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HESD votes to cut 13 positions

By Shannon Milliken
smilliken@HanfordSentinel.com

Fifteen is enough. Hanford Elementary School District trustees unanimously eliminated 13 non-teaching positions for 2008-2009 on Wednesday night, bringing the total reduction to 15 positions in order to cut costs in the face of funding cuts.

The elimination came in a resolution that included a reduction in paid work hours to nine other positions.

District Superintendent Paul Terry said at this time no more staff cuts are planned.

Board President Timothy Revious said at Wednesday's meeting that the decision to make the cuts was "bittersweet," but added that he didn't know what else the district could do. He also mentioned that the district's staff, administration and teacher's association had spent a "considerable" amount of time laboring over this.

"Anytime you have to let people go, it's always hard," Revious said. "But we're going to get through this."

Terry said that these cuts prepare the district for the worst case scenario, based on the budget cuts Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger proposed earlier this year --barring the potential for a radical turn for the worse to be revealed in the May revise.

Of the district's eliminated positions, seven will trigger reassignments or will be satisfied through attrition. But about six of the eliminated positions will result in layoffs of district classified employees. Two other positions were cut in March by trustees for next year, reassigning one wellness specialist and one literacy coach to classroom teacher positions.

Eight of the 13 newly-eliminated positions are student advocates at the district's elementary sites. The two middle schools will retain their student advocates and some elementary sites will retain an employee filling the similar role of student specialist, which will be funded through the respective school's categorical dollars.

"I know it's hard," said April Silva, president of the Hanford Elementary Teachers Association. "But we're trying to stay away from the classroom as much as possible. Ultimately it's what is best for our kids."

District officials chose not to layoff any teachers due to budgetary issues.

The staff reduction came about a month after the trustee approval of a resolution that will keep Jefferson School closed next year, because it would have cost about $350,000 to reopen and operate.

The district's 2007-08 operational deficit of $616,000, plus a $300,000 reduction in funding due to declining enrollment, added to the governor's proposal of nearly $1 million in additional cuts, meant the district needed to cut $2.6 million in its '08-09 budget.

The reporter can be reached at 583-2424.

(April 17, 2008)

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The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the views of the Hanford Sentinel

Amazed wrote on Apr 17, 2008 2:13 PM:

" Sure don't want to make reductions to our social programs now do we? "

My opinion wrote on Apr 17, 2008 7:15 PM:

" Anytime you have to let people go, it's always hard," Revious said. "But we're going to get through this." Easy to say Tim since you are not laying yourself off. "

What??? wrote on Apr 17, 2008 8:41 PM:

" To "Amazed"

What are you talking about? "

interesting... wrote on Apr 17, 2008 9:50 PM:

" Seems to me the trustees are a little behind in this matter, student advocates were notified of their layoff over a month ago. What an absurd statement by the HETA president to say that they are staying away from the classrooms and ultimately it is what is best for the kids! If HESD really cared about the KIDS then they would value the student advocates who are TRULY for the kids and caring for their social, emotional, and behavioral needs, but I guess since those parts of the kids aren't measurement by the state tests it is insignificant. "

scorpio79_42069 wrote on Apr 18, 2008 1:20 AM:

" My mother has worked for HESD for 27 years!!!!! She has now lost her job & is being forced to retire because she DOES NOT SPEAK SPANISH!!!!! Her job description has NOT changed over 27 years. Speaking Spanish has never been a requirement to do her job. Shame on HESD for being prejudiced against a hard-working, & dedicated employee who is not bi-lingual!!!!! "

Know your facts! wrote on Apr 18, 2008 5:06 PM:

" To Scoripio...
Your mother is NOT being let go because HESD doesn't like that fact that she doesn't speak Spanish. This is in reference to a STATE requirement that all teachers are to be CLAD Certified. I know because I had to get my CLAD. It was a waste of time and just a hoop to jump through to get the state people happy, but rules are rules. If your mom wants to keep her job, she can take the CLAD test or the coursework. After 27 years, I'm sure she'd rather just retire than take care of the CLAD as it's expensive and time consuming. Once again, it's not HESD, it's the STATE that you should complain about! And by the way...I agree that to have your CLAD doesn't mean you are somehow a great teacher. I learned nothing from the classes. It's just common sense stuff and good teaching skills. "

Money saver wrote on Apr 18, 2008 11:45 PM:

" Here's an idea. How about if all the schools turned off their air conditioners when teachers leave for the days. I live near Monroe Elementary and the air conditioners run 24/7, week ends and through most of the summer. Surely considerable money could be saved by doing this. "

Not represented wrote on Apr 19, 2008 12:13 AM:

" "the districts staff, administration and teacher's association had spent a considerable smount of time laboring over this". I don't mean to point fingers but the only people who were not represented at this meeting are the one's being let go. None from the districts staff or administrators are taking a hit. The teacher's aren't taking a hit because you know if you cut that back you won't be meeting minimum Federal requirements. So what was so hard or worth laboring over? I bet you if a tune up man was to hit the HESD offices and conduct one of those head hunting surveys they could find jobs to eliminate right there in that building. As you say it not coming anywhere close to the classroom. Top Heavy does anyone get that term you must trim the fat at the top and quit making the students pay the price. I'll bet you if that tune up man began with the bean counters and worked his way down he could find several positions he would and could cut, saving even more money. Admin has always been top heavy in the HESD. "

Not represented wrote on Apr 19, 2008 12:21 AM:

" I have a suggestion you teachers take roll in your classes everyday. Tell ya what start taking roll on how often a Board member, Administrator walks into your classroom to see what's going on? Keep this list for a period of a full school year and turn it in to the Hanford Sentinel and let it be printed for everyone to see. Then we the citizens will begin a petition to have them removed from their offices and save the district lots of money. Teachers are burdened enough with ill mannered gang members coming to school because it is the only thing their mom and dads make them do regularly. Then you want to take one of the support personnel who help deal with the day to day problems of students away from them. Well then how much are you now going to reimburse them for their time involved carrying for students needs above and beyond preparing and teaching a lesson plan, is my question? Zero, goose egg while you set back and collect a fat salary and work towards a fatter retirement. Now who needs an education? "

Blown away in Hanford, heard it all now. . . . . wrote on Apr 19, 2008 1:25 AM:

" To scorpio79_42069 Are you sure about this. If so they are in violation of at least two laws that I know of the first being age discrimination, she has a clear cut case for that with her 27 year history. Secondly, they are violating her freedom of speech rights by not allowing her to speak in her own language. She has been speaking it in that position for at least 27 years longer than whoever replaced her and without just cause I might add, which throws in wrongful termination. Where does a person go to get a job after 27 years of loyal service to start all over again? Shame on you HESD. Hanford Sentinel here is your next assignment, should you decide to take it, please get to the bottom of this story. Does the Superintenden of Schools speak Spanish???????
Does the Superintendent speak Tagalaque?????? Then fire that scoundrel he can't bommunicate. "

Poor Revious wrote on Apr 19, 2008 2:16 PM:

" Revious really sounds sincere about the lost positions. I wonder if all those thousands of dollare spent on the many trips to New York City would have saved some positions? After all Revious did go to New York and got a $1500 cash abvance. Did Revious ever consider cutting the top heavy administration positions that make over $100,000? Do the kids really come first? "

Mag wrote on Apr 19, 2008 7:35 PM:

" Why can't the schools be like the courts and hospitals? In civil matters, if you need a translator, you have to bring your own. "

high school mom wrote on Apr 20, 2008 2:49 AM:

" It's just as bad at the high schools. There are aids that have been told that they won't have a job in the fall. Maybe the vice-principals that ride around in the air conditioned carts can take on some of that responsibility, I know that they have a pretty busy day, especially watching over the kids leaving school in the parking lots. It's always a joy taking my life into my own hands when I have to pick up my child and NEVER see any admin, safety officers, or whoever uses the police car I see in the Grangeville lot all day. I have a child graduating that was never told of a simple thing she should have done to qualify for the Presidents scholarship because her counselor didn't think that she would want to go to West Hills. But he never asked her what she wanted to do with her life. "

scorpio79_42069 wrote on Apr 20, 2008 6:17 AM:

" To "Know your facts" My mother is NOT a teacher!!!! If you read the article, and I am sure you did since you think that you know everything. There were 13 NON-TEACHING positions cut!!!!!! If a spanish class would have been offered, my mother would have taken it. To "blown away" yes I am sure about that. I agree with you!!! "

Blown away in Hanford can't believe this one wrote on Apr 21, 2008 5:29 AM:

" Scorpio - I know this won't help your situation but I do know there was a video circulating the net where Fire Fighter Supervisors in Oregon/Washington were being let go because illegal immigrants were brought in to fight fires and because the supervisors couldn't speak spanish they were being terminated. Supervisors familiar with the areas fought lots of fires there before but couldn't fight these because of illegal immigrants helping put out the fires. Is that a crock or what? This bilingual thing is just getting too rediculous. But you teachers better bone up when Iraq is over you will also be required to speak about 19 different dilects of Arabic/Hindu. Not to mention you will have to start writing from right to left after all these years. This language thing would be funny if it weren't so devistating to so many people who are caught up in it and losing their jobs because of it. Whatever happened to English as a first language? "

Blown away in Hanford, heard it all now . . . wrote on Apr 21, 2008 6:56 AM:

