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Post by richardkelsey on Apr 30, 2008 10:53:43 GMT -5
A letter to the editor in today's Transcript... Council must make real cuts to school budget The parents of Freehold Borough and the members of the school board need to understand why the 2008-09 K-8 budget was rejected by the voters. I'm certain that all of the voters under ideal circumstances would love to provide our local schools with all that they request. Unfortunately, circumstances are less than ideal. Freehold Borough does not have a property tax base that can expand to any significant degree. This leaves the entire burden of supporting our schools to the current property owners less of course whatever state aid is available. This includes paying for the education of an increasing number of children whose parents are here illegally. Last year when there was a dire financial crunch the voters did step up and vote for the budget along with the supplemental request. This year the board again requested the 4 percent legal maximum increase which when debt service and other stipulations are taken into account amount to an increase nearly double that. I don't know of anyone in the borough who in these difficult times has seen their income go up 8 percent. The budget included the filling of 11 new positions as well which could have been postponed or eliminated. The board needs to take the needs of Freehold's taxpayers into account before submitting budgets in the future. I would hope that the Borough Council makes real and significant cuts to the budget rather than forsaking their responsibility and passing it on to the state (and) risking nullification of the voters' decision as happened several years ago. David Giffler Freehold Borough newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2008/0430/Letters/028.html |
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Post by fiberisgoodforyou on Apr 30, 2008 10:58:53 GMT -5
One matter of correction ...these are not 11 NEW positions, these are reinstated positions that had to be eliminated last year, not new! A letter to the editor in today's Transcript... Council must make real cuts to school budget The parents of Freehold Borough and the members of the school board need to understand why the 2008-09 K-8 budget was rejected by the voters. I'm certain that all of the voters under ideal circumstances would love to provide our local schools with all that they request. Unfortunately, circumstances are less than ideal. Freehold Borough does not have a property tax base that can expand to any significant degree. This leaves the entire burden of supporting our schools to the current property owners less of course whatever state aid is available. This includes paying for the education of an increasing number of children whose parents are here illegally. Last year when there was a dire financial crunch the voters did step up and vote for the budget along with the supplemental request. This year the board again requested the 4 percent legal maximum increase which when debt service and other stipulations are taken into account amount to an increase nearly double that. I don't know of anyone in the borough who in these difficult times has seen their income go up 8 percent. The budget included the filling of 11 new positions as well which could have been postponed or eliminated. The board needs to take the needs of Freehold's taxpayers into account before submitting budgets in the future. I would hope that the Borough Council makes real and significant cuts to the budget rather than forsaking their responsibility and passing it on to the state (and) risking nullification of the voters' decision as happened several years ago. David Giffler Freehold Borough newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2008/0430/Letters/028.html |
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Post by novillero on Apr 30, 2008 13:57:24 GMT -5
One matter of correction ...these are not 11 NEW positions, these are reinstated positions that had to be eliminated last year, not new! A letter to the editor in today's Transcript... Council must make real cuts to school budget The parents of Freehold Borough and the members of the school board need to understand why the 2008-09 K-8 budget was rejected by the voters. I'm certain that all of the voters under ideal circumstances would love to provide our local schools with all that they request. Unfortunately, circumstances are less than ideal. Freehold Borough does not have a property tax base that can expand to any significant degree. This leaves the entire burden of supporting our schools to the current property owners less of course whatever state aid is available. This includes paying for the education of an increasing number of children whose parents are here illegally. Last year when there was a dire financial crunch the voters did step up and vote for the budget along with the supplemental request. This year the board again requested the 4 percent legal maximum increase which when debt service and other stipulations are taken into account amount to an increase nearly double that. I don't know of anyone in the borough who in these difficult times has seen their income go up 8 percent. The budget included the filling of 11 new positions as well which could have been postponed or eliminated. The board needs to take the needs of Freehold's taxpayers into account before submitting budgets in the future. I would hope that the Borough Council makes real and significant cuts to the budget rather than forsaking their responsibility and passing it on to the state (and) risking nullification of the voters' decision as happened several years ago. David Giffler Freehold Borough newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2008/0430/Letters/028.html positions that were eliminated, and then reinstated- old jobs or new budget items? Semantics, really. |
