Hundreds of teaching jobs locally, thousands across the state...

They cut teaching jobs last year and this year class sizes have gone up incredibly...
My classes easily have 35 kids (middle school) in each class trailer

Well, looks like it is getting worse.


Not only that, but the state is going forward with:
Complete elimination of Textbook funds - $1.3 million
Complete elimination of School Technology -$700 thousand

I am obviously biased since I am a teacher, but education is a long term investment, and this shit is going to bite us in the ass years from now.

4/9/2010 9:42:07 AM

http://www.wral.com/news/education/story/7339866/

4/9/2010 9:43:44 AM

i'm only able to take TWO classes for free as a state employee, now

fuck bev purdue

4/9/2010 9:47:36 AM

^Why is this her fault?

Did she create the budget crisis?

Did she oppose raising taxes?

4/9/2010 9:48:41 AM

well i guess its water under the bridge

North Carolinians cant get any dumber, might as well save the money

4/9/2010 9:49:35 AM

Thank goodness for the education lottery.

4/9/2010 9:50:14 AM

Quote :

"i'm only able to take TWO classes for free as a state employee, now"

since when do state employees get to take classes for free?

4/9/2010 9:51:55 AM

Let's see, teachers and textbooks get the axe while administrators and bureaucrats are much safer. Sounds par for the course.

The dollar cuts are both fine and necessary. NC spends roughly $8500 per year per student in public schools which, while lower than the national average, is still a preposterously high sum of money. But, the first place they go is the front lines when they need cuts.

Look around a class of 35 people and ask: does it honestly take a quarter-million dollars to get their butts in productive classrooms for 9 months? I just don't understand how somebody can look at that and think it's acceptable.

The cynical side of me says that it's a political decision that will get them more money in the future. People will be upset about this as it affects their local school, and there will be greater support for increased spending. Not only does this make the decision-makers safe in their jobs, but gives them more money to screw around with later.

I don't have a big problem with the textbook thing, though I admittedly don't know much about it. I tend to think that they could still be using books for math, science, world history, language, etc. from the 90's and it wouldn't make a difference, if other aspects were taken care of.

[Edited on April 9, 2010 at 10:01 AM. Reason : a]

4/9/2010 9:59:16 AM

half of my textbooks don't have covers anymore. (this is how I inherited them)
probably because there is a picture of a crab on the front cover and it is an insult to call a crip a crab, so they vandalize any instance of that animal.

4/9/2010 10:03:19 AM

Quote :

"Why is this her fault? Did she create the budget crisis? Did she oppose raising taxes?"

any idiot who believes that cutting down tuition waivers for state employees will make any noticeable change in the budget deserves to be poked in the eye with a rusty fork

the number of tuition waivers submitted and approved is available somewhere online (i found it last year, but i'll have to look again) and all you'll see is that it's some tiny number (like 10%) of employees actually USE them in the first place...and out of that 10%, the employees aren't going to just start paying for them because she cut them down, so it doesn't raise any money

add to that the fact that the waivers get approved LAST, meaning they only get to use them if the class isn't already full...so it's not like their use is keeping paying students from taking the courses

what it boils down to is that cutting the number of waivers available to employees accomplished NOTHING but pissing off those who were using them

Quote :

"since when do state employees get to take classes for free?"

since always: http://www.ncsu.edu/policies/finance/cashiers/REG07.55.8.php

4/9/2010 10:04:22 AM

you mean faculty and staff of NCSU. the way you worded it seemed to imply that all state workers (for the state of north carolina) got this.

4/9/2010 10:06:19 AM

Quote :

"half of my textbooks don't have covers anymore. (this is how I inherited them) probably because there is a picture of a crab on the front cover and it is an insult to call a crip a crab, so they vandalize any instance of that animal."

That's both funny and sad.

I've wondered why there weren't any consequences for the folks who abuse school books. It seems like punishment for destruction of state property would be doable, and/or make the parents liable for, say, some portion of the cost of a new book. They could get in trouble if they deface and tear up classroom posters, graffiti the walls, etc. but there is no problem for them if they destroy a book.

I'm sure some anti-discrimination lawyer would have a field day with it, though.

4/9/2010 10:10:02 AM

Quote :

"make the parents liable for, say, some portion of the cost of a new book."

those same kids are already on free lunch. if the parent won't even pay for the kid's lunch, what the fuck makes you think they'll pay for a book?

4/9/2010 10:13:21 AM

^.

