Pinellas looks to wage cuts to help balance budget; plans for bus depot dropped

Pinellas school officials today are announcing a budget cutting plan that proposes a 2 percent salary reduction for all employees, the elimination of 147 jobs and freezes on hiring and travel. Officials also said they are reviewing the possibility of closing up to seven additional schools for the 2009-10 academic year. Superintendent Clayton Wilcox will deliver the bad news in a meeting of administrators this afternoon at district headquarters. The moves would cut $43-million from the 2008-09 operating budget.

Read Wilcox's letter to the board.

In other news, Wilcox is recommending to the School Board that the district drop plans to build a controversial bus depot on land near Countryside High owned by the City of Clearwater.

Comments

[Teacher]

Governor Crist needs to keep his promise to hold education harmless. He needs to veto this budget. Legislators need to find the money. Can I suggest we start with the palm tree and median budget. It is more than the education budget.

Nope, the fix is in - Crist isn't going to veto any pork projects to save anything necessary. And, after session, there will be huge layoffs of safety net state positions - after all who cares about children, the sick, the elderly, the handicapped? No one when CSX comes a knockin'!!!!

[johnny]

Wilcox is a scumbag. Bring the system down,then run away for dollar signs.

[johnny]

Wilcox is a dirtbag. Bring the system down,then run away for dollar signs.

[Tony]

Teacher - The tax cuts did hold the schools harmless. Sales tax and property tax collections are down. Teacher, you are part of the most overpaid proffesion out there. Let's cut admin in the school system, that is where the waste is.

[Jim]

One headline is about cutting the budget for Pinellas County Schools and another headline is about funding a new baseball stadium. How about taking care of the children's schools and those that have an impact on their educations before we worry about where the multi-millionaires play baseball???

[Jim]

Tony, Teachers overpaid? What salary calculator are you using?

[S]

As a Pinellas teacher, I am concerned. I am supposed to accept a 2% pay cut, while also teaching an extra class next year, and giving up planning once per week. He does not care because the pay cut won't affect him and his million dollar salary up at Hogwarts. I will accept the pay cut if you do not make me teach a 6th class. How is that for compromise?

[A formerly happy teacher]

After having to spend hours and hours planning every week, after going to weeks of training every year and years of college before that and after the day I just had with crazy kids running around and my head spinning in every direction, you are going to cut my pay? I think I'm gonna leave. I'm thinking Arby's.

[pauly]

Teachers overpaid?? Are you on crack? The most overpaid people on the planet are celebrities, and professional athletes!! Sorry pal.

[Tony]

Jim - The stadium funding and the school budget are seperate issues and serperate funding sources, but I do beleive the stadium is a waste of our tax dollars, they would be better spent staying in my checking account. Cut admin costs at the school, more than half of school board employees are not teachers? What is up with that?

[Laurie]

Isn't this just perfect timing for Wilcox? What does he care, he has an over paid job waiting for him. I wonder how PCS has gotten to this financial state asking the teachers of our children to make less money in a time when gas and food costs are soaring...oh wait, thats right, Wilcox has been in charge. Good ridance Wilcox!!

[Tony]

Pauly - Can't count those people, they work pretty much for themselves. 40K for part time work? Why the insults?

[Tony]

S- Quit, it is that simple. Where are you going to go to work and make what you do now, for the hours and days you work? Please, I beg all of you that are not happy QUIT, so the complaining stops.

[S]

I do not quit because I like my job and the kids. What I do not like is that the "higher ups" do not appear to like us, or respect us. If every teacher that loved to teach and help kids quit at the disrespect we are given regularly, there would not be a lot of quality folks left to teach your children. I just think it is ironic that he leaves and dumps this on the board and his deputies to clean up.

[Tony]

S - You teachers are better off with out him. The biggest issue is the amount of non teaching personal, management mainly, that is wasting the tax dollars that should go to the classrooms. Pinellas has one of the highest percentages on non teaching personal in the state. That needs to change. And they want to let Wilcock, yes i know the spelling is wrong, walk away and waive the penalty he owes the school system? Why, he signed a contract, he needs to stick to it. He needs to pay the 60K.

