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einnor (Anonymous) says…

jpaspo…..I wouldn't worry about a mere typo error or mispelling if I were you, you can't even read between the lines. No-one is blaming two people. The fact here is this!!! Why are the budget cuts directly affecting our children's education? Can we make do with a few less chiefs? What about not busing all of these in-town kids to school? Could they use a little fresh air and excercise? Can some of the employees take on a few more duties to cover the vacancy of a postion or two? All I was replying to was cowgirlmc's comment… or did you even see it. I still think we can cut other things than our children's education. I think we are overstaffed in some areas and I also think people could work a little harder in all aspects of the world. After-all hardwork never killed anybody but then look at the work ethic that America has developed. On the comment of “education sought out and received” shouldn't a superintendent hold a doctorate degree instead of the assistant superintendent? The real thing that we are being faced with is that the budget cuts are going to affect our children's education. Less teaching staff and more children in the classroom….hellooooo. Where are you at? That is why I say cut staff that is not directly involved with the children's learning and busing these kids in town. Hope I didn't mispell anything….I have decided do what you want I really don't care. Having your own opinion in this town is like facing the Iraqi's bare naked with no gun. Hope you get it all figured out…..When did anyways become a word

jpaspo (Anonymous) says…

Einnor…I know you would like to speak about Mathematics, but how serious can we take a person who cannot even spell the word correctly? First of all, most salaries in this capitalist country we live in, has a lot to do with our education. You complain about the amount Pete and Joel make, yet they earn these salaries due to the amount of education they have sought out and received. Budget cuts happen everywhere and I think it is ridiculous to blame two people on this subject. The real thing to worry about is the amount of education the kids are still receiving, not how much a superintendent makes. If the kids are at no risk with their education, then let the superintendent do his job and stop ridiculing their every move. What did you expect to hear anyways…that everyone is going to take a pay-decrease?

einnor (Anonymous) says…

Pete and Joel get raises just like very other school employee. No one in this world goes to work and never gets a raise. One thing though is the more you make the larger the raise. I think we all know our Mathmatics for example, if a Superintendant makes 130,000 a year his raise with a mere 2% increase would amount to 2600.00 on top of the 130,000. That is almost a 3000.00 dollar a year increase for one school employee. How many employees are there in this school district making 50 + a year? I think if a person did their research they would be very surprised at how many high paid positions there are here. Obviously, it must be a pretty high paid position to turn a persons garage into a work out area and then brag about vacationing in the Carribean. Hello! Then have the brains to brag about it in the newspaper and then turn around and ask the working people for a mill levy increase all the while making them believe it is to better their childrens education. Get smart Craig!!!! Ask your self why there are Charter schools they are sick of all the money going in the big shots pockets

lonelyone (Anonymous) says…

Oh I agree with you on that one. But since my kids are out of school and I've not been employeed there for years, I'm not sure what goes on there anymore and were the cuts should take place. I know one thing for sure, what ever is cut, someone is going to be mad.

bridy (Anonymous) says…

Lonelyone - I have been speaking with people at the schools regarding lunches for a number of years. Them telling me it is cost effective to buy Domino's Pizza instead of making pizza doesn't mean that I believe them. The reason I've been given that it is cost effective is because of the lack of Kitchens and cooks in the school district here. I don't have a problem with prepared foods used as an ingredient, but I do have a problem with the inferior prepackaged, “fast foods” that are being served. *shrug* I don't know. I can see a number of better options in the budget than cutting academics.

lonelyone (Anonymous) says…

I use to work for the school lunch program and from what I understood they got very little money at that time from the district for the program. It was pretty much self-sufficient. Which I am sure is the reason for the higher amounts paid for the lunches now.
I asked once when I heard they were buying hamburgers from McDonalds if that was cost effective and they said yes. We use to cook the bugers and had a lady who made the buns. In fact pretty much all the bread was made from scratch, except that which was used for sandwiches. As far as stuff being prepackaged, I'm not sure how you'd get a prepackaged grilled cheese, but I do remember that we use to use these little containers to put the sandwiches in that looked like some of the ones you use to buy at oh say Mini Mart. It was a way for us to make the sandwich and keep it somewhat fresh for a couple days. Again I can't say for sure but maybe they still do that and you think they are prepackaged???
Take for example the canned chili for the chili dogs. How much does it cost to buy a can of say hormel chili as opposed to making your own. The meat alone is going to cost more then a can of this stuff, so if you use that and compare the rest off the stuff that is prepackaged, maybe it is actually cheaper for the school to buy the ready made instead of paying someone to make it.
I know seems crazy to me too, but I'm sure they've looked at the cost of doing it both ways.
I'm not trying to actaully take their side in this matter, because I've seen and heard about some things that make me think there is money that is not being spent real well. But what it comes down to is if you've got concerns about what is being served and how they spend their money, go talk to them. Ask questions. Maybe the answers will surprise you or maybe you'll figure your right and there is alot of waste in the program and that things need to be changed.

bridy (Anonymous) says…

The budget cuts are a concern. I think that people aren't considering where the money is going. Take a good close look at the school lunch program… There is A LOT of wasted money there. Rather than making nutritious, inexpensive meals for our kids, money is being spent on prepackaged and commercially prepared foods!

Take a look at March…
A la carte menu:
Monday - Burrito (Prepackaged)
Tuesday - Chicken Patty on a Bun (ok)
Wednesday - Chili Dog (Canned Chili)
Thursday - Grilled Cheese Sandwich (Prepackaged)
Friday - Pizza (Domino's. WHAT?!$!)
Regular Menu:
March 1) Mini Corndogs (prepackaged)
2) Pizza (Usually Domino's)
7) Breakfast on a Stick (Prepackaged) With a syrup packet (What's wrong with cutting expenses and getting a few bottles of syrup?)
9) Pizza (Domino's again)
12) Soft Pretzel (prepackaged side dish)
13) French Toast Sticks (Prepackaged)
16) Pizza AGAIN
26) Corndog (Prepackaged)
27) Uncrustable (brand) Peanut Butter and Jelly (Prepackaged)
29) Burrito (Prepackaged)
30) Pizza AGAIN!! (Domino's is getting a big chunk of the food budget.)

I'm sure we all know that when you cook from scratch, or mostly from scratch it is MUCH less expensive, it is also alot healthier! On the entire March menu I saw the word “FRESH” ONCE! Wednesday March 14 they get fresh mini carrots with their meal. What is wrong here?!?
I think that there are a number of ways to cut expenses that don't involve compromising the education that our kids get.

concerned (Anonymous) says…

First of all, how do you know that Pete and Joel are getting raises? Second, even if they are, it's no where near the amount that they have to cut, so your logic is flawed. The school (before it had two assistant Principals) had four deans that were paid extra and were taken out of the classroom two periods a day (causing them to have to spend more on teachers). You then go on to say they have too many assistant principals? You argue they shouldn't have to make cuts then you're saying they waste money…. If you're going to complain atleast get your facts straight or be consistent. I think their money management is right. They spent more money than they took in, they have to make cuts. That seems like the right move to make if you ask me.

cowgirlmc (Anonymous) says…

Does anyone else find it absurd that the district is going to have to make cuts,,, YET Pete and Joel can get another raise??? How about they stay with the amount they are getting and use that raise money to help out other areas. Also when I was in High school we had a principle and an assnt principal. Now they have two assnt principals and a principal… How much money does that involve??? I think that they need to take money managment classes..