Here are some important BOE salaries. Note that I have not included benefits. The Principals and Assistant Principals are Members of "The New Milford School Administrators Association."
Superintendent: $160,602
Assistant Superintendent: $139,945
Director of Fiscal Services: $90,738
Director of Technology: $76,858
Hill and Plain:
Principal 113, 102
Assistant Principal 95,000 (shared with Pettibone)
Northville:
Principal 111,902
Assistant Principal 45,240 (additional pay for teaching)
Pettibone:
Principal 111,902
Assistant Principal 95,000 (shared with Hill & Plain)
Schaghticoke:
Principal 125,294
Assistant Principal 109,307
High School:
Principal 125,294
Assistant Principal 109,307
Assistant Principal 109,007
Assistant Principal 100,591
Sarah Noble:
Principal 110,702
Assistant Principal 100,532
Assistant Principal 99,032
Assistant Principal 91,159
This article from the December 13, 2007 edition of the News-Times is important reading:
New Milford's school administrators get new contract
Nanci G. Hutson STAFF WRITER
New Milford school district administrators have negotiated a new contract that will give them an average 3.7 percent salary increase each of the next three years, with some administrators advancing to a new step each year. In an arbitrated agreement with school district leaders, the 17.5 administrators negotiated a settlement that will allow all to advance to the highest of three salary steps between the start of the contract in July 2008 and its end in June 2011.
In the first year of the contract, administrators will see a 3 percent increase. In the next two years, the increase will be 4.25 percent.
The new contract extends the Sarah Noble Intermediate principal's job to a 52-week work year and extends the three assistant principals' work time from 48 to 50 weeks.
In addition, the new contract increases the administrators' share of the cost of their medical and dental insurance from 13 to 15 percent in the first year to a maximum of 17 percent.
The principals at the high school, middle school, intermediate school, and the special services director will receive 20 vacation days each year, and others will receive 15 days.
Sick days will be accrued at the rate of 16 to 18 days per year, depending on the position. For every year an administrator does not use a sick day, two days are added to his retirement bank. All administrators will receive four personal days.
"I think it's been fair for both sides," said Superintendent JeanAnn Paddyfote.
Dr. Paddyfote said the award came after the two sides went through mediation. Because of strict time limits they were unable to resolve all the issues, so arbitration was required.
At the November arbitration hearing, the board and administrators reached agreement on all outstanding issues, and the arbitration panel issued a stipulated award that reflected the wishes of both sides.
Under the Connecticut Teachers' Negotiation Act, the Town Council had until Dec. 21 to review the final award and reject it by a two-thirds vote.
On Monday the council decided not to object, although some members expressed concern about the increases.
"I feel that the board met its objectives to increase the work year for Sarah Noble administrators and change the insurance plan and premium cost-sharing," Dr. Paddyfote said.
Staff writer Lynda Wellman contributed to this story.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Some BOE Salaries
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66 comments:
It's good to be the King. Or Queen.
What a sweet deal! I'm certain there's plenty of capable people out there who'd be very willing to work for such (so-called) "low pay" and exceptionally liberal work rules.
You forgot to mention that those extremely generous salaries (and benefits) are for 9 month's (183 day's) work!
Despite the rhetoric about administrators working more than 9 months a year - they don't (see current New Milford Public School calandar at: www.newmilfordps.org/page.php?pid=271 ).
Despite the rhetoric about administrators working more than 9 months a year - they don't (see current New Milford Public School calandar at: www.newmilfordps.org/page.php?pid=271 ).
All that is the school year calendar - it's not the administrators calendar. And I'm not sticking up for them - I think overall they get paid quite handsomely though you could not pay me enough to be the superintendent of schools - talk about a no win job. But I do believe all administative personnel work 12 months out of the year.
"I feel that the board met its objectives to increase the work year for Sarah Noble administrators and change the insurance plan and premium cost-sharing," Dr. Paddyfote said.
That's about the only responsible objective they've met.
But they DIDN'T change the insurance plan when this article was originally published....
The Town did it for them in order to cut some of the pork jusr a week ago.