4/9/2010 10:14:35 AM

Quote :

"you mean faculty and staff of NCSU. the way you worded it seemed to imply that all state workers (for the state of north carolina) got this."

well, not just faculty and staff of NCSU...faculty and staff of any UNC-system school:

http://online.northcarolina.edu/document.php?id=110
http://online.northcarolina.edu/extlink.php?id=b1985e564ed91dae74c33742ec2c14d7

it used to be more than just faculty and staff, but our dumbass governor had it repealed last year:

http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/enactedlegislation/statutes/html/bysection/chapter_115b/gs_115b-2.html

i THINK UNC and NCSU also do this, but i know UNC-P still allows NC public school teachers to take courses for free:

http://www.uncp.edu/admissions/undergraduate/pdf/teacher_tuition_waver.pdf

4/9/2010 10:14:57 AM

Quote :

"those same kids are already on free lunch. if the parent won't even pay for the kid's lunch, what the fuck makes you think they'll pay for a book?"

You play hardball. You don't ask them. They destroyed state property, and that form of punishment is perfectly appropriate.

Don't let the kid enroll for school the next year or semester until the payment is made. If the payment is not made, and the kid is not enrolled, prosecute the parent for not sending the kid to school.

[Edited on April 9, 2010 at 10:17 AM. Reason : a]

4/9/2010 10:17:16 AM

^dude, they don't fucking care if they're in school or not. the only reason they send them is because it's like free day care.

4/9/2010 10:19:45 AM

Quote :

"they don't fucking care if they're in school or not. the only reason they send them is because it's like free day care."

4/9/2010 10:20:37 AM

I know they don't care if their kids are in school, other than the day-care aspect.

When they get prosecuted, they'll care.

"Tearing up other people's shit has consequences" is kind of a basic, fundamental thing to teach.

4/9/2010 10:23:59 AM

a few weeks ago i stopped by the public high school i attended to chat with one of my old teachers. the state of public schools is downright pathetic now. it's amazing how much it's changed in 4 years. it boils down to the fact that you have to send a kid to a private school to get them a decent education.

^$court > $book

[Edited on April 9, 2010 at 10:26 AM. Reason : afds]

4/9/2010 10:24:32 AM

And you can send them to a better school for 1/3 or 1/2 of what the state is spending on the child.

Quote :

"^$court > $book"

There would be poor ghetto and redneck mamas slapping the shit out of their children for putting the parent in that spot. And anyone around them would see it, and they would go ahead and threaten their children not to do it to them. And that's a good thing.

Even if I admit that prosecuting vandalism and destruction of property, in this case, would be more expensive than replacing the property (and I don't) - so what? I'm willing to spend that money to have a few less kids who think it's o.k. to do shit like that.

Should we not prosecute other forms of vandalism and destruction of state property? It's more expensive to prosecute the student graffiti artists than it is to fix the graffiti. Should we let that go, too?

[Edited on April 9, 2010 at 10:32 AM. Reason : a]

4/9/2010 10:26:31 AM

Can't we just axe the committees that come up with these decisions?

$75,000/year x 10 peeps = $750,000

Someone should start paying me

4/9/2010 10:28:01 AM

the government spends twice as much to do a job at half the quality of a private entity?

nothing new

4/9/2010 10:28:40 AM

Education in South Carolina is even worse...although not too far behind.

I said I would never send my kid to a private school...but I almost feel like there is no choice now. This shit is sad.

4/9/2010 10:32:29 AM

^ True. SC is really, really bad. My wife is a teacher down here in SC and I feel sorry for her every day when she tells me the shit she is going through. Why anyone would want to be a teacher anymore is beyond me.

When my daughter is old enough, I think she'll be going to private school. My wife and I are hoping that she can land a job at one of the 4 private schools in the area and then our daughter can attend that school for less or possibly free. Private schools do not pay as much or offer benefits, but the peace of mind may be worth it. Plus she can get on my health and dental through my company.

[Edited on April 9, 2010 at 10:39 AM. Reason : df]

4/9/2010 10:36:38 AM

this sucks

4/9/2010 10:54:44 AM

Quote :

"Thank goodness for the education lottery."

This was my first thought. What a pathetic program.
http://www.nc-educationlottery.org/about_where-the-money-goes.aspx

4/9/2010 10:58:47 AM

Quote :

"Did she create the budget crisis? Did she oppose raising taxes?"

Haha, I love how raising taxes is the only solution you ever see.

