06-01-2010, 10:27 PM
Considering the number of students impacted by the proposed cuts, I am a little surprised at how moderate the turn-out was. We have a huge special ed. program in this district - where were the families of these kids who will be effected by the absence of support people, etc? Students who will be seniors next year who were finally hoping to take a particular class while they still had the chance may find it not being offered due to low enrollments. Shocking though, that tallies for class enrollments are being achieved separately instead of combining the totals for the two campuses.
At any rate, the proposal to cut each student's day by a class period was shot down. This will allow them to take what they want, including multiple electives. 30 teaching jobs were saved.
The proposal to have only one librarian shared between the 2 high school campuses was shot down - each campus will have its own librarian - a small victory.
And, the school nurses will not be cut. The proposal to hire health aides instead will not go ahead. This is so much better for the students and staff who may need properly trained, and certified people attending to them, compared to someone who has limited knowledge and limited training.
Drivers ed. staff is going to take a hit - the district has decided to enforce their policy of having eligibility for taking driver's ed. dependent on the student attendance record; this kicks enough kids off the list to reduce the number of teachers by quite a bit.
Business Ed. also took a big hit.
B-level sports eliminated.
Had it been boys' basketball and bilingual ed. on the chopping block, we would have seen it SRO in the Lincoln Center Board Room.
Still, a very brutal night and very few victories for the kids and teachers.
At any rate, the proposal to cut each student's day by a class period was shot down. This will allow them to take what they want, including multiple electives. 30 teaching jobs were saved.
The proposal to have only one librarian shared between the 2 high school campuses was shot down - each campus will have its own librarian - a small victory.
And, the school nurses will not be cut. The proposal to hire health aides instead will not go ahead. This is so much better for the students and staff who may need properly trained, and certified people attending to them, compared to someone who has limited knowledge and limited training.
Drivers ed. staff is going to take a hit - the district has decided to enforce their policy of having eligibility for taking driver's ed. dependent on the student attendance record; this kicks enough kids off the list to reduce the number of teachers by quite a bit.
Business Ed. also took a big hit.
B-level sports eliminated.
Had it been boys' basketball and bilingual ed. on the chopping block, we would have seen it SRO in the Lincoln Center Board Room.
Still, a very brutal night and very few victories for the kids and teachers.