Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Big Buildup. Lousy Finish.

I attended the Hillsborough County School Board meeting last night ready to raise hell about next year's proposed schedule change. Or at least watch some other people do so. Went something like this...

One of the organizers (read: instigators. big fan!) told me 75 teachers would be there. Showed up and counted maybe 24. Tops. A few from Freedom and King amidst 20 from Armwood alone.

"Wow. Great turnout," I told one of them.

Another Armwood educator said their spokesman was slated to speak toward the end of the meeting and would I like to see a copy of the speech?

Sure.

She handed me a three-page dissertation, but I read through it.

"Who's reading this diatribe?" I asked, looking to tell Homeboy to cut it down to one page or run the risk of losing his audience.

Teachers. They love to hear themselves talk.

"He's over there," someone said and pointed him out.

My jaw hit the floor. Angry Armwood from the Holocaust Museum was our spokesman?

Good God. We're f*cked.

"Umm...okay," I said, "I'm going to sit in the back and kind of spread out. Write all this down."

"So many teachers are afraid to be here. Afraid they'll lose their jobs," someone said.

"I'm not afraid," I said. "I just don't want to be associated with Looney Tunes. Thanks though."

I took a seat in the back of the room and listened to the proceedings with giddy anticipation. Several areas of the speech were in all CAPS. Couldn't wait for Angry Armwood to lose it in front of television cameras, the school board and a comatose audience. This was going to be great. All I needed was some popcorn and a beverage.

After two hours, one of the board members said the time had finally come for audience comments. Angry Armwood stood up. Here we go! This was it! Got my pen, paper, and cell phone camera. Action!

Said cell phone began vibrating in my hand.

"Hello?" I whispered. "Mom? You okay? The boys okay?"

"Yeah, honey, but I'm getting tired. Your dad called and needs more medicine. I'm sorry but I need you to come home."

"Are you f*cking kidding me?"

Haven't had a buzz kill this bad since that time in college we couldn't find the cow pasture.

26 Comments:

At 2/14/2007, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I feel like a lone wolf in the forest. I continually howl to anyone who will hear that our district is violating the highest law of Florida: the Florida Constitution and one of its amendments. Here is what was said by the District officials:
Elia said the district needed to add the time (the extra class for 300 minutes) to reduce the need to hire more teachers to meet class size limits, potentially saving up to $28 million (St. Petersburg Times. Feb. 14, 2007).
The amendment states unequivocally that "Payment of the costs associated with reducing class size… is the responsibility of the state and not of local school districts." Additionally, the amendment says, "[t]he legislature shall provide sufficient funds to reduce the average number of students in each classroom…" (See full text below).
If this is the text of the amendment then why does Elia find it necessary to pump $28 million dollars into the coffers at teachers' expense? Why...?... Howwwl…
FULL TEXT
Article IX, Section 1, Florida Constitution, is amended to read:
Section 1. Public Education. -
The education of children is a fundamental value of the people of the State of Florida. It is, therefore, a paramount duty of the state to make adequate provision for the education of all children residing within its borders. Adequate provision shall be made by law for a uniform, efficient, safe, secure, and high quality system of free public schools that allows students to obtain a high quality education and for the establishment, maintenance, and operation of institutions of higher learning and other public education programs that the needs of the people may require. To assure that children attending public schools obtain a high quality education, the legislature shall make adequate provision to ensure that, by the beginning of the 2010 school year, there are a sufficient number of classrooms so that:
1. The maximum number of students who are assigned to each teacher who is teaching in public school classrooms for prekindergarten through grade 3 does not exceed 18 students;

2. The maximum number of students who are assigned to each teacher who is teaching in public school classrooms for grades 4 through 8 does not exceed 22 students; and

3. The maximum number of students who are assigned to each teacher who is teaching in public school classrooms for grades 9 through 12 does not exceed 25 students.

