Teachers to have 6 furlough days next year

WILDER

Teachers to have 6 furlough days next year

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Wednesday, May 4. 2011

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After a plea Tuesday night from the school system's teacher of the year, the Barrow County Board of Education approved six furlough days next year for employees who work 190 days or more.

The board had been leaning toward having 10 furlough days to meet what officials expect to be a difficult fiscal year in FY2012.

As a result of limiting the furlough days to six, however, the BOE may now have to pursue a tax hike to keep the system afloat in FY2012.

About 25 teachers attended the meeting in support of Winder-Barrow High School French teacher C.J. Wilder who spoke to the BOE about the furlough issue at Tuesday’s meeting.

“For some teachers, 10 furlough days means losing a house, the final straw in the family marriage, for some teachers whose spouse is also a teacher in the same county, this means 20 days furlough, or 10 percent of their family combined income,” Wilder said in opposition to the idea of having 10 furlough days. “

Wilder also supported the idea of a tax hike to pay for the system’s needs. The current tax rate is 18.5 mills and the state cap is 20 mills.

Board member Lynn Stevens told Wilder that she thinks teachers are underpaid, but spoke against raising taxes.

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#1 Don on 05/04/11 at 11:29 AM [Reply]

Tuff crap. I have worked for two companies in the private sector and over the last five years and at both jobs we had to take a 10% cut in pay across the board. Did not have any options. Why are you any better than the private sector jobs. Get OFF my tax paying back.

#2 Fred Sanford on 05/04/11 at 12:13 PM [Reply]

ok... maybe this is part of the problem... 5% of one salary plus 5% of the spouse's salary does not equal 10% of the total household income... it equals 5% of the total household income...
example: 5% of 40000 is 2000 for the wife
5% of 40000 is 2000 for the husband
total of 4000 for the pair on an income of 80000.... 5% of 80000 is 4000

#3 Dee on 05/04/11 at 12:20 PM [Reply]

Gee Don - sorry you made a bad career choice. How about not holding it against those who didn't.

#3.1 Don on 05/04/11 at 01:17 PM [Reply]

How about you quit camplaining! We all are having a tuff time of it. Your family is not better than mine to feel the pinch.

#4 Peter Pan on 05/04/11 at 12:33 PM [Reply]

I agree with Don. I have never had a child in the Barrow School System. But you are there wanting me to pay taxes for the others. I too have had to take a 10% reduction in pay. I have not gotten it back yet either. You are no more special in your job than I am to mine. Get a grip. Hard times means hard choices. Everybody on this blog says if you don't like Barrow Co and it's taxes then move. If you don't like what you earn ... get a new job.

#5 TickedOff on 05/04/11 at 02:04 PM [Reply]

That decision will really motivate and give teachers a feeling they are wanted and needed.
Thank God my last one graduates in 2012. And wew wonder why our county is in the shape its in.

#6 old timer on 05/04/11 at 02:16 PM [Reply]

Does anyone know how much having 6 furlough days instead of 10 will cost taxpayers in a tax hike? and will a tax hike be only enough to cover those costs ?

#7 whaaa on 05/04/11 at 02:44 PM [Reply]

sounds like don, has some career issues and its the teachers fault. dont worry, from the looks of his post he wont be a taxpayer for long, the private sector jobs at the shellcitgo station must not be doing so well. 10% of whiney isnt all that much anyhow..

#7.1 Don on 05/04/11 at 05:20 PM [Reply]

Let me assure you that I make more money and pay more taxes than you have in the last 5 years. As I said before, you aren't worth the money. You go to work at the Texaco station if you don't make enough. I took the 10% cut and still make more by lunch time on Tuesdays than you will make all the rest of the week. I want more from my money Whaa, more than you can give. Move to another school system if you can't stand the cut in pay. Tenure is your curse. Think about it.

#7.2 Phil on 05/04/11 at 05:44 PM [Reply]

Why must you people always go to what everybody makes or pays. It does not matter if someone makes 10 dollars or 100k dollars, we all pay according to what the county has our property appraised at. That mil rate is not set by what your salary is, it is set by what your propery is valued at. Your salary is not taken into consideration to assign a mil rate to your home and land. I do not understand the constant "I make this or I pay these taxes". We all pay taxes and a raise in taxes effect each and everyone the same on the mils of their property. Tell me how to fix the damn school system. I don't give a good rip what you make or pay. I want to know how to get these kids educated and graduated.