" ATTENTION: HESD AND SCHOOL BOARD SUPERVISORS, I have a solution to all your problems, just lit the lightbulb in my head. Only accept English speaking students and you can lay off all those bilingual positions you have filled over the last twenty odd years. Think about it, how many more of those are there than English speaking positions now? Just boot the non english speaking back to Mexico or South of the border Countries. The state school requirements can be made because they say it is the struggling non english speaking students driving test scores down. Teachers get to keep their jobs, not quite as many but quite a few. Sounds like a win win to me, we never volunteered to have our taxes pay for non-english speaking students in the first place. Property taxes could be reduced, of course there would have to be cuts in Principles and Administration positions finally. Reduced spending on medical costs, reduced costs for immunizations, reduced cost for free lunches, reduced cost for school lunches, less students. Then we could get back to providing an education for those who legally deserve one. "

JC wrote on Apr 21, 2008 10:16 AM:

" To blown away: The issue here is "funding cuts". The school district gets just us much funding for a non-english speaking student as it does for any other student. Your simplistic approach coupled with your obvious hatred towards hispanics makes you the "perfect person" to fix the currents issues that the HESD faces. "

WOW wrote on Apr 21, 2008 3:10 PM:

" TO MY OPINION: That was a great STATEMENT.....Isnt that the truth.....wonder how Revious would feel if it was his job that was being cut!!!!!!!!!! "

WOW wrote on Apr 21, 2008 3:32 PM:

" I think that we should get the idot out that runs the state as well.....I agree with cutting the fat from the top.....They all ride around in their carts (WH as well) what a joke....Cut their jobs!!!!!! Revious shame on you......1500 advance wow.... "

Blown away in Hanford again . . . . wrote on Apr 21, 2008 4:10 PM:

" To JC, first of all I do not have a hatred of hispanics. I have a hatred for leaching, illegal immigrants who feel this country somehow owes them something. I don't know what rock you been living under but they have all but bankrupted California paying for their medical treatment, welfare, and various other programs they have taken advantage of including the educational system. If an education is so important to them why do we have to provide them a bilingual employee to teach them. Why aren't they required to learn English as all other students are and at what point do we quit providing bilingual employees. I say the reason they are provided is because they are so use to breaking laws to come here they teach their children that they don't have to learn english because a translator will be provided. That isn't a Hispanic problem that is a society problem. What are you gonna do when all the bilingual hispanics are replaced by bilingual vietnamese, iraqi's, arabs, who have no choice but to speak english, then who's gonna be crying fowl? Then who is gonna translate? "

Blown away in Hanford again . . . . wrote on Apr 21, 2008 4:21 PM:

" To JC, if the matter is cutting costs, then why is there never any cuts in the administration building? Why must it come from programs for the students. Why can't the non-speaking students who are hispanic be required to learn english like all other immigrants have had to do in this country. WHAT MAKES THEM SO SPECIAL!!!!! Care to respond to that question? It's easy to play that race card everytime the serious nuts and bolts of the meat of things is thrown in your face. What's next do we segregate the school system and give the illegal hispanics their own schools? That's pretty much who is running the show now anyway. We wasted all that money trying to desegregate them only to have them segregated right before our eyes. This is not a hatred for legal united states citizens and it really isn't a hate for illegal immigrants, it is a fact of life the state can't continue to bend it's economic back catering to a certain group of people. If they can't speak English let them home school them. Why should all the other students suffer? "

Blown away in Hanford again . . . . wrote on Apr 21, 2008 4:31 PM:

" To JC, if I sound frustrated it is because I am, nowhere in any society has any one species ever had so much favortism shown toward them. Ballots in Spanish, if they don't care to learn to read and write English or are too lazy, don't know that I want them voting. Bilingual translator provided at trials, don't commit crimes you won't need them. Bilingual Court Reporters same answer. I get pulled over by a Police Officer, I can't request a German Speaking Officer, good thing I can't speak German, but I was born in America the English speaking community. This state and the country for that fact have made decisions based on the entire community with only one group of citizens in mind for too long. You have generations of illegals who can't speak english because the original law breakers who came here never bothered to learn it. We the great enablers of the world have created this problem and it is time we correct it. A 27 year veteran employee of HESD is laid off because she can't speak Spanish? That my friends is a lawsuit waiting to happen. "

Get a clue folks wrote on Apr 21, 2008 4:48 PM:

" People on here complain about bilingual programs, but HESD is doing what is required by law. You don't want them to teach non-English speakers? Fine. Will you take the blame when their funding is taken away and they have complaints from the Office of Civil Rights? No, I didn't think so.

While there might be a few folks in HESD tthere for the money, most do it because of the rewarding nature of their work. For the few well-paid people that have worked their way to the top, there are many making less than what they could make in the private sector.

The Teacher's College in New York is an excellent program, and HESD made an investment in their teachers and administrators to benefit the children. Professional Development is often paid for with money that the state says can only go to training - not to salaries. So what if Revious got a $1500 advance for the trip? Why wouldn't the district pay for his hotel and meals on a district trip?

I encourage everyone here to get involved and really find out how schools have their hands tied so that you have some understanding. "

To What??? wrote on Apr 21, 2008 4:53 PM:

" What I'm talking about is everytime there's budget cutting to do, public safety and education always seem to be the first to get cut. Have you heard of any planned reductions to our Welfare program or the many other freebie programs this state has been providing those who don't even pay taxes? "

Know Your Facts wrote on Apr 21, 2008 8:07 PM:

" I'm sorry that Scorpio is such an unhappy person and feels the need to lash out. Maybe his mom should look at this as an opportunity to retire and spend time on herself. I hope she is able to do this and not to worry, I will not post anymore comments as it's just a waist of my time. "

Blow Away in Hanford wrote on Apr 21, 2008 8:20 PM:

" Question was raised and never answered by all the budjet cutting conerned admin types on here. Were the trips to New York for teachers, staff and administration made on the backs of these poor souls losing their jobs now? What does New York have to offer that isn't available within the other 47 states in the continental United States? Has HESD Admin Offices become a tourism bureau for the Hanford Elementary School District and it's teachers now? I thought we were suppose to be supporting bringing people to Hanford not paying for people in Hanford to fly to New York? That's the other question this high impact training couldn't be presented within the confines of our community and buy one plane ticket and pay for one motel/hotel room, where is the concentrated effort of the Administration, Staff and Teacher's Association who labored endlessly over that decision? I believe Mr. Revious was included in at least one of those trips at taxpayers expense. Since when do you take the audience to the Speaker instead of bringing the Speaker to the audience, new concept at HESD. Well in my opinion it's nonsense. "

La_PLebe wrote on Apr 22, 2008 1:46 PM:

" ALL I HAVE TO SAY IS: HISPANICS ARE NEEDED "EVERYWHERE"!!! IM HISPANIC 100% AND HERE AT MY JOB, IM NEEDED ON A "EVERY HOUR BASES". THEY WILL BE SORRY.. TIME WILL TELL!!! "

Blown Away in Hanford again . . . . wrote on Apr 22, 2008 1:58 PM:

" To: Get a clue Folks, are you telling me that the School Districts hands are tired to the point that the Instructor couldn't have been flown out here and taught all those local teachers rather than the teacher's individually/as a group had to travel to New York and that was the only option available? Then if they are that closed minded on their offerings, we should have passed on the courses. Economics is one of the courses offered in education but seldom do you see good common sense economics being applied by this School District. Example: Let's build a school then not have the funding available to operate it, decide not to open it for another school year to save money and let it set vacant and expose it to vandalism for nine or twelve months because no one is around. Good solid Economics right? If we can't afford to operate something we shouldn't have built it. You are paid by the student by the state how does closing a school for a year save money? If that's the case let's close all of them and save a bundle. "

JC wrote on Apr 22, 2008 2:23 PM:

" To blown Away: Its easy to blame the states financial problems on illegal immigrants. Illigal immigrants have taxes taking out of their paychecks just like me and you (I don't know where the money that is taken out for Social Security goes since most of them use false social security numbers). Listen, our problem is that we keep electing mediocre people to represent us at the highest levels of the state and country. Those are the people that need to be blamed for missmanaging the state's dollars without any regard to the tax payers. I'll give you a quick example. The LA times runned a story about how the state spent 72.5 million dollars to repave a freeway that had the same job done 3 years prior. According to the story, that type of job is generally needed every 25-30 years. I don't think there was any illegal immigrants voting for the approval of such a project. That was just one of the many idiotic spending habits that our state congress continually puts into action. "

Blown Away Again Again Again wrote on Apr 22, 2008 3:20 PM:

" JC every race you can think of has performed these so called menial jobs no one else will work in the United States, at one time or another. But the illegal immigrants from south of the border have made a year round job out of what use to be seasonal work. They come up here they work the season, then they apply for benefits and are even probably entitled to Unemployment Insurance for a time. They qualify for low income housing and we have all seen twelve people living in the same house all capable of working. Then there is food stamps, welfare, WIC and MEDI-CAL for their spouses or second family here and like I said they take a seasonal job and turn it into a year round benefit compliments of the taxpayers of this state. It is literally breaking the taxpayers back and bankrupting California. We can afford to repave a few highways in California twice that is a one time expenditure this one is from generation to generation to generation forever amen. Please do the math even if I am half right it's ridiculous for us to pay it. "

Bobb wrote on Apr 22, 2008 3:23 PM:

" There was an article in the Bee yesterday about a woman who had immigrated here 30 years ago, but had got married before coming voiding her legal status. No problem with me that it should be corrected, but what concened me was the fact that she spoke to the reporter through an interpeter. Thiry years in the US and she didn't speak English. That, my friends, is the problem and why everything is geared to bilingual services. I have no problem with keeping ones native language, but after 30 years at least assimilate enough to speak the host counties language. "