[mom in largo]

Tony- you can't be serious. Part time work?? Do you know how much time and energy being a good teacher is? I am not a teacher, but a mom of 2 elementary kids and depend on all these teachers to give my kids the best education possible. It breaks my heart all the beauracratic bs they have to go through and have to put up with people like you. This article really scares me as to the future of our childrens education

[Detrich]

At least they're working, even if it is a 2% paycut. PS looks like the school official (male) in the picture hasn't missed a meal in years.

[teacher in Hillsborough]

It is horrible what is going on in education... teachers in Hillsborough had the extra period of teaching added this year, with only one 50 minute planning period a day. It is horrible. It is impossible to get things done. This trend is so dangerous. I feel horrible for the kids and the teachers. Florida in trouble. Leave teaching or go to another state. I am.

[Pinellas Parent]

After seeing how kids behave in schools, you couldn't pay me enough to teach school. Yeah for teachers!!!! They should be receiving a raise, not a cut.

[S]

Tony, on this we agree. It is amazing to me how many non-essential professional level jobs this district has. Even though there will not be a lot of new jobs next year, with cuts, lower enrollment, etc. I say fill the retirement, etc. vacancies with all of the teachers now sitting around the admin bldg trying to justify their cushy "special assignment" jobs. Come on back to the trenches with all of us and have fun with your 2% cut!! LOL

[Rodger]

remember amendment one? THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING! I voted no to screwing everyone in the state.

Yep - holding education "harmless" so they can give $700 million to CSX, $265 million to Rubio's friend, $110 million for an airport for St. Joe Paper Company.

Yep - holding education "harmless" while they fill the budget with Members' PORK.

Yep - holding education "harmless" as "cutting taxes" through RAISING PROPERTY TAXES FOR SCHOOLS and RAISING FEES FOR ACCESS TO THE COURTS and RAISING UTILITIES RATES!!!

OINK, OINK, OINK, OINK - The Repiglicans - destroying the middle class one lie at a time!!!!!!!!!!1

VOTE THIS PARTY OUT OF OFFICE THIS NOVEMBER!!!!!

[not a teacher]

Tony, teachers don't work "part time". Papers get graded and lessons get planned into evening family time at home-UNPAID-after working a 40 hour plus week. I guess you forgot to count the hours teachers have to stay after school for mandatory licensure requirements, meetings, parent conferences, etc. The "holidays" when the kids have off? Teacher in-service days. That's not a teacher-day-off-day. It means the teachers are at work or at conferences updating their credentials with state mandated teacher-training. Even when I went to H.S. in the 80's the teachers were at the school from 7-4pm. Also, the salary that teachers get is stretched out over the entire year, not just the 9 or so months the kids are in school. Most teachers have a part time retail job or teach summer school during the summertime to help make ends meet. You do have an excellent point about minimizing the non-teacher administration. However, instead of asking other people why they are insulting you, why don't you stop insulting teachers.

[johnny]

BEEN SAYING THIS FROM THE GIT GO.
YOU GOOBERS WILL VOTE A STADIUM, YET
BYPASS EDUCATION, POLICE, ETC.
YOU DESERVE WHAT YOU GET!!!

[parent]

Here we go.. I say no thank you Mr. Wilcox and you may be excused. Closing more schools, reduction in teacher's pay. Please go nowwwwwwww

[PPHS Teacher]

Having only been teaching for two years, I am more concerned about being laid off. It is sad that someone like myself who wants to be in the classroom and make a difference in a child's life is going to be asked to leave. And where do I go from here? It's not like I can run to the next school district and get a job because it is probably suffering the same issue. So now I've wasted four years of college to get laid off and have no hope. Guess I'm the next forclousure case in St. Pete.