4. The class size requirements of this subsection do not apply to extracurricular classes. Payment of the costs associated with reducing class size to meet these requirements is the responsibility of the state and not of local school districts. (emphasis added) Beginning with the 2003-2004 fiscal year, the legislature shall provide sufficient funds to reduce the average number of students in each classroom (emphasis added) by at least two students per year until the maximum number of students per classroom does not exceed the requirements of this subsection.

 
At 2/14/2007, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Im sure i will start anger here with this post, but teachers are NOT underpaid, on an hourly basis. They work 9 months 2 weeks a year, with 2 weeks off for xmas, one week in the spring, and about 6-10 more days off besides the holidays for various reasons.

The actual average hourly wage of a teacher in FL that makes the avg $46K a year is about $29 per hour if they work 8 hours per day, and $26 per hour if they work 9 hours per day.

The school day is 8 to 3:30, with the 1/2 hour lunch, that is 7 hours. IF they arrive early and leave late that is 7.5 hours. So 1/2 hour at home is 8 hours a day, and 1.5 hours at home is 9 hours per day.

I seriously doubt anyone is spending more than 1.5 hours at home on average, and i doubt they even avg 1 hour per day at home.

I work 12 months a year with only the federal holidays off, and 2 weeks vacation. And I work 8-9 hours per day, and get paid no overtime.

So... let the slander begin...

 
At 2/14/2007, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Did Kate realize that Parents Night was Tuesday night, making it difficult, if not impossible, for teachers to be there? (Obviously, SHE missed the night.) What a bunch of hot air.
Teachers, by the way, get FORCED, and unpaid vacations...Where else can one work for 30 years IN THE SAME COMPANY and get SIX paid vacation days?!? My husband gets 5 WEEKS and he has been with his company for 16 years.

 
At 2/14/2007, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Forced or unpaid vacations is not the point, the avg teacher gets paid $46K in hillsborough county. They get 10-11 weeks off in the summer, 2 weeks off in the winter, and one week off in the spring, PLUS other school mandated days off. That is quite the cushy yearly schedule.

 
At 2/14/2007, Anonymous Anonymous said...

We aren't discussing vacation time. Way to stay on track.

This is about a schedule change that will reduce planning time and make many extra-curricular activities a thing of the past. This is about a change that will not uphold the spirit of the classroom size amendment and might very well be unconstitutional. This is about teachers who need to quit whining and actually do something about it.

Of course, Rich and Hater, if you can't address that - then continue on. Don't let us stop you.

 
At 2/14/2007, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Fine, i will address that. The SPIRIT of the class size amendment was NOT to make teachers lives easier. It was to make the classroom size smaller to make it easier to control each class, and thus the teacher could teach more and discipline less, thus the kids learn more. THAT is the spirit, kids learning more.

Teachers teaching an extra 30 minutes a day will not affect that, as long as the class size stays at 18, 22, and 25, as the amendment specifies.

 
At 2/14/2007, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Rich - you cannot dismiss the concerns that teachers have about lack of proper planning time. You sound like someone who has never taught a day in his life. You also sound ignorant. You are coming from a place where you don't value public education, obviously, and you don't value teachers. So feel free to spout off about that which you despise and know nothing about. However, no one should, from here on out, engage you in conversation about it.

And Hater - The school board didn't discuss this issue until over an hour after Parents Night ended. The only hot air is coming from you.

 
At 2/14/2007, Anonymous Anonymous said...

1:08 anonymous,

You just stating that i dont value teachers or education and i despise it just shows that you CANNOT counter my argument, which is a totally correct argument.

And not engaging me in conversation, thats b/c you liberals cannot win this conversation. Typical liberal argument, i state FACTS, you say i am a hater (despiser).

I have planning in my profession, for i am a "site planner" and i do design as well. Between "planning" and designing, budgeting, bidding, contracting, Im pretty busy. Planning takes some time, but I still refer to my above statement on teachers hourly wage.

 
At 2/14/2007, Blogger Sunny said...

