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Dysfunctional School Board-Superintendent

In summer of 2003, the SMUHSD Board silently slipped Sam Johnson into the chair of the superintendent. Why members Cohn-Lyle, Hanley, Vranes, and Griffen chose the summer for this move is quite clear. No one would be watching. The Board did not review a single resume, put together a public interview committee, or conduct any type of search for a new leader. The Board did not perform due diligence on Mr. Johnson's qualifications for the position or research his employment history.

Since becoming Superintendent of the SMUHSD, Sam Johnson has turned a deaf ear to public comments that are contrary to his personal agenda. School Board meetings with an angry public are become the norm under Johnson's short leadership and are sure to continue with his latest financial debacle. Johnson is blind and deaf to the public will as evidenced by his own comments regarding the public's response to his attempts to reduce counselors, eliminate librarians, the arts, and vocational courses in an attempt to implement a budget reorganization? to fund the seven period day.

Johnson said the tone and language of speakers at the board's last meeting, when opponents of the plan queued for more than four hours to take on the trustees, was unwarranted to me as a human being and as a superintendent.' (SM Daily Journal March 5, 2005)

Public sources also reveal that Sam Johnson and the SMUHSD Board have been consistently reminded of the financial problems facing the district, yet they have ignored these warnings and have forged ahead with expensive spending programs like the seven period day.

In 2003 the SMUHSD began to feel financial constraints of decreased revunues but it has failed to establish and carry out a long term financial plan.

Although the district squeaked by with enough reserves this year to stave off Sacramento, the level will fall well below the state mandate in a few years if it does not change its course fast. The reserves will be whittled away by increases in expenditures the district faces, such as a 15 percent jump in healthcare costs and adjustments in the cost of living. It is also safe to assume the state will not restore the funding cuts it made this year,' said Associate Superintendent Robert Arnold. If we continue in the same pattern, the reserves will be at about a about 1.6 percent by 2004,? he (Arnold) said.' (SM Daily Journal June 12, 2003

SMUHSD Superintendent Sam Johnson has surrounded himself with a district level cabinet and site principals of yes? men and women who refuse to challenge his will. He is flanked by a dysfunctional Board members Cohn-Lyle, Hanley, and Griffen have stood by as Johnson destroys a once great district. As Board President, Cohn-Lyle has abdicated her responsibility to the public by claiming that the Board has joined with Johnson as a Team of Six.? The Board's role in the policy process is one of oversight, not concurrent action.

Mr. Hanley's embarrassing speech to the public at the last meeting entrenched the divide between the teachers and the administration. Hanley lashed out at the teachers, blaming them for the financial disaster and spreading fear among the students and parents.

Mr. Griffen is calm and collected, but he is also a CPA and should know better.

Its time to tell the Emperor that he has no clothes. The $3.5 million budget fiasco is just the warm-up act to the soon to be released $298 million facilities bond disaster. Hello, Enron? These are not the smartest guys in the room.

The time for change is now.

– Written by JC

Posted in

72 responses to “Dysfunctional School Board-Superintendent”

  1. Joanne

    If the union is going to use this blog as a bully-pulpit you should identify yourselves. Conspiracy plots, personal attacks (“these are not the smartest guys in the room”), untruths (“Johnson is blind and deaf to the public will” – counselors and librarians were not cut for the seven period day). blah, blah blah. Come on, KRN, the public deserves a better, more honest, dialogue than this. This is old news: that you’d like Johnson to resign or be drummed out of office.
    I understand that the teachers will continue their “duty free lunches” until your contract is signed. Can you tell the public what the sticking points are? Maybe you’d get more sympathy if you quit the personal, character attacks and moved on to the issues.

  2. Anonymous

    I would like to know when Johnson’s contract was extended (or was it?). It was mentioned here a long time ago, but I am having trouble finding the month and year.

  3. Rich Grogan

    Is the teacher’s lunch time paid or not paid?

