Waukegan Talk

Full Version: Wkgn Schools slash millions of dollars and 70 positions
You're currently viewing a stripped down version of our content. View the full version with proper formatting.
I read in the NEWS-SUN today where the Wkgn Public Schools slashed $4 million from their budget plus 70 positions,
will shorten the school day by one period as well as eliminate some programs.

This is very sad news. Our struggling Wkgn schools now will struggle all the more now.

-- WT Reader
The proposal to shorten the school day by one period for each student was voted down. The school day schedule remains intact: 8 periods a day for Regular Ed. and 9 periods per day for the College Studies Program.
I videotaped the meeting; I hope to get it uploaded to YouTube over the next few days.
Bupkes Wrote:The proposal to shorten the school day by one period for each student was voted down. The school day schedule remains intact: 8 periods a day for Regular Ed. and 9 periods per day for the College Studies Program.
What would have been the alternative to the cuts? Higher taxes? Referendum? What are the chances that would go?
If the facts I have read and included here are correct regarding recent hires, a more cost-saving, student-centered alternative might have been to cut (more of) the ~100 positions newly created at Lincoln Center over the past five years. At approximately $80,000 salary per year (likely a conservative estimate), these positions likely cost $8,000,000 PER YEAR, plus benefits. Over the past 5 years, this would have amounted to $40 million ($8,000,000 x 5 yrs), plus benefits. I believe our students will be better served with more educational staff teaching smaller numbers of students in classrooms (or even closets).
synergy Wrote:If the facts I have read and included here are correct regarding recent hires, a more cost-saving, student-centered alternative might have been to cut (more of) the ~100 positions newly created at Lincoln Center over the past five years. At approximately $80,000 per year (likely a conservative estimate), these positions cost $800,000 PER YEAR, plus benefits, or ~$1 million PER YEAR. Over the past 5 years, this would have amounted to $4 million ($80,000 x 5 yrs), plus benefits. I believe our students will be better served with more educational staff teaching smaller numbers of students in classrooms (or even closets).

Come on now, are there even 100 employees at Lincoln Center? And you're saying that 100 positions were newly created there in the past 5 years? Criticizing administration is OK, but at least do it fairly.
I didn't make up the numbers. I believe I read about them here, as well as other places. Yes, I understand that Lincoln center went from ~ 70 employees 5 yrs ago to 160+ this past year. Rooms now have multiple desks and there is not room for everyone to have desks, ex. specialists. Don't have the exact numbers. Maybe you can find them out and share? :-) Will gladly apologize if the data I shared is inaccurate.

I edited my previous post to correct my math, but don't think it is visible. The cost of 100 employees at ~$80,000 a year salary is $8,000,000 per year. Over the past five years, that would have cost ~$40,000,000.