Sounds like the meeting might have been planned so teachers could not show up in force...:(

 
At 2/14/2007, Blogger Vox Populi said...

I agree with Sunny.

The people in Hillsborough County FL better be made aware of something. Currently, the Hillsborough County Library System is blocking content and comments to certain websites. Among these are State of the Sunshine, Ybor City Stogie, Tampas Back Door, this one (outfield) and here's a blank one julessideburn.blogspot.com
until just a moment ago and others, still checking which ones.
As well, I and others here present are unable to log into our blogs to update them or to comment on them. Yet you can easily open and comment on some sites that are 'racier'.

I would hardly refer to my site or stogie's site as racy. I think state of the sunshine would qualify as political. One of these sites is COMPLETELY BLANK and is blocked from posting or comment.
Before they shut us all up here is the error code we receive when attempting to blog or comment and I think that anyone out there with a blog should be aware of and comment on this.
Sorry to take this off subject but I happened to be here today and have been working on this for two hours and have written joe stines. This IS a big huge deal and people need to be aware what the county is up to and what you are up against. It's not just the teachers against super-elia it's the citizens against the ptb of the county. make no mistake.

Please help by contacting joe stines at stinesj@hillsboroughcounty.org
and asking him why he is allowing free speech to be interrupted at the Tampa Public Libraries. There is no sexual content on the above pages and this is what the filter says. It is quite obvious to me that the county (and the school system) endeavors to shut us down.

http://www2.blogger.com/loginz?d=/home&p=http://www2.blogger.com/&auth=DQAAAGsAA AA0AKbzfxiZDCqpADjUqv3cTBr5NwJadsoADzdpRE_ZgRMvdv3_KfQxCcNtr7ACrF-gS0jfIsqR28nE 4n_Ir7VNOLEq8JfDKK3IDGYzVd_mQabKXv6RF6fq2SoTkagv18QYppb5_Vl_Mrpy0I8jlY_e
Not Available:
Why? --> The Websense category "Sex" is filtered.
Access to chat is not provided.
Catalog/Stacks Only computers provide no access to the Internet.
Plus & Junior computers provide access to selected web links only, not the open Internet.
--> To access eMail or a specific web site, please ask staff for assistance.
Recreation Centers, Children's Services and Senior Centers provide limited access to the open Internet.
--> To access eMail or a specific web site, please ask staff for assistance.

Internet / Lab / WiFi Users:
Please verify that you have entered the correct web address. If not, re-enter the address and try again or ask staff for assistance.
Recreation Center (City of Tampa/Hillsborough County):
Please verify that you have entered the correct web address. If not, re-enter the address and try again or ask staff for assistance.
Senior Center / Children's Services (Hillsborough County):
Please verify that you have entered the correct web address. If not, re-enter the address and try again or ask staff for assistance.
If you have other questions or concerns regarding Internet access, please ask a staff member for assistance. You may also complete a Request for Review of a Web Site form available at any Hillsborough County Public Library.



[ Full Internet Use Policy ]

 
At 2/14/2007, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm not sure where Rich is getting his facts. Most teachers in Hillsborough, with several years or more of experience, are earning in the mid 30's with an additional 3K for a masters. Go to the district website and you can probably find the pay schedule. It is no secret. The "average" teachers that make 46K are not in this county. I know that Dade county pays a higher salary which pushes up the average. As far as having 3 months off in the summer, June and July are only 2 months. Remember that teachers go back before the students. After 2 years at my prior job, I had 23 paid days off and most major holidays. (20 days is equal to a full month.) I also made 10K-15K more per year. The altruistic side of me decided to pursue teaching. After entering the profession and working more hours than my previous job (many hours at night and weekends), I am thinking about going back to the corporate world. It disheartens me to see the lack of respect for dedicated teachers who have the best interests of the students at heart. I fear that if people such as me keep leaving the profession, the quality of our public education system will continue to decline. I have a baby and this is a major concern of mine.

 
At 2/14/2007, Blogger kate said...