[yo]

as a few teacher this worries me because now you will see teachers going to school here then take off to other states for work this is a major problem

[katherine]

Lets ask the school board members to NOT take a salary. If they're SO concerned about the kids, make their jobs an electable volunteer position.Kids who have a full time aide due to allergy or special exception need to have the parent pay for that privilege or go without.Stop physical,speech and occupational therapy in schools- needs of the many outweigh needs of the few. School is not responsible for getting your kid to school -cut bus service across the board. Kaplan testing costs over $2 million and does nothing - get rid of it! Stop hiring people to tell teachers how to teach -waste of teaching time and money. All area superintendents need to go back to classroom or leave. If you did all that I'm sure there will be no need to cut salaries!

[Concerned Taxpayer]

The blame should be on the Republican Governors and Legislature. For the last several years, they haven given every tax break or cut taxes for their lobbyist friends. There salaries should be cut. Governor Christ and former Governor Bush have been a disgrace. Senator Rubio needs to be shipped back to Cuba. Wipe that smile off your face Governor Christ!

[Be told]

40 k for a part time job, many teachers with open schedules, and librarians surfing the internet half the day, time for a cut.

[Jake]

What do you expect? Florida is a third world country. Why Lincoln wanted you as a part of the nation is a mystery to me.

[Trish]

As a Pinellas parent, I fear the reprecussions to my child's learning. If teachers are forced into teaching more children over the course of the day, for less pay, the quality will suffer. They will be so tired and stressed that they might take the shortcut route to a lesson, instead of putting in that extra effort. PLEASE think about how student progress will suffer before you do this. I would rather drive my kid to school than have his teacher's work load increase for less pay.

[frank]

i think a 4 percent cut across the board and 1 more school closing should just about cover a new stadium. the kids don't have to go to school, they just need about $40.00 and a ride to the ballpark for the day.

[Ron]

One need only to look at the Organizational Chart of the PCSB to understand why we are out of money. It is not the teachers who are overpaid, it is the upper level administrators who do not directly effect the classroom. I teach, and I see us overrun with help from Largo Admin. Assistant Superintendents, Associate Superintendents ad nauseum all paid at least $125,000 plus staff and perks. There are fifteen little boxes on the Superintendents Organizational chart and only four are needed to run the schools. Each box costs nearly one million to fund for staff and supplies. The problem lies with a Superintendent unwilling to cut out the fluff, then jumping for more money still. Now the Board have to, it won't be pretty. Who will teach your child, the Principal?

[Bdiddy]

Wow. I guess the idea of me closing down my mortgage company to become a teacher is out the window. This is crazy.

Tony-I didn't realize teachers made the same salary as professional baseball players. I know a lot of ignorant statements are made on blogs, but that one was pretty bad.

I can't speak to the budget situation in Pinellas, but I do know that the Pasco school district has one of the lowest administrative costs in the state and our district is still looking at cuts. As a parent, I can say that it is a shame our Legislature has decided to grossly underfund public education. They should be sued for a violation of the Constitution. It is their duty to provide a free and appropriate education to all students at an adequate level. They have not done so. Are they trying to destroy public education?

[blah]

Why is JAKE reading FL news if he hates FL so much??? Hmmm. Guess he lives in one of those backwards redneck states without news of their own. I didn't even know they still made webtv, JAKE...or is it JOKE.

[Tech Prep]

It is now time for qualified teachers to return to the private sector, specifically math, computer, science, medical, and media.
We can definitely make more money there and be treated with respect, and not have a group of trifling small minded board members determining our future. Maybe Stumpy the super is smarter than we think? He has a job in the private sector paying hundreds of thousands of dollars and may get those trifling elected school board members to forgive him of a 60K contract clause, how smart is that?
Who is at fault? The citizens of this fine county who do not research whom they vote for, and continue to put up with the bickering and poor decision making choices which effect the funding, education and lives of our precious children.
The citizens of Pinellas have elected Christ, and the board members. You have to live with your decisions, but, as a teacher when my contact is up, I can leave without paying a penalty. Teachers in this county are treated as a disposable commodity, so therefore if we leave, we will solve the budget crisis and increase our income at the same time. What a solution!
Bye Bye off to Georgia.