  4. Joanne

    Rich: Not paid, but the contract requires them to be responsible for extra-curricular clubs and until now most have chosen to do this during lunch time. Also athletes going to away games frequently miss classes at the end of the day. Prior to the work slowdown the athletes have made up tests or labs during lunch time. I don’t know how that is being handled now and I heard one parent complain that her daughter was going to get an “F” (but I don’t know if that was that she feared that would happen or it actually did).
    Jen, I believe Johnson’s contract was renewed this spring, but I don’t recall how long the term is; I think it was KRN who posted the renewal.

  5. ann

    I am completely disgusted to hear that the lunch hour “lock outs” will continue. I will never support these teachers again–with donations to the school or in any othr manner–

  6. Joanne

    Ann, I think everyone is hoping that this gets resolved quickly so that irreparable damage to the parent-teacher relationship is not done. As you know, the parents at BHS raise almost one-half million dollars annually to support the school in various ways. I agree with you that I wish the teachers were using a different method of protest than one that hurts students. There is an adage about not getting between a bear and her cubs that might have been helpful here. Nonetheless, here we are. Many of our teachers are doing an excellent job (or we wouldn’t be sending our kids there, right?) and I would hope that parental, as well as community, support for the school will continue. BHS has a strong, proud history in this community. If anything, your support is needed now more than ever as I suppose parents might have to take up the slack and lead clubs etc. if the teachers refuse to do this in the future.

  7. Anonymous

    Actually, I think there is a fair chance that fundraising may suffer, as well. The PTA must make it clear that donations go directly into the classrooms or equipment that will benefit the kids. There is a chance that parents, whose children have lost various teachers, may volunteer their time to help fill the void, but most aren’t trained in that area. I suspect several will instead spend money to hire private tutors to make up for deficits. Those aren’t cheap, either.

  8. Joanne

    I agree with you, Jen, that fundraising might suffer and this would be a very sad result, indeed. I would encourage Ann and any other parent reading this to get involved with the Parent Group as well as the School Advisory Council so that s/he can have a say in where your money is going. But please don’t withhold your money or talent because you are upset with a teacher(s). Monies raised go for musical instruments, atheletic gear, personnel that help kids find meaningful volunteer opportunities and meaningful work connections, etc. Also, not every teacher agrees with the union tactics that are currently being used nor do they agree with the representations made on this blog by a few vocal teachers (many of the persons who blog here, blog under different names and aliases). So you can’t really tell too much about how the 400 teachers in the SMUHSD feel from reading these comments.

  9. Rich Grogan

    Teachers can fill out the appropriate paperwork that will reduce their Union dues and restrict the $$$ from being used for Political Purposes.

    Now, if anyone does this, EXPECT to be strong armed or attimidated by Union reps.

  10. jean

    Rich, I remain close to many members of Unite-HERE, formerly HERE Local 340 based in Burlingame and Local 2 in SF. Many were upset when they learned a portion of their dues were being used for Political purposes that they either didn’t agree with, or were just upset that they were not properly informed (in there opinion).

    Those who objected and took action did not find any adversity from the union at a local level.

    Maybe the teachers union is different and bullying prevails (some on this blog seem to think that still works), but I don’t believe it is generally the case.

  11. Rich Grogan

    The Beck Decision is what I was attemting to think of when I wrote the above:
    *********************************************************************
    Under a 1988 ruling of the United States Supreme Court in Communication Workers of America v Beck, workers are entitled to a refund of any union dues that are used for purposes not related to collective bargaining activities, contract administration, or grievance processing. Unfortunately, these “Beck” rights have gone largely unrealized because workers are unaware of them and governments have shown virtually no desire to enforce them. The result is that labor unions routinely spend half or more of their members’ dues on causes and candidates that many of those members personally oppose.
    **********************************************************************
    Take advantage of the Beck Decision, this will place more money in the pockets of the teachers.
    ********************************************************************
    Jean
    Since the Beck decision was placed into law, I have know of three teachers, who attempted to take advantage of the decision, but the preasure was soooooo strong from Union Reps that they gave in and withdrew their request.

    I understand it is “hear say’ but I have heard numerous horror stories about Union members wishing to exercise their BECK RIGHTS!