Blown Away Again Again Again wrote on Apr 22, 2008 3:28 PM:

" JC They said several years ago Welfare had a five year limit on it. Well let's see if you collect for five years under an assumed name then five years later you go back and collect it under another assumed name, right? So they take your thumb print, no two thumb prints are alike use your other thumb the next time. Better yet send one of the other eleven people in to apply for it. The scams are in place before the welfare laws can be changed and supplemented. Sure if they get caught it's Welfare Fraud, how many cases have you seen in Kings County in the past five years maybe three, that's not a very good track record if you ask me. We implement programs with the fear of being investigated then we don't supply enough investigators to sufficiently do the job. They already know there is more of them than those keeping track of them. So it's a pretty safe bet they won't get caught. Put a bounty on those committing the fraud and watch those numbers jump in a hurry. "

Tom Thumb wrote on Apr 22, 2008 7:24 PM:

" The grand jury affirmed that Presley went over $90k over budget for travel her last year or whatever. The NY trips were just party vacations. Amazing how any supt. can't seem to do things right, even when they've got a board supposedly overseeing everything. Take Lemoore Elem. Their new supt. has already hired an asst. supt. (so much for cutting costs) who doesn't even appear in the teacher/admin credentialing database. Does he just hire people off the street? Let the lawsuits begin because things are going to go south really soon for that district too. "

You know what wrote on Apr 22, 2008 7:47 PM:

" Nothing should be cut in Education or anything that benefits the kids.If the State cuts anything,they just cuts any benefits prisoners have.Give then rice and beans and peanutbutter and water to drink.Legalize the death penalty,that will save a bundle.Pay our farmers for dairy products and canned meat ect like in the old days,before foodstamps.And do away with food stamps.Do away with Sect 8 rent,if they can afford a pimped up rides and the women get the men in there anyway,they will be fine.Don't blame the kids for their parents stupidity not to teach them English.The school calls parents in when they are not doing well,then they should be told teach them English or pay a fee.Pay a fee or do community time. "

To Tom Thumb wrote on Apr 22, 2008 9:56 PM:

" Maybe you should learn how to spell the name of the new assistant superintendent of Lemoore Elementary...when I looked her up, I was able to see she has a clear administration and teaching credential. "

HELLO wrote on Apr 23, 2008 9:49 AM:

" WHAT POSITIONS HAVE BEEN CUT? "

Girl Friday wrote on Apr 23, 2008 9:57 AM:

" When I hear of this specialist and that specialist in the district office why not get rid of them I am sure they make a heck of alot more $$$$$$$ and no one seems to be able to explain just what they do they sure as heck don't provide the day to day education of our kids?????? Cut from the top down combine top level positions if you are going to make the big bucks you should tighten your belt not the lower level employee that is hands on with our kids "

Get a clue wrote on Apr 23, 2008 11:43 AM:

" To "blown away"... HESD has brought instructors in from the Teacher's College for certain kinds of instruction, and the visits to their campus are comprised of many sessions with many different instructors. These experiences are not available on-site for districts.

For everyone that knocks what any of the attendees did after hours, are you not allowed to do whatever you choose after you get off of work? Can you see a movie on your own time? Take in a play? Have a beer and watch a game at the corner bar? These people did the same thing on their own time - get over it. It's not like they could go home to their families in the evening, but all you nay-sayers would prefer that they sit in their hotel rooms... shame on you.

Cutting administrators sounds great, but who will then guide the district to make sure laws are being followed and proper instruction is taking place? Can you imagine 10 schools and 500 or so teachers all doing their own thing without any guidance? Yeah, that'd work like a football team without any coaches... That's brilliant, folks. "

WOW wrote on Apr 23, 2008 2:16 PM:

" TO GET A CLUE: listen guys they do not need that many people on top to run a school......yes you do need direction that is true but why do all the cut's have to be with the teachers...it is always that way..why cant this time it be from the top? "

JC wrote on Apr 23, 2008 5:16 PM:

" To blown away: It seems like you want to have your cake and eat it too. Sounds like you are o.k. with having illegal immigrants come and do the menial jobs as long as its only for a few months and then they can return home and be back for the next season. NO, you cannot receive unemployment benefits if you do not have a valid SSN. NO, you cannot receive welfare if you do not have a valid SSN (I'm sure some fall through the cracks like in any system, no system is perfect). As far as scams, I'm sure there is plenty of legal citizens scamming the system. I used to work with a white female (legal citizen) that seemed to be a very nice person, until one day the police came to our office and took her away. Later we found out that she had been scamming the welfare system for 11 years. "

JC wrote on Apr 23, 2008 5:27 PM:

" To blown away: All this anti-immigrant sentiment started after we got attacked on 9/11. Last time I checked, there wasn't any Hispanics flying any of the planes into the buildings (there was some on the planes as passengers though). And no, the Oklahoma City bombing was not conducted by a Hispanic. We keep looking to the south border as a problem (it is), but have you notice how very little is talked about the Northern border.......I've crossed both borders and believe me, If I was coming to the U.S. with the intent to hurt someone, I would be coming through the Canadian border. Maybe we don't say much abouth our northern neighbors because we don't need to hire a bilingual translator when we talk to them and therefore, we think they are our friends. I've been to Canada many times, and believe me, we are not liked there. There is plenty of Asian illegals that come in through the northern border, but once again, very little is talked about it. Maybe its because we think that they are coming here to open stores and create jobs. "

Blown Away in Hanford wrote on Apr 23, 2008 8:27 PM:

" To: Get A Clue, as long as that entertainment you speak of is not at taxpayers expense and can you prove it isn't? I am sure the taxpayers purchased meals which may contain bar tabs and even may have bought those theatre tickets. That is perks the average taxpayer can't get through their employment why should the HESD employees get it. As I said before if the program can't be brought to the School District to where all teachers can participate on an equal basis then I say the program should not be taught to any of them. As for administrators, yeah they may make sure the teachers are following all the laws but who oversees the administration a School Board with an open taxpayer checkbook. Your quickness to defend these classes tells me they were of little or no use to the community at large or the student body or you wouldn't be so quick to try and justify them. Why should Kings County pay dividends to teachers when their education like anyone else's is solely their responsibility. I say the Teacher's and Admin types should reimburse the Co. "

Blown Away in Hanford wrote on Apr 23, 2008 8:34 PM:

" To: Get A Clue, before somone takes action to prevent any expenditures of this type ever again, I'd suggest you put these expensive wasteful programs to a vote of the people who are paying for them or incur the expense yourselves. You standing up and saying it is justified doesn't change my mind one bit. Justified to you may not be justified to the average taxpayer paying for the service. As previously state one's education is the sole responsibility of that individual when you are talking about adults who alread possess degrees. Going to work for the school district should not guarantee a furthered education, I know several teachers who continued their educations at their own expense why change that now. As a Manager in the private sector I might receive help with such items as school books and tuition but that is where it stops transportation, housing, meals everything else is still my responsibility. What's good for the private sector where students have to compete for jobs is good enough for the Public School System, I thought School officials were held to a higher standard? Guess not, in this case. "

Ask the real experts wrote on Apr 23, 2008 9:16 PM:

" Maybe if the new superintendent and board took some time to talk to the people that really matter (the students and parents) and the teachers whether they would rather cut student advocates or other expenses, there would be some clarity as to what the priorities are...I am certain that the teachers are not happy with these cuts. Student advocates provided support, knowledge and expertise that even the overpaid district and school site administrators don't have and can't provide. Yes Tim, I am sure you'll "get through this", but the people that will have to pick up the slack are the teachers, school psychs and other classified staff who will be overburdened and in many cases expected to do things beyond their scope of their knowledge. It's amazing to me how disconnected people in power are from what really matters and why all of these professionals have jobs--to serve the students and the community. It's a job of service, not entitlement. When will the unstable and misguided administrators stop protecting their own moronic leaders and actually do what is right for the students?? "

Get a clue wrote on Apr 24, 2008 9:07 AM:

" Wow: I'm not going to say that every single person at HESD is critical, but people need to know that the demands placed on schools by the government (state and federal) don't only affect the classroom. Yes, it's a lot of bureaucratic red-tape, but there are untold numbers of mandated reports and procedures that must be followed each and every year or you risk losing certain kinds of funding. Often times, new requirements don't take the place of older requirements - they're just added on.

People seem to believe that Administration hires people just to add more bodies, but those positions are created by need. The need to accurately file MANDATED reports to keep the money coming in, the need to develop MANDATED rules and procedures to adhere to ever-changing laws, etc.