4/9/2010 11:10:48 AM

Quote :

"well, not just faculty and staff of NCSU...faculty and staff of any UNC-system school:"

university employees =! state employees

also, possibly no more free driver's ed classes.

4/9/2010 11:27:44 AM

So how long until this system implodes? I'm taking all bets!

4/9/2010 11:50:24 AM

well when we still try to push everyone through school on a college track, it is doomed to fail. there needs to be a trade school system, and students who choose to go that route need to be encouraged instead of feeling second class. when they graduate with a trade skill, they can immediately be a productive member of society, instead of wasting 2-3 years in college only to drop out because it isn't for them.

4/9/2010 12:08:26 PM

Quote :

"I've wondered why there weren't any consequences for the folks who abuse school books. It seems like punishment for destruction of state property would be doable"

When I was in grade school abnormal wear of a textbook and/or abuse resulted in a fine. On the flip side you can not expect
9 year olds over 3-4 years to keep text books in perfect condition.

As far as the OP, I find this abhorable and rediculous. Education should be one of the last things touched, they have already been
slashing budgets significantly over the last few years. Why do they not cut back on "reduced" or "free" lunches. I bet
this would save $10's of Million$ per year. Sure their are kids that can stay on free lunch who legitimatly need it...

As it is right now though the criteria to qualify for reduced or free lunch is absurdly high. Making a PB&J sandwich and throwing
in some potato chips cost probably about 80 cents. I am interested in the statistic of the % of kids on "reduced" or "free"
lunch whose parents have cable TV, a new car lease, or regularly fuel their alcohol/drug habit. Hell full priced school
lunches are a fucking bargain to begin with. When i was there it was like $2 for main course, two veggies, and a milk.

Quote :

"dude, they don't fucking care if they're in school or not. the only reason they send them is because it's like free day care"

This is true.

Quote :

"There would be poor ghetto and redneck mamas slapping the shit out of their children for putting the parent in that spot"

damn right.

For anybody curious for a standard family of four the yearly salary threshold for free lunch is...

$40,793
http://nutrition.ucps.k12.nc.us/php/freereduced.php

With the median household income in the US at approx $50,000 does anyone else find this absurd???

Hell if my girlfriend and I move in, have five kids, and she chooses not to work then my children would qualify for Free/Reduced lunch even with my salary as an Electrical Engineer. Woohoo!!

Eligibility for a household of 7 61,550

Maybe the government should start capping benefits at a certain X kid level threshold. Subsidizing someone elses irresponsible childbearing has to stop somewhere.


[Edited on April 9, 2010 at 12:19 PM. Reason : a]

4/9/2010 12:13:52 PM

Quote :

"rediculous. Education should be one of the last things touched"

We can already see its effects...

4/9/2010 12:19:52 PM

the thing that really infuriates me is the amount of money and resources allocated to "problem" students.
Some students require a one on one to follow them around to every class. now i can understand some students with legitimate medical problems, but it should be the burden of the child's medical care provider to pay for things like that, not the public school systems.

furthermore, there are students who are picked up from home and dropped back off by a taxi cab EVERY DAY. this is paid for by school system funds. I don't want to be too specific, but I heard of an example of this the other night where the kid was misbehaving on the bus, his "behavioral disorder" was cited as the cause, and now he gets a free taxi ride to and from school every day.

Scrape this shit off of the budget and free up some funds for providing a basic education for the main population.

4/9/2010 12:39:05 PM

well what about all these smart boards? where does the money from for those?

My fiancee is a HS English teacher and prefers book learning but apparently she's in the minority at her school. I can see the appeal for elementary kids - to keep them more involved and everything. But does it really make that much of a difference at the high school level?

4/9/2010 12:41:51 PM

Lol I read huge cats in edenburg nc

I'm astraladvent and I approved this message

4/9/2010 12:42:17 PM

What about all the money wasted in order to bus kids around the county to maintain a harmounous racial balence

4/9/2010 12:50:35 PM

^^^grants, school budgets, PTA, etc.

^agreed. (although this new wake county school board is made up of a bunch of reactionary loons.)

[Edited on April 9, 2010 at 12:51 PM. Reason : ]

4/9/2010 12:50:57 PM

Quote :

"half of my textbooks don't have covers anymore. (this is how I inherited them) probably because there is a picture of a crab on the front cover and it is an insult to call a crip a crab, so they vandalize any instance of that animal."

what a crocc of shit, made me regret that I even clicced this thread

4/9/2010 12:52:41 PM

what do you mean? it's what happens at my school.