    As with the District, there are things the teachers can do to start to regain control of their bargaining units and place more money in their own pocket.

  12. jean

    Thanks for citing the course Rich, it was on the tip of my tongue! So it seems the teachers union continues to find success in bullying tactics? Every little penny counts, and the teachers should exercise every advantage that they agree with.

  13. ann

    Every dollar I am spending on a private tutor is one dollar I will not be sending to my daughter’s school. I would so like to use my real name, but I am fearful of retribution to my child–how sad is that that a parent should not trust her child’s teachers to be fair and caring?! I am seriously thinking private school next year (plus moving out of the district so my tax dollars do not support the district or these teachers.

  14. Rich Grogan

    On February 1, 2001 Executive Order 12800 was signed into law. This law requires contractors applying for federal contracts to notify their employees of the BECK Decision. It is estimated that approximately 70% of a Union’s money go towards various political campaigns.

    Ann, it is a sad state of affairs when a parent feels the way you do. If you ever find out your fears have come true, GO PUBLIC with the information.

    I would like to see the District make a blanket policy that ALL students have the right to record ALL classes, so they will have the benefit of recalling classroom material.

  15. jean

    Someone on this blog, KRN I believe, posed the question: can you afford private school? Sorry, I don’t have time to cite the quote, but the answer is “yes.”

    Any child that meets the private school qualifications, and I suspect that many of the kids in the district do, can go private regardless of family financials. Many of the private schools have endowments to fund scholarships, and some are proud to say that they have “never turned away a qualified student” due to family/personal financials. Yes, it’s competitive, but it’s not financial.

    Are there other options? Is it possible to reap the rewards of the good stuff offered at BHS, and go on your for the stuff you don’t agree with? Like avoiding certain teachers by fulfilling the class requirement at a JC or other avenue ie: tutors/home schooling/independent study/testing out? Can you continue to give (money and/or time) to the BHS programs that you support specifically and directly, and voice/vote against those programs/teachers etc that you do not support?

    Ann, your issue about your tax dollars is valid, and hopes are you’ll vote accordingly. Until then, maybe there are some options that won’t cost you too much more.

  16. jean

    is there a policy against recording?

  17. jean

    sorry, just realized I got completely off topic responding to ann and rich. i’m sure there’s a better thread for my comments. mondays!

  18. KRN

    Joanne,

    Please read the post from Mr. Horgan’s column about the Voice:

    “Sometimes, it’s not pretty. Many of those who participate do so anonymously.” On balance, although district officials would probably dispute this, the Internet back-and-forth has to be a plus.
    The public is involved. The conversation in cyberspace is spirited. And why not? It’s the taxpayers’ dollars and academic priorities being bandied about, for crying out loud. Citizens have every right to weigh in, whether they are polite or not. Looking at it from a distance, it’s really something of a revolution.”

    There is no reason for ANYONE to identify themselves if they choose not to and that includes you. This blog is a great piece of the First Amendment as it allows people to voice their opinions without fear of reprisal. The blog can be used by unions, communists, vegans, and Republicans.

    It is also quite unfair for you to claim victim of attack and call foul and “bully” when you make personal attacks against those who you don’t agree with you. If you don’t like the opinions in thread, post a contrary position.

    There may be few how post here, but there are many more who browse. Take a cue from Mr. Horgan…its cyberspace… all opinions are welcome.

  19. Joanne

    I’ve never claimed to be a victim, KRN. The union has found this to be a place where they can post their side of the story, but the SMUHSD administration isn’t spending their time blogging. So it gets a little one-sided, doesn’t it? Yes, people can blog anonymously here…but when they represent groups (unions) or the same person blogs under different names — well, I don’t think that’s an honest debate. Your arguments would carry more weight with me (i.e. be more credible) if you would stop with the hyperbole and character assassinations and just blog the facts you find compelling.

  20. Anonymous

    Rather than focus on union vs. non-union issues, I’d like to bring the conversation back to why I think we are in this undesirable position in the first place. Sue Lempert addressed part of the problem, which is the poor communication and oversight between the County officials and local officials. I believe she was a High School Trustee, at some point, so she knows what she is talking about.