Its not a bad salary for that amount of responsibility. I doubt they work only 9 months a year (probably more like 10 or 11). Personally I think its fair.
So what is the issue?
yourtaxesaretoolow wrote:
"So what is the issue?'
17 people are receiving over two percent of the entire town budget, that's the issue. About $400 per student each year or $5200 over a childs school career. That my friends is way too much. Are NM taxpayers getting their $'s worth?
I don't think so, time to restructure and push the $'s lower down the organization chart so that those that are in the trenches can receive their just rewards.
Mark
That's one mega top heavy organization.
17 people supervising 400 = 23.5professional employees hardly seems out of whack.
BUT
Add 5000 students and they are short handed.
NOW
Add the 10,000 parents and it's low.
Classroom sizes should be lower.
How many registered/certified teachers does the school employ?
Take the number of students and divide by that number.
Then ask your student how many kids are in his/her class?
Compare that to the official numbers.
You will find 2 things:
one classroom sizes should be lower than they are
and
the official numbers are still higher than the "simple" division.
What that says to me is certain teachers are in cushy?sp? assignments.
Where is the BOE about that issue?
Why let that continue?
We have para's doing bus and recess duty.
Teachers are paid to teach and should. So kudo's on that delegation to lower paid people.
But there is still more efficiencies to be found.
I'm going to throw the gym(excuse me physical education teachers), art teachers, and music teachers under the bus...
When they come in at an elementary school, they don't have a classroom full of kids??? Right?
So, what are they doing?
Do they still get a planning period?
And when there are assemblies, what do these "teachers" do since ultimately the classroom teachers are responsible for their class?
Do they get paid the same?
Jay - keep pushing on this issue.
Jay:
As a lawyer, you know you make a great deal more (unless you're dealing in "poverty law" or "immigration"). I suspect you make a great deal more, as do most attorneys.
Further, you have much less responsibility. These folks are in charge of the day-to-day teaching, feeding, safety and security of over 5000 children, and have over 600 employees.
Not only do lawyers make a lot more, but so do most private sector managers who have responsibility over a few hundred employees at a work site.
Grow up, rich boy, and stop complaining.
You can become a lawyer, corporate executive or other high-paid professional working 80-hour weeks too; nobody's stopping you. Those who can do, those who can't continuously grumble about their "unjust" salaries. (There's never any grumbling about the generous work rules, abundant time-off, perverse union protections, etc. - these considerable perks are all "fair and just" in the eyes of public-sector employees.)
"perverse union protections"
Wow, do you ever need an education regarding labor history in America!
The need for labor unions is ancient history...
Everyone wants to beat up on admin salaries, teachers and unions...
And oh the good old... they only work 9 months out of the year!!!
The bottom line, is you get what you pay for!!!
If better paying jobs are available for the same work... guess what... those qualified will take the higher paying jobs... in any field (from school districts to law firms).
If you work for a law firm or school district that wants to cut positions and increase work loads... well good bye!!! see you!!! Good luck law firm or school district getting someone to do the job for cheaper.
Problem is no one on this blog HAS A CLUE regarding what really matters... what can admins make in neighbor towns? I do! Believe me New Milford you are not over-paying.
Ain't America Great!!!
Actually corporate america often demands that employees work harder for less money. They are subject to market ebbs and flows and the ups and downs of the economy. With unionized white collar public sector jobs, this is not the case. Do you disagree?
The comparison of a unionized, white collar employee to a doctor or a lawyer always kills me. Consider the amount of real education (not sit there long enough until you get the sheep skin), overhead, staff, insurance, advertising and long hours put in just to get established in the private sector. Then your rates are still subject to market forces.
Unionized public employees are outpacing the private sector in compensation by a larger margin every year. The USA today did a front page story on it the first week of February. The private sector workers are unknowingly becoming a subclass.
The only market force used is the one you cited. "They make more money in other districts" is the only market force you can use to justify a 6 to 7 percent pay increase when the majority of people paying it saw less than half of that.
When you take a look at the generous time off (20 vacation days, 18 sick days plus all of the holidays and professional days) and then consider the retirement package, good luck finding these jobs. If you think that their are a lot of jobs like this available in a short commuting distance, you are only fooling yourself.
