It seems the Wisconsin governor was right. Governor Scott's bill to curtail collective bargaining of some public employees is working. In fact, people are calling it a godsend.
"In the collective bargaining agreement, high school teachers only had to teach five periods a day, out of seven," says Arnoldussen. "Now, they're going to teach six." In addition, the collective bargaining agreement specified that teachers had to be in the school 37 1/2 hours a week. Now, it will be 40 hours.
The changes mean Kaukauna can reduce the size of its classes -- from 31 students to 26 students in high school and from 26 students to 23 students in elementary school. In addition, there will be more teacher time for one-on-one sessions with troubled students. Those changes would not have been possible without the much-maligned changes in collective bargaining.
Teachers' salaries will stay "relatively the same," Arnoldussen says, except for higher pension and health care payments. (The top salary is around $80,000 per year, with about $35,000 in additional benefits, for 184 days of work per year -- summers off.) Finally, the money saved will be used to hire a few more teachers and institute merit pay.
It is a long article, but an excellent one. Read more:
Union curbs rescue a Wisconsin school district.
18 comments:
No doubt that the powers that be at CBS, ABC, NBC,& MSNBC are currently working on their coverage of this, sending their best reporters to speak with parents of the students who will be in smaller classes and receive the benefits of the additional time that the teachers will actually be working. And tomorrow the sun will rise over California.
Joe Wertheim
Once again-
"Wednesday, March 11, 2009
High School Grads Not Prepared For Basic Math, English Courses
posted by Joe Polk at 1:50 AM /
A Team 4 investigation found that one of every three high school graduates in Pennsylvania who attended a state-owned university or community college this year was not prepared for the most basic math and English courses.
In fact, those students were so unprepared for college that they had to take special remediation classes which cost taxpayers $26 million this year -- and wait until you see the numbers for the school district where you live.
Mt. Lebanon: 23 percent... were not prepared for college."
So Mrs. Posti, and the PSEA worry themselves with vouchers, public school funding cuts and saving an extravagant construction project while they proclaim its all in the interest of educating the kids.
But, do you hear one whisper about investigating why 1 out of 4 Mt. lebanon graduates need remedial instruction in math and english their freshman year of college? Not a word! See one post on Center Court about it? Nada, zilch, nothing! Odd isn't it?
You'd think these people that are so dedicated to our kids learning experience would focus on why our graduates aren't prepared for college level courses!
- Giffen Good
Giffen, watch out for those rocks in your glass house. Your spelling and grammar are awful.
Al Fabette
Al, I gave you that one for creativity. Maybe Giffen is that one out of four Mt. Lebanon graduates.
Elaine
Of course Al, it's so much easier to shoot the messenger rather than deal with the issue at hand!
One in four Mt. Lebanon graduates is required take remedial math and english courses their freshman year of college!
What do you focus on Al-- how well I write on a blog!!!
I don't claim to be an educator, grammarian or a mathematcian. I don't make my living educating students.
Tell me Al do you care about our kids education or perhaps- protecting your own hide?
- Giffen Good
Back to the original point... Jack Jennings, whom Mrs. Posti quotes, has the right idea. "Clearly, the future of America is being formed in the public schools where the vast majority of tomorrow's citizens and workers are being educated. We should not get sidetracked into debates about vouchers. We should stay focused on how to improve all public schools and how to provide a good education for children from low-income families." So let us not get "sidetracked" on the topics of vouchers, salaries, state/federal funding or pensions. Especially not with whether Gif can write or spell! The real task is to figure out why 23% of Mt. Lebanon graduates need remedial help in English and math as college freshman and lower that percentage. Giffen is right, has it ever been a topic at a school board meeting or Mrs. Posti's blog? Dick Saunders
Just out of curiosity a count of Center Court topics since July 14.
1)Corbett Suffering School Districts Have Themselves to Blame"
2)More On Act 1
3)President's Board Report
4)New Principal
5)Single vs. Multiple Prime Contractors
6)Governor Corbett is Blowing Smoke
7)Pension Reform
8)School Vouchers Have No Strong Effect On Student Achievement
Eight topics! One deals with a new principal, one is the president's report to the board and one on the HS project bidding.
The remaining five deal with essentially financial issues.
I'd be interested in reading others thoughts or comments. Is this an indicator of district priorities or much ado about nothing and contrary to Mr. Good's observations?
Dick Saunders
Here is a crazy idea. Since Larry Lebowitz is looking for public input, why doesn't Josephine Posti have polls on her blog? It is very easy to do on Blogger. Sure there are a few glitches every now and then, but at least the Board would look like they were going through the motions of getting input from their constituents. Instead, Josephine has posts about how the governor is cramping their style.