#8 youngster on 05/04/11 at 03:17 PM [Reply]

old timer - nothing. There is no tax hike from the BOE at this point. Would like to point out that we are all actually paying less taxes at this point than we were several years ago. Math is hard.

#9 DuWayne R. Anderson on 05/04/11 at 03:22 PM [Reply]

We can not continue to demand more from our Education Community, while taking away the financial resources necessary to operate the system. This continued trend will only weaken our education system here in Barrow County, and around the state. Gov. Deal realizes the importance of ensuring funding for Education.
Failed financial support of our education system will have a much more negative impact beyond taxes. The system will not improve with less resources. It's like telling a local school bus driver to make their normal run, and in the same breath tell them "by the way,we don't have any money, so we will be taking away your steering wheel. Doesn't sound too bad if you don't ride the bus, but I think the kids on that bus might have a different view, and be running for the emergency exits....Good thing we haven't put furlough days on EMT's........................yet!
DuWayne

#9.1 Bubba Dews on 05/04/11 at 05:33 PM [Reply]

DUUUUUUWayne you are so stupid. IF you threw a million dollars at this school system it will not fix the education of the kids. These kids don't care how much is being spent. They are still failing more and more each year now. If you are really concerned about education why are you not screaming at the top of your lungs wanting the GPA to grow in the Barrow School Systems. New busses, new lunch room, fresh cut grass, new painted class rooms new air conditioners will not and does not effect the GPA. WE STILL HAVE TO EDUCATE THIS KIDS. Why are you not screaming about the parents about taking interest in their kids grades. Why are you not wanting better teachers than CAN teach the kids. Why are you not screaming about issues that help raise the GPA. Money does not raise the GPA. Get a clue my friend.

#9.1.1 Oh please. on 05/04/11 at 08:06 PM [Reply]

No, money does not raise the GPA. However, when a teacher is not provided with basic essentials like PAPER to provide learning materials to the kids, it is hard to give them a proper education. For example, the new reading book series that was adopted 3 years ago still has not been purchased for grades K-2. How can teachers be expected to teach to the modern standards using outdated materials?

#9.1.1.1 Bobby Jo on 05/04/11 at 08:39 PM [Reply]

Oh, please get over yourself. You are NOT working in the only business that is suffering. We all are having to more with less. It is just your turn now.

#9.1.1.1.1 anon on 05/05/11 at 08:02 PM [Reply]

Except that educating our children shouldn't be thought of as a "business" at all.

#9.1.1.2 Hugo on 05/04/11 at 10:29 PM [Reply]

When I was a kid I took my own paper to school...

#9.1.1.2.1 anon on 05/05/11 at 08:04 PM [Reply]

That's a nice thought... but many parents are unable to provide the requested supplies on the list. And then the schools don't have money to buy these missing supplies... so the teachers buy them out of their pockets. It happens all the time.

#9.1.1.2.1.1 old timer on 05/05/11 at 08:58 PM [Reply]

You can bet that the same students you buy paper for come to school in $100 shoes. My opinion is that teachers not only should be on the lookout for abused students, but also for neglected ones. And if a student doesnt have the basic supplies it should be reported to the proper authorities, just as doctors and hospitals have to report abuse or neglect. So, in actuality, by not reporting this you are supporting the parents behavior.

#9.1.1.2.1.2 Hugo on 05/05/11 at 09:17 PM [Reply]

Then the teachers are adding to the problem. It is the parents responsibility to provide their kids with the things they need for school; not the teacher, and certainly not the tax payer. I bet those same "poor" parents don't have a problem buying their beer and cigaretts...

If you really want to stick it to the next generation, keep doing the parents job for them. Keep instilling in those kids that someone will give them a handout if they appear to be poor enough. Thats the right message to send...