My favorite advantage is the one where you retire as an administrator, start collecting retirement and retirement medical and then come back as a consultant to train your replacement, and collect more of a salary than you did when you were working there. That's great!!
I am encouraging my children to target public school administration for a career.
All of your points would be valid EXCEPT for the fact that New Milford is not paying more than other districts and they are not over-staffed when compared to school districts of similar size.
You quote MacNews... I mean USA Today. Wow, that has nothing to do with admin salaries.
Come on I thought this sight prided itself with real facts...come on get some REAL facts. Stop bashing admin salaries until you learn about what you are talking about.
Bottom line, compare apples to apples.
All of my points are ruled invalid because you are not making more than someone in New Fairfield?That's silly.
Are you telling me that public school administrative employees are not public employees? Are they not subject to collective bargaining agreemnts? If these statements are true then my points are valid.
Just because someone points out facts that do not support your point of view does not mean that they are bashing you. C'mon, that is childish.
We do agree on one thing, and that is that we should compare apples to apples. Stop comparing public sector unionized white collar employees to non unionized private sector white collar employees. There is no comparison. One is subject to market forces and the other has property rights to their job. Can't you see the wide difference. Even if each has their own advantages in their own ways, they cannot be compared to one another.
I have no problems with what you have stated.
If you need help with "I am encouraging my children to target public school administration for a career."
Although, you most certianly meant that with sarcasm... Believe it or not it can be a rewarding career. Behind the salaries are people that take their job very seriously and make a positive impact.
Let's see what reaction this post gets? and believe it or not I am not a school teacher or administrator.
Honest truth, I did have an assistant principal that did make a difference when I needed a "wake up" call my senior year in High School.
I am certian it is rewarding and I meant no sarcasm, just stop the whining and consider differing views.
You are missing the point and are all about greed. Don't you see that the 18 sick days per year are all about the children.
Greedy taxpayer. Sick days are for kids.
I'm a parent with two children in the New Milford school system. I am disappointed that the mayor and the town council drastically cut the school budget without giving any consideration to the school's "Long Range Planning Committee" report.
I have been told that the mayor does not pay any real property taxes to New Milford. Is this true?
Further, I recently attended a budget meeting at Town Hall. After the meeting I observed Bob Sherry, chairman of the Board of Finance, was driving a car registered in Florida. No taxes paid to our town?
Upon further research, I discovered that Chairman Sherry and Mrs. Sherry, chairwomen of the local republican party, have been delinquent, at times, in paying their New Milford taxes.
How can New Milford residents allow these elected officials, who avoid paying taxes, make such crucial budget decisions for our school system.
There should be a revolt by parents who have children in our underfunded school system. Why is the press not reporting this information?
Lastly, the Sherry's! Are they tax avoiders or tax evaders? You be the judge.
Since many here post anonymously, I'm sure that there's a lot of junk to sift through. It's all very amusing however.
This last poster is over the top and makes me angry enough to putup my own comments.
- I doubt that you are a parent of kids in new milford. my guess is that you wrote this to hide any clue about who you really are. But it didn't work.
- my guess is that you are someone who has been purposely excluded from town government because of your hatred for women and calling them names like "femiNazi." Why else would you attack both Pat Sherry and Pat Murphy so outrageously?
- My guess is that you had something to do with that Planning Committee or have jumped to its defense for political expediency.
- I am guessing you know the Mayor doesn't pay taxes and lives with her fiance who does pay taxes. Did you ever think, wise guy, that they may share that cost?
- You may be the drunken George McLaughlin who attended that budget meeting after tripping over chairs and had to sit alone because you smelled so bad of whatever rot-gut he drinks.
- How much time did you spend pouring over the records to find out if the sherrys paid their taxes on time? did you have a good time? In what years and how much? Real estate or car? Why? Did they dispute the amounts due? Did they have to pay interest or were the amounts adjusted because they found errors?
- You're so ignorant and so angry that you can't be logical. How do you go from being "delinquent" with taxes to "avoiding" paying taxes? That's stoopit. They are not the same.