    But that is only part of the communication problem. The other part (that I believe to be equally as important) is how this district communicates with the public. As I’ve mentioned before, this has not been done well, and tends to be less of a discussion, than one of dictating policy. When this happens too much, then there is a lack of trust that develops, and worse, a lack of involvement or interest. This will be at least as important to resolve as their budget woes, which will hopefully be resolved in the next few years.

  21. Joanne

    Sue had a very interesting editorial in the San Mateo Daily Journal. It is well worth the read: http://www.smdailyjournal.com, then go to archives, then find September 28, 2006, then go to Opinions.

  22. Anonymous

    From September 28, 2006 SM Daily Journal

    Who’s to blame?
    Sue Lempert

    Who’s to blame? That is the question on the minds of many parents, teachers and friends of the San Mateo Union High School District as its Board of Trustees meets tonight. The board will be acting on recommendations to make major staff cuts of $2.8 million to restore its reserves. State law requires a reserve minimum of 3 percent of the total budget. Meanwhile, as reported by the Daily Journal’s Heather Murtagh, teachers have been demonstrating at each of the district’s high schools, to protest the cuts and ask for a delay in implementing them. Parents and concerned citizens have been calling and e-mailing their concerns.

    How can this great high school district, one of the jewels in the state, get back to its business of educating students with the full support of the teachers and the community?

    For those who insist on playing the blame game, the simple answer is that all the major players are to blame for the current financial squeeze. The lack of appropriate communication and foresight has contributed to a perfect storm.

    One root of the problem is that SMUHSD is a basic aid district. That is usually good news. Basic aid districts are ones located in high-wealth areas that generate property taxes above and beyond what state formulas provide. So ordinarily, because they are not dependent on state revenues, they have an advantage. But after 9/11 many businesses, especially hotels, sued the county for assessing them at an unreasonable rate when their income was in deep fall. The county lost many of these cases and property taxes destined for basic aid school districts had to be rebated. Last year, the district made $1 million in cuts because of these rebates. And this year, when the district had to forego more of their anticipated revenues, the well was dry.

    Administrators say they didn’t expect the rebate problem to reoccur. In fact, they say, county officials told them last year that the rebate loss was an unusual occurrence and probably would not happen again. The district had passed a budget with an employee salary increase in June, using $2 million in reserves to pay for it, with the expectation that those funds would soon be replenished. In July, they found out the bad news. In August, they found out from the County Superintendent of Schools (whose job is to monitor school budgets) they needed to restore their reserves by the end of this month or face outside intervention. Whatever was communicated or not communicated between the school district and the county and there is some disagreement over this two things come out loud and clear. There needs to be better communications between the two and no one cities, schools, county should ever pay for salary increases with reserves. The good news is that this will not happen again. County School Superintendent Jean Holbrook has set up regular briefings with school officials and the country controller and assessor all are on the same page. Superintendent Sam Johnson said salary increases will not be made in mid-year as is tradition but at the end of the year when the financial situation is clearer.

    The district is determined to replenish its reserves to an appropriate level and let’s hope they stay in a lockbox, only to be used for one time emergencies, not for on-going expenditures.

    As for the school board, the buck stops there. In the future they need to take a stronger role in overseeing the district’s financial health and to ask tough questions such as Are you sure we are going to get those estimated property taxes?? Of course the trustees want pay increases for the staff, but they need to make sure the money is there before dispensing it.

    For the teachers’ union, the idea of rolling back the pay increase they just received is not on the table. If the district made a stupid mistake, that is their problem, not ours. And teachers shouldn’t have to bear the burden of bad financial planning on the part of administrators,? they seem to say. That argument is sad because there was a time when teachers, administrators and school board acted as a team. There were years during difficult times when staff went without a salary increase knowing that the board would make it up as soon as it could. But that is not going to happen now and perhaps the teachers are smart and are not as optimistic as the administration about increased future revenue. However, the union leadership needs to work with the board and administration in a team effort and not as adversaries. That will ensure the long-term health of the district and community confidence.

