughs, lack of supplies, and funds? Of course I am. I do buy supplies out of my own pocket as well as more supplies for my own kids' classes.

Am I tired? Yes, I am. I go to RTI meetings, faculty meetings, this meeting, that meeting,....grade mounds of papers, answer way too many e-mails and teach classes every day.

However, what I am not is disenchanted.

Education is just another aspect of our culture that is being affected by the declining economy. We are in the business of educating our future, but when there are no funds available, we feel the sting just like anyone else.

Rather than getting upset, pointing fingers or demanding nonexistent funds, we as a community and Society need to refocus our attention to what is most important which is our kids.

Yeah, so we don't have what we once had. Is it going to come back? Maybe but that will be long time in coming. What we need to focus on is the here and now. Unless we all pull together in support of the schools and subsequently the teachers, nothing will improve.


*steps off of her soap box*



(Yeah, this was a bit of a fired up first post, but I am quite passionate about my profession. )

[Kim Cobb PCSB Post 3]

I've been teaching in this county for 15 years and have loved every minute of it. I still love my school and our kids.

Am I saddened by the furloughs, lack of supplies, and funds? Of course I am. I do buy supplies out of my own pocket as well as more supplies for my own kids' classes.

Am I tired? Yes, I am. I go to RTI meetings, faculty meetings, this meeting, that meeting,....grade mounds of papers, answer way too many e-mails and teach classes every day.

However, what I am not is disenchanted.

Education is just another aspect of our culture that is being affected by the declining economy. We are in the business of educating our future, but when there are no funds available, we feel the sting just like anyone else.

Rather than getting upset, pointing fingers or demanding nonexistent funds, we as a community and Society need to refocus our attention to what is most important which is our kids.

Yeah, so we don't have what we once had. Is it going to come back? Maybe but that will be long time in coming. What we need to focus on is the here and now. Unless we all pull together in support of the schools and subsequently the teachers, nothing will improve.


*steps off of her soap box*



(Yeah, this was a bit of a fired up first post, but I am quite passionate about my profession. )

Thank you!!! If it was not for dedicated professionals like you, and our county's kids, I would not be so passionate about public education either!!!! Hope you continue to be blessed by your students each and every day!