- what "crucial decisions" does the chairman of a party make about the budget? None.
- About the Florida plate. Do you have two homes? I know that I like to keep a car at both places. How many cars do the Sherrys have that are registered in new milford? Do they have a home in Florida? Isn't he a car enthusiast?
Oh, and if you're not George McLaughing and you wrote this garbage because someone put you up to it, shame on you. Grow up. But thank you for opening the door to say some nice things about Georgie.
I have one more thank you.
Thank you for inviting me to be the Judge. Here's my ruling: you're an ass.
I did some research of my own.
The Sherry's paid $10,078 on property not including cars in 07.
All of which was paid ontime.
I happen to know that the vehicle registered in FL arrived in CT late December. Most people who own a home in FL leave a veh there for convenience.
Not that you deserve an explanation, this is for any decent citizen of NM to understand
how twisted and sick you are. If you have so much time on your hands maybe you should be donating it to doing some good in our town like the soup kitchen, social services, or since you are so worried about the school budget, volunteer in one or more of the schools.
But you won't you will continue to
spread lies and deceit as you have done time and again in every town you lived in.
This is a non-issue. Tax planning is the legal right of every American. Federal and State courts recognize that no taxpayer is obliged to arrange his/her affairs in order to maximize the tax the government receives. Individuals and businesses are entitled to take all lawful steps to minimize their taxes... Even hypocrites like the Sherry's!
I have a question. Which spent more time in NM since late December 07, the Sherry's 97 Jeep or Bob Grumblesjerker?
Is meddling into the personal financial affairs of others some sort of bizarre party game in town?
There seems to be a plethora of busybodies in New Milford who enjoy "researching" other people's business. Why would any rational person spend any amount of time going over someone else's tax records? People who choose to spend their valuable free-time conducting these types of activities must be insane.
To--This is a non-issue. Tax planning...
You sound like a fairly intelligent person so why does the last sentence give me the impression that you head is planted firmly up your ass?
Perhaps that's where someone's head would have to be in order to agree with the Sherry's elaborate tax avoidance strategy?
"Here's my ruling: you're an ass"
"...impression [sic] that you [sic] head is planted firmly up your ass"
These posts sound like the rantings of a well-known, potty-mouthed chairperson of the RTC.
No, I think there are many people who would agee with that opinion of you, maybe even the RTC chair.
Since you no longer have any meetings to attend Volunteering may be something you should look into.
I am very concerned that any citizen can look up the property tax paying status of anyone in town. Does this bother anyone else?
I know Pat Sherry reads this page - maybe she'll comment on the FLA car registration. If not, then we'll know they're tax avoiders...
Enough of this. Could you all get back to the original post?
The person who keeps writing "the sherry's" improperly needs to go back to grammar school and learn the use of apostrophe's and possessives.
The person who used "[sic]" twice improperly also needs to go back to grammar school.
Rebecca:
Get back to work and stop this rambling on Jay's web page!
Signed,
Your Daddy, aka, the Monopoly man
Tax avoiders, lolololol. Why don't you get up the nerve to say who you are?
you want someone to step up with information and you won't give your name. Get a life.
“…No, I think there are many people who would agee [sic] with that opinion of you, maybe even the RTC chair.”
I’m sorry, but aside from her immediate family (perhaps) and some of her rabidly political cronies, very few people would defend someone as completely unlikable as Pat Sherry. She’s a cold, calculating, partisan and shrill harpy - sort of a Republican version of Hillary Clinton (without the pants suit). No, I’m afraid she’s defending herself in this thread.
As long as we are going to wander off course, maybe we should discuss more important issues like the details surrounding the former BOF chair's renting of at least one of his Condos to an Illegal Alien. Or maybe asking the "Monopoly Man" to resign his Town Council seat until such time as He finds it in the best interest of the Taxpayers to come clean as to the number of days he actually calls New Milford home during the year. Let's see, One more for good measure. Should The Magician be allowed to vote on the School Budget when he is a paid substitute? Good night folks and get a life.
A magician on the Board of Finance is a perfect simile for the budget process (e.g. the vice chairman deceives the people like a magician).
