Let us help you

Have a burning question about education that you just can't get answered? Can't get through to the school district official who holds the key? Want some advice on how to navigate the world of schools so you can get what you need for your children?

The Gradebook wants to help. We know the experts, and we're not afraid to use them.

Send your questions to us at solochek@sptimes.com, and we'll forward them to the folks in the know for their responses. Look for the answers a few days later. Maybe we'll call the feature Crib Notes, unless you have a better idea. (Cheat Sheet is already taken by the Houston Chronicle, which does the same thing we want to do very well. Check it out for an example.)

Hope to hear from you.

Comments

[FSM]

Mr. Solochek,

What are the consequences for a high school that scores
a D school grade on FCAT?

[FSM]

Mr. Solochek,

What are the consequences for a high school that scores
a D school grade on FCAT?

[Bev]

Are the parents going to get a vote on the proposal to end school early on Wednesdays every week next year? I think it is a terrible idea. Thanks.

[teacher in Pinellas]

Mr. Solocheck,

I was wondering if you have considered investigating and posting information about charter schools. My daughter is moving into middle school in Pinellas County and I am not pleased with the close to home school. I began looking in to options. We have looked at fundamental schooling as well as charters. I must be a little confused. All the articles I have read in the past, have compared charters to public schools. They have been dubbed "private school education at the cost of public schools". I was told it is a lottery system to get in. I am still waiting since the lottery for this particular school isn't until April, so you must realize, this e-mail isn't out of anger or frustration regarding my own child. My concern is that if this is a "lottery" system, why do the children have to complete an essay, take a math test, provide report cards, and FCAT scores--- all BEFORE they are chosen as students?

The school says that they must have the information to properly place the student. That makes sense to me, except then they wouldn't need all of this until after the lottery, right?

I just think that if charter schools are going to me commended for doing what other public schools can't the public should be aware of the uneven playing field. Public schools do not get to examine scores before admitting children. They take them all and do the best they can to help each student reach their potential. It is a shame to see such a misguided view of the choices parents have.

Thank you,

A loyal follower

[Pat Connolly]

Jeff, that's what I was afraid of. Rather than the logical step of cutting all funding by the same percentage across the board, the entire shortfall must come from one part of the budget. The part that pays salaries, utilities, insurance - in other words, those parts of the budget that can least afford to be cut. Allowing some capital funds to be shifted does help a little.

[BBMOM]

At the last SB meeting, it was stated that all children will be assigned to their zoned school, and then they would have to apply to their grandfathered school. If they still wanted to go there and supply their own transportation.

My question is: Does this include fundamental and magnet programs. Since I have children in fundamental do I need to go online and request the school they are in?

[Jeff Solochek]

the 2 percent cut is in per-student funding from the general fund. lawmakers gave districts some degree of flexibility, such as not having to purchase textbooks in cycle and the capital fund transfer, but the money generally has to come from general expenses.

[Pat Connolly]

A question about the most recent budget cuts from Tallahassee. They cut a flat 2% from each county's education funding. I haven't seen anything that mentions if those cuts were overall cuts affecting all areas of the budget, or only cuts to non-categorical operating budgets, and how much flexibility districts have in deciding where the cuts would be made. I understand that district have been allowed to transfer $100/FTE from capital funds to general operating funds for the next two years, but I'm asking about which part of the budget the cut dollars can/must come from.

Using a much-simplified example. If a district had an overall state allocation of $1000, of which $300 was capital, $200 was categorical operating, and $500 was general operating and the state reduced this by 2%, the district would lose $200 overall. Is this loss to be distributed proportionally among the parts of the budget, $60/$40/$100? Or, since the capital and categorical operating budgets were specifically earmarked originally, would the entire loss come from general operating? Or might the districts be allowed to allocate the loss as they see fit, possibly even to the extent of absorbing all the loss in capital budget cuts?

[Pat Connolly]

I think you should play off your name.

Fact Chek
Chek with the experts
Chek-ing 4 U

I like "Chek with the experts" best.

[BJHooper]

Previously posted in the Gradebook blog:

"In April, the district hired Staley to develop and administer a questionnaire to special-education staff at a cost of $4,200, in addition to compensation for travel, lodging and meals. The contract ran from April 17 until Aug. 1" in this case the district referred to is the Providence SD.

Can an employee of HCSD also perform contract to another school district?
If so are there accountability rules in place to ensure time resources are not being misused?

Staley resigned during the summer of 2008 and the position vacated was posted August 2008.

[Ellie]

I am shocked in response to the people who did not support their union last night, and they were needed in solidarity! Monies in reserves that could fund a small raise for teachers salaries have still not been announced to the USEP. Why are they hiding the fact that there is money? Wake up and smell the coffee!

[Suzie Creamcheese]

Pop Quiz ?

Outside The Margins ?

After The Bell ?

SpitBall ?

Xtra Credit ?

Spellyng Countz ?

[Concierge Motel Special Ed]

Timing is everything. In response to the nursing situation in Hillsborough, I posted some comments on my blog. It is interesting that the media is reaching out into what has so long been kept inside the school systems. My question is, why are not the supervisors more strident advocates for their respective area?

http://specialedmotel.blogspot.com/2007/09/when-supervisor-becomes-advocate.html