Kelso schools forced to slash special ed
Saturday, August 16, 2008 11:46 PM PDT
By Carrie Pederson
Printable version
E-mail this articleKelso special education students will have about five fewer aides in the coming school year due to efforts to balance the district's budget, said Tom Wyman, director of special education.
"We're having to reduce the workforce. There's no pretty way to say it," Wyman said.
This summer, Wyman needed to cut $100,000 from the special education budget to help the district bridge a $900,000 gap in overall funding.
"Out of my state and federal budget, materials and supplies are 3 percent, he said. "Personnel for special education is 85 to 95 percent. I'd already reduced materials and supplies and every other cost that I could."
The district has ordered more than $2 million in overall cuts since February, including prior reductions to special education.
"The people hired most recently are the most likely to be laid off in the end," Wyman said. "My guess is we're going to have quite a few people change positions," he said, because special education aides could end up bumping other aides with less seniority.
In total, upwards of 19 aides have been cut by the district this year, said Mark Hottowe, Kelso's director of student services. He said schools have tried to minimized the impact by cutting hours rather than people.
The district is expecting 331 fewer students this fall, but there still will be a higher student-to-aide ratio next year district-wide, he said.
And based on enrollment projections, the percentage of special education students in the district will be about 13.8 percent in the coming school year.
"We are not reducing or eliminating any of our programs for kids," Wyman said, adding that two new special education teachers will be added to the district for 2008-2009.
"The difference is, we will have fewer staff to provide the services," he said. "Instead of having one or two kids in a reading group we may have four or five."
Kyle Sawyer, parent of a kindergarten student in special education at Beacon Hill Elementary School, questions the district's priorities.
"It's so frustrating because they're keeping the sports program," Sawyer said. "The (special education) aides are just as crucial as the teachers and work just as much with kids as the teachers do."
Mandatory teacher pay raises added to the budget pressure on special education this year, Wyman said.
The state gave teachers 5 percent to 8 percent pay increases this year, but only for teachers funded by basic education. That left the districts to fund pay raises for teachers who work in federal and state programs that are not defined as basic ed, Wyman said.
In addition, Kelso is getting about $32,000 less in funding from the federal government this year for special education. And the state has placed a 12.7 percent cap on special education funding, shorting districts like Kelso, with its projection of a student population that will made up of 13.8 percent special education students.
"If the projection holds true, I will have 30 students I'm not getting any state funding for," Wyman said.
The impact is huge, he added, because special education costs more than twice what it costs for regular education.
Some students require special services that cost up to $50,000 a year per child, he said, but the district is only required to pay up to $17,000 of that cost.
"Everybody needs to be part of helping the district meet the financial crisis," Wyman said. "We are doing our part to help."
lexington mama wrote on Aug 17, 2008 1:36 AM:
" Seriously!?!? I wonder how much more we can take away from the kids that need the most help? "
tatman wrote on Aug 17, 2008 7:34 AM:
" UNBELIEVABLE,You may be colder then lv district. Of course you have just shown me that you are not concerned for the spec needs kids, nor the teachers who are going too need the extra help, so I guess you are both the same, UNCOMPASSIONATE -R-C-S, I do hope you can fill in the blanks. I do hope for the kids sake you find the money cuts elsewhere, how about the athletics, oh what am I thinking, your Kelso, and the sports are everything there. WAY TOO GO BUTTHEADS,you just made a tie with lv. with me, which makes you still number 1 baby. "
tatman wrote on Aug 17, 2008 8:05 AM:
" You are some unbelievable people, why not cut some in the athletics, how about you not take a pay increase. The special needs kids need this help, without it some may suffer greatly, these kids are people first, and they deserve the same as any other student in that school district. Im sure you have some other place you can cut, or is it gonna make you unpopular with some? I say who cares, your job is to provide an appropriate education for all, and if your cutting special ed money, then that tells me these kids probably wont be getting there F.A.P.E, as is required by LAW, I sure do hope the Kelso parents, all of them will be calling B.S. on this, because I know if they were cutting money from the sports, they would be burning the city. "
AvidReader wrote on Aug 17, 2008 8:16 AM:
" Keeping sports, but cutting the program that helps kids who need the most intensive attention educationally. I would've liked to see a breakout box of where the district trimmed to make up for the other $800,000 in the deficit. How much DOES the sports program cost the district, anyway? What ever happened to good old fundraising if you wanted to play sports? It's called a SCHOOL district, not a SPORTS district. What a shame for those special education students. Their futures are at risk. But as long as there's sports, we'll have something to distract us from that fact. "
okay wrote on Aug 17, 2008 9:10 AM:
" F.A.P.E. means equitable education. This means children with a disability receive the same education as their non-disabled peers not a BETTER education. While I too believe the money should come from other areas, the sad truth is stated above. "
concerned wrote on Aug 17, 2008 9:25 AM:
" I so agree with al the comments thus far... GET RID of SCHOOL ATHLETICS or at least make them have fund raisers to keep the programs going. I also think the special ed kids need the money more then pay raises... "
tatman wrote on Aug 17, 2008 9:37 AM:
" The Kelso School District is not forced to cut special ed. Who is forcing them? It is a well-thought out CHOICE made by the SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR'S. Special Ed does not cost twice as much as general ed----it recieves MORE FEDERAL MONEY than general ed. A special ed student is first counted as a general ed student and then the state gets special education money on top of that. Also there is a safety net funding available too where the school can and HAS asked for more. The Problem is that this money is mismanaged and used for other things not related to special education. I would definitely get someone looking really closely at the school budget and see how much they are taking from the special ed funding to fund other things. The district chose to cut programs for special ed. because it is the path of least resistence. They take from the parents and children who are too overwhelmed to fight back. If it were sports or math or english they would have a lawsuit on their hands. I urge special education parents to unite and formalize a group so that there is strength in your numbers. Educate yourself on special ed law. WWW.wrightslaw.com. Did you notice you got a longer summer program this year? It's because two parents knew the rights of their children and called the district to action. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS! Tatman's wife. "
FanInTheStands wrote on Aug 17, 2008 9:48 AM:
" You folks are unbelievable, understand ths issue. The reason Kelso and other districts are in this mess is because the state is not truly comitted to funding the needs of basic education in public. The voters appproved the mandatory pay raise but the state found a loophole in the language to be able to excluded classroom aides and other classified staff that are critical to basic education for special needs kids. Then when you consider the state only funds for ~13% of any school population to be of special needs; anything over that and the district has to foot the bill; upawards of $50,000 for a single student! If you want some interesting reading Google Basic Education Funding for our state and see what the state is supposed to be doing. Why would teachers forego a pay raise - who in the private sector would be willing to do that?
Cutting athletics would only be a short term fix for a long term problem. And yes, before I go any further, the athletic budget has been absolutely hammered so far this year and the coaches in fact are still without a signed contract because of all the budget cuts.
It's your legislators that you want to be talking & writing to about this issue, they are the one's who control the ultimate purse strings. "
Cutting athletics would only be a short term fix for a long term problem. And yes, before I go any further, the athletic budget has been absolutely hammered so far this year and the coaches in fact are still without a signed contract because of all the budget cuts.