It boils down to this: People want to cut DO positions, but those clamoring for the cuts will be the first ones to complain if money is lost in part because you have one person juggling the responsibilities of two people. Until anyone has actually been involved and has seen the demands placed on administration, they don't really have room to talk. "

Hmmmmmm wrote on Apr 24, 2008 9:48 AM:

" "Get A Clue" protests awful hard in favor of those going to NY. Could it be they have benefited from this high cost trip. Most everyone knows HESD is made up of "Too Many Chiefs and not enough Indians"... Instead of cutting all the low end jobs why not trim away some of that "FAT" at the top. Do we really need to pay people to go out and fundraise. What happened to Parent's Clubs and volunteers doing this. Why do we need to pay thousands of dollars for someone to do this??? Just another "FAT" position that needs to be cut. When is HESD going to realize that admin isn't the one out their working with our children. They are not spending quality time in the classrooms. Maybe Scorpio 79's mother isn't ready to retire, why should she have to retire before she ready. It is her right to choose. I hope she goes after HESD for all she can get. This is the USA and she should not be forced from her job because she doesn't speak spanish. That is just plain wrong! "

Blown Away in Hanford wrote on Apr 24, 2008 11:16 AM:

" To get a clue - Let me make sure that I have your fundamental comment correct. You tell me that the Teacher's who routinely prepare lesson plans and enforce state mandated teaching programs wouldn't be capable of learning how to submit the proper required grant and other documents required by the State of California? That's your first falsehood, if they can learn to teach I don't think you should doubt their ability to work together and uniformly submit mundain paper work to the State of California. You are telling us that the State of California has required specific individuals be hired to submit paperwork to the State of California for funding? I don't think they have Mr. Get A Clue and if they have then the taxpayers need to change it. If the Superintendent of Schools and the School Board can't keep up with these ever changing documents then how on earth can they govern a student body and it's administration. They have delegated their primary responsibillites as a governing body for the instruction of our children. What is more primary than funding? Shame on them, now it makes sense. "

Blown Away In Hanford wrote on Apr 24, 2008 11:32 AM:

" To Get A Clue Continued - Are you trying to tell me that the State Funding for the next school year depended on these teachers and admin staff going to New York? Is that the excuse for the expenditure you are trying to use now, what does the state of New York have to do with funding from the State of California? If you are trying to say that the funding has become so specialized that the School Board and Superintendant of Schools can't obtain it anymore then what do we need those positions for in the first place. Let's promote the funding seekers to Superintendant then we only need to pay one large salary and eliminate the true fat at the top. If a Superintendant of Schools cannot solicit and obtain the funding for his School District then why do we have the position? Isn't the fundamental responsibility of the School District funding, so it can operate? Why would you want a Superintendant who is not familar with the funding process running the operation if he could be hoodwinked into believing we were getting all we could when we weren't? "

Blown Away In Hanford wrote on Apr 24, 2008 11:41 AM:

" To Get A Clue Continued - my other question is does not the School District have a Chief Financial Officer who oversees the funds and funding? If so it certainly seems like we are substantially more top heavy than we should be. Do away with a bunch of those salaries and you could keep your thirteen employees. What administrative purpose does the Principle perform at their various locations, do they not prepare their own budget for their individual schools or at least a projected budget? They have a Vice Principle to hand out punishment and correct behavior of students, secretaries to handle attendance, what does the Principle do now days?
It just seems people have a lot of assistants and clerical staff to do their jobs these days. Just as I don't see the reason to keep a school closed and add five or so more students to each class and call that a savings. Student Advocates seems like a pretty important title to me to be eliminating without enough forethought. Now the teachers have more students and added responsibilities, administration wins again. Who suffers, the students!!!!! "

Get a clue wrote on Apr 24, 2008 12:13 PM:

" Blown away: As a manager in the private sector, do you not train employees on new equipment/processes/procedures? If that required training is not offered in your place, do you not send them to the location of the training? If you do, do you make them pay for their travel, hotel & meals? If you don't, then they can claim it on their taxes. Payment up front is "per diem" paid at a rate capped by the IRS, and many businesses use per diem instead of reimbursements as well. Go to www.irs.gov for more info.

You claim that every individual teacher should receive the same training, but you don't even think about cost. The "train-the-trainer" method where an entity trains a few people to train the rest of their staff is more feasible than training the entire staff at the higher rate.

Since you know teachers that have paid their own money to further their education, ask them why they did it. Was it to move up into administration? Move up the salary schedule? Better themselves? With very few exceptions, it will be for money. How does that help students? "

Get a clue wrote on Apr 24, 2008 12:20 PM:

" Blown away cont'd: Are you going to step down from your position? You say teachers can do everything, so I'm sure your employees could also do your job - right?

if you really know teachers like you claim, ask them if they have several hours a week to spare for committees and paperwork. I guarantee each and every one of them will laugh in your face if you ask for more of their time without more pay. Any that don't have never seen the administrative side of things, and they think it's all a walk in the park.

But, hey, I'll be looking for "blown Away" on the ballot for the next HESD Board election. "

RobertD wrote on Apr 24, 2008 2:27 PM:

" Long ago (19 years to be exact) I had this naive dream of becoming a teacher and contributing to the education of future generations. Don't get me wrong, I do belive I am doing that, but the amount of political BS that flows uninterrupted through a community about what is and is not happening in local schools is amazing. Few that are not directly connected to the schools (meaning classified, certificated, and administrative staff) have any clue. In response to "not represented," I love your suggestion of logging in hours spent by administrators in the classroom. I know one administrator in this town that is in the classroom everyday and often as possible. To those who are not directly connected to schools, just because you went to school does not make you an expert on education. Show teachers and administrators the respect they deserve. "

get a clue wrote on Apr 24, 2008 4:06 PM:

" Bravo, RobertD! Very nicely put.

Blown Away: While the law does not require that teachers and administrators travel to New York to attend a Teacher's College conference, schools DO have to invest in Professional Development. The state requires that certain monies be spent on certain things and nothing else, and professional development is no exception. These are called categorical monies, and they can't be used for salaries in most cases.

Thanks to President Bush, NCLB calls for certain actions to be taken to improve schools. These are somewhat specific, and it can even include replacing the bulk of teachers or administrators at a school.

The public voted for the board members to run the schools, and the board selects the Superintendent they feel will be able to best serve their students and community. If that Superintendent and his/her team adopts a program they believe is in the best interests of the students, then let them do their jobs.

I look forward to seeing your name on the ballot for the next school board election. Just be sure to use "blown away" in your campaign literature so we know it's you. "

Blown Away In Hanford wrote on Apr 24, 2008 4:51 PM:

" Get A Clue - What pray tell is so all inclusive that it requires traveling to the other side of the country to learn that couldn't be found within the state of California to stimulate our own economy? Why couldn't those monies have been spent in our own motels/eateries and mass transit corporations. If as you say they went there they learned to come back and share it. Then why did so many have to go and why the Superintendant and Administration if it directly effects the teachers? What is so secret about it that it couldn't be laid out in an article in the newspaper justifying the expenditure? We charge you with the most important job of the century molding our children's minds and then you become offended when asked to justify such a large expenditure of money? Have you all become so alter egoed you don't feel you have to answer to anyone? I thought that was also a primary responsibility explaining to the parents the education of their children. If an exec tried to pull this off in the Private Sector they would be fired post haste. "

Blown Away In Hanford wrote on Apr 24, 2008 4:56 PM:

" Get A Clue - All I am saying is next time you want to spend a significant amount of money I think there should be enough forethought to present it to the voters. Any time you want bonds issued to build a school it goes before the voters. Building a school is a lot easier to explain than the Teacher's College in New York. Is it that this is such a prestigous learning facility that it gives our teachers bragging rights to other teachers? Is that why we would spend so much money or to make them look good on a resume so they can leave our community once we have spent the money to make it possible? Why couldn't you send let say five well versed Teachers to learn this and conduct seminars based on what the five of them learned rather than the number of people you sent. Can the Superintendant not determine the worth of this seminar through those means, does he/she have to personally make the trip? You need to learn how to train from the military, they promote and cross train all the time. "

Blown Away In Hanford wrote on Apr 24, 2008 5:04 PM:

" Get A Clue - In the military/navy I know for sure you are required to study your job and peform the job and it is determined if you should be promoted this part is called practical factors, then you are tested on a written test, then there are recommendations from your supervisors if any of these three are not favorable you don't advance. It is all done on sight where you work and in times even in war zones. Now if that is good enough to promote the men and women saddled with the nation's security then I would think a similar program could work for HESD without sending them to New York. The navy does have some specialized training but that is done in route between assissignments and if you travel to the east coast for training more than likely you are stationed on the east coast afterwards. Don't cry to me about the teachers being separated from their families the military spends more time in one year separated from their families than a teacher spends in their entire career. Respect isn't a gift it is earned. "

hesd employee wrote on Apr 24, 2008 8:06 PM:

" so i think that school is required for someone to learn, the teachers are the most important becaue they are teaching.... then why are the principals getting paid so much money? They need a cut in pay to help pay for other positions. also students are forced to learn so much more at lower level.... kindergartens are suppose to be reading not painting anymore.... so why are kids still required to go through twelve years of school? they could cut out a year of highschool to help pay for other jobs needed. "

Not Represented wrote on Apr 24, 2008 9:46 PM:

" Robert D - well in response to your comments, the administrator you refer too can keep his job, but I noticed you only made mention of one in how many positions throughout the School District. HESD and it's shrine of a former school are notorious for implimenting program after program analyst to determine if a program is effective. While the state of the California puts test after test in place to perform the same evaluation, now which one of you is wasting money in your opinion? Robert if you were that naive to not know the politics that is involved with any government job you most assuredly must have grown up abroad. I think the little one room schools that taught all grades in one class probably provided a better education than these multi-million dollar monuments to former teachers and coach's do today. Little House on the Prairie is more informative than some of the curiculum offered today. I don't think because I was educated by this school district I know what it takes, it's years and years working the private sector with your students unable to spell that convinces me of it. "

Not Represented wrote on Apr 24, 2008 9:52 PM:

" Robert D - you try working in the private sector where the first time you don't come in on budget when you forecast a budget your job is lost. In Federal State County and City Government just prior to the years end there are countless expenditures made to empty the coffers so you can obtain more money for the following year. Because that is how your funding is dispensed, if you don't use it all you don't get as much the next year. I am not saying this ends at the local level, it goes very far up the ladder of government waste and mismangement of funds. But when your shootin apples in a barrel and all you see is cores it becomes quite obvious something is wrong with this picture. Didn't the outgoning Superintendent of Schools also attend this vast educaton in New York as well? For what purpose if she was retiring? No Robert too many fingers poked big holes in this pie to get the taxpayers to buy it signt unseen without any explination. Are there projects within your school that you could have better spent those funds? "