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Post by richardkelsey on Apr 30, 2008 14:05:40 GMT -5
One matter of correction ...these are not 11 NEW positions, these are reinstated positions that had to be eliminated last year, not new! Just wondering -- how did the school do last year without these positions? Was there a measurable decline in the education? Why were they necessary to add back in? I am sure these are fine people, and I don't question they add value -- just wondering what the ROI is on this. Are they filling the necessary with the "want?" |
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Post by novillero on Apr 30, 2008 14:18:38 GMT -5
One matter of correction ...these are not 11 NEW positions, these are reinstated positions that had to be eliminated last year, not new! Just wondering -- how did the school do last year without these positions? Was there a measurable decline in the education? Why were they necessary to add back in? I am sure these are fine people, and I don't question they add value -- just wondering what the ROI is on this. Are they filling the necessary with the "want?" this thread... freeholdvoice.proboards46.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=boardofeducation&thread=3158&page=1... mentions the "new" positions (APP editor's word, not mine) by the way, the editorial should be re-read in light on what is going on. Here is the list of "new positions" from that APP editorial: (1) a music teacher, (2) an art teacher, (3) a second-grade teacher, (4) a fourth-grade teacher, (5)&(6) two instructional aides, (7) a bilingual literacy teacher for the kindergarten and first grades, (8) a resource inclusion teacher (to work with mainstreamed special education students), (9) a bilingual learning disabilities teacher, (10) a computer technician and (11) a clerical assistant for the Buildings and Grounds Department. You also need to remember that a librarian was going to be cut, but the position kept. freeholdvoice.proboards46.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=schools&thread=2144&page=1 |
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Post by fiberisgoodforyou on Apr 30, 2008 15:53:43 GMT -5
OK best to my knowledge... (1) a music teacher, . .eliminated in 07(2) an art teacher, . .eliminated in 07(3) a second-grade teacher, . .eliminated in 07(4) a fourth-grade teacher, . .eliminated in 07( ?)(5)&(6) two instructional aides, . .eliminated in 07(7) a bilingual literacy teacher for the kindergarten and first grades, (8) a resource inclusion teacher (to work with mainstreamed special education students), NEW for 09...will help keep size of special ed class down and thus cost down(9) a bilingual learning disabilities teacher, NEW for 09(10) a computer technician and NEW for 09(11) a clerical assistant for the Buildings and Grounds Department. NEW for 09 |
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Post by casualreader on May 2, 2008 14:32:38 GMT -5
I just noticed this letter by Giffler (I have been buried in my finals) -- what a big heart this guy has.  This is the type of guy that wants one piece of chalk doled out to every teacher a week. One roll of toilet paper for every kid a year -- they would need to keep it in their locker. Music -- we don't need no stinking music. Athletic programs -- They can lift their legs up and down as they sit at their desks. Can we cut back the school day to 45 minutes? How about they sit in darkness to cut back on the electric bill. Heating in the winter is overrated. The remark about the children of illegal aliens is Giffler's finest moment -- Do you mean Mr. Giffler the US citizens attending our schools? If we do not educate these children today they will be criminals manana. Casually Dissecting Mr. Giffler's Letter |
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bergsteiger
Full Member
War is simple, direct, and ruthless
Posts: 1,189
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Post by bergsteiger on May 6, 2008 11:29:43 GMT -5
I just noticed this letter by Giffler (I have been buried in my finals) -- what a big heart this guy has. This is the type of guy that wants one piece of chalk doled out to every teacher a week. One roll of toilet paper for every kid a year -- they would need to keep it in their locker. Music -- we don't need no stinking music. Athletic programs -- They can lift their legs up and down as they sit at their desks. Can we cut back the school day to 45 minutes? How about they sit in darkness to cut back on the electric bill. Heating in the winter is overrated. The remark about the children of illegal aliens is Giffler's finest moment -- Do you mean Mr. Giffler the US citizens attending our schools? If we do not educate these children today they will be criminals manana. Casually Dissecting Mr. Giffler's Letter Why can't the little fat bodies carry toilet paper from home in their backpacks, which would eliminate the need for a locker. Speaking of criminals manna. What ever happened to the little savage who assaulted the policeman. |
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