Think about it, who better to serve on the Board of Finance than an expert at shell games, slight of hand, illusion, trickery and other hocus pocus?
Gale Alexander is probably the most overqualified person serving in town government… Bravo!
WOW! Can't we just go back to giving New Milford Administrators a hard time about how much money they make!
After all they ALL got into public school administration to make TONS of money! RIGHT?
Give me a break. Talk to the people behind these salaries and I think you will find they are genuine people that care about what they do and how they do it.
Unlike, the petty insults that this blog so enjoys.
enough! said wrote:
"The person who used "[sic]" twice improperly also needs to go back to grammar school.'
Do they still teach grammer?
I'm not fond of Pat Sherry and think the Hillary Clinton analogy is quite appropriate, but isn't everyone entitled to legally arrange their personal affairs in order to minimize their tax liability? I think it's pretty sleazy to fault any taxpayer who happens to benefit from the myriad of complex local, state and federal tax laws.
Disclaimer: I'm not a member of Ms. Sherry's "immediate family", nor am I one of her "rabidly political cronies". Additionally, I'm quite certain that "Sherry's", in this context, is the correct usage of "apostrophe's and possessives". Thank you for listening.
Yes, that use of the possessive is quite correct.
However, many confuse the use of the word "myriad." You did, too. The word "myriad" is NEVER followed by the word "of" or preceded by "a."
I agree with the sentiment of your comment. 100%!
"everyone" is singular not plural. So, "everyone has HIS or HER baseball"
apostrophes and commas are properly placed WITHIN quotation marks
I wonder if Mr. Alexander's magic is powerful enough to make the Board of Education's shoddy accounting practices and lackluster oversight disappear?
Since the politically powerful Sherrys own and operate a lucrative tax preparation business in town, perhaps they’d be willing to offer us overtaxed “little people” some pro bono tax avoidance tips?
Thanking you in anticipation…
You people must have little to complain about. Do you know how
much tax you are talking about.
Someone said it is a 97 Jeep, what is it $100? You are pathetic.
By the way, you don't like the fact that a woman has some power.
If she was a man you would be
lining up to be s friend.
The RTC chair’s gender isn’t the reason for her low approval rating. Many would probably agree that her leadership and organization abilities are a noticeable improvement over her well-liked male predecessor (who couldn't lead a one-man parade).
"...Someone said it is a 97 Jeep, what is it $100?..."
$100 more savings in a personal bank account is always more preferable than sending $100 to the government. This applies to everyone, especially lower income taxpayers.
The government will squander $100 in a millisecond, while that same $100 buys a family some groceries, two tanks of gas, etc.
Saving $100 in taxes is a big deal for some people!
We are talking about $100 a year
not a week. You people need to stop trashing the people in our town that take the time out of their personal lives to serve their community by volunteering.
This is why so many won't get involved they don't want to give up valuable family and personal time and then get trashed on places like this website for doing so.
No good deed goes unpunished in NM.
Believe it or not, saving $100 A YEAR in taxes is a big deal for some people.
You may not care about such a paltry sum, but those of us who want to send less of our hard-earned money to the government would appreciate some pro bono tax avoidance tips from the Sherrys!
"...This is why so many won't get involved they don't want to give up valuable family and personal time and then get trashed on places like this website for doing so..."
The REAL reason why most (independent) people won't "get involved" is because they don't feel comfortable playing reindeer games with the rabid political partisans at the RTC and DTC. What ordinary, apolitical citizen would choose to spend their free time hanging around conniving, partisan politicians? Anyone who thinks that's a fun, enjoyable and/or rewarding way to spend his or her free time definitely has a screw loose...
"The REAL reason why most (independent) people won't "get involved" is because they don't feel comfortable playing reindeer games" ...
You got it! It's the 'reindeer games' from the PTO mommies, sissy activists like Mr. Winters, and those who hide behind the skirts of their children and are afraid to demand accountability: those people are the reason you don't have the proper representation on your town boards. And you deserve it.