It's your legislators that you want to be talking & writing to about this issue, they are the one's who control the ultimate purse strings. "
Ella Mentry wrote on Aug 17, 2008 9:51 AM:
" You never hear about districts in financial trouble who actually do the *right* thing...Now I'm definitely pulling all my kids out of Kelso Schools and home schooling again. Education in this state is to the point of absurd. "
Zucchini wrote on Aug 17, 2008 9:53 AM:
" Apparently the powers that be consider them the "throw away children"... afterall, what would they ever amount to anyway? Now, to play devils advocate in the same mouthful, just said cuts... didn't say the program was going away all together - maybe this will force more mainstreaming, peer tutoring, and parent/community involvement. After all, it takes a village... "
cynic954 wrote on Aug 17, 2008 10:01 AM:
" cut sports not education! The aids are just as important as the teachers if not more so. The one on one help that they provide gives the kids a chance for self-esteem and a future. "
An observer wrote on Aug 17, 2008 10:06 AM:
" Don't you find it amazing that schools are forced to cut programs and yet we waste millions of dollars and weeks of education on an invalid test! "
An observer wrote on Aug 17, 2008 10:15 AM:
" I love to listen to the special interest folk who want to hire Lawyers and go to court so they can protect thier interest. I don't like the cuts either but, they didn't cut the teacher or the class, have them not buy new computers or dry erase markers have the kids clean the building and grounds, make the Principals teach a class or two. But why pay some lawyer anything! "
no one wrote on Aug 17, 2008 10:19 AM:
" Re: Columbian Hopefully the Superintendent makes enough that she won't walk away instead of facing these challenges. I also think it's sad that many of our schools are finding themselves in this position. I just hope everyone who is so upset about it now, puts their money where their mouth is at levy time. If we all want to pay less state and federal taxes, the result is we have to carry more of the burden at the local level. I don't have a child in special ed, but I will be supporting levy requests so those children in the program won't suffer. And I am very sorry for those who are faced with making these hard decisions. "
Kelso Hilander wrote on Aug 17, 2008 10:56 AM:
" For those of you who say to cut athletics, I may or may not agree with you, depending on what you mean by "cut." If you think the Kelso School District should cut all athletics and have no sports whatsoever, then, I think your idea is ridiculous. If we cut athletics completely, we just gave our kids one less thing to do in a town that already has "nothing to do" as many people would say. Now, if you mean we should cut back on the number of coaches needed to operate a sport, I agree with you completely. For example, why does the High School need 10 coaches (yes 10, count them this season) for football? Therefore, there are ways to save money within athletics without cutting the entire program. "
2opinionated wrote on Aug 17, 2008 11:19 AM:
" It makes me ill to think that kids that already struggle for an education have to now struggle even more. I find it hard to believe that costs couldn't be cut somewheres elses! How is this justified? So much for No Child Left Behind if you are in Kelso. "
Girth VonPhister wrote on Aug 17, 2008 11:33 AM:
" Why aren't people outraged that ANY school program must be cut? We are spending 3 BILLION dolars each and every week in Iraq. While our healthcare becomes more of a joke, or infrastructure in crumbling, our schools are in a state of decay we keep the people in office who continue to pour our hard-earned taxes into that God forsaken desert.. For what? So GW and his thieving friends and family continue to gain wealth beyong comprehension.... "
Atrucker wrote on Aug 17, 2008 11:34 AM:
" FanInTheStands, has it right . Our elected officials are the ones behind this fiasco. Duh tax queen says we have no money , so they will just take it , count on it . They took millions from senior citizens at the first of the year. Got me for $900.00, had to figure out how to pay the rent.
Oh yea, take sports away , if you think we have a crime rate now , just do this and let the games begin .
Darn I never did hear any one say they would be glad to give of their time to help fill the gap. For special ed. "
Oh yea, take sports away , if you think we have a crime rate now , just do this and let the games begin .
Darn I never did hear any one say they would be glad to give of their time to help fill the gap. For special ed. "
kelsomom1 wrote on Aug 17, 2008 12:20 PM:
" While I understand the need to accomodate budget cuts, I do object to the way the cuts are made. The children in a special ed. class need to have consistency and routine to be successful. My understanding of the bumping that has been mentioned, could mean that an aide who is involved in one area of special ed will "bump" another aide in special ed, perhaps in a classroom setting where they may not even want to work, but has to in order to keep their financial and insurance status active. I feel that a boat should not be rocked if there is a good team in place, perhaps they should cut from the bottom. One thing that is not mentioned is that if an aide has been hired as an attached aide to a particular student, they cannot be moved, no matter the seniority. Doesn't seem quite right to me. I know of a couple of people who work for Kelso in SPED and they are more qualified for their area but there are people who were only hired in the last year that are attached and cannot be moved. So when you say the last few people hired will be the ones let go, that might not be quite the truth of the matter. It is an unfortunate happening and I am sympathetic to all sides. "
Proud Mama wrote on Aug 17, 2008 12:22 PM:
" I agree government passes mandates and then does not provide the funding for them. HOWEVER several school districts took the State of Washington to court and they could not prove their case that there was not enough money in the formula to support special education. Makes you think, doesn't it? AND I doubt any student in Kelso is recieving a 50K education. I want to see the "proof" in Mr. Wyman's statement. He is just spinning his own PR by throwing out a number like that. Just cause he said it doesn't make it so. But, wait, he's just trying to do his part. And as for the "take the school district to court" No parent has the financial resources to hire a special education attorney. There are very few of them, most located in Seattle and about three in Portland. The District knows this and they know the expense. Meanwhile if a parent does fight for their child's rights the district will use our tax money to fight till the death defending their position no matter how wrong or illegal it is because they do not want to set a precedent for other parents. Remember the tape regarding the school bus incident? That could have been cleared up with one phone call to an attorney but instead they chose to incur 80K in attorney fees- I don't think that included their own attorney fees either. Parent's need to fight collectively as a group. "
Proud Mama wrote on Aug 17, 2008 12:44 PM:
" In Washington, each school district gets $8100 for each student with an IEP. Additionally, they are encouraged to apply for safety net funding for children with high needs. This rarely gets utilized. Why? Because the school districts are required to account for having spent the $8100 on special education first. A pattern of
districts "mistakenly" attributing general education expenditures to special education is largely responsible for the widespread impression that special education is an albatross around local districts necks.
http://www.wssec.org/issues/fundfinance/-1 Recently it has been reported in the news that local districts are using local levy dollars to make up shortages in special education. It appears that districts are choosing to code expenditures to levies in place of basic education to help pay for their special education programs. Special education students should not be blamed for district budget actions due to local decisions on how to code and report their expenditures. Both the "BEA" and the "Excess Cost" revenues generated by special education students should be allocated to the special education program. That is the only way in which to fully account for the total revenue. Serious coding errors often occur. The WSSEC recently found that building administrators and counselors were being incorrectly coded by many districts exclusively to the special education budget. Special education parents in the Olympia School District were told two years ago that the special education budget was seriously overspent and that the district was cutting special education programs as a result. To Be Continued... "
districts "mistakenly" attributing general education expenditures to special education is largely responsible for the widespread impression that special education is an albatross around local districts necks.
http://www.wssec.org/issues/fundfinance/-1 Recently it has been reported in the news that local districts are using local levy dollars to make up shortages in special education. It appears that districts are choosing to code expenditures to levies in place of basic education to help pay for their special education programs. Special education students should not be blamed for district budget actions due to local decisions on how to code and report their expenditures. Both the "BEA" and the "Excess Cost" revenues generated by special education students should be allocated to the special education program. That is the only way in which to fully account for the total revenue. Serious coding errors often occur. The WSSEC recently found that building administrators and counselors were being incorrectly coded by many districts exclusively to the special education budget. Special education parents in the Olympia School District were told two years ago that the special education budget was seriously overspent and that the district was cutting special education programs as a result. To Be Continued... "
Proud Mama wrote on Aug 17, 2008 12:46 PM:
" Those parents reviewed the district expenditures and found a million dollar coding error. The district had mistakenly coded the million dollars of expenditures to special education although it was a basic education expenditure. Seriously folks, this goes on more than we know. Somebody do some digging. "
Proud Mama wrote on Aug 17, 2008 12:49 PM:
" The funding shortfall is in basic education, not special education. Lawsuits should be targeted to fix the real problem. However, even if basic education is adequately funded, so long as the accounting requirements allow districts to use special education students as scapegoats, this issue will not go away.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view You can read this article in its entirety at the above web address. I just cut and pasted a majority of it in my last three posts. "
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view You can read this article in its entirety at the above web address. I just cut and pasted a majority of it in my last three posts. "
Cmonet17 wrote on Aug 17, 2008 12:53 PM:
" CONSIDER THIS! In the years to come, what is going to have had the greatest impact? The education that our children receive, especially the most vulnerable and in need of skills or the sports that were played?