Hospitals have taken a cut for 2 years or so. Year before last I got a 3.6% raise and then had to work 75 hours biweekly instead of 80. That was 6% of my pay. I would have rather not had the raise. We have to cut hours every summer, sometimes May - January, depeding on snowbirds. This is life. Those of you in math, computer, science, medical, and media, etc - go for it. The grass is not always greener.

[M.D.]

Tony -
Teachers are SCHEDULED 40 hours per week however they work much more than that!

Maybe when you leave your shift at Burger King you leave work behind you except for he onion smell. However, teachers have endless amounts of paperwork, grading and lessons to plan. No one covers their duties if they feel like slacking off. A teacher MUST get the job done. It is a stressful career.

Since you place so little value on the importance of educators and thereby education, the next time you cross a bridge or go to the hospital you had better hope that the engineer and the doctor had science teachers who cared enough to teach them and teach them well despite having to work for low pay based on their HIGHER education degrees and having to constantly defend their profession and its merits to MORONS like you.

[teacher]

Is the teacher shortage really over? Or is the legislature just trying to get out the class size amendment with drama and fear tactics??

[Me]

I can't blame Wilcox for leaving. He tried. He inherited the choice plan as it was being put in place, he has the NAACP playing the race card at every turn, they have hoards of illegals invading the schools, whiner teachers, and worthless parents suing at the drop of a hat. If you don't like to 2% cut, then quit your job and stop whinning. Someone else will do your job. It doesn't take a rocket Dr. to teach dumb, lazy children. It is time for more private schools, let the public schools be run by the NAACP under Rev Wrights supervision.

[another teacher]

Ok, Pinellas County voters! We teachers thank you for your referendum vote to raise our pay. Now, Wilcox has proposed to lower that pay. Did your vote and INCREASED tax bill in this tighter-belt times mean nothing? Please don't let your generous vote be wasted! Share your thoughts on this!

And c'mon, school board -- you can do better than a pay decrease when the county taxpayers obviously disagree. Voters put their money where their mouths are. It's your turn! Find the money elsewhere. It's why we voted (and will vote again) for YOU!

[Teacher spouse]

If they are looking to save money, how about cutting the programs that are just for black students? What about the programs for the kids that "don't meet expectations?" Those tend to be the kids who have parents that don't care. Why should the teachers or the taxpayers? We need to quit throwing money where it is "politically correct" and spend it on the kids that will do something with their education. The others....well...we have plenty of manual jobs for them to do.

[Annie]

I have to say that opinions are a dime a dozen. Everyone has one and everyone can express it. That is our right but it is the opinions based on facts and research that should be valued. I read the emails posted and take most with a grain of salt. As I have grown older, again and again, I am constantly reminded that until I walk in someone's shoes, I cannot truly judge them or their situation. The blame on this issue starts at the top, the legislature. As the post of 7:23 stated, "It is their duty to provide a free and appropriate education to all students at an adequate level." Unfortunately, Tallahassee has compromised the educational system in Florida by its lack of financial support. Then the responsibility comes down to Pinellas County to objectively look at their system and appropriately cut back in areas that least affect the students and teachers. And remember, those with knowledge have gained it more by listening then by speaking.

[Annie]

I have to say that opinions are a dime a dozen. Everyone has one and everyone can express it. That is our right but it is the opinions based on facts and research that should be valued. I read the emails posted and take most with a grain of salt. As I have grown older, again and again, I am constantly reminded that until I walk in someone's shoes, I cannot truly judge them or their situation. The blame on this issue starts at the top, the legislature. As the post of 7:23 stated, "It is their duty to provide a free and appropriate education to all students at an adequate level." Unfortunately, Tallahassee has compromised the educational system in Florida by its lack of financial support. Then the responsibility comes down to Pinellas County to objectively look at their system and appropriately cut back in areas that least affect the students and teachers. And remember, those with knowledge have gained it more by listening then by speaking.

