Round table discussion on education in Texas Monthly

[Ernest T Bass]

Good stuff here. All but one seem to have a clue what's happening.


Night of the Living Ed (http://www.texasmonthly.com/2011-05-01/feature2.php)

[rancher]

Their solution like most educrats, is mo money, mo money, there is never enough. What dont Dr. Anthony with his big fat salary and perks, go look ONE OF THOSE 650 BAE EMPLOYEES IN SEALY WHO JUST GOT LAID OFF THIS WEEK OR ONE OF THOSE 2300 CITY OF HOUSTON EMPLOYEES WHO ARE GOING TO BE LAID OFF COME MAY 14TH AND TELL THEM WE NEED TO PUT OUR HAND IN YOUR POCKET FOR A FEW MORE TAX DOLLARS.

[Ernest T Bass]

So, when you're adding 80,000 students a year, the solution is less?
How 'bout you just fix the issue that caused the problem in the first place? I love this part;

mccown: But the voters have basically been lied to. In 2006 we had this tax swap. We funded it the first biennium after that with one-time savings, and we funded it the second biennium with the Federal Recovery Act. Nobody ever told the voters that this tax cut was going to result in these cuts to education.

So, basically, Perry is a complete fraud. He created a shortfall(which he knew he would) that has now hit for the 3rd time. The first time it hit, he used what was the Rainy Day Fund at that time. The second time, he used federal stimulus money(which he spoke out against and even suggested seccession in response to). Unbelievable.

[VWG]

:1popcorn:

[rancher]

How about making do with less, I know that is a very very strange concept to educrats. Start by reducing those over bloated Supt. salaries and their perks, then start by making a pay reduction of 1-2% of teacher salaries. These school districts are bloated and wasteful just like the federal government. Both just wanting to ride in the wagon while all of us taxpayers pull it.

[Ernest T Bass]

Ahhhh, now I get it. You're one of those people that doesn't know the difference between national and state politics, since state politics don't make much news.
Yes, the federal government has been spending like a drunk roughneck on payday for at least 10 years. However, the state of Texas has been one of, in not the most, fiscally lean states in the union for many years. We don't have a spending problem. We have a funding problem that was created in 2005 and implemented in 2006. There's very little room to cut, especially in education. We're already 47th in education spending, and we have one of the most challenging demographics to educate. Cutting it further will all but guarantee a caste system in the state of Texas. Plus, your tax dollars will now pay to incarcerate them. So, you're money's spent one way or another.

[rancher]

Defined Benefit Plan Under Attack Legislative Plan Calls for the End of TRS Benefit as We Know It. The House Committee on Pensions, Investments and Financial Services (PIFS) will have a public hearing on HB 2506, a bill that calls for the elimination of the state defined benefit plan provided for employees of the Texas Teacher Retirement System (TRS) and the Employee Retirement System (ERS).
Things are going to change. Here is link

http://www.trta.org/viewUpdate.cfm?updateid=7D7B245A-B317-6ACF-2E45514050F8E350

[Ernest T Bass]

Yes, I know. If this all goes through there will be a massive teacher shortage. Gonna be damned hard to get people with college degrees to subject themselves to that kinda abuse.

[rancher]

That's the way it is in the real world where productive people work and have to live pay check to pay check. Just ask the 650 employees at BAE in Sealy who were just let go. In a few weeks ask the 2300 City of Houston employees who will be without jobs. This will include 180 police officers and 200 firemen.

As the BLOATED SCHOOL DIST. SAY MO MONEY MO MONEY, THERE IS NEVER ENOUGH.

[Ernest T Bass]

Yep, all due to Perry's 2005 debacle. Wonder how well we'd be able to handle the recession had he not had to spend the FIRST Rainy Day Fund to cover the first shortfall he created in 2007, and then spend all that Federal stimulus money that he spoke out against to cover the second shortfall he created in 2009. That's at least $30 billion, plus interest, the state of Texas would have at its disposal to cover this TRUE rainy day; not the artificial rainy days of the last 4 years.
But, this will now usher in the new "Business" approach to education. Hide and watch how fast public education deteriorates, now!