Wake up and get to the point, people.... At a minimum, in 2007/2008 the BOE wrongly budgeted $600,000 of your money by putting it into a fund they can not now access....money that will no longer benefit your children or the taxpayers of New Milford. Add to that the embarrassing wages/benefits of people who do little to enhance our town's educational system and you have... well...you fill in the blank.
And yet, whenever we see someone challenge Paddyfote and her court, (as in Ann Burns) everyone shamefully gathers behind the skirts of the "it's for the children" Paddyfote/Faulenbach/Winters/Hutson toadies.
I guess it is true: you get the government you deserve.
If you don't think you deserve being ripped off by mis-appropriated medical savings disbursements to the tune of $600K or the inflated salaries and staffing levels, maybe you ought to speak up and start to ask for DETAILED EXPLANATIONS. Try this, rather than hiding behind the skirts of Winters, Faulenbach, the PTO and your children, in the futile hope that more money will equal a better education for your children. Who knows, you may actually make a positive difference for your children AND New Milford.
Let's try a unique recipe of ethics and backbone for a change ....you've got nothing to lose, New Milford (exept maybe the Sherrys - which as this blog has pointed out - would not really be a loss afer all).
Words this true have seldom been posted here. Well done!
If the two major parties did a half way decent job vetting candidates for public office, then we wouldn’t have weak elected officials cowering to the demands of special interests (e.g. public sector unions, the PTO, etc.).
Remember, the RTC and DTC hand-picked EVERY candidate for the Board of Education, Board of Finance, Town Council, etc. In many cases, inept or ineffectual underachievers are rewarded by being asked to run for a second or third term! This is a perfect example of cronyism trumping competence. Just look at the same uninspiring names running for office every two years. Are these candidates really the best New Milford has to offer? The answer of course is no. Generally, candidates for public office are merely partisan hacks who happen to be friends with someone in the RTC or DTC.
The bottom line is this; the Republicans and Democrats have a virtual monopoly on the entire election process (including candidate selection). In other words, normal, competent, non-partisan, independent-minded people simply aren’t welcome to run for office or serve in government.
Is it any wonder why so many voters stay home on Election Day?
Faulenbach, Winters and Hutson all have children in the system. None of them are what could be considered thick. It should be obvious that all they say and do to defend the broken, dysfunctional system at every turn is nothing more than an effort to curry favor for their children from teachers, counselors and administrators. It is very transparent to anyone who wants to open their eyes and see it.
That said, of course we have a majority of good people in the schools who are trying to do the right thing every day. As true as the previous statement is, we also have an administration who is incapable of managing a budget or making economical decisions that are prudent or timely.
Having these elected officials, self appointed defenders and slanted arcticle writing reporters defend it at every turn is not serving the interests of the majority of the children.
"...normal, competent, non-partisan, independent-minded people simply aren’t welcome to run for office or serve in government..."
Since voters who indicate no party affiliation are reportedly Connecticut's largest voting bloc, a large percentage of otherwise well-qualified "independents" are routinely snubbed by the two major parties and effectively denied a role in government. Voters should strive to elect such independent, apolitical candidates (while voting against all incumbents). It would definitely be a huge improvement over the monopolistic (two-party) government we have now.
Most people do not know that most of the problems with the incompetent BOE result from the fact that the Sherry's are vacation home next door neighbors with the Paddyfoote's. Imagine; you are a public employee and your good friend, who you bought a house next too in your dream location, not only got the job for you when she was on the BOE (we actually paid someone else in addition for 2 years for this to happen in secret) but runs the dominate political party in town. This results in her only sending anything worthy of "watchdog" status as a canidate once in a blue mooon and she can ensure a majority who will sign off on generous raises even though your performance is below any standard. That this fact comes as a suprise to you is not a problem. That this comes as a suprise to the RTC and Nancy Hutson is a problem.
Ask yourslef why the spring vacaton in NM is still the week after tax day (april 15th)despite both the parents and the teachers complaining for years. That is because the Sherry's have a tax business and they like to vacation after the busy season with their good friends. Who can blame them? They do it because you are ignorant and will never find out. How does that make you feel?