    Whatever happens tonight if the school board approves cuts or if more time is given to address the problem, some valuable lessons have been learned about communication and financial predictions. The district is financially sound and not going bankrupt. It has a long history of good management. But the outlook for more rebates and the stability of property tax revenue as home sales slow remains unclear. So conservative estimates are in order. For the future, the district needs to look at new revenue sources, perhaps the sale or lease of land, which could open up funds for either buildings or other uses, depending on how the deal is structured. Crestmoor in San Bruno has been closed for decades and now houses the continuation school but the time has come to see if this underused property can bring in some significant revenues. The district office sits on a valuable piece of Delaware Street. Could it be housed in one of the high school’s instead? The district doesn’t have a foundation; instead each school does its own fundraising. Perhaps the time has come for a major parental effort to raise funds for the district. There are many affluent and talented families who could help get this started. Lastly, no one should forget that the SMUHSD has a stellar reputation. It’s academic performance continues to improve. College admissions officers look favorably on the district’s graduates. Let’s hope the current situation does not have a negative long-term impact on one of the best.

    Sue Lempert is the former mayor of San Mateo. She can be reached at sue@smdailyjournal.com. Lempert’s column normally appears in the Monday edition. Michelle Durand’s column will appear Monday instead.

  23. KRN

    I am not blogging for the union nor am I trying to convince you. You have made it into the union, not me. The District filled the media with propaganda and this blog is one of the only ways to counter that information. People and reporters read this blog and then find alternative answers to points made by the district.

    The school board is an elected body and is therefore responsible to the public. They fail on a personal or professional level, then that is open for public scrutiny. If people want to blog under different names, that is the choice of the blogger. The public has the right to believe or reject any information that is presented on this site. While you may want everyone to play nice, that isn’t reality in the First Amendment.

    It will be very interesting when all of the truth comes out about the budget fiasco and the public is faced with more information that is related to fact than fiction.

  24. Rich Grogan

    Speaking of elected officials, aren’t Union representatives elected to represent the teachers in District negotiations? From that fact, could it not be concluded the Union has a direct affect on the instruction to the students.

  25. ASE

    I said this on another thread, but I have to appologize for being absent the last few days, and therefore I need to catch up.

    Ann, you go ahead and send you child to private school, move out of the district. I’ll be glad to see your opposing vote leave, good riddance.

    Now, forgive me for branching off from the topic of this particular thread, but I’d like to welcome Jean back from the land of spectatorship. That was a long hiatus, especially for you. I’m sorry but I must refer back to the topic we were on when you left because it is of great concern to me personally. Jean, what do you think about, not only bloggers contacting students, aka minors, outside of this forum, but publically denying it?

  26. RCC

    Mr. Hanley’s speech was absolutely infuriating. I don’t understand how someone who represents the people of the county (students, teachers, parents, and non-parents) could sit up on Cap’s stage and scold people for wanting to have medical coverage and the salary promised to them.

    Another thing, enough about teachers getting lunch time off; frankly I’d rather have my teachers socializing at lunch it always seemed strange to me that teachers these days didn’t talk to each other that much. This way the school will be more connected and maybe just maybe it will feel like a school again and not a sterile institution full of doctors treating patients, which is exactly where it was going.

    This was a wake up call the school system isn’t talking anymore. Why is it that I feel my administration and my teachers are in two different groups? They both have the same goal. Maybe they can now sit down and have lunch and talk to each other.

    Yes I liked going in at lunch to get help and make up tests, but now I guess I’ll just go before or after school. If I am absent policy states that I will have time to make up all the tests I miss. Athletics are excused absences. Teachers are very understanding about the time they take away from the students. However as athletes it is their job to seek teachers to making up the work not the other way around. Can’t hack it? Don’t play sports it is the choice one must make.

  27. RCC

    Does anyone know when recalls are I believe it is time to start campaigning? I know a few parents ready to step up and fill a few shoes on the board.