[Pinellas County Science Teacher]

This will probably happen because our union is worthless. Instead of fighting for us...they're out playing golf with the school board members...watch and see! Every year what raise we get doen't even cover the-cost-of-leaving increases...yet they always accept the contract. Now we have to work more and get paid less...time to pack up and move where education is valued!

[B.G.]

You poor people need to look at Mr Wilcox's track record.I am a victum of his administrating inability.I was Terminated about 4 years ago(with 28 years in service)along with about 400 other employees of East Baton Rouge Parish School system in Louisiana .which not long after I lost My job He took you up on Your invitation and left E.B.R.school system for more money here(and hard workers in Baton Rouge jobless)and our schools system with lots of problems too. Our school system is recovering pretty good and is allways looking for good employees.

[Pinellas County Schools graduate]

Before anyone starts placing blame on anyone let's look at what caused this situation to happen.

Due to the economy (which is a national problem and not just a state level problem) people are not moving into the state like they used to. Florida used to be "the place to move to" because of the tropical atmosphere that we all love so much. However, as a result of that same tropical atmosphere the cost of living and home prices are incredibly high because the demand to live here is high. The prices and cost of living is so high in fact that people are leaving the state instead of moving here. Therefore, the projected influx of school aged children that budgets and plans are made from are off. Whose fault is that?

Is it the "perfect" time for Supt. Wilcox to be leaving? No. However, it is not right for anyone who is not in his shoes, teacher, school board employee or not, to criticize his actions. It can be compared to a military officer leaving his platoon in the middle of combat but guess what? In an economy like this can anyone say that if they were offered their "dream job" for a sizable pay increase they wouldn't accept it either? I know I wouldn't.

I cannot say if he is leaving the county in worse or better shape then when he inherited it because I am not a school board employee and I do not live that life on a daily basis. But come on, is anything really better today than it was 4 years ago. NO! Budget cuts are never pleasant but I can't imagine that Dr. Wilcox and the others that I am sure were involved in the decision making process did not look at every possible alternative and area to cut from before having to cut everyone's pay by 2%.

Teachers I feel for you, I really do. I was fortunate to attend all new north county schools right after they opened. Some may say I am privelged and I do not know what it is really like for teachers "in the trenches." But I am an educated individual who prides herself on not making snap judgments or placing blame on someone before looking at all of the facts. Before placing blame on any school board members, Dr. Wilcox or any other school board employee look at the big picture of things and ask yourself why are we having to cut budgets for the people who are responsible for shaping the future of society instead of complaining about the man who just happens to be the messenger.

[Heidi]

Keep screwing the teachers of this state over! Those of us who are capable, intelligent and resourceful (as most teachers are- we work miracles with practically nothing!) can move on to other trades. Who will be left to supervise your children? Who will be left to run your classrooms? You think the situation is bad now with teachers like Lafave, Ragusa, etc.? Wait until you drive the sane ones out with your increasing demands and decreasing pay!

[Allan]

April 29, 2008, Tuesday: Wilcox leaves the sinking ship. The captain was originally supposed to stay on the ship, letting the women, kids, impoverished, poor, get off first. Wilcox instead goes to a relatively better paid, more privileged position.

[clay]

Tony, FY, you are probably the parent of a delinquent

[Rodger]

You have to figure the teachers that teach our children arent as smart as they should be. when you take a salaried career without incentives then you need your head examined. push for hourly pay, but if the work isnt done at the school its volunteer. maybe once they really put in these 12 hour day that they claim our children might be better learned.