That should tell you all that you need to know about where to focus your attention and budget. "
That should tell you all that you need to know about where to focus your attention and budget. "
DUH wrote on Aug 17, 2008 1:26 PM:
" Take sports away and the crime rate will go up??? Wheres the logic in that? "
devils advocate wrote on Aug 17, 2008 1:48 PM:
" Here are the current board members http://www.kelso.wednet.edu/district/members.html They are elected officials. Just make it a point not to re-elect any of them. "
Nunesy wrote on Aug 17, 2008 2:16 PM:
" As an ex-educator, I often wondered why schools couldn't have an unlimited budget for once and the Army should have to have bake sales to buy a tank. In my experience, the first thing that is usually cut is the Gifted Program. The top students are the ones penalized for being talented while the low achievers are get extra funds.By the way, most of their funds are Federal.Sports pay for themselves, for the most part. Our priorities are really goofy. The schools complain about WASL scores being low. If they put some emphasis on the top students, instead of the low students, the scores would skyrocket. But the schools do what they have to do. And it's the elected school board that makes the final decision anyway. That's who you should talk to. "
cherokee wrote on Aug 17, 2008 2:42 PM:
" I totally agree, DO AWAY WITH ALL SPORTS!!! I have considered a run for school board, but I would not be popular as I see no need whatsoever for school sports. If all students cannot be on the team, then the team must go away! "
momto1 wrote on Aug 17, 2008 2:56 PM:
" I have a son starting kindergarten this year in Kelso and is considered special ed. I am livid that this is happening. I am for cutting sports back, like 2 teams, JV and Varsity for each sport just have one team. "
mad monkeys wrote on Aug 17, 2008 3:41 PM:
" Wake up. You have no idea the devastation that will come from this. 100,000. From special education services which are vital; for children who have difficulty reading, doing math, or also have health impairment. I am sure that there some on the FOOT BALL team that has some sort of learning disability whether it is Dyslexia or Hyperlexia. Learning disabilities can be caused by a variety of factors including genetic defects, injury, or illness. All of the disabilities have a physical counterpart, meaning they are caused by anomalies in physical structures or biochemistry. Students may be obviously physically disabled, emotionally disturbed, autistic, sensory impaired, or mentally impaired (Clark and Starr 1996, 301). These handicapping conditions present a multitude of challenges to the learning objectives of schools, individuals, and society. Renee Newman of Dyscalculia.org. No, I do not think we should do away with sports I have a freshman who plays football and he has ADHD and all his coaches in the past say he is a football natural so yeah I want him to reach for all the success he deserves. DO I want art removed heck no, art is so important just as much as math and football. However, I do not feel that children who should suffer are those with special needs. It is discrimination oh do not believe me look it up. I will wear a ribbon in support for my child with ADHD, my child with Aspergers Syndrome and I will wear Blue and Gold. I will go to the games as well as make appearances at district meetings and Advocate for my children. "
kelsokelso wrote on Aug 17, 2008 4:16 PM:
" It's just a shame you have to cut anything. It's just the way our economy is right now. Every school in every district is facing the same shortfalls as Kelso. You can't cut sports! sports is the only reason some kids are even in school. While it doesn't seem fair to cut special Ed, it was a logical choice. "
El Gabilon wrote on Aug 17, 2008 4:48 PM:
" We wonder how many parents, teachers, citizens etc. have bothered to write their congressman and demand that we stop giving our treasure away to foreign countries and start taking care of our children. Instead of a high school diploma, this nation should be providing a free college education and could if we stopped giving our money away, wasting it on unnecessary wars, homeland security etc. A billion dollars a year is being spent in Egypt alone, not to mention Isreal. Right now you are engaged in the great American presidential election deeply concerned about who to elect. What and who you should be concerned with is who you elect to Congress because THEY HOLD THE PURSE STRINGS. It doesn't matter who becomes president, when elected either of them will be the same as we have had for the last 50 years, imperialists. It is the federal government who should be providing the money for the education of your children. Local control is hogwash. Every student in every public school throughout the nation should be receiving the same quality education and have the necessary equipment for science, computers etc. Local and state governments are not wealthy enough. Don't boo-hoo-hoo about it...write, email, rise up and demand and end to your slavery, where you work, have taxes deducted, and your money is going to foreign countries while your children are being dummied down, their futures destroyed because YOU WILL NOT ACCEPT YOUR RESPONSIBILITY AS A CITIZEN. "
El Gabilon wrote on Aug 17, 2008 5:08 PM:
" Federal financing of schools in America does not mean FEDERAL CONTROL. It is YOUR MONEY. Federal financing of schools means less property taxes resulting in lower housing costs. It does not mean free financing of schools who will do what they want. If a school is provided with federal funds it should meet nation wide standards. You have to demand incompetent teachers are removed without delay...and ending to the "rubber rooms". Every governor of every state should be on the National Board of Education to ensure states are not bullied. We are not a nation of farmers any more that require our children to work in the fields, therefore the school year should be lengthened to 11 months, school buildings more effectively utilized, teachers required to be more effective. If your children are grown up, or if you have none, don't think it doesn't concern you...it does. Don't think "dumming down" means our present generation. If you were educated after the year 1950 you have been dummied down. Latin used to be taught in the public schools before then. Latin is essential to the understanding of most European languages. Just think of how YOU were sucker punched regarding the Iraq War..you didn't see it coming. Every Chinese student is taught English, so are Russians, Germans, French etc. Most Americans cannot even speak English correctly. Everyone of us needs to be concerned because A NATION OF DUMMIES WILL SOON BE A NATION OF SLAVES. ITS YOUR CHOICE. "
El Gabilon wrote on Aug 17, 2008 5:22 PM:
" If you think that your Congresspeson cares about the education of your children you are badly mistaken. They care about getting enough campaign funds for the next election. They have proven this over and over again. Most do not read, nor do they understand the bills that come before them. Sending a Congressperson off to Washington to do the job is fool hardiness. Just as you have too keep a dog on a leash and control it, the same needs to be done with your president and your congress. Let loose on their own they become wild with dangerous egos that think nothing of spending One Trillion Dollars on an unnecessary war, and nothing on the education of their nations children. The evidence speaks for itself. The US Congress has given to past and present presidents responsibilities that under the constitution belong to congress. They have encouraged an Imperialistic administration...one engaged in removing bit by bit your freedoms because they are too busy begging for money from lobbyists and corporations to be able to do the job you sent them to do. Education is fundamental to a democracy. You are experiencing now what the failure of the Congress has caused through deregulation of controls on financial institutions. We repeat, education is fundamental to freedom. Stand up, write, email, demand an end to the giveaway and a rapid expansion of funds for every school in America before your children are asking you "Mom what does it mean to be FREE". "
DUH wrote on Aug 17, 2008 6:20 PM:
" Re: kelsokelso... Sports are the only reason some kids are even in school? If thats the case then yes cut sports! Teachers are wasting time on students that are there only for sports when a majority of them are there for their education and futures. "
An observer wrote on Aug 17, 2008 8:00 PM:
" I think you should all home school your kids, each and everyone. Then you can deal with moral, behavior,religous issues directing education in the direction you the parent wants,and be in control of all the funding of your childs education. It's a parental responsibilty. No need for public education at all. No administrators, no teachers, no special needs of any kind. Maybe then I would see a lower tax assessment! "
TDN Bad Boy wrote on Aug 17, 2008 8:05 PM:
" Unfunded pay increase by the state. How can the Liberal Demoncrats in Olympia be so stupid? Dean Takko you should be ashamed for what your party has done here. But hey Dean, you are jumping right into the fight when you offer stupid legislation like the bill to stop a fee for plastic bags in Seattle and allow this to happen. What's wrong Takko didn't the grocer union give you Demoncrats enough in campaign contributions? We all know you are in the pocket of the Teacher's union. I urge everyone in Kelso to remember this about Takko and Gregoire when you vote. This is an absolute disgrace and the shame of it all belongs to the Liberal Demoncrats who control the state with their hands in the teacher's union pockets. "
animal lover wrote on Aug 17, 2008 9:18 PM:
" Just to clear up an earlier comment. FAPE does not guarantee that all students receive an equal education, it requires a Free and APPROPRIATE Public Education. Emphasis on the "appropriate" because it allows Special Education to provide extra services for those students who need it.
It is so incredibly distressing to see help being taken away from those who need it most.
And it is easy to see why the Gifted programs are cut. Yes, it is sad that these students aren't being offered the challenges that help them succeed, but they are already exceeding expectations. They don't need the extra help nearly as much as those is Special Education.
Also, it SPED is not simply a program to place kids who are failing or being lazy. For a student to be admitted into special education, they must show a strong need for it. "
It is so incredibly distressing to see help being taken away from those who need it most.
And it is easy to see why the Gifted programs are cut. Yes, it is sad that these students aren't being offered the challenges that help them succeed, but they are already exceeding expectations. They don't need the extra help nearly as much as those is Special Education.
