Comments on Aberdeener: Death by a Thousand Cuts

What about it? You think we're running teacher...

2010-03-05T11:15:42.370-05:00

What about it? You think we're running teachers' fingerprints through Interpol?

I see your reply to someone else regarding the fin...

2010-03-05T11:08:59.220-05:00

I see your reply to someone else regarding the fingerprinting of the privitized custodians, I assume that means that a background check is done on the person. What happens if the person is from another country and was a rapist, killer or a child molester in that country????

We did look at the administration and the problem ...

2010-03-04T09:43:33.200-05:00

We did look at the administration and the problem is the ones we consider highly valuable don't have tenure.

The proposed cuts include a loss of approximately ...

2010-03-04T09:11:36.739-05:00

The proposed cuts include a loss of approximately 80 jobs, instead of 80 people losing their jobs why doesn't the Board take a look at people in higher paid positions that make alot of money, lay them off.
Not only are approximately 80 families going to suffer from the cuts but our children are also going to suffer. The propose to cut technology, buses, work study programs and supplies.

Our subs were privatized and they're fingerpri...

2010-03-01T21:15:29.225-05:00

Our subs were privatized and they're fingerprinted.

I believe the school district can put those requirements in the bid.

One of the cuts is going to be privitizing the cus...

2010-03-01T21:12:28.085-05:00

One of the cuts is going to be privitizing the custodians in all the schools, which means 32 people being laid off. I have lived in another town a few years back that did this and it became a nightmare. There were a few incidents in the schools where the people working for the private company left notes for the children. The custodians in our School District need to be fingerprinted and be approved to work by The State of New Jersey, the privitized companies do not do that, which means there will be strangers working closely to our children. I don't want my children to be near strangers, do you?

Joey, I am having difficulty understanding your p...

2010-02-22T18:05:34.833-05:00

Joey,
I am having difficulty understanding your position on this budget. After your original post and 234 comments later could you explain your position on this budget. You seem to not agree with O'Malleys assessment to increase taxes 3% and eliminate positions and services that you consider core to your mission. If that is correct, will you vote against the budget he recommended at the last meeting and have you changed your mind on not raising taxes?

Nice try Jim, but O'Malley will not be looking...

2010-02-22T17:32:31.345-05:00

Nice try Jim, but O'Malley will not be looking for common sense solutions or solutions that will take work on his part. Last years budget was a no brainer, contrary to what the aberdeener says, and his value will be proven this year when actual cuts have to be made. He is already pushing for a tax increase, instead of looking for ways to keep our taxes down while cutting expenses. Watch, his recommendations will be simple slash and burn cuts with a lot of finger pointing, and raises for everybody. As long as educators run the business of education, and it is a business, the taxpayers will continue to endure the scenario of never ending tax increases.

Some random ideas to help with this budget and not...

2010-02-22T12:00:59.211-05:00

Some random ideas to help with this budget and not raise my taxes another 20% (I mean, jeez, when I bought my house in '06 I was a good bit under 5k, now I'm well over 6k):

- Cut programs that most municipalities handle as a matter of the private sector. For example, Pre-K. I've never heard of a school district offering Pre-K, and I'm also living proof that Pre-K is not necessary to succeed in life.
- Set standard funding for all after-school activities, including popular sports. Say, something like the district negotiates rates for uniforms & equipment, and pays 20%, and the parents cover the remaining.
- Put those "well-rounded" HS courses on a rotating schedule - say, instead of offering 8 per year, offer 2. Which 2 varies year-to-year, so after 4 years all 8 have been covered. Perhaps negotiate an agreement with 3 other school districts to go on the same rotation with staggered offerings, so the same 8 teachers are generally available and just passed from district to district each year.

I do not agree, however, that technology does not need to be taught in younger grades. I expect typing to fully replace handwriting as a language skill in the near future. How to make a facebook page, on the other hand.. that's debatable.

Joe Raymonds daghter has been a school bus driver ...

2010-02-21T19:16:41.796-05:00

Joe Raymonds daghter has been a school bus driver for years now. His wife was a crossing guard and then a became school bus aide. Talk about getting the facts straight. Raymond could not vote for probably the last four years at least on anything school related. Those were the true reasons. Next!

You will have to wait. There are much more importa...

2010-02-21T19:02:31.396-05:00

You will have to wait. There are much more important potholes in Strathmore that have to be repaired.

when is this town going to fix the potholed mess t...

