School Taxes

Poconoeagle wrote:

Richard S. wrote:

Yanche wrote: slightly more that $49 million is spent on approximately 162 special ed students.

So about $330K per student? Does it really make sense to spend huge sums of money on kids that most likely will ever have any meaningful contribution to society? Don't get me wrong here, I'm not suggesting we kick them to the curb but it's just not right to be spending the most money on the students that will be the least productive in society.

I wonder and agree there also.... thats just insane.... History dictates a different story and many a "special" person has made a wonderful contribution to the world without wearing a golden fleece..... they did it on their own merits and determination

Yes, as you point out it's insane. Especially when you talk privately to officials about the value and they point out that many will likely never be a productive citizen. But it's the "no child left behind" mandate that forces them to spend. Especially upsetting is when you find parents shop the school districts and move residency to a state/county/town/school district that gives the most special ed services. It begs the question what would you do if it's your child with special needs?

Yanche wrote:It begs the question what would you do if it's your child with special needs?

I pulled mine out.

And they fought me to the end.

Being as one of them is diagnosed autistic, the school REALLY liked the extra money, but oddly enough, didn't mind failing to provide the services they were supposed to. Shocking, I know.....

Richard S. wrote:

Yanche wrote: slightly more that $49 million is spent on approximately 162 special ed students.

So about $330K per student? Does it really make sense to spend huge sums of money on kids that most likely will ever have any meaningful contribution to society? Don't get me wrong here, I'm not suggesting we kick them to the curb but it's just not right to be spending the most money on the students that will be the least productive in society.

I'd say Stephen Hawking would be a fine example of money very well spent as far as people with disabilities goes.
Obviously, he was a child with the ability to learn, retain knowledge, and excell beyond expectation. One of the greatest minds in modern history.
Of course his achievements are'nt the norm anyway. Far from it.
It was'nt that long ago that his disabilities would guarantee a life locked away in an institution. Away from society. Imagine the contributions that would be lost.
I guess you can never really know someones full potential.

Stephen Hawking was in his late 20's or early 30's at Cambridge University when he got his ALS diagnosis.

And IIRC, he had already challenged Einstein's Relativity Theory.

Thanks Jeff
I thought he was born with a disability.
What do I know.... I went to public school

So did I, but since my old man is a MENSA member, instead of getting cool stuff for Christmas, I got books like "A Brief History of Time" by Stephen Hawking.

I was the only person in Jr. high school that knew what a singularity was.

Guess I must have been dozing on the singularity issue, doesn`t it have something to do with a future time?

Ehhh, to be honest, it's been a while. I'd have to refresh my memory.

jpete wrote:So did I, but since my old man is a MENSA member, instead of getting cool stuff for Christmas, I got books like "A Brief History of Time" by Stephen Hawking.

I was the only person in Jr. high school that knew what a singularity was.

It's likely "only person" included your teachers!

Now how can this possibly make sense towards saving money if they take the 10k plus their pension & benefits & run? Then to boot have the chance to come back as a sub.http://www.myfoxdfw.com/dpp/news/educat ... er-buyouts

Because they will replaced with newer teachers making less, most who will take that deal will probably be retiring shortly anyway. As far as the subs go anyone know what the standard pay is? Is it a base rate for everyone or does that go by experience and qualifications too?

Speaking of subs seems my nephew had run in with old teacher of mine that was subbing. She reported he was sleeping which was activity I frequently did in her class, coincidence? She didn't like me because I'd do nothing and then ace the tests... My brother was all over his kid about this and then when he found out who the teacher was he felt bad because his kid was saying he wasn't sleeping. As I said to my brother if she's lying that's bordering on crazy because it would have been 20 years ago I was in her class.

I understand about the pay scales but wouldn`t it make more sense (since they say they don`t have the funds) to open talks & ask for say a 20 or whatever given % cut come next school year, all the older ones would take full retirement rather than risk a cut in pensions & they would save 10k a teacher. Just seems like why go farther in the hole than you have to. Don`t forget if it works like most pensions a % of your pay goes towards pension if the pay rates are cut so is the amount of contributions. Then again every state is different anymore, just seems like a big outlay that could have been avoided.

Freddy wrote:Bumper sticker: "If you think education is expensive....try ignorance."

Bumper Sticker: My Yellow Lab is smarter than your public school honor student"

I agree with Richard - we do have a duty to provide a basic education. The basics include: Math, Science, English and Reading. Everything else is gravey that Parents should pay for. I am getting ticked off with college students exorting that college is a right - it's a privilege. I will fight my tax dollars going State Universities with all their coddling. I and my wife paid for that privilege ourselves, so should college students! My forehead is still black and blue from reading a student protest sign stating: "I can't afford to loose my tution"

Complaining about school taxes is about as old as the school system. I can remember back in the early 70's there was a move to build a new school (after all the one we were using was about 50 years old and so over-crowded we were on double session).

The new school was to cost $4 million. At a town meeting one man stood up and loudly exclaimed "I don't want my kid smarter than me".

The new school was defeated. The last addition that was put on the school cost 12 million.