[tony]

hey clay, fu back, my kid has only ben suspended 6 times dis year, he be no delinqunt

[Gilbert R. Ford]

I SUPPORT TEACHERS!!!!!!! Reptiles with the characteristics of Mr. Wilcox has completely distressed me and I am being politically correct cause I know some children are reading this article. The School Administration is top heavy with salaries. Put those high priced fat cats, back in the classrooms to augment the teachers or run them off, it sure would save a few dollars. Hell, half of them are Wilcox cronies anyway. They are required by law to keep up thier certifications or give up thier teaching Certificates. I work for a major parcel service organization, if we were to incur a work stoppage the SALARIED employees must keep the organization running.

Tough decisions, often causes tough times. The budget is a very tough and touchy subject. We can say this is a spinoff from the fmr. Governor's ill advised voucher plan. It (the voucher plan) sounded nice at first, when the dust settled, this is the end result. While Gov. Crist has to make the hard choices to cut or not to cut; this hoodspa is the result of our illustrious fmr. Gov. Bush...you know the privatize everything Gov. A bunch of hoodspa!

[PCS teacher]

I am sickened by the comments of some of the individuals on this board. I am a teacher with PCS and didn't realize how many people have such a negative attitude towards teachers. I get up and go to work everyday, (just like everyone else), pay my taxes (just like everyone else), AND pay for many of the supplies my students need because their parents and the school system won't (UNLIKE other professions). The negative attitude of adults towards teachers carries over to their children, who in turn are the students who aren't achieving success. Who's accountable for their success? Me. How can I make a student understand the importance of an education when their parents don't value the people giving it to them?

[Teacher - soon to be former!]

As a teacher who is looking at the very real possibility of filing bankruptcy I am sickened by this turn of events. I don't live lavishly or spend wildly, my house is modest and my cars are paid for in full. I work hard and love my job. I love the seeing the kids learn and hearing from them for years after they leave my classroom. I know I have made a difference in many young lives and I am proud of my role as a teacher.

Unfortunately many teachers like myself (Masters Degree and National Board Certification)will be looking for more lucrative fields. Children will be the ones who lose. After 13 years and extensive training I am throwing in the towel. The bottom line is I need to pay my bills. No one should work for the same company for 13 years and still feel that that are barely making ends meet. Thank you pinellas county, for 12 good years- this one has been awash with disappointments!

I like what Katherine said-make the school board members electable volunteers (they've been out of the classroom too long anyway, if they were even in one to begin with), and get rid of Kaplan testing (what a crock). By doing that the county could save a ton!
Also, I'm getting sick of people saying that teachers don't do anything. Yes, there are some teacher who leave a lot to be desired, but there are too many who do a great job. They are not asking for more money, just a little respect.

[Kyle]

Six more months of a Bush administration, a useless war in Iraq, record profits for the fuel companies and I won't care what they do to the schools. I will take my kids out and give them some old fashioned "sidewalk education". After all, that is were most of us will be living.

[k]

Way to go BACKWARDS, Pinellas!

With so MANY ways to meet a budget, you go for increased classroom sizes and lower pay. Wrong!

And you wonder why the higher degreed teachers migrate to states that actually pay for those?

How about using the same books longer, cutting out bus routes to out-of-district students, being a little more efficient with the utilities, getting more donations from special interests and extracurriculars who use the facilities at taxpayer expense, sell excess land...etc.

And how about the other fatty areas of county government? Schools last?

Not enough? Need more money? Take it out of the hotels or vice goods and stop crushing the homeowners.

[CC teacher]

