OT-NC BUDGET ISSUES

As most of you know, I am a teacher.  The proposed cuts to the Education Budget for next year or horrific.  In our school system we are losing 64 positions that include In-School Suspension Personnel, Alternative School Personnel and Resource Officers (cops) across the board.  The damage that is being done to the education of NC children is going to put us back about 20 years.  I am prepared to lose part of my salary--they are telling us it may be as much as 10% of our overall pay but I am not prepared to watch my students suffer. 

If you have not taken the time to contact your legisative representatives please do so as soon as possible.  There are so many areas that we still cut money from--do away with all of the EOG testing, cut some of the Literacy Coaching positions , stop double dipping etc.   Please let your representatives know that you are watching and expecting a miracle. 

I hear ya... David works for the school system here in the county and there have been some touchy times with it as of late. The good news is that he's very versatile and trained in a number of areas that benefit him in the private sector but they also make him a very valuable asset to the school system's maintenance department. I have lots of family members in education and administration so we talk about this subject almost daily.

Thanks for bringing it to everyone's attention on here.

- Iris

As a state employee, married to a teacher, I wholeheartedly agree!  This is very scary!  Thank you for what you do for our children!

Another State Employee here.  Thanks for bringing this up.  The cuts are VERY deep, beyond anything I or anyone else in my office have ever seen.  Our lawn and cleaning service have even been cut!  The grass is knee high and I  just cleaned the restroom in our office a few minutes ago myself becaue I felt it was a heath hazzard. 

The problem I have is there are no "real" attempts at cost cutting, at least where it needs to be.  Pet projects, "fluffy" positions, perks, etc.  The crowd in Raleigh seems to be trying to balance the budget on the backs of hard-working state employees and-most disturbing-our children.  Yes, call you legislators and tell them you are watching and will be voting. 

Jason

Whole heartedly agree.  My wife is a state employee and the cuts in the school system are just plain horrific.  She works as a child nutritionist and believe me when I tell you the school lunches are not fit for child consumption.  They design the menus to provide the very basic and minimal nutritional values, just enough to get by, high calorie, high carb, high sugar, lots of filler, while saving money on healthy ingredients at the cost of our childrens health.  And lets not talk about the staff being asked to push the sale of unhealthy snack foods like ice cream and chips in order to help supplement the operating budget.  Suffice to say, we pack our childs lunch as often as possible.  Then there's the massive layoffs.  No more teachers aids, increased classroom sizes, constant pressure on the PTA and parents to contribute more to the 'free' school system to buy supplies, and lets not talk about the ludicrous idea of state mandated furloughs.  WHEN is a teacher supposed to take off from school.  There are no more aides to sit in for the teacher and the county cant afford subs.  As for the benefits, well thank you Bev for finding a way to salvage the state health plan.  You kept the premiums at a great rate for most employees, free.  But you raised every copay and coinsurance level so high that you can't afford to use the plan.  Way to go Raleigh... In the meantime, did anyone in the capital city ever consider that spending a boat load of money on the gubernatorial ball was a selfish waste of taxpayer money in light of our current economic situation.  Equivalent to an Enron debacle IMO.  Yes your the first female governor of our state and for that I am very proud of you for making history, but if the trend continues, and your current style of governing with a sledge hammer becomes your forte', you and most of our government officials will not be reelected in 4 years.  As Jason said, stop trying to balance the budget on the backs of the hard working folks and at the expense of our kids.  There is always more than one way to skin a cat.  Find a better way.  Sorry for the rant but just needed to vent.

WELL SAID--NOW COPY AND PASTE IN AN E-MAIL TO YOUR LEGISLATURE. 

Teacher here as well. Our state is in a big mess. We need to take action and we need to do it quick!

Lisa

I know and it's so horrible!  I can't believe what they are cutting. Including the school for the blind.. Our son that died had therapist  from the school for the blind and they were so wonderful.  They are our community resource.  I just can't believe the cuts..

Kelly