#9.2 Good Ole Boy on 05/05/11 at 06:37 PM [Reply]

DOOOOOOOOOOOOOWAYNE, looks like you have failed again. Man, people just do not like you. Some are really mean, even more than me. Really, you have to know these teachers in this county cant get you eleceted in office anywhere. Get a clue. Since you like to throw money away, perhaps you should fund our stupid school system. Or perhaps, like the other person said, just shut up. DOOOOOOOWAYNE.

#10 TickedOff on 05/04/11 at 03:51 PM [Reply]

Goveror Deal is trying to save face. Cutting HOPE is your idea of ensuring funding? How about raising the price of a lotto ticket. Just another example of mismanaging all the fat we had in those years of decadence. I had to tighten my belt as a business owner and family leader. Lets see how many people are on HOPE that are not even citizens. Lets close the schools that are funded with our tax dollars that dont speak a lick of English. Lets cut out the 4 and 5 deep principal positions. Lets cut out unneeded coaching positions unless booster clubs supplement it.
Once again I say, what the heck is a graduation coach? Parapro? Lets cut out all that money spent on private tutors to enhance graduation rates enabling us to meet AYP. Don't open, staff, and maintain another "non traditional" school to do what the others are supposed to. Check up on the free lunch deal. Cut that fat@ss maintenance contract to cut grass. Or are all of our employees not capable of running a mower? Instill some discipline. Reclaim some pride. Hire a new board and super if they can't get it done. Its funny how you can all of a sudden get a financial report from Mr. Cato when things don't look so good. Yet in years past at meetings when asked at board meetings, the answer was I'll get back to you. Kinda odd I pick up numerous other newspapers in other counties, and they are not dealing with this bureacratic mess. "You either change people or CHANGE people".

#10.1 I agree with Ticked Off.... on 05/04/11 at 05:22 PM [Reply]

Whoo Hoo!!! For years Barrow County has supplemented a failing school system. If you cut out all the extras and kept the necessities, like math, english, social studies,and science we'd have students to be proud of. Instead you pump up the sports, extracurricular activities, and the useless Connection classes. i got my Middle schoolers schedule for next yr and the first hour of school is spent for homework help and BS. Homework is for home, not classroom. This system is all about testing and passing and forgeting to instill that Home is for HOMEWORK not the next morning in school. This doesn't give the students with motivation to do better to achieve any more because why do it at home when you can do it the next day at school and receive no punishment for it. As for no Money.. Why are we opening a new school if we have NO MONEY? Come on BOE, use what you have to make it better and then when the economy is right, bring in the extras. The county workers have taken their cuts, now lets see the teachers start taking theirs. And DuWayne, shut up you have no bone in this fight except you're all about spending money we dont have to the overpaid teachers already.

#11 educate me on 05/04/11 at 05:59 PM [Reply]

So I heard they are going to open a new high school. This is my take on this can someone let me know if this is true?
Neither high school met AYP for the past two years. This will allow parents to have their children to go to a different school system i.e. Oconee, Jackson or Gwinnett. Barrow County must bus them and pay for the gas. However, since a “new high school” is opening, then all the high schools in the county are not failing (because of the new one) and this would prevent parents from allowing their children to go to a different high school out of county.
I don’t understand how it can be rationalized to spend money (and how much money?) on a new high school when the two you have are failing.

#11.1 Jack Legg on 05/04/11 at 07:32 PM [Reply]

Well, what we're gonna do with the extra furlough days at my house is go on vacation, that will give us more time to spend together as a family.

#11.1.1 old timer on 05/05/11 at 07:13 PM [Reply]

so, you can still afford vacation after the cuts? If the tax hike takes place there will be people losing homes, and having other worries instead of going on vacation. Sometimes I think it would be good to get back to the bare bones and let people see how good they have it now. Raise those taxes school board !! It seems there is still a little money out there that can be used for taxes.

