Of course those things could happen. Changes happen all the time. When that happens you reevaluate your situation and make changes where needed. My point was there are several counties on that map that would be solvent. Why is that?

 

Not sure at all. I’m curious as to why Garrard County would lose over 2 million in funding, Mercer County would lose 1.7 million and Boyle County would lose up to 800K if my numbers are correct. Why they all wouldn’t lose the same is confusing to me but I know all three schools would be in different shape for various reasons if the budget goes through. Without knowing how or why each specific school district spent their money it is all left to speculation. School districts need money for different reasons. When that money is gone and won’t be replaced it will be up to the parents to replace those funds or the quality of a public school education will take a hit.

Let's also not downplay teachers, and the important role they play in everyone's life. And that's what seems to be the common theme....the belief that teachers are easily replaceable, or are already overpaid for what they do, and should just drop their protest and get back to work.

 

I've not once downplayed the importance of teachers, or said that they were easily replaceable or overpaid, and I apologize if it's come off that way. That's not my intention.

 

I support their right to protest, but I do think they should be in the classroom instead of protesting. Especially those that are using "sick" days to do so. JMO, but that's sending the wrong message to the students.

 

No one is saying there is no need for money. No one is saying that money is not a required to function in society. What people are saying is it is not the deciding factor nor the driving force why people do everything (including profession).

 

I'm not saying it's the driving force, just that it is taken into consideration. Whether consciously or subconsciously, it plays a role.

Henderson is in the top 20% of Per Capita income in KY, so compared to some counties they are wealthy.

Ohio Co is in the bottom 40% and Clay Co. is almost dead last. Both are solvent.

Your tax contribution helped make that private school possible. All those special ed kids go to public schools and private schools don't spend time and resources educating them. All those children from tough economic and family situations who can't afford private schools, the public schools teach them. All those discipline problems, you get to tell them goodbye and wish them good luck in public schools. No need to say thank you for your contribution because your tax dollars are just another part of the cost to get the private school experience you wanted. Without your tax dollars, your private school isn't possible. However, any thanks that you want to say to public schools for making that private school possible are appreciated.

 

You may want to look into what % of students that attend Holy Cross have been in an LD program before you make statements like the bolded. And you are correct I sacrificed so my kids would not be attending school with all of those discipline problems. I cleaned toilets after school so I could attend a private high school. It's all about choices!

Ohio Co is in the bottom 40% and Clay Co. is almost dead last. Both are solvent.

 

For 2 years.

 

How Clay is remains a mystery to me.

For 2 years. How Clay is remains a mystery to me.

That could mean they are good to go for 20 years or it could mean they will fold after 2. The only thing we know for certain is they are good for at least the next 2.

You may want to look into what % of students that attend Holy Cross have been in an LD program before you make statements like the bolded. And you are correct I sacrificed so my kids would not be attending school with all of those discipline problems. I cleaned toilets after school so I could attend a private high school. It's all about choices!

 

So if 650,000 students decided to go to private school they could?

 

How many counties don’t even have a private school? My home County has a private school that can get you to 5th grade, and then public middle and high school is the only choice you have.

That could mean they are good to go for 20 years or it could mean they will fold after 2. The only thing we know for certain is they are good for at least the next 2.

 

Exactly. We don’t know a lot, so i don’t think we can compare how good they are with me. These cuts hit transportation hard. Maybe a solvent county doesn’t need to update their fleet while another had a rash of buses that needed to be purchased.

 

Maybe a county had to replace an outdated building and now has a bond payment.

 

It’s confirmed more counties will be near insolvency if drastic changes are made to the budget.

Sped is much more than learning disabilities. It can vary over a spectrum of classifications. What percentage of students at Holy Cross are Sped? How many are EBD, OHI, or FMD? Private schools can decide not to except these students if in no other basis than being unable to meet the student’s needs. Public education facilities are required to.

You may want to look into what % of students that attend Holy Cross have been in an LD program before you make statements like the bolded. And you are correct I sacrificed so my kids would not be attending school with all of those discipline problems. I cleaned toilets after school so I could attend a private high school. It's all about choices!

 

Yep. And there is no right way. I personally wouldn't trade my kids experience (or mine for that matter) at a public school for the chance for them to attend any private school in the world. There are issues and problems regardless of whether you choose public or private. And it's great that people do have choices. Not everybody has the choice though. I'll continue to stand up for the teachers, out of respect for the ones that helped shape my life, for my wife and daughter who have been/will be a teacher, and for the many teachers I deal with on a regular basis as a coach in a public school system.

I stated earlier that I fully support public schools & funding of public schools, but I also believe that a lot of the funding is improperly funneled.

 

Some stats to explain what I mean: From 1950 to 2009, student population in American schools increased 96%. In that same time period, teacher positions increased 252%. Also in that same time period, the non-teaching positions increased 702%.

 

There is a lot wrong with that.

 

 

The hidden half: School employees who don't teach | The Thomas B. Fordham Institute

 

3 administrators (principal, vice principal, guidance counselor)

 

32 certified teachers

 

29 para educators (classroom aides, bathroom aides and such)

 

8 cafeteria staff

 

9 building support (custodians and building matienence)

 

3 office staff.

So if 650,000 students decided to go to private school they could?

 

How many counties don’t even have a private school? My home County has a private school that can get you to 5th grade, and then public middle and high school is the only choice you have.

 

If all of the private school students wanted to go to public schools what would happen?

If all of the private school students wanted to go to public schools what would happen?

 

The public schools would take them. They'd have to. There are many areas, especially in rural locations, where private school simply isn't an option, and all kids are in public schools.

Exactly. We don’t know a lot, so i don’t think we can compare how good they are with me. These cuts hit transportation hard. Maybe a solvent county doesn’t need to update their fleet while another had a rash of buses that needed to be purchased. Maybe a county had to replace an outdated building and now has a bond payment. It’s confirmed more counties will be near insolvency if drastic changes are made to the budget.

I get that. And again you are missing my original point. Just because a district would be in trouble per the map doesn't mean they have a ton of waste. I was simply pointing out that there are plenty of counties that would be solvent. Maybe these counties need to be looked at to see what is working for them. Can those things be applied to the struggling counties. In the end you may learn there just needs to be an increase in funds. But to assume that just because a district is struggling isn't fair either. Funny you mention replacing buildings...Henderson is currently building a new elementary school building to replace a current one that has water and mold issues. That building will be done for the start of the new school year in August. Now I'm starting to think we are paying too much local tax...http://bluegrasspreps.com/images/smilies/lol.gif