Elaine
Not on Mrs. Posti's blog, she's one member and it's her podium to express her views. Though if she sees value in it... poll away, Mrs. Posti.
Any reason it couldn't be on the School District web page? They pay quite a bit for Harris surveys and postage. Wouldn't an online poll (21st Century technology!)save substantial money that would be better spent on books, lab equipment and computers?
Here's a thought Elaine.
With every posting of board meeting agendas they could attached a questionaire to get a handle on the mood of their constituents.
For example last meeting:
Monday we will be discussing the option of single or multiple prime contractors on the HS project.
Do you prefer we stick with one or switch to multiple prime contractors?
They could then post with the poll the pros & cons of each option.
Not scientific, but it would promote taxpayer participation. They'd also have an opportunity to get experienced input from residents (say architects or construction managers) or to formulate answers to constituent objections. A win win in my mind.
- Giffen Good
Now Giffen, since you said that it is a win win, it will never happen. Not putting the single vs. prime decision on the agenda, was a clear indication that the SB didn't want input. How could residents comment on agenda items at the beginning of the meeting, if they don't list them?
To put a poll on the District website, would be over the top. Remember what they had on their home page a year ago, "Welcom Back Students and Staff" and other gems? I am sure that their response would be that spending thousands of dollars on surveys, insures that the responses are from their target audience. We wouldn't want voters from neighboring school districts. The last poll I had, in my opinion, was dead on. Only nine people wanted multipe-prime contracts- the seven SB members plus two more.
Giffen, this is the same group that moved the policy committee meetings to 4:30 so that Larry Lebowitz could take off of work early to see his kids after the meeting. The whole community has to take off of work early so that Larry can see his kids after the meeting. The last public policy meeting wasn't so public.
I am starting to agree with the scuttlebutt; it is time for some key SB members to step down. They are not representing their constituents - never have and never will.
Elaine
I realize that some of the commenters on this site hate for the facts to get in the way of a shocking post, but to be accurate the story cited above not state that 1 out of 4 Lebo graduates was unprepared for college.
Instead, the story clearly states that 23% of the students from Lebo who are enrolled at Pennsylvania's state-owned or local community colleges were not ready for certain college level courses. I don't know how many of our recent graduates enrolled in Pennsylvania's state-owned or local community colleges, but I do know that it is not 100% of the graduating class. In fact, I'd say its a considerably smaller number given the number of graduates who move on to excellent private schools and universities. So - to be honest - 23% of that smaller group is no where close to 1 out of 4.
Al
Al,
Please send me an email and let me know why you wish to remain anonymous. I am assuming you are "Al Fabette" since you didn't sign your last name. Once I hear from you, I will continue to publish your comments. You sure sound like someone who would post using his real name.
Elaine
Al, were you one of the 23%?
23% of any group, regardless of size, is very close to 1 out of 4.
Honest.
David Huston
Al, you are correct. The actual statement in the Team 4 investigation, which I believe they got from a PDE study... was that 23% of Mt. Lebanon graduates enrolled in PA universities and community colleges needed to take remedial english and math courses their freshman year.
So again we'll nitpick over grammar and avoid the real issue... right.
The question is: WHY SHOULD A MT. LEBANON HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE NEED REMEDIAL INSTRUCTION UPON ENTERING ANY SCHOOL OF HIGHER LEARNING/"
It could be as simple as the 23% just checked out after graduation. Or it might be our teachers are preparing students to test high on PSSAs and missing teaching the math and english skills required for college level work!
I don't know the answer, but it seems it is a question that needs study, if everything in the district is "for the kids."
Oh, if Al is Al Fabette, it might be a good idea for you not to throw stones in your house either.
Dick Saunders
One other point Al.
The study that came up with 23% only addressed PA universities and community colleges. It doesn't say if the numbers are similar, better or worse in private or out-of-state colleges.
So, in fact we really don't have a percentage on how many Lebo grads need remediation. It could possibly be higher or indeed lower than 1 in 4!
Begs the question... does the district monitor or track Lebo grads performance once they leave?
That might be a better measure of performance than some Business Times ranking!
Dick Saunders
Al, I would sure love to publish your comment.
Elaine
Al, again, I wish I could publish your comments. Here is my policy:
Comments are moderated. Anonymous comments are not permitted. Comments must include the commenter's real first and last name, unless prior arrangements have been made by sending an email to EGillen476@aol.com with your concerns.
Sorry.
When the debt service is too high, I wonder if any average kids will be placed in modified classes to save a teacher's job? Parents beware!
Bill Hook
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