Rich get his facts where he gets most ideas - his noggin instead of reality. If time off were such a draw, teachers wouldn't be leaving the profession in such high numbers. Somehow he'll find a way to blame teachers for that, too. This profession isn't valued at all and when teachers try to improve it, we are seen as babies who shouldn't complain because we get time off. A lame reaction.

Any free thinking adult should be concerned about our public schools in Florida.

 
At 2/15/2007, Anonymous Anonymous said...

There was an article in the SP Times just last august that the new year Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Pasco County gave their teachers a 7%-12% raise.

Hillsborough starting salary was up to 36K, pasco up to 35K, pinellas up to 36K. Pasco averaged 43K a year, while hillsborough and pinellas county averaged 45-46K a year.

Dont believe me, look it up. It is still archived.

Kate,

The people that leave the teaching profession b/c they are greedy. (not that thats necessarily a bad thing) People naturally tend to be OK with working more to get more pay.

Teachers get mediocre pay (per year), but get much time off. The corporate world pays more, but gets MUCH LESS time off. Surveys have shown on CNN/Money that more people prefer the money over the vacation.

Me, I would like a happy medium.

 
At 2/15/2007, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Oh, and when i said "up to 36K"... that is the increase from the prior year. Every starting teacher gets that much.

 
At 2/15/2007, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Those in power do, no doubt, love the vitriol spewing from the mouths of the lowly. Pitting citizen against citizen keeps the attention off those who really make the decisions; allowing them free reign to do what is best for them. Make no mistake people; what benefits us middle class folks does not benefit those with wealth and real power. They have their own interests, and they are not ours.

For those who have been tricked into believing you are a master, and for the masters’ little helpers, be sure you know whom you are benefiting with your political ranting.

Elia says the reason she is expanding the teaching day is so she does not have to hire weak teachers. While you are proudly echoing her marching orders, “28 million, 28 million, we are saving 28 million and I--don’t—care—what—the—people—say,-- we—are—going—to—do—it—my—way.”

Listen to the disparaging comments espoused toward teachers; for their pay, for their holidays, for their working conditions and the general disgust expressed for the lowly teacher. For god’s sake, when did we start hating our teachers so much?

 
At 2/15/2007, Anonymous Anonymous said...

banter buddy,

see my comment "2/14/2007 1:34 PM"

You are using the cliche liberal line when someone disagrees with your talking points, that we are "haters".

Try again. Everyone knows, if you value time off over pay, be a teacher, if you value pay over time off, dont be a teacher. There is no hatred. It is simple economics. Teachers are paid fine for the enormous amount of time they get off, summers, winter break, spring break.

46K a year for 9.5 months work is equivalent to about 58K a year working all year.

 
At 2/15/2007, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm with you, BB.

Regardless, teachers have to get off their asses and get organized if anything is to change. Did you see the editorial in the Trib today? All on Elia's side. And teachers will just moan and groan without the nerve to do much more. Tons would rather leave the profession than change it. Has more to do with non-economic issues. But try convincing a neo-con that money isn't always the deciding factor in life.

 
At 2/15/2007, Anonymous Anonymous said...

To which cliché liberal line do you refer? I want to know if I have my ducks in row. I have been studying the cliché manual for some time now, and I’m not so sure you are not just blowing smoke. Which manual are you using? Yours or mine must be an older edition.

Maybe you can help me. If I am discussing the fact that those in power, the likes of Elia, are actually violating Florida’s Constitution by flagrantly ignoring that it clearly states, no funds for classroom size reduction are to come from the local district. Additionally, by admitting that she is making the teaching-time adjustment, adding an extra period to the day for the sole purpose of saving $28 million to accommodate the amendment. Am I OK to use the “the big man (or woman) at the top does not care about us little folks who do all the work” liberal cliché, or do know of a better one. What does your liberal line cliché manual say about such a thing?