Go ahead Pat and be the judge. You do seem to like the role. By the way, vacation time is only 2 weeks away. Say hi to Jean for me!!!
If half of this is true the RTC should impeach her at once! To the RTC's credit, I understand Pat avioded being voted out of the RTC on a very narrow count recently. Goodbye Mr. and Mrs. Sherry. Enjoy Florida! Thanks for screwing up our town before you leave it for good. That was very self centered of you, but at least you will have good friends for neighbors. Who could put a price on that?
I hope your poor performing children/students got something fruitful from your adventures.
Just as I hope that The Faulenbach, Winters Hutson kids get something out of screwing up the system instead of making it better for all of the kids. Even if they did not, they will have a leg up on the competition in their ongoing public sector pursuits. Good parenting and "mission accomplished!!!!"
Thanks for leaving the rest of us here holding the bag.
This is how our political system works. Influence peddling, graft, corruption, cronyism and malfeasance are routine activities for ordinary politicians. Sadly, politicians are little more than gangsters with a cloak of legitimacy. Why would anyone expect New Milford politicians to conduct themselves any differently?
Forget term limits, we need more prisons!
Now you nuts are attacking peoples children!!! If anyone believes these ramblings I have a bridge I would like to sell you!
Would that be New Milford's multi-million dollar "bridge to nowhere" (a.k.a. Lover's Leap Bridge)?
Anonymous said: “Now you nuts are attacking peoples children!!!”
That’s not the impression anyone would get if they had greater than a 6th grade-level of reading comprehension.
The post(s) in question clearly attacked the motives of the PARENTS. The poster’s implication is that there’s an apparent quid pro quo (something for something) arrangement. Politicians and activist parents who blatantly support wasteful spending in the public schools are merely trying to make sure their children get preferential treatment and higher grades from the public school bureaucracy in return.
I agree with the poster’s implication that such a quid pro quo arrangement is the primary motivator for many spendthrift politicians and activist parents.
And don't forget the liberal media...
Unfortunately, there are far too many negligent parents who mistake inflated grades for education. These parents simply aren’t paying attention to what their kids AREN’T learning in the public schools.
Basically, the public schools are lying to parents about how well students are doing. The Connecticut Mastery Test (CMT) and Connecticut Academic Performance Test (CAPT) are routinely “dumbed down” annually to give the appearance of improved student achievement.
Where’s the proof? International tests, such as the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) and Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) clearly show that American public school students are falling way behind their peers from other industrialized countries.
Education is far too important to be left to a government monopoly. We should have learned from the fall of Soviet communism that government monopolies fail their customers. In this case, the government-run public schools are failing our children miserably.
Why are administrators who run our failing public schools earning six-figure incomes with pre-determined annual pay raises in spite of their proven poor performance?
Their employment should have been terminated instead of getting generous pay raises. What were the Board of Education and Town Council thinking?
Administrators, like most teachers, are afraid of being paid based on their performance......They feel like everything should be handed to them on a silver platter.
The "real world" doesn't work that way....Companies that show improvement typically reward the employees that were responsible for that improvement. Companies that are struggling typically replace the employees that are responsible for the struggle.....
I would be all for paying them more for improved performance, and firing them for the complete lack of performance they've been demonstrating.....
Why do you think they all whine about "No child left behind?"
"Accountability" is a 4 letter word in the Administration building......
A local Pell Grant-type program (a.k.a. "school choice") for K-12 students is the only way to make public school monopolies improve.
Everyone knows that monopolies are detrimental and expensive for consumers. Free market competition encourages innovation, improvement, cost-effectiveness and is beneficial for consumers. History shows us that monopolies don't like being broken up. This is especially true regarding the government-run public school monopoly. They HATE the idea of having to compete for education dollars.
Public school monopolies are the "robber barons" of the 21st century, robbing our children of a good education. The time has come for the public school monopolies to be broken up. Where are the politicians with backbones (like Teddy Roosevelt) who are capable of busting the public education trust, encouraging competition and improving the education of our children?
Sadly, politicians with backbones seem to be few and far between these days...
Gutman,
You can keep you silver platter. But a nice white gold would be nice.
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