Not Represented wrote on Apr 24, 2008 10:02 PM:

" I noticed that the only people who aren't commenting and defending their positions are the thirteen who lost out in this latest budget crunch. Because they know what the HESD says is gospil or what? By the way you can count on me being at the next Board of Supervisors and Schoold Board elections and I will be very active in changing this entire picture. I may not run for office but I will be checking credentials very carefully during the next election count on it. My spelling may not be perfect but the saving grace is My Teachers never claim to be perfect so neither do I. It's just some common sense judgement should have prevailed in this matter. Especially when you saw budget cuts coming full speed ahead that is why this is so inane to me. Why foolishly squander money when you know cuts are coming, now what if an even better program comes available next year will the funding be there, not likely. When teachers are selected on their ability to learn why do you send so many to a single institution in one year? "

Not Represented wrote on Apr 25, 2008 8:08 AM:

" Get a Clue - You have already admitted that some instruction took place here in our area provided by the Teacher's College in New York. Which makes sense and I've said it was how it should have been done to begin with to take into consideration the cost of the program. So if a portion of the training could take place here then why couldn't all of the training take place here? It makes sound economic sense to me to bring those instructors here and stimulate our local economy by their presence rather than fill the coffers of New York. But then dinner shows, entertainment wouldn't have been experienced by these well adjusted well informed teachers then would it? The more you talk on this subject the more I am convinced this was a perk given to a few select people by the Superintendent of Schools and the School Board. I also feel the general public should be informed of that and when the appointments and elections occur let them vote or select accordingly. You seem to know so much explain what took place in New York. What was the curriculum? "

Get a clue wrote on Apr 25, 2008 9:35 AM:

" Blown away - Thanks for bringing up the Navy. Being that the Navy is in Lemoore, I personally know people that have been sent all over the country for training. They may use Navy aircraft some, but they often fly coach. When the training is at a contractor's facility instead of a military installment, those individuals stay in hotels. (I spoke to my neighbor just this morning, and he' can probably provide receipts to prove this. Would you care to see them?) Maybe the problem is that you didn't take part in this training when you were serving. Odds are that your supervisors and trainers did.

Isn't it ironic that you take the side of one government entity (the Navy) while railing against another (schools)?

It all comes down to this: HESD has brought trainers in when possible, and they have sent people to New York (including teachers) when necessary.

They don't have to explain everything in a newspaper article, but they are held accountable by auditors and the Grand Jury when necessary.

They're doing OK, so leave them alone and let them do their jobs. Otherwise, run for the board and do better. "

Get a clue wrote on Apr 25, 2008 3:32 PM:

" What is being pointed out time and time again is that not all of the training sessions CAN happen here in the thriving metropolis of Hanford.

An example: Many new board members throughout the state are sent to training in Sacramento to help them be better board members and better serve their communities, and the district picks up the tab. They stay overnight, some might have taken in a show and even had a drink with their dinner after hours. Why don't they bring the trainer(s) here? It isn't feasible or even possible to get teh same training here.

Some small-minded people still believe it would be more prudent to bring the mountain to Mohammed than to send Mohammed to the mountain. Sure, you could bring a bucket or two of dirt, but not the mountain...

Again, let them do their jobs. This continued bashing is not necessary, and makes the people of Hanford look like petty micro-managers. Not only that, but it looks to outsiders like we're incapable of electing decent leaders.

If you don't like the way the district is running, run for the school board yourselves or vote to remove them. "

Blown Away wrote on Apr 26, 2008 1:46 AM:

" To Get a Clue - Wrong spanky once again I attended two service school commands while I was in the Navy, so I do know a little bit about it in the first place. What do your friends say about my desciption of how promotions are handled within the navy which you conveniently didn't challenge. Further, as the voting resident in this School District I feel I have every right to pose questions, you don't identify yourself I must assume you must be a board member the way you get so angry when I challenge them or the Superintendent of Shools or maybe you are even him. Let you alone and let them do their work would you have said that about Watergate or Clintongate? You don't get it, do you there were expenditures that were excessive here. But evidently you don't read my entire post just the parts that raise your ire. In your explination regarding the Board of Supervisors receiving in California, Sacramento in fact, I don't have a problem with that it is within the state, it is the New York buisness I still don't understand. "

Blown Away wrote on Apr 26, 2008 1:53 AM:

" To Get a Clue Continued - Furthermore before I forget Mr. Smarty pants Lemoore is a training facility for a lot of rates in case you didn't know that. Now back to Board of Supervisors, Teachers, even janitors if it is state related and it happens within the state it is more than likely explainable. I accept that, but I can't believe the economic concerns were even considered with this travel to New York. If I worked for NAS Lemoore and I needed training I couldn't cut myself a perdiem check and travel allowance with meal reimbursement the request would have to go through the chain of command and if my division officer couldn't approve it, it would have to go to the C.O. and if he couldn't approve it because it was unusual or out of the ordinary as I feel your situation was he would have to send it to the Bureau of Naval Personnel, in Washington, D.C. were proper channels followed by all who traveled to New York in the same manner. It is called Fiscal Responsibility? "

Blown Away wrote on Apr 26, 2008 2:10 AM:

" To Get a Clue Continued - You either know all about New York or you don't so if you do I wish you would clarify and if you don't, I wish you would leave it alone. I am simply trying to get some simple questions like how much in total was spent and a itemized list of how much this cost the taxpayers of Kings County? I think as a taxpayer both state and local I have a right to ask for that information and it should be made public for all us old dogs to naw on. If that means requesting a Grand Jury do an investigation, I am sure there are a few more like me who would like this clarified rather than told to let it alone. Perhaps your right maybe a good old fashioned audit of the entire School District might be in order. Maybe there are other New York type expenses laying out there that we taxpayers don't know about. As for who will and won't be on the School Board that remains to be seen. Especially if this can of worms is opened. "

Blown Away wrote on Apr 26, 2008 2:20 AM:

" To Get a Clue Continued - have you forgot where you are living? This is the town where two former City Managers are on trial and a former Department Head in charge of the Travel Agency is accused of taking $15,500.00. So we aren't real quick to take someone's word for anything any longer. Especially when comments like just leave it alone keep coming out of their mouths. It's strange to me that someone isn't willing to step forward with this information and provide it to us dumb ol' Hanfordites to justify the expenditure of taxpayer's money. Oh by the way I don't care how it is divided up into this program and that, it still is taxpayers money and they have a right to request an accounting of how it has been spent. I am more than willing to leave people alone once this has been explained until the next little red flag comes flying up from the Hanford Elementary School District. I have no problem with inner-state travel but are you telling me the entire state is too backward you have to travel to New York Teachers College? "

Blown Away wrote on Apr 26, 2008 2:27 AM:

" To Get a Clue Continued - Now to address the other part of your question and I hope I'm not repeating myself but I can't go back and check because the comments haven't been posted yet. But you march yourself over to your neighbor's house and you ask him if he is military if the training he attended was authorized by the Bureau of Naval Personel or at his command? If he is civilian ask him if it went through GSA or through the GSA in Charge at the base? Because regardless one of those two had to have a hand in it or it was not authorized. The only training I received authorized by my command was fire fighting school at 32nd street in San Diego and I was stationed at Coronado when I received it. A mere drive across the bridge, not a flight to New York. Also the reason that I used the navy as an example is it works, their programs and training are excellerated courses that work. Also 90% of the training in any military is on the job by non-commissioned officers. "

Blown Away wrote on Apr 26, 2008 2:33 AM:

" To Get a Clue Continued - One more thing about Service School Commands is most people who have been doing their jobs who want advanced training have to re-enlist as a re-enlistment incentive and that could be four or six more years of their lives in order to get that training. Did any of the people involved in this New York extend their contracts and commitment for an additional period of time or are they able to leave and use this benefit somewhere else in another School District at the end of their present contracts? Just another apple core to look at. I haven't meant to be so dogmatic about this but when the inference is made that I don't have a right to question something, I don't like it. I've paid taxes for thirty seven years, I think I have a right to ask a few questions after that amount of time of setting back and letting them do their jobs. Regardless of what you think? "

Not Represented wrote on Apr 26, 2008 3:58 AM:

" Mr. Revious - why pray tell is the school district running a $616,000.00 operational deficit if it is laying off employees, losing them to attrition keeping a school closed for an entire year. Also if there is a reduction in enrollment that amounts to a $300,000.00 loss of revenue mean that teachers should be affected by these cuts? We are not losing any teachers but enrollment is down???? Does the $616,000.00 + the $300,000.00 mean that the Superintendent of Schools and the administration missed guessing the budget by approximately a million dollars? Was this drop in enrollment another secret you've been keeping or did it just sneak up on you? Also just a headsup right now with the country slipping into a recession, I would say that revise will be changed, just thought you might want to prepare yourself for another bittersweet meeting. So the School District is offering one less school, less service to the elementary advocate program, which means all these transfers and switches are gonna cost more bodies that were available to the students. Is there any good news to report? "

Blown Away again wrote on Apr 26, 2008 7:24 PM:

