The More Things Change in LCPS, The More They Stay The Same

Please cite where teacher’s pay went down. Also please cite where services were cut. I don’t know if you mean LCPS service, or county – but I need specifics – not just blanket stmts. LC BOS went with an equalized rate last year, the LCPS got over 8% increase from the prior year. The BOS doesn’t have any say in how the money in the LCPS is appropriated so if you have a complaint on a “cut” (which usually means the same amount of money was spent but the increase was rejected) then you need to blame former Sup Hatrick. My taxes remained the same.

Can you cite where ESL was cut? Or how about this – I will confer with my SB rep to see if what you are saying is true, and I have a feeling it is not. I don’t particularly mind if Dept Chairs have to teach extra classes. I am in favor of eliminating Deans in Middle School too – and even High School. I know some of those positions were eliminated but those Deans were reassigned to the classroom – so they didn’t lose their jobs. And who among us in private industry AND other county employees are not paying more for health insurance? Have you read the papers? This problem is sweeping the nation. The adjustment last budget cycle (2013) to eliminate the disparity between LCPS and other LC agencies in HC benefitsdid happen, and it needed to. One side can’t be getting a better deal than the other. All county employees should be in the same HC pool, and now they are.

Further, no one is going to make me feel bad because my taxes weren’t raised. Honestly, the attitude that I am supposed to have guilt because LCPS had to tighten it’s belt after an 8% increase is absurd. There has been no crisis at LCPS, there has not been massive layoffs, overstaffing in administration has been addresses to some degree.

Next you will tell me LCPS teachers are leaving in droves. No they aren’t. But every year we hear (from the LEA) how they are enticed to go to work for neighboring counties like Fairfax. It’s not true. Nor is the opposite, despite the FCPS teachers claiming they are leaving for LCPS. This has been debunked many times.
You can complain to the BOS about “consequences” – they have a fiduciary responsibility to the tax payers. Thankfully they realize that 8% was enough this past Spring – I hope they hold the line next Spring.

Teacher raises were not delayed, instead of making up an 8% gap in mid-career teachers they broke it up over 3 years. No steps were delayed. Parking fees and sports fees were raised years ago, not last year. I know because I pay them. There have been few consequences, as a matter of fact graduation rates have remained stable and LC students have actually gained in SAT scores. I am fine with those results. My kids are surviving in LCPS, as a matter of fact they are thriving. They have great teachers.

Who is celibrating anything? This is a budget, and it’s called life. People all over Loudoun and the country are doing more with less. Teachers are not an exempt class of citizens. All County employees have paid over the years, all 32 other agencies have made cuts. 32 agencies that get a mere 30% of the budget. There is no “brunt of the decision” because nothing dramatic has happened. You haven’t made one valid argument, only telling me that I need to be sad, or guilty. What a load of crock. You have no idea what I do for a living, or my husband. It’s pretty ironic you are lecturing me.

I have no idea why you keep asking if I am happy or sad, this has nothing to do with feelings. If you want to have discussion on the budget, get your facts straight and stop asking me how I feel. Bizarre.

Your broad stmts on programs, cuts and delays mean nothing – you have no specifics, numbers or facts and are just repeating yourself. Have fun.

” teachers are taking home less

Cite figures and provide a source or stop making claims you cannot back up.

No, you are making the charges here, provide the facts to back them up. If you can make the charge, you must have some figures yourself, right?

That impacts them financially, correct? no cost of living increase=lower purchasing power plus increased costs=financial pain, correct?

Just because you say something does not make it true. You already admitted that you do not care that department heads have to teach addition classes. No cares if you care but stop denying that there are changes that affect the staff. This is only one example of how the budget was balanced. Delaying increases 3 months costs staff 25% of the increase. That is Anothet example. There are ELL teachers teaching subject matter classes by themselves when they used to team with a content teacher. Hey, that is another one for you. Yes, there are consequences. You might not think they are important but don’t stick with your story that they don’t exists

I am not sure why you are defensive. I started out saying the BOS decides the tax rates regardless of consequences or their actual impact on monthly payments. We both agree that our tax bill have not declined. We are closer to the same thinking than you might believe.

Don’t forget….”we will lose all our teachers to Fairfax!!!!”

Why do you deny the facts? why not celebrate the impacts? you are lost in denial

Pay increased were delayed, long term sub pay eliminated, department heads working extra assignments, higher contributions, loss of FLES and ELL jobs, loss of middle school dean jobs, loss of activity busses. Yes, Tom, there have been cuts