2010-02-21T17:59:18.446-05:00

when is this town going to fix the potholed mess that is Atlantic avenue.

Anon, You make a good point. Freehold Regional ha...

2010-02-21T12:57:25.698-05:00

Anon,

You make a good point. Freehold Regional has three times as many students but they get four times as much state aid.

I don't know how the formula works so I can't explain.

However, if you want to see something truly crazy, Asbury Park has half as many students and gets $60 million from the state. They're losing less state aid than we are.

Joey, a bit of topic from our district alone, but...

2010-02-21T11:24:49.292-05:00

Joey, a bit of topic from our district alone, but it appears to me, according to the State record posted, that Freehold Regional with a higher DFG rating than our district was getting over 45 mil. in state aid, and MARSD was only getting over 13 mil. Am I correct in how I am reading these numbers? Why would a better DFG rating get them more aid? I realize now we will be getting 1 mil less. Also, if we had a 1 mil surplus not used, how are we now down 6 mil? If I am reading this incorrectly, then please clarify it for me.

Get your facts straight;for your information, Raym...

2010-02-21T09:12:51.861-05:00

Get your facts straight;for your information, Raymond's wife was a crossing guard. Crossing guards work for the town. Joe Raymond had input and voted on the school budget all the years he was on the council. You people really need to know what you are talking about before you post what you think are the facts.

A bit off topic, I apologize. Does anybody know w...

2010-02-20T16:06:10.506-05:00

A bit off topic, I apologize. Does anybody know what happened to the women who ran the senior center. I believe she was also involed in other things throughout the township. I think her name is Shiela Flam. Any input is appreciated

I think in some circumstances, the 4 year degree i...

2010-02-19T17:27:47.276-05:00

I think in some circumstances, the 4 year degree is overrated. This does not mean I don't think some careers require a degree, example being a teacher.
The other side of the coin is law enforcement. Going to college before going into that type of career doesn't make you anymore prepared for what awaits you on the job. There are guys with GED's who are excellent cops, and guys with Masters Degrees who have absolutely no business carrying a weapon. That can also be reversed, but hopefully you get my point.

Wouldn't you agree that a student who has mast...

2010-02-19T15:30:41.424-05:00

Wouldn't you agree that a student who has mastered the work habits, the skills, and the knowledge to succeed in college is better prepared for the future than one who hasn't?

Right now, fewer than one third of our high school graduates are projected to earn a 4-year degree. Wouldn't you agree that percentage is too low?

For those without degrees,that are willing to do w...

2010-02-19T15:23:30.897-05:00

For those without degrees,that are willing to do what they need to provide for their family, so that they may have a comfortable existence, yes, I think I am the norm.
The other ones, both college educated, and not, who sponge off the welfare system, while driving brand new cars, and sporting all kind of bling...that's a different story.

I'm happy you make a lot of money, despite not...

2010-02-19T13:13:27.034-05:00

I'm happy you make a lot of money, despite not having a college degree. Do you consider yourself the norm?

College is great for some kids but not all Joey. G...

2010-02-19T12:59:37.400-05:00

College is great for some kids but not all Joey. Get off your high horse. Just because someone doesn't have that degree doesn't mean they are destined for failure.

I never set foot on a college campus as a student, and if I were a betting man I would bet that I make a hell of a lot more money that you, with your high and mighty degree makes.

Not saying that makes me better than anyone, or worse, just saying that not every kid needs to go to college to do well in life.

Aberdeener, You prove my point. That is the way ...

2010-02-19T11:03:16.695-05:00

Aberdeener,
You prove my point. That is the way the system is set up and it is the reason no one should receive merit pay. No exceptions.

Clay isn't expensive but teachers are. And so ...

2010-02-19T00:45:34.981-05:00

Clay isn't expensive but teachers are. And so is time. Most of the kids in that ceramics class would be better served taking a class that would help them get through college.

Aberdeener said... A third of our seniors are at-...

2010-02-18T22:30:51.115-05:00

Aberdeener said...
A third of our seniors are at-risk of not graduating. Another third will never see a college degree. Taxes are through the roof. We're looking at a $6 million budget hole. And you won't consider eliminating a ceramics class.

Please enlighten me. How does eliminating ceramics get a student to graduation, a college degree, or significantly reduce debt? Clay isn't that expensive, buddy.

If a teacher didn't get his merit pay, he coul...

2010-02-18T21:39:51.737-05:00

If a teacher didn't get his merit pay, he could file a grievance and it goes to arbitration. Every single time.