OMG everyone needs to listen to the teachers who commented here. Education is not being held harmless, and to this Tony idiot, let someone spell it out plainly:
1. All of us hold a min. of a B.A. and many more of us have Master's & above, but;
2. that is not enough, b/c then we are required to get an additional reading endorsement - another 300 hours of coursework;
3. we must be english as second language certified - another 300 hours,
4. we teach 37.5 hours, plan another 10-15 hours, grade papers another 5-6 hours, now, I am only a business teacher, but the low math is 52.5 hours;and next year I will teach another class, so I will lose planning time at school, so add about 5 more hours to this equation...
5. we don't have a "summer off" we go to meetings and we might get paid $10.00 an hour - how many other people with master's degrees get paid $10.00 an hour for going to a meeting...
Should I stop? Do you get it yet?
So where is the overpaid come in?
Oh, by the way, did I mention, that I am up grading papers, and writing plans AFTER my children have gone to bed, and I decided to take a quick break to read the paper...
I really don't know what my next step will be after this gov. totally kills all public servants...
(Mind you that I am putting a lot of ideas down quickly, I hope some smart alleck doesn't want to come in and ask me what kind of teacher I am if they "happen" to find some sort of grammar error).......

[Parent]

I think that instead of a 2% cut across the board they should tier the pay cuts starting at the top. Clearly Wilcox could seperate with a little more than 2% of his $204k salary considering what he expects teachers to live off of. And what about the recent story regarding Wilcox and Robinson's bickering. Robinson makes $170k plus yet the two of them waste more public money bickering like idiots then actually serving the school system. If some of this dead weight was unloaded maybe we wouldn't have to cut teachers salaries. Living expenses/gas prices/housing situation - everything is costing more so why do these rich suits expect the people teaching our children to try to survive on a smaller salary? I think a teacher should grab a calculator and go teach this idiots how to budget smart.

[SP]

Don't be shocked or sucked in by Tony's comments. Of course a teacher's salary is going to look high for a guy who works the drive-thru window at McDonalds. Judging from his intelligence, he didn't spend much time in school learning from all you "over paid" teachers. Tony, supersize that order for me, please.

[WORKTHECLOCK]

CALLING ALL TEACHERS WHO ARE STILL WORKING NEXT YEAR....WORK THE CLOCK LIKE ALL THE REST OF THE EMPLOYED WORLD....GO IN FOR WHAT YOU ARE PAID FOR...NO MORE!!!!!!

If you don't get paid for it, don't do it. If papers cannot get graded during the 8 hour day, don't do it.

If the seniors going to college need a recommendation, don't give it.

If they need extra credit, don't give it.

If parent wants conference outside of your 8 hour day...don't give it.

If a club needs a volunteer sponsor after school, don't do it. Get a parent to cut their work shift to do it instead.

If you give a test, make it all multiple choice on scantrons.

Do not do long term projects.

If the students need extra help..don't do it.

If teachers' wallets feels the pain let the student feel the pain too..You will be teaching them a valuable life's lesson......YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR.

Let the pain be spread around.

If a parent says why no clubs or sports or other extras...give them Tallahassee's number and the email of their rep.

If you only work your 8 hours see if some parents, students, and administrators start complaining...then your answer can be comfortably.....BUT YOU JUST CUT MY PAY so I am giving you what you paid for.

[disgruntled voter]

How many people who are angry enough to post to this forum researched who they were voting for before the last election? Even not voting is a vote, people. Stand in line at your local gas station and ask yourself, do I want that guy/lady voting for my kids education dollars? Do they read or google before they vote????
I pulled my three children from PInellas Public schools just in time. They are happily home schooled now, and the first area we covered was the responsibility of every citizen to cast an INFORMED vote. Then we covered the Bill of Rights. They hadn't learned it yet, and my oldest was entering eighth grade. I am amazed that anyone thinks a teachers job is easy. I spend four hours teaching/working with them, and another two or three planning, grading, printing things out and setting up for the next day. Only three children! We expect our teachers to do that same amount of work times ten in a nine hour day?? What a recipe for disaster. Regarding admin costs, I concur. That ratio (if true) is ridiculous. How about we stop most of the admin costs, and instead redirect a few of those valuable dollars to psychologically screening potential teachers for a predisposition to pedophilia (ie the recent headlines). Let's make the job harder to get, then pay successful candidates more for being good at it.

[Pete]

The article indicates a 2% pay cut. However, 2000 employees whose hours will be cut from 8 to 7.5 hours a day will affectively have a 6% pay cut. None of these are higher level administrators who all get off with the 2% cut.