I want to bring up the fact that Florida’s Constitution is the supreme law of the land here. Republicans in power over the past eight years have thumbed their noses at it, e.g. pushing vouchers when the constitution says, “The income derived from the state school fund shall, and the principal of the fund may, be appropriated, but only to the support and maintenance of free public schools (Fl. Const. Sect. 6). What do you, Rich, suggest is my best liberal cliché to use for that defense.

I hope you do not mind me asking you all of this, but it is not that often I get to talk to someone who is so versed in liberal clichés.

 
At 2/15/2007, Anonymous Anonymous said...

gg, bb,

Perhaps you are too blind or stupid to see that I in fact STATED what cliche liberal line you were using.

You were calling us who believe that teachers are paid fine considering all their time off as "haters".

The cliche about the big man at the top not caring about the little folks "who do all the work" is yet another typical liberal cliche in the book. The people at the top are at the top b/c they "worked" their way to the top. They have more responsibility. A few may not care about anybody at the bottom, most do.

Remember, simple economics. If we have to raise taxes significantly to have 1/2 the kids in each class than when we were in school, the economy skids to a halt. Economics, add 30 minutes to teaching time to avoid raising taxes.

The constitution, as per the vouchers, is WRONG. It needs to be changed. Competition is the ONLY solution that will work for the education industry. Look at Europe, which i agree with very little, but they collect taxes for schools, and then the parents choose where they want to send their kids, and the money follows the student. Here in america we are told where we can send our student, and if we dont like it, well we will have to fund their school twice then. Europe has a great education system, and its b/c of school choice.

The best liberal cliche for vouchers is that they "hurt the poor" when in fact they help the poor.

Any more questions, just let me know.

 
At 2/15/2007, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I wrote my post about salary in response to Rich's post. After 6 years in the school system, I make almost 37K. Unfortunately, starting teachers make almost as much as teachers with many years of experience. At my previous job, I had about 20 less days off per year but worked exactly 40 hours a week. As a teacher, I work at least 1-2 hours extra a day and a at least 2-3 hours on weekends. As I stated previously, I work more hours as a teacher for significantly less pay. I started teaching so that I could be with my children. If we have to teach an extra period next year, that will mean I will have at least another hour of work a day. It makes the corporate world more attractive. I think Rich needs to find a new job. There are companies that offer more vacation time than he currently has. Better yet, why doesn't he go into teaching?

 
At 2/15/2007, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Yes, Rich, you are right, I stand corrected. I now realize it was in fact the liberal clichés you were using. How could I not see that—duh?

I love how you said the big man at the top got there b/c he “worked” his way there. You are so right to put the word work in quotation marks to indicate, “Yeah right, he worked his way to the top alright.” Sure, and monkeys can fly! You and I both know the big man did not “work” any harder than many others; it was mostly that he was fortunate. I wish others could see things the way you and I do.

 
At 2/16/2007, Anonymous Anonymous said...

goading guy,

Man you are so good at cliches, you added another. The man at the top is just "fortunate", and those that stay at the bottom are just "unfortunate".

The majority of the time (with very few exceptions) those who work hard and want more responsibility, get more responsibility. Those who just go to work b/c they have to to live, but want nothing more, typically do not move up.

 
At 2/16/2007, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Richie Rich

Ah shucks, you are embarrassing me with your compliments. Well, anyway, let me say thank you for your kind words.

You and I both know a person’s worth is best determined by the position he or she holds at work. If someone is not making as much money as he or she would like, it is because they are lazy and not working hard enough reach their full potential. Only the one holding the position is worthy of it.

Take President Bush for example, no one running with him was worthy of the job. He was the one most worthy and worked hard enough to attain the position. If Gore really wanted to be president he should have worked harder for it. Some might say the Electoral College system benefited Mr. Bush because, well, because he is now the president. Some might even have the gall to say the odds were stacked against Gore because of who occupied Florida’s Governor’s residence. President Bush holds the highest office in the land therefore he is better than Gore—as a matter of fact, he is even better than you or I. The fact that we can only have one president at a time—much like any corporation—means nothing, he has worked the hardest and that is that.