Also, it SPED is not simply a program to place kids who are failing or being lazy. For a student to be admitted into special education, they must show a strong need for it. "
Nom DPlume wrote on Aug 17, 2008 9:27 PM:
" El Gabilon: I applaud you for so handily propagating such clearly Marxist ideals. You have learned the Socialist lessons well. There are, however, a number of flaws in your diatribe as I will outline: 1. The most dramatic decline of our school system began with federal control of schools. When the DOE controls funding they control curriculum, etc... 2. Lower property taxes locally would simply shift the financial burden to income taxes at the federal level. (Economics 101) 3. We don't live in a democracy, we live in a democratic republic. 4. Free college education simply raises the educational/employability threshold. I.E. the job that used to go to the one with a B.A. will now go to the one with an M.A. College for all people is not workable or financially sound. 5. Demanding the removal of incompetent teachers is an admirable goal. However, there is no reliable measure for this approach. How do you know who to fire? However, while I disagree with you on some counts, I agree with you on others. All students should learn English, Latin, and another language to graduate HS. There has been a tragic dumbing-down of our schools. Imperialism has become rampant in our systems. As we all know, "Absolute power corrupts absolutely". As far as solving the school funding crisis, the simple solution is to pay a bit more tax. Too many people want a Cadillac and want to pay for a Yugo. You can't have both. "
dawgfanjg wrote on Aug 17, 2008 9:38 PM:
" but hey, at least we have cheap car tabs. That sure helps me sleep at night. Way to go voters! "
tatman wrote on Aug 17, 2008 9:39 PM:
" maybe the kelso parents should come together and make sure the district is following the law, even if they do the budget cut, form a united front and let them know that you the parent will not allow your children to fall through the cracks, and remember, your IEP for your child is your first line of defense, so refamiliarize yourself with it and the read up on what should be in an IEP for your child. This way you can hold them accountable for doing what they should be doing for your child, but remember parents, if its not in the IEP then you are stuck until you hold a IEP meeting to change the goals for your child, which you can do anytime, just some thoughts. "
tallsy wrote on Aug 17, 2008 10:11 PM:
" I can't believe this. I don't think any School should cut any Special Education classes at all. These kids needs special classes to succeed in their lives. They need to keep these classes.
I myself was in Special Ed and this takes way their learning. Doesn't Kelso even care, I guess not "
I myself was in Special Ed and this takes way their learning. Doesn't Kelso even care, I guess not "
columbian wrote on Aug 17, 2008 11:06 PM:
" Girth said 3 billion EACH WEEK,ITS 5000 DOLLARS EVER MINUTE.AND YOUR SUPERTENDENT GETS 500 DOLLARS EACH WORK DAY. NOT BAD.MAKES YOU THINK SOMEONE ELSE NEEDS SPECIAL ED IN SOME FORM. "
deesnuts wrote on Aug 18, 2008 1:40 AM:
" Let's help these kids by trimming the superintendents staff and his salary along with the top heavy school district. "
infonut wrote on Aug 18, 2008 9:10 AM:
" What happened to the $$$ promised for schools when we passed the LOTTO? "
TDN Bad Boy wrote on Aug 18, 2008 9:36 AM:
" I find the blame game above missing the point entirely, and it would be amusing if the consequences weren't so dire. The problem didn't begin at the district or with the $30 car tabs, or low taxes. One line in the story says it all -- UNFUNDED PAY INCREASES. How can the Liberal Demoncrats in Olympia force this on the local school districts? If they want to pad the pockets of the teacher's union, then pay for it out of the budget. Forcing that kind of agenda on the school districts is an unfair action. This belongs soley on the shoulders of the Liberal Demoncrats in Olympia -- Takko and the rest. They authored and approved the UNFUNDED PAY INCREASES. Gregoire has the other portion of the blame. She signed the bill. This is what you get when you allow a social-engineering party to control the state. They are more worried about specializing gay rights and abortion than they are the school districts. And what is even worse is that the blue-collar Liberal Democrat union workers in Cowlitz County walk in lockstep with this. You get what you vote for and when you have a Liberal Demoncrat Legislature you get UNFUNDED PAY INCREASES that force school districts into making bad decisions. They only have so much money to work with and the Liberal Demoncrats ignore that when they pass on UNFUNDED PAY INCREASES. "
TheGenius wrote on Aug 18, 2008 9:55 AM:
" Do not cut funding for school sports. Just because you may save money in the long run, does not make it the right call. It's not right to punish the special needs kids by cutting their staff and funding, but ending funding for sports will open up another problem entirely. Don't be ticked off at the athletes because they get funding. They just want to go to school and play ball; they don't care to be part of some political agenda. "
BIGDAR wrote on Aug 18, 2008 9:57 AM:
" I would think with the wealthy alumni of Kelso High, one of them would step forward to keep this very important tool intact. It is imperative that these students receive the best education possible as their lives will most likely be difficult enough. The money seemed to have been there for the renovation of Tam O Shanter park. How many millions were spent there? "
DUH wrote on Aug 18, 2008 10:23 AM:
" Re: TDN Bad Boy... Instead of complaining so much about the Democratic party, why don't you do something about it? Put your name on the ballot. Or are you afraid that you will realize that you don't know as much as you'd like people to believe you do. "
TDN Bad Boy wrote on Aug 18, 2008 10:35 AM:
" Re Duh: I am doing plenty about it. I am supporting candidates who will not force this kind of unfair legislation on school districts already burden with rising costs. It's funny that you say I am complaining. You don't dispute the fact that the Liberal Demoncrats in Olympia and Da Tax Queen herself is responsible for this. You take issue with my comments but you don't take issue with the facts. I find that amusing. You clearly are one of the social-engineering Liberal Demoncrats that tolerate the kind of legislation that led to this. "
DUH wrote on Aug 18, 2008 11:43 AM:
" Showing support for your candidates? How? By bashing the opponents. Thats all I have seen you do. You never say what good your candidates will do for us. Not a word. All you do is harp on the Democrats and resort to immature grade school name calling. If thats all that can be expected from a republican... No thanks. "
Crystal wrote on Aug 18, 2008 11:49 AM:
" Cutting athletics will just cause the barely hanging in there students to have nothing to look forward to and their grades will suffer. The real problem is administrators' salaries. I don't care what school/school district you work at, there's no need for 3 assistant principals in addition to the top principal and the outrageous superintendent salaries. I'm not sure how it is exactly in Kelso, but several other school districts are and makes it harder for schools to offer the equivalent. "
TDN Bad Boy wrote on Aug 18, 2008 12:05 PM:
" Hey Duh if my party were responsible for this, I wouldn't be attacking those that are saying it. I would be voting for different candidates when it's election time. Every Kelso voter who goes to the poll on Tuesday should remember who is responsible for this. The Liberal Demoncrats in Olympia authored and approved a bill that included UNFUNDED PAY INCREASES for a union group that heavily supports their candidates with campaign dollars. Why does the Teacher's Union endorse Da Tax Queen Gregoire? Because she is 100 percent bought and paid for by the unions. And in return, she signs a Liberal Demoncrat law that includes UNFUNDED PAY INCREASES, forcing the local school districts to pay and cut into deeply needed programs. This cut should never have happened and would NOT have happened if Gregoire had not forced this on the school district. Duh if you don't like your party being criticized well too bad. We have been under a 30-year spell by the Liberal Demoncrats in Olympia and these types of problems exist throughout the programs the Liberal Demoncrats beat their chests and champion as their casuses and their successes. Well if the Liberal Demoncrats are so damn good how come this problem is here? Because the flaming Liberal Demoncrats only care about specializing gay rights and protecting abortion. They would rather do that then fully fund the children with special ed needs. FACT Duh, your party created the UNFUNDED PAY INCREASES. "
DUH wrote on Aug 18, 2008 12:48 PM:
" I never said I was a Democrat. I never said I was Republican either. I don't have to agree with everything a Democrat promises and don't have to disagree with everything a Republican promises. It's pretty easy being an armchair quarterback. Why don't you put yourself out there and actually play in the game? Instead of constantly adding salt to the wound, why don't you and your party say for once what you plan to do to help the wound heal? I say make some cuts in programs that are least necessary. Sports being one of them. Don't cut education. When an applicant comes to me for an interview, I ask, Whats your level of education? If his best answer is, "Well, I played football". All he will hear from me is, "NEXT". "
berryjewels wrote on Aug 18, 2008 1:05 PM:
" I thought that part of the revenue from the lottery was supposed to go towards the schools also so can anyone tell me what happened to that? It was supposed help some of these problems I thought. If it is not going where it was intended to go then where the hell is it going? Since it is not going to help our schools and kids then I would like to know who it is helping and who is taking from our kids! "
banana hammock wrote on Aug 18, 2008 1:17 PM:
" Get rid of the day care and they would have more money and rooms. Kelso recieved federal money for ROTC but used the room for a daycare instead.