4/9/2010 12:54:32 PM

hah pm sent

4/9/2010 1:03:58 PM

4/9/2010 1:05:16 PM

Quote :

"well when we still try to push everyone through school on a college track, it is doomed to fail. there needs to be a trade school system, and students who choose to go that route need to be encouraged instead of feeling second class. when they graduate with a trade skill, they can immediately be a productive member of society, instead of wasting 2-3 years in college only to drop out because it isn't for them."

I grew up in a state with trade/vocational schools. of all the people I know who attended, I can think of maybe a few that are actually working in the trade they went to school for. And they're not doing anything they couldn't have done without going to those schools. They would have been better off in a traditional public school imo.

The core education in the vocational schools was not as good as the traditional public schools in the area. So now that they're not using what they learned, they're really just left with a sub-par high school education. You can go to a traditional school and not go to college. That is an option. And most schools still use some form of tracking or ability grouping. So you don't have to take the college prep level classes.

It's anecdotal, but vocational high schools are bullshit imo. You get out, and you're still in a situation where you're 18. Real, full-time jobs are tough to come by for 18yr olds, period. And you're asking teenagers to decide on a career path. Most college students don't know for certain what specific career path they want to pursue. Asking that of a teenager is borderline retarded.

Trade/vocational high schools were a great idea a while back. I'm not sure how much of a place they really have in today's culture. Kids today aren't going to be satisfied with "Oh, i'm studying to be a plumber!" I mean, I see nothing wrong with it. But no way would I have tried to commit to that when I was teenager. No career path that you can seek through a vocational high school is appealing enough to the youth of today for it to really matter.

Go to a traditional public school, get a better/more well-rounded education. You can always go to a community college or specific trade schools to learn what you need to get your foot in the door.

[Edited on April 9, 2010 at 1:07 PM. Reason : .]

4/9/2010 1:05:17 PM

do pay incentives or better yet, if your students constantly and consistently suck, take pay away and then the next step fire the teacher, that will get rid of a bunch of the sorry teachers in the system

[Edited on April 9, 2010 at 1:13 PM. Reason : w]

4/9/2010 1:11:25 PM

look at today's educational system though... sure graduation rates are high, but the meaning of a diploma is much less than it was 20, 40, 60 years ago. Hell 100 years ago, if you graduated high school you came out knowing calculus, latin, french, biology, physics, chemistry (inorganic and organic), etc. (of course far less than half of the population graduated 100 years ago.)

4/9/2010 1:12:44 PM

^^There are sorry teachers to be sure, but the entire system needs an overhaul... today's school culture just isn't going to cut it. To counter your point, how do you decide who to cut... comparing a teacher at a school with one student population to a teacher at a school with another population is not going to work. It's not just the individual teacher who determines how well their student perform on tests... it's a school-wide/district-wide problem.

[Edited on April 9, 2010 at 1:17 PM. Reason : ]

4/9/2010 1:15:25 PM

Quote :

"Most college students don't know for certain what specific career path they want to pursue. Asking that of a teenager is borderline retarded."

if they would get out and work some different jobs and figure out what they do and do not like (i.e. mature), they might be able to decide. i worked on the chicken farm and hated it, helped my grandaddy with farming and hated it, but i loved helping my dad with engines and mechanical stuff in the shop, so i knew from about 13 yrs old that i wanted to be a mechanical engineer and now i love it. these kids aren't gonna wanna do anything except make video games.

[Edited on April 9, 2010 at 2:17 PM. Reason : big picture is this shit starts at home, which means most of these kids are SOL]

4/9/2010 2:16:24 PM

i say we tax and/or penalize the ever loving dog shit out of all the senior executives that were at the massive financial institutions when the crisis developed, and put that money towards offsetting these budget cuts for education.

4/9/2010 2:43:01 PM

they were just trying to get paid, man. can't fault them for that. we ain't a bunch of comrades who look out for one another. this is amurrica. look out for yourself and fuck the rest of em.

4/9/2010 2:49:25 PM

can't tell if you're being serious or not - and just short of going all soapbox section on you - i say funk all that; a good number of them were being unethical and they knew it:

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/how-repo-105-was-lehmans-accounting-drug-2010-03-12

whatever.

in my not so humble opinion, i say screw everything else as long as education is well funded.

4/9/2010 3:11:30 PM