  28. Mac

    It seems strange to me that people would be upset with teachers for choosing to close their doors during an unpaid lunch hour. People need to remember that teachers are professional educators, not the clergy. If a cement truck operator was asked to work during their lunch hour, they’d laugh in the person’s face making the request. Teachers volunteer hours upon hours of time correcting papers, planning instruction, etc. without compensation, and it seems that people who think teachers should donate every minute of their workday to tutor, write letters of recommendation, etc. are spoiled by the quality of the teachers working at BHS. Be thankful for what the community has at BHS. Students learn from observation, and I (for one) am glad the students see that teachers have a backbone and will stand up for themselves.

  29. ASE

    Thank you Mac for your comments. I think it’s great that some adults are beginning to remeber that teachers are human beings who need to eat sleep and feel appreciated. While many parents are taking a hostile attitude towards the efforts made by teachers, the majority of students understand that the teachers are not trying to hurt us and that they need some personal down time. The exceptional students, however, who are enraged may have too close a relationship with their parents opinions and it is they, not I Pete, who need to research Stockholm Syndrome. I will say this as many times as it takes to make myself understood: MY OPINIONS AND ACTIONS ARE PURELY MY OWN, UNALTERED BY THE OPINIONS OF MY TEACHERS, PARENTS, OR ANY OTHER ADULTS IN MY LIFE.

  30. ann

    I find it odd that teachers who go into a job knowing what it entails (haven’t most of them at least gone to high school?!), would then complain about the things that are expected of them—I would havre thought that they would have known from their own experience that students will ask for letters of rec/help at lunch/multitude of things…if they did not want to do this job, why don’t they go into the real world and find out just how tough it is when you don’t operate from your own little fiefdom (oops, classroom), complete with a tenured postion that allows you to be as mediocore as you like…

  31. ann

    It’s pretty clear ASE that you have never held a real job…and I will be happy to leave the district knowing that I will be leaving students like you behind…even now at least I can be glad I will no longer be supporting the schools or students like you.

  32. KRN

    Ann,

    We have given up stock option, bonus checks, and all the other things that come with the real world as well as the problems of the private market. That is all part of the choice and the trade-off between the public and private sectors. The comment about goiing to high school is what makes the public an expert in schools. Everyone went to high school so you think you know how it operates.

    The problem is not with the teachers, but with the public. The teachers are not expected to meet the expectations of the public, but of the contract that has been negotiated on behalf of the public. We have contracts because otherwise there would be unlimited expectation on our jobs that we would have to meet.

    You should come into a classroom and instruct 35 students per hour for 5 hours per day, almost non-stop. Many students have learning difficulties, some don’t know english, some are brilliant, some are not, some are felons, some are armed, but they all come into the room to learn. Maybe you should understand the job before you attempt to criticize it.

  33. Mac

    Think of the quality of education at a majority of public schools in the state… the Burlingame community should be rolling out the red carpet for the teachers at BHS and seriously concerned about future recruitment of highly qualified professionals. People talk, and word is spreading among the intelligentsia that SMUHSD is not a good place to teach because the administration is inept (and possibly corrupt). The upper echelon of prospective educators will not want to involve themselves with a train wreck created by incompetent leadership. Good teachers are not lured by money alone, but also in knowing they are putting themselves in a positive situation with able leaders who won’t shoot the district in the foot with their personal agendas.

  34. Pete

    “…word is spreading among the intelligentsia…”

    Oh no- not the dreaded intelligentsia!

    Darned Enlightenment-dweebs.

    But then, given the intelligentsia’s breadth and depth around these parts, the “word” won’t be spreading too fast or far…

    Sorry- couldn’t resist.

    Dumb ol’ Pete

    An excerpt from my Prof. brother who has taught for 31 years and published the most-read textbook in his field…

    No- he doesn’t teach around here- but still he provides and interesting insight into Mac’s comparison of teachers and cement truck driver’s attitudes towards work:

    “Reminds me of a flap I had with The Union (yes, we’re a closed shop? and I must pay representation? dues even though I refuse to join the Union itself).