Brilliant!!!! "
Brilliant!!!! "
bulldog42 wrote on Aug 18, 2008 1:30 PM:
" The unfunded mandatory pay increases have created major problems for both the Longview and Kelso school district. I am for the very first time this year. The Democrats will not get my vote for Governor. The current Governor has this state in a mess and doesn't deserve to be re-elected. I will also not be voting for Obama, he scares me to death. The lawmakers have their priorities all wrong and we the people need make them listen. I have 4 special needs kids and they have meet their needs no matter what it cost. "
bmoc wrote on Aug 18, 2008 2:10 PM:
" i agree that the administrators are paid way to much to just cut the special ed program. I was going to apply for an HR assistant job there that only required a two year degree, yet it paid 54k a year or some ridiculous amount for an hr assistant. I get paid quite a bit less than that now with my four year degree being required. they should definitely trim the fat before they cut from this program. "
finchica wrote on Aug 18, 2008 2:46 PM:
" I know the school that I went to and would have graduated 2007 purchased new uniforms for athletics every FOUR years. Just because your uniforms are the latest fashion or the RIGHT shade of white doesn't mean you need new ones. The education of those with learning troubles and struggles is important. Use the money that new uniforms would cost to go to your S.E program. As a cheerleader myself I know how much a single uniform costs. 150 dollars plus for ONE uniform and I am not sure how many cheerleaders your district has but thats a big chunk of money that could go to the children who need it most. Cheer leading was my passion but learning is the goal in school. School funding is so similar to where our government is right now... We are too naive to see where our funding NEEDS to be.. Wake up.. We want those SE kids to thrive and to be able to socialize get a job be a citizen who can live without the thought of living as a vegetable. I thought education is the purpose of our schools.. Apparently not........ Athletics has taken over.. Athletics are totally possible while still giving everyone the education they deserve. As several have said.. FUND RAISING!!!!!! I did it when I was in band to get to go to Disneyland in a town of 1000!!!!! You can fund raise in a much larger community. Its all about Effort! "
random wrote on Aug 18, 2008 2:54 PM:
" I have to agree that academics need to be the focus of any school, but why should the entire school suffer? Talking about cutting athletics is bordering on ridiculous. Cutting funding to special education is awful, but if that is where the cut has to come from then so be it. It will effect 13.8% of the schools population. Athletics effects every single child in the district, including special education students. Maybe this is a foreign idea for a lot of people, but there is more to life than just academics. Athletics, after school activities, clubs, etc., these give kids a sense of identity outside of their grades. Lets face it, our area is not the wealthiest, most educated place around. A lot of these kids go home to lousy situations. How do you explain to them that they can no longer do the thing that made them feel good about themselves because the school needed to keep the class level for special education at 2 kids per instructor instead of 4? I have seen kids who want to compete put out what must be a herculean effort for them just to keep their grades high enough. Not everyone can be a rocket scientist, but most can at least pass, and incentive and a sense of accomplishment are everything. That being said; I say get more money from the state and lose the cuts in the first place. "
TDN Bad Boy wrote on Aug 18, 2008 3:27 PM:
" That's big of you to force cuts, DUH. Maybe if the Legislature and the Governor did not force UNFUNDED PAY INCREASES on the districts, maybe no cuts would be required, did you happen to think of that? I don't think sports should be a high priority either, but I don't think the a Liberal Demoncrat Legislature and Da Tax Queen Gregoire should force districts to pay increases they have no control over. If the Liberal Demoncrats want to give pay increases to buy union votes then they had better fund it. When they don't they can expect to hear from unhappy voters. And I would be unhappy if it were a Republican Legislatory and Rossi were the governor and this happened. But in our state that hasn't happened in the past 30 years. So the Liberals and their social-engineering agenda gets all the blame. If you don't like it. And by the way, I will criticize who and the hell ever I want. If they want to run for public office that's part of the game. I won't ever run for president but I will certainly criticize the president when I feel it's appropriate. You should be worried about the issues. And your solution of cutting sports is trying to fix a wrong with a wrong. The way to fix this is to vote the Liberals Demoncrats out of Olympia for their union pandering that caused this. "
DUH wrote on Aug 18, 2008 3:55 PM:
" We all know what got us here Bad Boy. That is not the question. The question is, what are you and your Republican party going to do to fix it? You still have either neglected to, or refused to answer that question. If the Republican partys answer is to not give any answers or solutions and to continue bashing Democrats, then you do nothing to raise my trust in them. If anything, your constant bashing and name calling makes me want to vote the other way. I for one don't want a party that acts like a bunch of 5th graders in charge of the state or country. Now, my challenge to you is to give the answers and solutions that will make me want to vote Republican. Up until this article and your comments, I was undecided but, your comments have me leaning away from your party. "
TheGenius wrote on Aug 18, 2008 4:38 PM:
" This isn't the fault of only Republicans or only Democrats. Both sides have consistently failed the people over the course of, I don't know, the entire existence of the state of Washington. Teachers unions are a massive lobby in this state, and many others, and their influence is not always with students best interests in mind. Rather, they seem more concerned with looking after their union members first and foremost. I would put a lot of blame on politicians who acquiesce to the demands of teachers' unions without any concern over the long-term effects that may happen as a result of union demands. As bulldog has pointed out before, mandatory pay raises are but one issue that is involved with this. At the end of the day, however, this whole thing boils down to the irresponsiblity of the state and the Kelso school district in their handling of funds and the clear lack of accountability and leadership amongst Kelso administrators and school board members. Until they are made to answer for their shortcomings and ineptitude, this situation will get worse. "
CowlitzSounding wrote on Aug 18, 2008 4:56 PM:
" It's a funding issue. Decisions need to be made. Kelso School Dist. acts responsibly. It's not a sports issue. Washington state has a responsibility to fully educate its students. The backwater politics of George Bush is ultimately responsibly this time. State Republicans favor charter/private schools. They are for the rich, fellow area readers. That's fine if we lived in Bellevue. Guess what: we don't. Support school funding in the future. We need Olympia to square things up. Cowlitz County kids need your support. Good Superintendent in Kelso. Dr. Hill and the Board care about the kids. "
columbian wrote on Aug 18, 2008 5:33 PM:
" How can TDN BAD BOY GO NO ABOUT THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY AND THERE SPENDING ? When in the last 7 years BUSH and his gang have run up the bigging dept in history.9 TRILLION DOLLARS.A head in the sand. "
just a mom wrote on Aug 18, 2008 7:01 PM:
" Yep, let's give administrators and teacers a raise, and at the same time let's cut teachers aides for special education. Wow, smart!?! There goes the notion that it's all about the kids. This is a joke, of all the programs to cut, this should be the last. Duh. "
Kay English wrote on Aug 18, 2008 8:07 PM:
" random: Athletics affects every student in the school district? I think you are mistaken and blinkered. This article talked about sped. cuts, but didn't elaborate on other cuts that may have been made. Maybe some coaches won't have jobs this year. Oh, well, that's the way it goes - so be it. "
TDN Bad Boy wrote on Aug 18, 2008 10:09 PM:
" Cheney, at least I am smart enough to know that the party that writes bills with unfunded mandates that handcuff school districts should not be the party in power. In this state all the blame and responsibility falls on the shoulders of Da Tax Queen Gregoire and the Liberal minions like Takko. What would the Republicans do? Well, my hope would be that they would be smart enough not to pass unfunded mandates such as UNFUNDED PAY INCREASES on school dstricts. I ask you Cheney to explain your party's motives. How did this happen? Why were people in the teacher's union rewarded with big pay raises since Gregoire took office? Why has government spending in the state gone up at the fastest rate in state in history under Gregoire, according to the Seattle Times? You say what would my party do? Well, at this point you can't say it would be worse because you have no history in the past 30 years in this state to back your point. The fact is the Liberal Democrats made a huge error here, and they should be held responsible at the voting polls. After 30 years of Liberal Demoncrat lies, isn't time Washington voters wake up and realize that paying off campaign promises to a union with special ed budget money should be the last thieving act of a thieving party. Be proud Liberal Demoncrats, you are pushing kids with special education needs. "
DUH wrote on Aug 19, 2008 8:06 AM:
" Thats a cop out TDN Bad Boy. All you can do is bash Democrats and still offer no solutions or answers. You want me to vote for a party that sits on their hands, bashes Democrats, and says, We don't know what we're going to do. I don't think so. You just keep screaming the same thing over and over in your comments... "UNFUNDED PAY INCREASES" You can't even offer up one solution or answer to the problem. You want us to believe that all our problems will go away simply by electing Republicans. There's no logic in that. "
Nom D'Plume wrote on Aug 19, 2008 8:30 AM:
" Re: TDN Badboy and other naysayers. What all of you have overlooked is that the pay increases given to teachers were supposed to have happened over 8 years ago. The overwhelmingly voter-approved initiatives were ignored by Dino Rossi and other republicans who, along with the closet-conservative Gary Locke, refused to fund them. Had they done the right thing at that time, this whole mess would have been avoided because the budget could have been fixed gradually over time. Washington's teacher pay is still DEAD LAST among all west coast states. Our funding for education per-pupil is nearly the worst in the nation. While people are clamoring for high-stakes test scores and student achievement, the percentage of money going to schools was reduced to fund more WASL stupidity. Locally, our schools don't even have enough to send textbooks home with kids to study. The COLA (I emphasize COLA) raise for teachers was long in coming. If they were to give the teachers the appropriate amount to make up for what they hadn't been given over the last several years, it would have been much higher. Many of the teachers in our area actually saw a decrease in their net pay before the COLAs took effect (due to rising medical care costs). Some teachers are still paying up to $700 out-of-pocket each month for their medical insurance. It is a sad state of affairs for teachers who work hard to educate youngsters, we should at least pay comparably to other states. "
TDN Bad Boy wrote on Aug 19, 2008 8:50 AM:
" First of all do not call Gary Gridlocke a conservative in any form or fashion. Second of all you do right a perceived wrong by creating a bigger wrong. If the Liberal Democrats in Olympia thought these pay increase were important enough to act on, you DO NOT leave them UNFUNDED. Now the question you have to ask yourself is why would they do that? Well it is a way of stretching a limited budget. In other words the Liberal Demoncrats in Olympia did not want to play by the rules. So they made their own. Why? Because to play by the rules would have meant taking funds from some of their many wasteful projects catering to the social engineering for gay rights, abortion clinics, needle exchange programs, sex predator rehab and release, etc. The right thing to do here would have been to pass the bill without unfunded pay increases and work a budget that included the increases. Don't you see what the Liberal Demoncrats did and do continually. They pass the buck as long as they can spend the bucks to their social engineering programs. Does that make you happy DUH? I don't see any reason to believe that the Republicans would not have passed a budget with the increases funded in the budget. That would have meant cutting the many waste programs the Liberals have infected the state budget with in the past 30 years. Government should be like a business. Business don't pass the buck. "
TDN Bad Boy wrote on Aug 19, 2008 8:57 AM:
" Nom D'Plume. Do not include Dino Rossi in this evil plan of yours. The Republicans have not been in control of the Legislature and have not been in control of the budget writing committees. To say anything like that is a flat out lie. You want to point the blame, fine. Point it at the Liberal Democrats who have taken the campaign dollars from the teacher's union and failed to come through. Don't blame the Republicans. Your picture of the education system in Washington is fairly accurate, but you have to ask yourself this: Why is this way after 30 years of Liberal Democrat control in Olympia? The Liberal Demoncrats are not education based. They are social engineers and their specialties are gay rights and abortion. Plain and simple. Look at Gregoire's bashing, negative ads. Abortion, abortion, abortion. All I know is if one party is in control for 30 years, then one party is responsible for the problems that have developed. People like Duh, Cheney and other other Demoncrats, particularly the union people who will only support candidates of that party, need to accept the fact that their party has failed miserably in this regard. How can the Liberal Demoncrats pass on a bill with UNFUNDED PAY INCREASES? What could they have thought would be the outcome? "
TheGenius wrote on Aug 19, 2008 10:09 AM:
" Anyone that blames the shortcoming of the education system in Washington, and specifically Kelso & Longview, on the Bush Administration needs to pull their head out. The last thing we need is the federal government involved in what is essentially a state and local issue. You can complain all you want about the shortcomings of this president (and I will disagree with you on a lot of the arguments you will present), but we can't expect people 3,000 miles away to solve our problems. We have to hold our local politicians and school board members accountable. Personally, I don't think the federal government has any business being involved in education whatsoever, but that's just me. "
bones wrote on Aug 19, 2008 12:25 PM:
" You can't cut all sports people. And it is so sad that special ed is taking this cut also. I work in special ed and have seen cuts made to all areas. For some reason however, they start with the people that make less and not more. They cut 5 low wage jobs when if they just cut 1 administrator's position that would be the same as the 5 they just eliminated. It doesn't make sense to me either. We need sports, we need special ed, we don't need all these principles/co-principles, and $100,000 wage positions. Cut those first then see where we are! "
Kalama rose wrote on Aug 19, 2008 1:54 PM:
" To TDN BB: I agree with DUH in that you should stop hiding behind the annonymity and safety of your poisoned computer keyboard and immature name calling. What CONSTRUCTIVE suggestions do you have for solving the problems caused by both parties, particularly by the Chief Republican's tax cuts to the wealthy???? Society's ills are not going to go away by ignoring them. If being conservative means I would have to associate with the likes of you, then by all means I would be proud to call myself a liberal. "
TheGenius wrote on Aug 19, 2008 2:26 PM:
" So, we should place higher tax rates on the people who create jobs, commerce, and income for others because the poor pay too much in taxes? Hate to tell you, but 5% of the population pays 90% of the taxes. Guess who that 5% is? I'll give you a hint: it's not the people getting handouts at state offices. "
Grammydont wrote on Aug 19, 2008 3:11 PM:
" Why dont they cut a position in administration instead of our special ed programs. "
Nom DPlume wrote on Aug 19, 2008 3:59 PM:
" TDN Badboy: Calling me a liar in no way proves your fading point. Whatever the case, I have the facts on my side. Dino claims (on his own website) that he was instrumental in working on state budgetary issues. Additionally the Republicans were in control of the state Senate when the VOTERS approved COLAs (I-732)for teachers. Rossi was one of several people who wrote the budget that did not award the COLAs. He admits it! He revels in his idiotic principle that teachers should be payed by performance, not experience or training. Unfortunately, he refuses to admit that no one has found a valid way to measure teacher performance. Rossi's approach to teacher pay will result in increasing numbers of teachers leaving poorer districts for the wealthier ones. You may call me a liar if you'd like but those are the facts. As far as my evil plan goes, you'll have to draw that one up yourself. I didn't outline a plan of any kind in this forum. Remember: Eventus Stultorum Magister! "
DUH wrote on Aug 19, 2008 4:00 PM:
" So Genius, Are you saying that 95% of the population are getting state hand outs? "
TheGenius wrote on Aug 19, 2008 5:57 PM:
" What I'm saying is if you keep on insisting on taxing the rich, you're going to find the problems with revenues will still be there. "
CowlitzSounding wrote on Aug 19, 2008 6:02 PM:
" People like TDN Bad Boy and TheGenius are strange to comment on this story about education. People in society like these two do not care about our youth. They only care about their wallets. Citizens of similar ilk don't understand about how communities work to solve problems, even when they are hard. It is unfortunate that the cuts are necessary. Children in Washington state only have a voice that we give to them. Support schools and be leary of those who like to talk about car tabs in commenting about educational decisions. "
Kalama rose wrote on Aug 19, 2008 9:14 PM:
" To Genius: Trickle down economics has been proven not to work over the past 28 years starting with the Reagan administration. Don't have to state the obvious about the current economic woes facing this country. Nor do I know where you came up with your statistics regarding who pays the most taxes...I know a large portion of my paycheck goes to support people I will never meet. As long as the feds keep pushing more of the burden on individual states we will see reductions in local services, including the schools. Bush and his failed "no child left behind" plus his promised tax cuts which were intended to garner favor to get him a second term are part of the causes of the economic pinch facing schools and other local agencies. Not to mention the unexpected rise in fuel costs. By election day 2008, collectively every American household will be saddled with debt to the tune of $500,000. We will be digging ourselves out of this quagmire for generations to come while the super rich are laughing all the way to the bank. "
TDN Bad Boy wrote on Aug 19, 2008 10:29 PM:
" Yeah, you can Rossi wrote the budget, but we both know the truth. The Democrats controlled the power. The Republican margin was razor thin. But blame Dino if you want. Dino does not favor rewarding a system based on union seniority. Dino had nothing to do with bill that was passed that put in the unfunded pay increases. Again you miss the point. All the Liberal Demoncrats had to do was fully fund the pay increases if they wanted to hand them out. They had all the power this time. They own both houses of the Legislature and Da Tax Queen is bought and paid for by the union. Dino had nothing to do with this bill. You can blame him for not funding the intititives if you want but the Demoncrats had more power than the Republicans at the time. All they had to do was move some of that social engineering money for needles, abortion clinics, etc. over to the teachers and the teachers would have had their pay raises. The Liberals sacrificed the teachers, not the Republicans and not Dino. Kelso just remember that this bill came on Da Tax Queen's watch and Dino wasn't in office. "
Nom D'Plume wrote on Aug 19, 2008 11:10 PM:
" TDN Badboy: You contradict yourself. You say that the democrats controlled the power, but then you admit that there was a republican majority. Either they controlled the senate or they didn't! (p.s. THEY CONTROLLED THE SENATE) I did not say that Rossi was responsible for the unfunded pay increases. That would be patently ignorant, since Rossi doesn't believe in funding anything unless it puts more money in the pockets of his wealthy constituents. Moreover, the lack of funding for the sped programs is a shell game on the part of the Kelso school district. They receive the funds for SPED and determine how to spend them. In this case they decided to cut in one unpopular area. The funding is there, just in a different line-item. I agree that state funding of abortion-on-demand and free drug use tools must end. However, Rossi has made it abundantly clear that he does not believe in paying teachers a fair wage anyway. Every budget he has had his fingers in has provided no extra money for education. What is most aggravating is that the loudest voices for school performance are the ones who continually underfund schools. I reiterate that our schools are near the bottom in the country for spending per student. Rossi and his friends will not rest until schools are able to reach 100 percent success with 0 percent funding. "
TheGenius wrote on Aug 20, 2008 9:55 AM:
" On the contrary, I have voted for more school funding at the local level every time it has come to a vote. But I get frustrated with how they decide to allocate funds and how teachers' unions have such an enourmous influence in the political spectrum. Because politicians are scared to death to be labeled "anti-education, anti-kids," they buckle at any pressure the unions exert, rather than do the right thing for students. I really think the biggest problem we have is this expectation that the federal government will cure all that ails our nation, and specifically, the education system. As Ronald Reagan famously said, government is the problem, not the solution. And you can sit there and lambast the idea of trickle-down economics, but that concept paved the way for unprecedented growth and prosperity for the 1990s. As for every American being saddled with $500K in debt.... Where do you get your numbers, 'cause my debt is about 1% of that. Maybe if everyone paid what they owe on time and stop borrowing money they know they can't possibly payback, there wouldn't be so many problems. "
TheGenius wrote on Aug 20, 2008 10:02 AM:
" One last thought on education: make it a requirement of graduation that seniors must take a class in which they are taught, amongst other things, balancing a checkbook; what your credit score is and how it affects you; interest rates and loans pertaining to cars, homes, and other items; how to own a credit card and not get neck-deep in debt. You get the idea. Call the class "Really Important Stuff You Need To Know" or something. I mean, make it a requirement for graduation. I doubt too many parents would object to this. It seems like too many of them don't care enough anyways, so let's make this happen. I could have used that class when I was 18, and I suspect a lot of people would agree. "
Nom D'Plume wrote on Aug 20, 2008 11:32 AM:
" Genius: If the teacher's union truly has such incredible control on politics, why is it that: 1. Why did teachers receive the COLAs approved by voters in I-732, several years after the vote? 2. Why does the WASL continue to be used despite repeated attempts by the WEA to have it tossed out or radically modified? 3. Why is it that our teachers are paid less than any other western state? 4. Why are schools continually underfunded? The union has to lobby just like everyone else to get anything our of the legislature. If Rossi is elected, and implements his teacher salary plan, you can bet that schools will decline even further. Tight-fisted oversight of education leads to frustration for staff and students alike. "
kalama rose wrote on Aug 20, 2008 1:24 PM:
" To clarify my comment in regard to the American household debt. The national spending deficit is at an all time high and by November will be at approximately 10 trillion dollars, which translates to $500K for each household. While I don't profess to be a genius in economics, I do know most folks are not better off financially now than when Bush took over as consumr credit is also at an all time high. I suppose that could be blamed on the democrats, but in the last 28 years there has been a republican in office for all but 20. Many years ago basic skills for learning how to balance a checkbook, etc. was taught in the schools, it was called "General Math" which I seriously doubt is now an option for students as most school's curriculums are dedicated toward teaching so students can pass the WASL tests. I believe it would be useful information for students to have, though. "
TDN Bad Boy wrote on Aug 20, 2008 1:51 PM:
" Nom D'Plume, all you have to do is ask your Liberal Demoncrats? Like I said before the problem isn't the teachers getting more money. It was the way it was done. The cowardly Liberal Demoncrats refused to bite the bullet and pay for it. They forced the districts to come up with a way. How in the world could the districts do that? You say I'm not for eduction, and nothing could be further from the truth. Being against bad government is not being against education. I owe and run a business. I can so OK, I'll take this but the business next door will pay for it. I have to cover it. The Liberal Demoncrats and Da Tax Queen took the cowardly way on this and from the look of the primary the tax witch is going to pay for it in November. Time to hand her her broom and send her on a long ride. And then we can all celebrate when the wicked tax witch is long gone. "
TheGenius wrote on Aug 20, 2008 2:07 PM:
" Here's the thing- it is not George W. Bush's fault that people defaulted on home loans, which is a massive reason why there is this "recession." I place quotation marks around recession because we are not in a recession. What we are experiencing on a national level is a slowdown of growth to around 1%, which means the economy is stagnant, but not recessing. While there are cases of receding economic conditions in certain areas of the country, when averaged out with other areas, numbers indicate that this is not a nationwide recession. Keep in mind, this is an election year, which means both sides are trying to get elected with the promise that they will take care of you and help you pay your mortgage on a house you had no bloody business buying in the first place and they'll go after the oil companies because it takes a lot of nerve for publicly traded companies to post a profit when their shareholders demand it and they'll put your kids through school with a top-notch education at the expense of the rich because, let's face it, we might as well punish the people that generate wealth and jobs and income and they really don't need that much money anyways, so we, the politicians, can spend it for them more wisely. I mean, that's what all you guys and gals want to hear, right? They'll take care of you. "
Kalama rose wrote on Aug 20, 2008 6:55 PM:
" Ok, looks like we have strayed from the original subject matter, but since it has been brought up, try going to Google and type in "recession". If that doesn't scare you enough you can also look up "national debt". The schools and everyone else will be forced to do some serious belt tightening in the next few years if we are ever to be in the position the nation that was in when Dubya took office since the yearly interest payments on deficit spending alone is over $400 billion. Since this all happened on Dubya's watch, if he is not to blame, then who is??? If you say "congress is to blame", doesn't the prez have veto power? "
kitten wrote on Aug 20, 2008 8:54 PM:
" Maybe if schools weren't spending so much $$$$$ on teaching kids many of the things they used to learn at home, ie, manners, responsibility, kindness, dedication etc, there would more money to spend on academics. It is also a waste of time for those kids who get those lifeskills at home (where they should) and are at school trying to learn. "
FlyingSquirrelsRule wrote on Aug 20, 2008 9:42 PM:
" Ahhh, what a poor decision. Out of ALL the children who really need the support and extra help, are those kids who are in Special Ed. They need the life skills to make it ONCE they graduate. I am sure there were other areas they could have cut, but saw an opportunity to save others and cut those that are EXTREMELY NECESSARY!!! Longview and Kelso school districts are both facing major issues that need to be resolved before we hurt our children's education. "
Atrucker wrote on Aug 20, 2008 10:05 PM:
" Every one in here has missed the boat completely. I want all of you to read about THE NEW WORLD ORDER. These words came out of Bush's mouth and other presidents. This stuff is real ' and it will affect our education system as well count on it .