" To Get a Clue - As I stated earlier the true test of the educational system sir, is how they perform in the private sector. Having been there for many years I can tell you, your new math didn't work and the ability of your graduating students to spell has worsened through the years. I think you will agree the primary provider of that ability lays squarely in the lap of the HESD? You have more of our children and your students time than any of us do including the immediate family. The hours we spend with them are spent taking care of their nutrition, and working on their citizenship and ensuring they get adequate rest so they can perform in school. Less and less time can be focused on learning activities with the requirement of a two person working household in order to make ends meet. We can't afford to go over our budgets by $616,000.00 in our lifetime much less in a single school year. Finally have you ever thought that the decrease in enrollment is brought about by failures to teach in the classroom hence home study. "

Hmmmmm wrote on Apr 27, 2008 12:06 PM:

" To "Get a Clue": I think we as taxpayers have tried to let them do their job, and all we have seen is that they have failed miserably. It is time we now stand up and take action about all the expenditures & cuts. HESD is a sinking ship and if someone doesn't wake up soon it is going to take everyone down. Taxpayers have rights too, not just board members. Stop wasting our money on unecessary trips and using the money to help in the classroom where our students fully benefit from it. Wine and dine on your own money and your own time! "

Get a clue wrote on Apr 28, 2008 8:57 AM:

" Well, the coast was nice, now back to Blown away: Yes, you have a right to some of the information you request, and questioning is good. All you have to do is get out of your chair and go to the district office and ask for it. Instead, you choose to always think the worst and a reasonable explanation doesn't satisfy you. No, keep ranting about this trip and wanting the Sentinel to do the dirty work you are just as capable of doing. Go on and find something concrete and then bring it to our attention.

Yes, I am a Mr Smarty Pants that knows Lemoore is a training base, and that's why I've chosen to use it as an example. You yourself have admitted that there is training that has to happen off-site, have you not? That's the same issue with SOME school training - it can't happen here so you go to it.

Why do I keep bringing it up? Because you do and you still don't get it. Some part of me thinks there must be some sense of reason deep down inside that can see the reality. "

HESD Watchdog wrote on Apr 28, 2008 12:05 PM:

" To Hmmmmmmmmm: Good to know I am not the only one who feels this way about the HESD and their New York vacations. Thanks for the input and perhaps GET A CLUE: might realize once and for all that something smells fishy about this entire subject. Perhaps that is why he just got back from the coast. GET A CLUE continues to ignore and not respond to the proper channels and following rules regarding expenditures. He either doesn't know how the shcool district dispenses approval or money or declines to answer because it would give substance to my argument. One day when the audits hit this city I think there will be amazing discoveries and I hope larceny isn't one of them, for their benefit. GET A CLUE: now wants to place limits on what we should know as voters, the only limits should be people's personnel files, expenditures should be a wide open book and that is all I have focused on here. Also still no response to the $616,000.00 operational deficit question nor the $300.000.00 decrease in enrollment. No reduction in teaching staff? "

RobertD wrote on Apr 28, 2008 12:05 PM:

" WOW! Didn't mean to get under your skin "Not Represented." It is unfortunate that the comments posted here too often become personal attacks, straying from the real issues. To set the record straight, I have lived in California all my life, and I am not ashamed of being idealistic and naive at age 22 (I guess "Not Represented" has been the epitomy of political maturity and insightfullness their whole life.) For every person that challenges me to work a day in the private sector I challenge them to work a day as a classroom teacher. For anyone to assume a public service employees job is any less challenging than theirs is idiotic. Regardless of private or public, people that approach their professions with integrity deserve respect. To me the irony of this whole exchange is that "Not represented" and I would probably agree on many issues they raise. I just resent the assumptions you make about those of us that might offer another opinion. "

HESD Watchdog wrote on Apr 28, 2008 12:19 PM:

" To GET A CLUE: I keep focusing on the same questions because you aren't supplying answers to any of them, ie., why is there a $600,000.00 deficit in the operational budget? Why is this $300.000.00 decrease in enrollment? With a decrease in students why are we still building more schools? If closing one school saves $350,00 dollars why not close another and save $700,000.00 to offset the $600,000.00 deficit? So closing Jefferson isn't due to a lack of funding it is due to a lack of student body, is that what you are telling me? Well what other school might not have the adequate attendance to justify operating it and what schools could you transfer that student body to and close it? It sounds to me like you are operating schools for convenience rather than the fact that they are essential. I don't know these are your words not mine. So the deeper we get into discussion on this GET A CLUE, your answers when actually given, only evoke more questions. If you have the information why do you hesitate to provide it? "

Not Represented wrote on Apr 28, 2008 7:19 PM:

" To Robert D: Excuse me but I never worked nine months in my lifetime yet got paid for twelve therefore I wouldn't know what it is like being a teacher. Observing every holiday under the sun, taking time off from my primary duties to conduct conferences on how well my employees were performing their jobs. Having the ultimate in health and welfare benefits. You are correct having worked in the private sector isn't as challenging as being a teacher, it is more so. We who worked our way up through the corporate ladder never fell into the grace a teacher's tenure can offer him/her. Tenure is pretty much a lifetime guaranteed job, is it not? There aren't any of those left in the private sector. Having chosen a profession on which the tenure is further guaranteed on the right of people to procreate is a pretty safe bet you won't starve in your lifetime. Just so you know, respect is something that is earned it doesn't come with the job unless you are made a gentleman by an act of congress. You didn't get under my skin, just facts. "

Get a clue wrote on Apr 29, 2008 11:09 AM:

" Sorry to disappoint everyone here but I am not an employee of HESD, nor am I a board member.

I chose to address the travel issue because people keep pointing to it as a problem when it isn't. I know because of a combination of public sector service and private sector dealings with government entities. I have immediate family members employed as classfied, certificated and administrative employees throughout the valley, and I have been involved in my childrens' schools on multiple commitees. Feedback on my performance from the schools and other parents has always been positive, and I get keep asked back.

It's standard operating procedure for businesses or entities to send people to out-of-area training when the training isn't offered locally, and it's also standard operating procedure to cover the expenses for a training that an employer requires. Employers have the option of handing the persons traveling a credit card, reimbursing expenses after-the-fact, paying a per diem up front, or a combination of the methods. All are perfectly legal and acceptable methods of dealing with employee travel, and it's up to the employer to decide how to address the issue. "

Get a clue wrote on Apr 29, 2008 11:43 AM:

" California’s financial crisis has been looming for years now, and the current leadership’s efforts have done nothing to fix the underlying problems that have put us in this situation. Government agencies have been preparing for a bad year, but projections are getting worse by the month.

In the current fiscal year, the government decided in January to withhold money that agencies had counted in when building their budgets last year. In addition to that money, the state will be further reducing money to schools next year.

Think of what would happen to most people if their employer abruptly decided to withhold a paycheck, and then they’re told their salary for the upcoming year will be reduced even further. Most of us would cut discretionary spending to cover necessities - maybe even reduce our mortgage or rent to have more for food and utilities. Schools are often limited on what they can do because the state dictates how some money can be used, meny times not on salaries.

The challenges facing all state-funded agencies are tremendous, and it would benefit everyone to become more knowledgeable of the situation. Ask questions at the DO and board meetings. Get involved. "

Get a clue wrote on Apr 29, 2008 11:56 AM:

" On the school closure issue: Closing additional schools will increase class sizes, resulting in even less one-on-one time for students. In some cases, class sizes are also limited by teacher contracts. Portable classrooms you say? There has to be adequate space and utility capacity for the buildings, plus state law requires that there be adequate bathrooms and eating facilities to accommodate additional students housed in those portables. So, portables are not always an option.

Enrollment projections and decreasing enrollments are hit-and-miss, and any current decreases are likely just anomalies. The entire process of building a school takes several years from the initial determination, and districts utilize growth patterns to best prepare for future enrollments by building new schools that will be ready when they are needed. Building funds are one of the restricted kinds of money I referred to in my last post. Schools can only use these funds on land and buildings – not salaries or supplies.

Again, schools are up against major challenges. They will answer any of your questions where confidentiality is not required by law, so go ask for financial statements. Also, consider getting more involved by running for the board. "

Berger wrote on Apr 29, 2008 3:21 PM:

" If the school system employees were paid for the product they produce the majority of them would be released. Less than 10% of the population in Kings County have earned a College degree. "

Reality Check wrote on Apr 29, 2008 6:40 PM:

" For those of you who criticize, yet obviously have never worked for a school district, let me clarify something.There are so many rules, regulations, ed code, and lots of other "red tape" that schools must comply with that it is a wonder anything ever gets done. There is so much inequality from one district to another regarding funding that it is almost criminal. Each district has to make do with what they get from the government, and if your demographics aren't "ideal" (i.e. high poverty, small population, etc.) then your funding is less. One district can receive $6500 per student in funding while the district next door can receive $10,200 per student. Why the disparity? Demographics. I suggest, as others have done, to get involved with the school board, attend meetings, and get informed. Don't complain if you aren't willing to become part of the solution. I would welcome any of you critics to walk a day in the shoes of a school employee, be it a teacher, office staff, principal or even teacher aide. You might open your eyes to a totally different viewpoint and have a better appreciation for what these people do. "

Sadness wrote on Apr 29, 2008 9:27 PM:

" I am sadden by the amount of personal attacks not only to the poeple who commented, but also to HESD personel in general. So many of you talk so much smack why don't you put some action behind it? If things bother you about HESD, then attend a board meeting. Let your voice be heard...but please stop talking about issues that you obviously have no clue on. Student Advocates were cut because the grant money ran out a couple of years ago, and HESD kept these employees on. I don't agree with NY either, but how many times are we going to hash the same issues. As for teachers being cut...HESD isn't going to have as many teachers as it did last year, and staffing will be tight both for certificated and classified. Jobs were not refilled at the district office, but when your ignorant about the issues, you have nothing left but to complain. Please stop talking trash about teachers. I am offended by all the bashing that is going on towards the teachers/ Until you have walked in their shoes, don't judge them. "