#11.1.2 old timer on 05/05/11 at 07:16 PM [Reply]

#11.2 gagirl36 on 05/04/11 at 08:02 PM [Reply]

It's not the schools that are failing, it's the apathetic students that are failing. They don't study, they don't do their homework, they don't want to be challenged, they want to sit there and text on their phones during class that are mostly provided to them by their parents, who also text them during class. They want to be coddled and spoon fed their education. They come to class high from pills they take from their parents, or from the weed their parents grow in their back yards, and no it does not enhance their learning. They are rude, and disrespectful. The ones that want a good education seize the opportunity to do so, and succeed. Stop blaming the schools and let the parents take more responsibility for their kids, and let their be more consequences for the students.

#11.2.1 anon on 05/04/11 at 08:24 PM [Reply]

Thank you!

#11.2.2 Phil on 05/04/11 at 08:35 PM [Reply]

DAMN finally someone has hit the nail on the head. Now we have the problem DEFINED. How do we now slap some since in these kids. The problem I fell is they suffer no consequenes if they act out or not doing their lessons. Being we can't BEAT sence into them how do we motivate them. Throwing money at the schools will never motivate them or raise their GPA!!

#12 angry on 05/04/11 at 07:35 PM [Reply]

Why do we have to do more furlough days ? Not fair at all ..Some employees don't make enough as it is .BOE doesn't pay half of our insurance anymore only pay $30.00 than the insurance goes up every year ...Not right were told this would help than you want more money by furlouging ....Stop the furlough days

#13 TickedOff on 05/04/11 at 09:31 PM [Reply]

Now Now. Lets keep our eye on the ball. Kids are kids. They do what they are allowed. Oddly enough they like boundaries. Many don't have anyone to give them hope. Demotivated teachers taking it on the chin every time they turn around are less likely to help. We need to return to the school day I had. Most adults attention span won't last as long as these stupid block schedule classes last. Why don't we take a page from our neighbor, Gwinnett, they have a 6 period day and are nationally recognized. My son never has homework cause he does it in class. Odd. He'll graduate with honors next year. he's got a rude awakening in college. Yet we have a teacher pining away about insurance. Kids have no fear of failure because they know they'll get by via a graduation coach,extra credit, turned in homework thats a month late, or bringing their teacher a favorite baked goodie. All those examples are real. Not pulled from thin air. Anything to keep up with AYP. the BOE better wake up Barrow Co. is situated between two outstanding school systems, Oconee and Gwinnett. The only school employees that will be needed soon will be bus drivers! And to answer your question YES the "new" school will allow for students to stay in Barrow rather than be bussed elsewhere. Darn shame. Parents wanna get a real flavor for this situation? stop in on your student and request a pass to observe his classes for an hour or so. You'll see some folks go into damage control or give you a BS answer like " security doesnt allow us to do that". Heck, ask the board member that represents you to come along. oughtta be interesting.

#13.1 r on 05/04/11 at 10:32 PM [Reply]

Funny. You point out the two school systems that are on either side of Barrow. Now compare the taxes on a $150,000 home. You'll pay out the ying-yang in property taxes. Now look a what you pay in Barrow County. Makes these complaints about higher taxes seem hollow.

Do you want good schools, or low taxes. How about a balance. Seems to me we've got that.

#14 Wolf Larsen on 05/05/11 at 04:14 PM [Reply]

Quality of Barrow County Teachers.
Let’s look at an example on this week’s front page.
Quote:
. . .“for some teachers whose spouse is also a teacher in the same county, this means 20 days furlough, or 10 percent of their family combined income,” Wilder said . . .
This claim is from this year’s Barrow County School Teacher of the Year.
Can’t even do a simple percent problem! The correct answer is: ~ 5%, NOT 10%!!
Oh . . . for you graduates and drop-outs from government schools, I am aware he is a
French teacher. So what?
W.L.

#14.1 Wolf Larsen on 05/05/11 at 04:26 PM [Reply]

Quote:
“For some teachers, 10 furlough days means losing a house, the final straw in the family marriage, . . .”
With the economy in the shape it’s in now; there are people who have NO job,
people with only part time work, and we have to listen to a cry-baby
who lives off the tax-payers cry and moan about a mere 5% cut.
This is just so juvenile. If a marriage cannot survive a 5% pay-cut,
this is no marriage, these folks need to go their separate ways.
Just . . . give me a break, and grow up!
W.L.

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Teachers to have 6 furlough days next year

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