I won’t even mention the cry-baby sap who worked his whole life (probably mediocre at best) only to find his pension sucked up by the current or previous Chief Executives. Boohoo, so he didn’t work hard enough to have a second full retirement nest egg and I am supposed to feet sorry for the guy—please, spare me the tears.

To all you lily-livered liberals out there, who think you are going to bring up Enron—save it. We don’t owe those lazy bastard employees the time of day. They should have worked harder!

Let us keep fighting for those at the top who only want what is best for the rest of us.

 
At 2/17/2007, Anonymous Anonymous said...

goading guy,
I would call president bush an exception. However, he is qualified to be president. He is not doing a good job, and thus if an election were held today, he would be smoked out of there. But, he was a 2 term governor of a humungous state.

There are exceptions to every rule. A cnn/money survey showed that 98.5% of people with a net worth over 500K not including their home worked their way to it. 1.5%, the exceptions, inherited it. You know, Paris Hilton.

Enron was another exception. That was one company, out of about 4-5 that had corrupt ceo's. Plus any smart investor would not invest much in their own company, but instead in mutual funds. If I ever move high enough in my company, I will buy one share just so i can raise my hand when the big wigs ask who owns my company stock. I prefer diversity, it only gets moderate gains, but im not losing my ass either.

 
At 2/18/2007, Anonymous Anonymous said...

When I say some people are fortunate I am not referring to an inheritance. I am saying someone walks in to “Papa Johns” and they happen to be the millionth customer, so “Papa” gives them $100,000 as a prize. That $100,000 is wisely invested and yields a million dollars in returns. The beneficiaries of that bit of good fortune worked no harder than the nine-hundred ninety-nine thousand nine-hundred ninety-ninth person who proceeded to walk through “Papa Johns’” door.

The nature of life is to be unfair. As a nation, we decided to break our bonds with England and become a constitutional democratic republic. In so doing we pledged to allow the majority to decide who among us (usually the more well off) may lead us and be sure the minority, or less fortunate, are protected and cared for. In this way, in addition to the freedom we all cherish, we maintain a reasonable equality among us.

The masses buy products that the minority of wealthy produce and for their trouble and risk the producers may (i.e. we allow it) get wealthier. (Yes, I said ‘may get wealthier,’ as in we give them our permission to do so.) Get over it, as a society we live cooperatively, i.e. without us there would be no wealth. Additionally, those minority of wealthy producers do not actually do the producing, we do, the employees, the same ones who buy the products. You see just like the rotation of the Earth on its axis, the Earth’s revolution around the Sun, and solar system’s spin through the Milky Way, nature and life and business are a series of circular movements, if any one ceases universal law collapses (and we don’t want that to happen, it would be bad for business).

So, we all work hard (some harder than others) day to day; some days we are more efficient and effective than others, but we do our best. Some get promoted and some walk into “Papa Johns” as the millionth customer, but we pledge to each other that we will strive to work and live so each can be reasonably fulfilled and happy. Some of us have got to make as much money as possible, it is a burning desire. Others just want to be able to pay their bills and play catch or hide-and-go-seek with their little ones.

The bottom line is that we all work “hard.” I am sure you agree, as surveys have shown, people who live in the United States are some of the hardest workers in the world. Your (and my) great leader, Ronald Reagan, said it best, “all boats rise with the rising tide of economic prosperity.”

When are those who always seem to be “Right” going to get off their high horses and acknowledge that without all of us they would be “Left” with nothing?

 
At 2/18/2007, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Goader,

I never said we didnt need all. All societies have their income disparity. In the US with more freedom it is the smarter minds and more lucrative investors (business, etc.) that usually make it, but of course they need everyone to buy their product.

Thats one of two reasons i prefer small govt and lower taxes. Lower taxes spurs economic growth and increases jobs, and rising jobs lifts all boats, with very few exceptions. (the other reason being i prefer individual responsibility)

 

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