Sadness Cont. wrote on Apr 29, 2008 9:36 PM:

" Teachers work hard in HESD. They take their work home with them and come in on weekends. They spend countless hours caring and inspiring the children in our community. They get paid a salary that is spread over 12 months. Every job has pros and cons to it. By the time summer rolls around, teachers and students both need a break. You are all expressing your anger on all the wrong issues. What do Hispanics have to do with the budget cuts to our schools? If the cuts upset you, then contact your school board member, your congresman, the govenor, but don't take it out on the employees of HESD. Compared to other surrounding distircts in the valley, the cuts that HESD made are pretty fair. No one wins when peoples jobs are cut. "

HESD Watchdog wrote on Apr 29, 2008 10:48 PM:

" To Get A Clue: Thank You for indicating and explaining what I thought all along you are as much an outsider as I am as I have been involved through the years with my childrens schools and their different programs. But you did bring out an interesting point which confirms what I have said all along. The Employers determine how this travel is handled well utimately the employers are the taxpayers of the school district. Which is what I have said all along we have a right to know, it just really seems strange when you admit you knew cuts and loses were coming yet the money was still spent on trips to New York. You don't see the problem with that as I said it doesn't matter how the state of California distributes this money it is still from the pockets of taxpayers who have a right to request and obtain an itemized accounting for our tax dollars. If all this red tape is your problem then state that and perhaps in the next general election the voters can work to change that for you. By putting people in office who care. "

Get a clue wrote on Apr 30, 2008 2:17 PM:

" Watchdog - you're welcome. I'm still enough "insider" to know how schools operate though.

Go ask for the data you want from HESD, but please do so respectfully. I understand feeling that the "employers" of school personnel are the taxpayers, and that's partly true. More accurately, the board members are the employees of the taxpayers. To think otherwise would mean I could command sailors at NAS or HPD officers. (Scary thought.)

Ownership by the community is a double-edged sword. Yes, be involved, but don't become a micro-manager. Let those we've put in office do their jobs. If they are failing or breaking the law, remove them or alert the proper authorities.

If you get what you want from HESD, find out what funds were used. If the funds used were "restricted" and could only be used for professional development, ask what that means. You will learn that if not spent, the money will just continue to sit there because it can't be used for other purposes. If the state finds out it isn't being used, they'll take it back.

I'm not saying this is right, but those are the rules schools have to play by. "

RobertD wrote on Apr 30, 2008 3:28 PM:

" To any sane thinking people that read these comments, please do not make the ill-informed mistake of assuming teachers work only 9 months a year. All good etachers are spedning their "time off" by attending professional devleopment conferences, doing curriculum work at home, and many teach sumemr school. I have a master's degree in my subject, have been recognized by my peers for excellence in etaching--mine is a year round commitment. When the benefits for medical, etc. are added in I might make what any other professional with a siimilar degree makes. It's amazing as many good teachers stay in the profession as do considering the kind of attacks they get from an uninformed public. "

Get a clue wrote on Apr 30, 2008 4:44 PM:

" Reality Check, Sadness, RobertD: You're all right, but many on here will only rant and rave about everything. Heck, someone even blames Kings County schools for folks not getting college degrees! Sorry, but that makes no sense at all. That would be like blaming driving schools for not making our roads accident free. You give people tools, but they have to use them.

Teachers gets paid for the months they work, but most have their paycheck spread out over 12 months in order to have some income in July. It's their money they receive - they've just smartly elected to defer when they receive it. (Taxes are paid when they earn it though.)

Everyone wants better teachers, but many fail to realize fewer are entering education every year. Teachers have at least 5 years of college AND a year of student teaching - all for a job that starts around $40,000 and tops out around $75,000 after 20-25 years. One can get an MBA in 5-6 years and start at $70,000 to $75,000 easily, so why teach?

Oh well, let's pay teachers even less and keep complaining. It's easier that way. "

Become a Prison Guard wrote on Apr 30, 2008 9:38 PM:

" Prison guards have a GED and make $140,000 a year!!!! "

Blown Away Again wrote on May 1, 2008 12:12 AM:

" Do you know one of the reasons teachers get a bad rap because each and everyone of you use to and I am sure still do make the same low pay statements to your students in your classroom on their learning time. Hoping some how the students will run home and talk their parents into voting you a raise somehow. We can't do that, stay in school get the higher education and do what you are saying and we'll see how many of you come running back to the fairly safe required jobs you all have with tenure which isn't offered in the public sector when the economy takes a hit like is right now. I have respect for teachers but like in all professions some are better than others. As for the ranting and raving, it only occurs when people refuse to give me the information they pretend to have at their disposal. You don't get respect as a teacher you gain respect by teaching others. Something you obviously don't comprehend. We all make sacrifices, but those I hear complaining must be in it for the money instead of the kids. "

Blown Away Again wrote on May 1, 2008 12:19 AM:

" What sense does it make to spend all your creative funds to bring what you consider are good programs on one such program and not leave a reserve for any others that may come up. Leaving the money in there might have meant when they cut that next year you had some reserve, now you have nothing. I can understand why when you don't take advantage of something the state takes it back, you have then pretty well conceded that my earlier point that the money was spent so you can get more on the next budget, now the truth finally comes down the turnpike. Have you ever left any funds to find out what happens or are you ASSuming they are taken back? All I have said is your students that you are educating spell worse than those in my generation and that is just one subject their math skills are inadequate, they couldn't make change in a register without a register telling them how much it should be and that is easy to confirm. These are basic skills that all people who graduate should possess and if they don't you are hurting them. "

Blown Away Again wrote on May 1, 2008 12:27 AM:

" I don't need all these state tests and your graded tests to know the students coming out of school today are many times totally dysfuncional in the work place because you the Teachers have failed them miserably. They offer nothing but excuses, and many times complain the best part of school is getting out. If the curriculum has become that mundane then who do we blame the State of California for funding institutions that push people throough the system. Not every student who goes through school is going to come back and be a teacher they must function in the working private sector. The proof is in the pudding I am not talking one or two who have these problems I am talking generations who have bad math and spelling skills. If you really want to throw a California High School Graduate a curve have them give you an division or subtraction problem in liters. They look at you like they don't even know what a liter is, example convert a gallon of gasoline to liters and tell me how many liters it would be? Foreign to them. "

Blown Away Again wrote on May 1, 2008 12:36 AM:

" I'll give you an example how bad it is, I went to a fast food restaurant and gave the cashier a $10 bill, the cashier pulled out that plexiglass tool to push my $10 bill down the $20 slot and did it. Then she proceeded to give me change from a $20. When I told her what she had done, she got belligerant with me told me I didn't know what I was talking about only $20 bills go in that slot and for me to take my change. So I did I put it in my pocket, a short while later the manager came out to do something else, I ask him to come to my table and I told him to take the ten dollar bill from me and told him what had happened. He said no let me go check that drop if you are correct then I will come back and get the $10. He left went into his office came back out walked up to the table and Thanked me for being so honest, he said she would have had to pay for that shortage, I said I know. "

Blown Away Again wrote on May 1, 2008 12:43 AM:

" I'll give you another example walk up to a student in your classroom and ask them how many ounces are there in a gallon (128) of milk or half gallon (64) of milk. They all know a half pint, pint and quart but not the larger question. If you really want to throw them for a loop ask them how many quarts are in a gallon. Answer four How much does a gallon of water or gasoline way approximately? Answer 8 pounds. Don't do it in the classroom during math, just do it walking around the campus, you will be amazed at how many students get it wrong. Pick a figure in your mind regarding change that you yourself can almost answer without thinking and ask a student the answer and see the response you get, first they will scratch their head, then they will look either up in the air or down on the ground as if the answer is going to come to them in thin air. The problem is if you do it in your head and miss the miss will be closer than they get with a calculator. "

Blown Away Again wrote on May 1, 2008 12:54 AM:

" Oh and by the way does the term Calpers ring a bell with any of you, the largest retirement fund in the Sate of California too which you all belong. How about benefits do you want to complain about your benefits when many of your students are coming to school everyday with no healthcare benefits? You must look at the large picture not just your spendable income when you compare jobs in the private sector. What about the poor sap that is self employed doing lawns for a living who pays his healthcare. Your degree accounts for something but then so does working in a classroom that is heated in the winter and cool in the summer setting down most of the day. We would be better off to send our children to a trades school and teach them to be carpenters, plumbers, electricians, welders or many skilled positions rather than have them set and spend time in your classroom. You will find if the curriculum would go back to teaching how many inces are in a foot we'd all be better off, then at least they'd be able to measure a 2X4. "

Blown Away Again wrote on May 1, 2008 1:04 AM:

" Don't get me wrong I am not saying being a teacher is easy, but try being a middle manager and train and teach students all over again on the job what their teachers didn't teach them in school and still make quotas or provide service in the service industry. Which 9 out of 10 times is where the majority of your students will end up. It's nice that you want to teach College Prep courses but you are failing many of the students in the vast majority of the student body in the process because the only way a lot of them may see College is as a janitor or grounds keeper or driving by on their way to work flipping hamburgers or if they are rel lucky cutting 2X4's to length on a job site. When you don't prepare people to do the minimum job it is a good bet they'll never be doing a higher paying more skill oriented one. So who is letting who down, think about that while you are complaining about not making enough money. By the way $75,000 a year is $78 per hour. "