    They were bitching about The District not extra-compensating instructors who have more than 500 students (precisely 2 of us within this huge 3-college District). If they had their way, I’d earn my full salary (US$100K+) by standing in front of my auditorium class a total of 3 hours per week, 1.5 hours each on M and W! I’d be limited out? of my honors lab and education classes because I would not be allowed that much overload.? These loons actually thought they were doing us a favor! I blew into the Union office demanding that my money not be used to ship Jimmy Hoffa’s refrigerated body from place to place any more, and that they get the hell out of my life. I (and the other prof involved, a geologist) did not wish to be represented by them, and they could go straight to hell. (Or some such.) I explained that teachers want to teach, … and that if they didn’t want to work here, they should find someplace else to be useless and obfuscatory…

    You’re precisely right Teachers don’t work with students. Teachers work for students…?

  35. KRN

    Pete,

    you sound angry… maybe you should take a dose of what Joanne is handing out, a teaspoon of Kumbia and call me in the morning.

    It seems that the two of you have a serious bad taste for unions and are generalizing everyone based upon a few limited experiences.

    Mac’s insight is based upon forming a quality educational environment where teachers can teach and students can learn.

  36. Anonymous

    Wow you people are really critical of our teachers. Have any of you been in a classroom recently? Seen what teachers actually do? Spoken to your children and asked whether their teachers have encouraged them or given them extra help?

    Oh vey, perhaps that only happened in my children’s schools which makes me appreciate their elementary and high school even more. Their teachers were exceptional, their education was exceptional and we respected their teachers.

    Thank you ASE for your comments – I hope I meet you some day.

  37. Joanne

    KRN, yesterday on the SMUHSD Shortfall Thread you stated that “the teachers have been offering aid to the district (and you don’t see it in the papers). We have agreed to take a 0% salary increase and healthcare increase and we have offered to take on more duties to help out the district. They have rejected our offer because they only want a paycut of 3% from our salaries.” Someone told me today that the 3% salary cut request simply isn’t true. Could you please clarify? What are the outstanding contract issues?

  38. RCC

    ann, how in the world do you know if student ASE has a job or not. I’m in high school and I have a job on top of that. The youth of today aren’t all sitting on our rear ends doing nothing. We are almost adults. Don’t disqualify what we say do too age.

    On top of that, to the adults on this blogg, today’s schools are very different than yesteryears. The youth today is very different. Many young people are very hard to control in a classroom and teachers do need a break to stay fresh and teach well. High school teachers also can’t be compared to professors the college environment is very different.

  39. Joanne

    KRN, Can you please clarify. Yesterday you said that the SMUHSD was asking teachers to take a 3% pay cut in addition to the 3.5 million that was cut last week. Someone told me today this simply isn’t true. Could you confirm or deny?

  40. ASE

    Joanne, do you really expect KRN to answer in 45 mins? Calm down, give him a break, and let him enjoy his Friday evening with his wife and kids (who are recently celebrating the fact that they did not lose 3% of their living finances).

    Ann, who do you think you are? I don’t care if I’m a minor or if you’re my elder. You flat out don’t treat people like that. For your information, I have a very high responsibility after school job, where I’m responsible for administering medication to young children. Now granted, this job is new for me, but before that I spent over 2 years working for a local business. The only reason I left that job is because I needed to find a job that allowed more time for school. Don’t forget that I do that for 6 hours a day first. Now last time I checked 2 years is considered a long term job, especially for a high school student. Don’t make assumptions about my ability to hold down a job. And I know that your comments were meant to hurt me, but they don’t phase me one bit. I’m glad you don’t support me. I’d rather have adults like KRN and Rich, who know how to respect human beings, support me. You may think you’re tough because you think you can talk down to me, but you’re really not worth my time.

  41. KRN

    The SMUHSD is still asking the teachers to take a pay cut for next year. The teachers are currently working without a contract. The 3% salary cut that the district was asking for previously was to avoid lay-offs since the district expanded instructional programs without funds.

    Contract negotiations are currently taking place between the district and the teachers Association to settle a contract for THIS year and then they will also have to negotiate one for the following year. This is why I keep stating that the budget issue is not dead. The SMUHSD has expanded its instructional programs without having contracts in place with either of its employee groups. Once again…. no planning in place.