The government has a higher calling than this education thing . IF you think they are for you , your vastly wrong .
THE NEW WORLD ORDER is being set in place now . And yes it is affecting schools now.
Take this as a grain of salt and you will be hurt the worst or pull your head out of the sand and find out just what is going on , It is not pretty.
Please tdn no not edit this , people need to know this stuff is out there and affecting all of us .
Thank , all of you for your time . "
The government has a higher calling than this education thing . IF you think they are for you , your vastly wrong .
THE NEW WORLD ORDER is being set in place now . And yes it is affecting schools now.
Take this as a grain of salt and you will be hurt the worst or pull your head out of the sand and find out just what is going on , It is not pretty.
Please tdn no not edit this , people need to know this stuff is out there and affecting all of us .
Thank , all of you for your time . "
Kem Cho wrote on Aug 21, 2008 9:38 AM:
" Five special ed teachers make as much as one School Supt. makes. How about entire administration take 0.1% less pay increase% "
My Kids' Mom wrote on Aug 21, 2008 12:47 PM:
" Well you know, if we keep kids studering and dislexic etc. then we'll still have a demand for government programs and social services (welfare/ss disability) WAY TO GO! Sorry, I needed an outlet for my pent-up scarcasm and this seemed like the perfect opportunity. "
Amazed By Ignorance wrote on Aug 22, 2008 8:53 AM:
" All of this party bashing is simply amusing to me. All the while, the administrators just took an average 9.9 pay increase. The problems facing this country isn't the democrats fault...nor is it the republicans. It is the Governments, period. Placing some of the blame on the apathetic nature of the average american citizen wouldn't be out of line either. "
My Kids' Mom wrote on Aug 22, 2008 10:34 AM:
" Atrucker: you must be the only other person in this county that knows about NAIS and the REAL ID Act. No Cheney119 I'm NOT talking about animal rights. It's about propery rights and human rights. NAIS is (National Animal Identification System). Atrucker, if you haven't heard of NAIS, please google it. It will be enlightening. "
TheGenius wrote on Aug 22, 2008 4:02 PM:
" Oh brother, when it comes down to people dropping the "New World Order" and other conspiracy theories in a blog, it's time to end the thread. Did you UPS get you your shipment of tin-foil hats yet? "
dylan wrote on Aug 22, 2008 9:36 PM:
" ok so here we go again. sometime ago, they wanted to keep all the kids in thier schools ( KHS) iep that is. i should know i was one of them. so they could have thier money, and not hurt there precious sports. so way dont they meet in the middle. bc no child should be left behind no how much money they will be loseing or getting.. "
HS Teacher wrote on Aug 23, 2008 12:46 PM:
" It’s amazing to me how people can loose focus on a very simple disagreement. This discussion has been about the allocation of available money in the Kelso School
District. We are talking about kids and their futures – regardless of where they are in school. There are few jobs that require the level of education and continuing training that educators are required to have. Law enforcement, fire fighters, and civil engineers (all public servants) make more money than teachers do, but require less education. It’s come to the point where it is rare to see a 3rd or 4th year teacher without a Masters Degree. How many other public servants have invested as much in their job? Administrators are generally proven teachers that have continued their education even further while maintaining a full time job and usually a family. The sacrifices these people have made should be rewarded in a commensurate fashion with someone who has done the same in the private sector. If you want to see Washington education completely deteriorate, restrict salaries to the point where people will not find it worth while to spend $50,000 on an education to do a job that the community does not value in terms of financial support. "
District. We are talking about kids and their futures – regardless of where they are in school. There are few jobs that require the level of education and continuing training that educators are required to have. Law enforcement, fire fighters, and civil engineers (all public servants) make more money than teachers do, but require less education. It’s come to the point where it is rare to see a 3rd or 4th year teacher without a Masters Degree. How many other public servants have invested as much in their job? Administrators are generally proven teachers that have continued their education even further while maintaining a full time job and usually a family. The sacrifices these people have made should be rewarded in a commensurate fashion with someone who has done the same in the private sector. If you want to see Washington education completely deteriorate, restrict salaries to the point where people will not find it worth while to spend $50,000 on an education to do a job that the community does not value in terms of financial support. "
rythymaxe wrote on Aug 25, 2008 9:02 AM:
" I would think that funding for special educational needs would fall under the Federal and State's jurisdiction, but who am I kidding? Both the Feds and to a lesser degree, the State, have limited resources for this cause due to poor decisions on where to spend our tax monies. I disagree with the bloggers who want to outright abolish sports in our school systems. I believe that sports give our children an outlet to spend their time constructively playing sports as opposed to laying around playing video games or worse yet, getting into drugs. I agree that the sports programs should be more self sufficient (i.e. fund raising, higher ticket prices, more parental obligations) and maybe the State could match whatever the programs bring in to supplement them. I whole heartedly believe that to get rid of sports programs all together would add to a higher youth crime problem, big time. At the same time, we need to focus on education first, for both well child students and especially for special needs children, who do need more help. There has to be a way to keep both as they have both worked out in the past. The 9.9% increase for administrators couldn't have come at a worse time. The majority of workers who are parents make nothing near that in a pay raise. It's going to be a big problem for them with the Special Needs programs going away. They will hear about it. "
krilov wrote on Aug 25, 2008 5:08 PM:
" I think cutting sports would be usbsurd because that is one thing that can keep kids out of drugs, partying, trouble etc. It gives them the chance to make friends and broaden there horizon to colleges especially if they are good. To most this is life after school and education, even if they have the brains maybe this is what they want more. This isnt what is keeping kids in school at kelso it's just what may be what they are better at, but that shouldnt mean that it should be cut! Nothing should be, not even special Education!!! "
NoTimeToPlay wrote on Aug 26, 2008 12:26 AM:
" Did all of you know that the instructional assistants (IA’s) were awarded a voter mandated 4.4% raise 3 year ago? That raise is to go into effect this year. However for most of them the raise is counter productive due to the hours cut from all IA's jobs to cover budget short falls? Some lost as much as 8 hours a week. In all cases the IA staff is getting a net loss of pay of an average of $1,300 per year? When their take home is, on average less than $700 per month I wonder that we have any IA’s to cut at all. Prior to the cut backs as soon as the IA’s arrived on campus they started in with student duties immediately, there was no time to prepare materials for students. There was no time to work with the classroom teacher to be sure that there were no concerns. Now with the cutbacks there will additionally be no time to meet as a group to be sure they are all working in the same manner so there is the consistency and stability as one of the other responders stated was so critical. So even with the IA’s on campus the effectiveness of their jobs will be minimal at best because of lack of time for communication that insures program strength. "
NoTimeToPlay wrote on Aug 26, 2008 12:28 AM:
" Continuation of eariler note.
I agree that the people that should be kept are the ones with the most experience in the job but the district and union doesn’t work that way. The person with the most seniority is the one who gets the job and they may really despise the type of work that must be done for these students. Some also only see the disability not the person. They find no delight in the student as they are and spend their day in utter frustration that they are working with "Those Kids" "
I agree that the people that should be kept are the ones with the most experience in the job but the district and union doesn’t work that way. The person with the most seniority is the one who gets the job and they may really despise the type of work that must be done for these students. Some also only see the disability not the person. They find no delight in the student as they are and spend their day in utter frustration that they are working with "Those Kids" "
nipsey wrote on Aug 29, 2008 8:53 AM:
" Don't be ignorrant, kirlov. Some of the biggest dopers and partiers are the athletes! I know-I work at a high school! Just look at the state of collegiate and pro sports-full of cheaters and dope heads. Get rid of sports in high schools and focus on what they are designed to do-provide an ACADEMIC education! "
ratkins wrote on Aug 29, 2008 11:26 AM:
" How about the administrators taking a 9.9% cut in their recent pay raises in order to help the special ed keep some aides. Without the aides the quality of education is comprimised and the children are the ones who suffer. How is it the administrators can take such a high increase in their salary knowing full well that the children need more help at school according to the recent scores on the WASL. "
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