Not Represented wrote on May 1, 2008 4:39 AM:

" Get A Clue, Sadness, Robert D
Wow do you all teach at the same school?
I am not anti teacher, I am anti spending funding you don't have yet. I am also a taxpayer who has a little bit of savy about business and how it works, government and private sector. Some of you may pull the wool over some people's eyes with that poor pitiful me teacher garbage but at $75,000 per year it works out to $78.75 an hour 40 hours a week 52 weeks per year which aint chicken feed folks. That's before bennies are added into it. So don't cry poverty level quite yet. You are in one of the very few recession proof jobs in the world. Everytime you have an issue you can't get through or across you play on the sympathy's of the students so they can run home and tell your sad tales. Let's see $78 75 an hour for even flying to New York and gaining knowledge not a bad rate of pay, I would say all things considered, plus expenses. Yeah your right no need to question anything like that is there? "

Not Represented wrote on May 1, 2008 5:00 AM:

" Get A Clue, Sadness, Robert D
I don't think any teachers should be put out to pasture or fired unless there is demonstrated reasons for it. Not Performing, character problems etc., etc., etc. But I don't think tenure should be so freely handed out either, I think that causes one to become apethetic and too relaxed in their position. It removes the challenge to constantly strive to teach better every year. But then I don't think there should be senority either for the same reason. I can see the fan mail over these comments, but I speak my mind. So if you don't mind I won't mind. I think that competition breeds better successes and stronger character in almost all things. Schools must too, or there wouldn't be spelling contests and debate teams and so on, so competition must be acceptable in education. Why shouldn't it hold true with teachers then? Don't you compete your entire educational process with other students and faculty? Why should reaching a goal be the end of the contest, why not strive on to do even better. and achieve even more? "

Get a clue wrote on May 1, 2008 9:49 AM:

" Blown away, Not represented, HESD Watchdog - whoever you are:

I'm not a teacher, and I never defended tenure because I disagree with most of it..

Yes, it is sad the girl made the mistake with the change - that bugs me too. But you might want to look closely before clicking "post comment" the next time you complain about nit-picky things like this. Milk doesn't "way" approximately 8 pounds - it "weighs" approximately 8 pounds.

Your math is also off because $75,000 per year is $36.06 per hour - not $78.75! 52 weeks at 40 hours per week = 2,080 hours per year. $75,000 divided by 2,080 = $36.06.

It's incredibly ironic that you're complaining about spelling and claim business "savvy" while making these simple mistakes. Talk about lost credibility.

Complain all you want, but government demands schools be accountable to them - not the private sector, They dictate what is taught and what constitutes a proficient student, so take it to the state.

This is about HESD where basics are taught - not trades. And teachers are NOT members of CalPers.

Give it up already. "

BJMallory wrote on May 1, 2008 10:47 AM:

" To JC: YES! You said it and there's nothing I can add except to say way to cut through the b.s. being flung on this thread! The subject is 13 positions being cut at HESD; all it took was one person to come on and say her mother was losing her job because she doesn't speak Spanish and that's all it took for another round of "those darn Mexicans are ruining our country". JC you ROCK! "

Jack wrote on May 1, 2008 12:36 PM:

" I'm glad someone else said it! Get a Clue is right that teachers aren't part of PERS; they are in STRS. "Way" is not weight, and we "sit" not "set" usually. Most teachers are on (about) a 180 day-contract, which makes them very well paid. Except that most work much more than 8 hours per day or 180 days per year. The true, good teachers are there for the kids, not for the money. Others are there coaching late into the nights because they need the extra money, and it's kinda fun to influence the kids' lives. Some teachers have been known to practically run over the kids to get home after the last bell. The grand jury found that Presley went over budget more than $90k her last year there in travel expenses. That is the most blatant of problems here. I'm tired of Get a Clue and Blown Away going back and forth here, so I should stop reading, or Jackie could shut this one down. It's gone way off course. "

Get a clue wrote on May 1, 2008 2:13 PM:

" Jack wrote, "The grand jury found that Presley went over budget more than $90k her last year there in travel expenses." Really? There was nothing in the reports online about that. Besides, wouldn't that be in the current report that hasn't been released yet?

Also, feel free to stop reading. I'm enjoying the back and forth with blown away. Maybe he/she will eventually realize that schools face many challenges that the average person isn't aware of, and maybe we'll be able to clear up some misconceptions people have about school governance.

Thinking teachers are in CalPers is just one example of those misconceptions. It would be a non-issue even if teachers were in CalPers since people get out what they have contributed in addition to returns their money has earned.

Few people know that most CalPers employers don't even match half of what employees contribute because the fund performs so well. While not all private employers match employee pension contributions, most do. If CalPers required that of government entities, the cost to taxpayers would be higher. It is very reasonable for employers and taxpayers, so folks should be happy.
"

HESD WATCHDOG wrote on May 1, 2008 3:02 PM:

" To Get a Clue and everyone else, what Get a Clue points out is correct I stayed up all night last night blogging and made a few math and grammar mistakes because of it. Not an excuse just the truth, I do try to proof read my comments before hitting the post comment bar. But allow me to let you know I blog on here probably more frequently than anyone else and this is the first time you have caught a mistake I made in the blog so I figure I fare pretty well most of the time. If you want to compare typographical errors I've counted a few you've made yourself. But I can tell you one thing allowing schools, local and county governments to answer to the state and only the state is where this country went wrong. I am not the only one who feels there is fat in the top at the HESD and Presley is history she is long gone so what is in the past is in the past. But as belts are tightened you haven't began to see nit- picking yet. "

hanford fan wrote on May 1, 2008 3:06 PM:

" Im not a teacher but i do make $60,000 a year. I have a family and a mortgage, car payment, gas. etc.... What I am saying is that it doesnt take much to live a good life in hanford california so for all the principles and high ranking people out there in education why not take a pay cut and help out the positions that are being cut. I know we are talking about hanford elemetary but the principles at the highscholl level are making $100,000 a year. Everyone needs to help out. "

HESD WATCHDOG wrote on May 1, 2008 3:16 PM:

" To Get a Clue, o.k. you might want to know the word nit-picking deffinition is to pick lice from anothers head. I hardly think that is what I have been doing here, I think it is more like opening the eyes of the general public to possibilities of irregular book keeping practices in the HESD books. Many more people are beginning to question all this travel and Teacher's College stuff we didn't get 101 blogs by my input alone. The reason this got so off base in regard to the ladies mother being laid off because she didn't speak spanish is because that is going to become a severe issue the more legal citizens are laid off and let go then that is going to place the jobs of illegal immigrants and spanish only speaking individuals jobs in jeopardy. It happened in 1930 and history repeats itself, so be prepared why do you think they are spending all that money on a fence that will keep people from crossing the border once they are returned? Mass Deportation is merely $1 a gallon for gasoline away my friend. "

HESD WATCHDOG wrote on May 1, 2008 3:25 PM:

" To Jack: You state yourself you are disatisfied with certain practices at HESD. Yet your main topic is diagraming my sentence structure and spelling. Dead give away Jack. Are you trying to tell me the teachers retirement is no longer affilliated with Cal Pers, I think you will find they are all inner related and sharing the same bed if you dig in to it a little bit. You think that I am the only one who had the complaints about your graduating students, you better sample the private sector and get a clue to what's going on and what their needs are or your really going to be doing a dis-service to the coming student bodies. I recall when I was in school the teachers sought out the opinions of employers and what their needs were. If you want to see a together school district you have to look no further than Lemoore to find it. All I am trying to inform you is the students graduating HESD and moving on to High School don't stand a chance in direct competition with the asian or Euro countries students. "

HESD WATCHDOG wrote on May 1, 2008 3:28 PM:

" Don't worry Jackie you don't have to pull this blog they are just afraid of the effort that may be forthcoming to prove my points and voice others as well. They are begging you to pull it so they can have the last word, kinda like Obama keeps trying to do to Hillary. It's all about Politics even in the School District Office. "

Jack wrote on May 1, 2008 4:19 PM:

" I'm pretty sure I read it right here about the grand jury's report of travel overspending during Presley's dynasty. No secret.
Whoever said Lemoore is the well-run district around here... did you mean LUESD? It WAS well-run by Dr. Meade but as the new guy is taking over, it is falling apart and no one wants to work for him now.
I'll never understand how HESD can't have advocates to help the kids but they need a full-time director to schedule all the sports games? The vice-principals used to do that.
Lots used to be done with less people in the past, as they were good people, unlike what we have now. Not exactly the hard-working type. Presley didn't like them honest folk, just the "yes" people. "

Get a clue wrote on May 1, 2008 5:02 PM:

" Watchdog: I don't have a problem with spelling and grammar, and I make my fair share of mistakes as well. I found it humorous that the complaints about schools turning out poor-spelling students with inadequate math skills contained such errors. There is a huge difference between your stated $78.75 per hour and the real $38.06 per hour that would be the case if a person is making $75K per year. How many people would have just taken it as fact had I not pointed out the inaccuracy, thereby contributing to further misconceptions?

And, yes, CalPers is for Classified school employees, firefighters, police officers and the like while STRS is the State TEACHERS Retirement System. Sorry, but they are two different entities.

I used "nit-picking" because people keep bringing up other complaints in regards to schools, but without any knowledge of school finance. One definition of nit-pick is: to be excessively concerned with or critical of inconsequential details. I think that fits here.

You have finally admitted that the problem is with the country. The government has placed the expectations on the schools, so don't blame them for doing what they're told to do. "




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