  42. Joanne

    Thanks, KRN. So if I understand you correctly the SMUHSD is asking the teachers to pay more for their health insurance as well as take a base pay cut?

  43. KRN

    The SMUHSD’s financial downfall is all her on the Voice. Just click on schools and go back in time to read about how the district was going to provide everything with no money down.

    Core Classes

    Joanne’s response to the approval of the 7 period day and extra expenditures as posted in the Core Classes thread

    Well, that’s a happy ending to this saga, wouldn’t you agree? The reserve can be built up again by setting aside a portion of the property tax increase each year. I’m usually quite conservative when it comes to budgeting, but I’d rather have a school district take some calculated chances to increase performance (than sit on a huge reserve like the elementary BSD has done at the same time it was cutting programs.?

    Well, KRN, I don’t think you are ever going to be happy. In the “Double Workouts” thread you posted an all-points bulletin on 2-26 that 15 sections (or I assume 3 FTE teachers) were going to be cut at BHS due to the 7 period day. Remember, you described the fact that new classes were going to be offered as total “hype.” Hello “genocide class”, goodbye “Drama” or something to that effect. Now when the SMUHSD said no programs or faculty were going to be affected and that the district would take the money from the reserves, you’re complaining that it’s going to come from teachers’ salaries and benefits. It doesn’t work that way. If the board had not spent the extra reserve money on the 7 period day it would have stayed in the reserve — it would not have gone to increase salaries or benefits. Like it or not, that’s just the way things work. This IS a happy ending/compromise for all (but perhaps not for one who just plain doesn’t want a seven period day, regardless of how it is funded).?

    Hey Joanne… I’m doing the “I told you so” dance right now!

  44. guest teacher

    RCC and ASE, I can’t believe how these adults are treating you. I, unlike others, would never ask you to reveal your identity but only hope that I am your teacher. I am so proud of your eloquence and thoughtfulness that it brings me to tears.

  45. Joanne

    Could you please interrupt your dance moves and answer the question, KRN: Is the SMUHSD asking the teachers to take a cut in base pay this year?

  46. KRN

    The answer is already posted above. The district wants the union to leave our “base” the same on paper but would pay us 3% less in wages. The reduction in payment would continue until the reserves are built back up. There is no time-line for this to occur. The teachers have rejected this offer. Again, the teachers have offered to take 0% in salary and benefit increases in order to help the district through this event. Local inflation over the last three years has been 1.2%, 2.2%, and 3.8%. A 0% wage increase for 2006 is equal to a 3.8% wage loss (without serious number crunching) in purchasing power.

  47. Joanne

    So when you say “The district wants the union to leave our “base” the same on paper but would leave us 3% less in wages” you are really saying that the district wants you to forego a raise but you see that as a 3% paycut because local inflation is 3.8% and therefore you will lose purchasing power? Is that what you are saying? And if the teachers offered to take a 0% increase then how does this differ from what the SMUHSD is offering?
    I’m belaboring this point because I think its important for the public to know what is holding up the signing of the contract.

  48. ASE

    Joanne, here’s the deal. I think KRN is not spelling it out for you assuming that you’ll make the connections and inferences. But since you keep asking for clarification I’m going to see if a fresh take will help you out. The teachers are offering to take a 0% raise which, inflation accounted for, is really a 3.8% pay cut. What the district wants is a 3% nominal paycut(nominal meaning just strait numbers)from existing wages. So you take the 3% paycut and add that to the 3.8% inflation, and you end up with the district asking teachers to take a 6.8% real paycut (real meaning adjusted for inflation). Thanks Joanne, for giving me the opportunity to explain that and review for my Econ test at the same time! (when did econ and gov become grad requirements…a lot of adults don’t know this stuff)

  49. KRN

    See ASE’s answer.

  50. Joanne

    KRN, I’d like you to answer the question I posed to you, not your student. You made the statement “The district wants us to leave our “base” the same on paper but would leave us 3% less in wages.” What do you mean by that statement?

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