[Shar]

Thanks to all the citizens on here who appreciate teachers' hard work--And it IS hard work. Thank you.
Research East Baton Rouge Schools and see what Wilcox did to them. I have never been so happy to see someone leave as I am now. Good riddance,Wilcox. May all the karma you deserve come your way.

[Kay]

We earn every dime we get trying to teach people like Tony.

[Wanderlie]

This is really despicable. What's really eating me up is tht we all voted for that freaking tax cut thinking it would help us out. Now, look what happened... I wish we could have a re-vote on the issue. I don't think the rest of us fully understood the implications of that Crist's tax cut. My wife works for the school district and I know that everyone she works with voted for that cut. I bet we all really regret that now.

[cb]

Yeesh. I have been considering a move to the Treasure Coast area for a better teaching position than these up here in the Panhandle. Maybe I should reconsider? Why would I want to bring my two decades of experience and skills to a place that regards education and educators even less than where I already live?

[25 days to go]

Today's fun and games just confirmed my decision to let my contract expire on June 5th. I'm tired of kids showing up only because it's a condition of their probation, parents who inform you how they "got" their darling's past teachers fired for enforcing discipline, and admins who are more than happy to expel the white kids, but refuse to apply anything close to the same standards to minorities because of those referral racial quotas. Between Prop 1, Clayton hauling to NYC, and a 2% pay cut as a reward for "consistently exceeding standards," I think it's time we teachers wise up and accept that what we do isn't as important as Bucs draft picks and who got booted from American Idol. Get out, make those civilian dollars and let the Ragusas and LaFaves who replace us live it up... Buh-bye Pie-nellas.

[Jim]

Too many teachers are not dedicated. I worked for the school system and saw the last cutback in 1992. A lot of teachers beat the school buses out of the bus loop at closing. Sit out side an watch the teacher lot at closing. Unless things have changed a great deal teachers are not scheduled for a 40 hour week. They also get a planning period and lunch. Many do not make tests and grade papers on their own time. Way too many copy on a school copy machine tests from a "copy righted" teacher workbook and give these to your children. Look at the paper work your child brings home. If you want a bunch of upset teachers let the copy machine go down.
Teachers are like any other profession, some are very good and hard working and some are duds. Before you feel too sorry for teachers looks at their pay raise history during the bubble and then look at yours.

[Secretary]

For all of you who complain about the "cushy" jobs those in Administration have let me tell you how it REALLY is! I am in a clerical position and have seen day after day just how HARD these people work. And do you honestly think the system can run "effectively" without leadership??? WHO do you think implements the various (subject specific) trainings for the teachers? Or does the research on what text books to purchase? Or takes the phone calls from parents because of credit issues that can't be resolved at the school level? Etc, Etc, Etc. Guess we'll soon find out!

And me? I will most probably (in the next few days) find out I have lost my job/health insurance/retirement which in turn will cause me to lose my home. I have never been so scared in my entire life...

Ok fellow teachers...I am a teacher in the county with a masters in Ed. leadership. Where can I move to have a better opportunity? I prefer to stay in Florida...but am open to GA, SC, NC. I have 4 children and am looking for an administration position. I am an 18 year teaching veteran and have now given up hope in Pinellas...please help! Thanks!

[Pinellas Teacher]

Today they are proposing not making teachers take the 2% pay cut, but hitting us with the increased 11.5 million dollars in health care premiums instead. Really, it's the same thing- less money in our pockets for more work. Remember, teachers, we do NOT have to RATIFY the contract they propose. Then we will reach a stalemate but our salaries will stay the same. So let them cut extraneous staff. Let parents pay for ESE aides for specific children, let high school teachers who want to teach 4 out of 4 on the block schedule (thereby saving the cost of benefits to an extra teacher who won't be needed), don't provide bus service over a certain mile radius (St Pete to Tarpon, for example). Make parents pay for text books and workbooks.