Bruce: wrote on Mar 12, 2008 12:16 AM: I hope they are taking advantage of thess necessary cuts to get rid of the slackers and those of mediocre performance and skills; those that do not put forward an effort to improve or advance themselves. Once the deadwood is gone new, capable, teachers can be brought on board. No matter how distasteful that sounds everyone reading it knows it is true - even the slackers.

Hmm.. wrote on Mar 12, 2008 12:48 AM:Right there in the "top jobs" box next to the input box for this very comment, right now- it says "Teachers Wanted" in Solana Beach.

This whole thing is just stupid.

Man, everybody is wrote on Mar 12, 2008 6:26 AM:getting laid off, the only ones with jobs are the Illegals.

to Bruce wrote on Mar 12, 2008 7:07 AM:you have no idea what you're talking about. They are not laying them off for any kind of performance, and these are positions that may never be filled again. My son is going to Kindergarten next year, where teachers will have 30+ five year olds in one class. Rumor has it they will also now have 3 shorter sessions of Kindergarten instead of 2 longer ones so they can accomplish this with far fewer teachers. Our state is a mess, and our children's education will suffer for this.

pinkslipped wrote on Mar 12, 2008 7:15 AM:In response to Bruce:
Due to the "pecking order", it's the new, capable ones who are always let go first.

local osider wrote on Mar 12, 2008 7:41 AM:WoW! Bruce you havent got a clue! They dont lay off the people that are new and energetic! They lay off the people responsible for our failing district in the first place! Our new and energetic teachers have been reinforced that teaching is a bad gig, doesnt pay well and not secure...Our kids will continue to be taught by status quo members that avoided the cuts because they have connections or tenure...You sound like the typical ignorant commentator filled with uninformed opionions and devoid of any common sense...The dead wood are running the show! OUSD is the HIGHEST PAID DISTRICT IN NORTH COUNTY!!! LETS GET RID OF DEADWOOD ADMINISTRATORS AND ACADEMIC COUNSELORS THAT BRING NOTHING TO THE TABLE BESIDES BAD JUDGMENT. Thank you Lilian Adams for your judgment, we support you :)

Bruce in reply to pinkslipped: wrote on Mar 12, 2008 7:49 AM: You got it babe - you hit the nail on the head. "Entrenched" is the key word.

Craig wrote on Mar 12, 2008 8:07 AM:Until enough people write our state legislators complaining about all the waste and fraud, this will continue to happen. All the people getting free handouts don't want to lose their money.

Audit the State wrote on Mar 12, 2008 8:10 AM:What's incredible here is not the proposed cuts, it's where is all the money from the Lotto and all the different propositions that we vote on year after year, such as Indian Gaming) that promise a large portion of the money will go to education. This money was promoted as extra money into education, not to just to balance the education budget. I'm sure over the years some of it goes to education,but I bet if an audit is done on the State you will find the State probably took away some of the regular everyday education money and is using the promised extra money as a filler,not a supplement that would have increased the amount of money for education. If education got all the money promised to them over the years by all the politicians that promoted all the special things such as the Lotto and propositions, the current proposed cuts would just be fat trimming.

Fitz wrote on Mar 12, 2008 9:39 AM:New and energetic will never be as capable as experienced teachers. I hope you are better and more knowledgeable employee now than when you were 23 or 24 years old and starting your career

Let's Start at the Top wrote on Mar 12, 2008 9:50 AM:The OUSD Governing Board should start at the very top and take at least a 10% cut of all administrators' pay. This would set a good example that the higher-ups are also being affected.

to whom wrote on Mar 12, 2008 9:50 AM:thats for pre school....read the fine print...not reading the fine print is stupid

Mark wrote on Mar 12, 2008 10:58 AM:My sympathy is with the educators who are losing their jobs due to the incompetence demonstrated by the state government. Where are all the Lotto and Indian gaming dollars that were supposed to save California schools? In such a financial crisis, why do the state sponsored give-aways continue, such as free meals, bi-lingual education (including costs to print all documents in Spanish), busing, etc?
Every school administrator in California should be removed for packing our schools for the sole purpose of gathering more tax dollars per student, per day, regardless of the student's legal status in the United States!

Michael M wrote on Mar 12, 2008 11:07 AM:1. Unions (in agreement with each school district) set hire/fire regs. If you want the best teachers in the classroom, if you want to use a budget crisis as a reason to get rid of substandard teachers, then you must change the amount of infuence the CTA and NEA have in running the business of education.

Once a contract is approved, principals and School Boards have very little control over who stays and who goes. It's no different than the rules in an auto plant -- last hired -- first fired. It's that simple.

If this is not what you want -- then get involved and get the rules changed.

2. The State's budget problems were as predicatble as the sunset. We as an electorate have asked for our government to pay for everything -- healthcare, welfare, farm and water subsidies, education, retirements, public transportation, job training, unemployment, etc....

Pile on the increasing burden (and our soft attitude) toward the cost of harboring millions of illegals and it's no surprise we're in this mess.

We, as the people who elect Sacramento, have approved the bloating and uncontrolled expenditures. Are you willing to get involved and replace you representative? Based upon the re-election rate -- I think not.

If you want more money in education, then what do yo want cut? Or are you willing to pay more taxes? Does your Senator and Rep know your feelings -- or are one of those who just complain.

The problem IS NOT education cuts. The problem is that our representatives believe that there is no limit to the amount of money you're willing to give them, and no control on how they spend it.

Parent wrote on Mar 12, 2008 11:22 AM:As a parent of an elementary student and a preschool, an ex-teacher, and the wife of a current teacher, I can honestly say that our current education system is going down the drain. In my last year of teaching I had 58 students in a core class. I only had 43 desks - you do the math on how many students had to sit on the floor! Within my class, I then had nearly 25 students who did not speak English, could not read English and could not write English. Now with proposed cuts, our class sizes are going to increase, our resources for non English speaking students are going to decrease and we are letting teachers go. Please tell me how we are going to be serving our students. We are seriously considering pulling our children from the public education system and home schooling them. This is a disgrace to our education system, a disservice to our students, and 10 years from now we will see what this does to our state.

Jim wrote on Mar 12, 2008 11:35 AM:Will they be cutting any of the sports programs?

Ralphs wrote on Mar 12, 2008 11:59 AM:I totally agree with Michael M. The bucket has finally run dry. I do believe that the fat cats at the top should take a pay cut. Those that do not teach should be the first to go. Second, all of the freebee's to the illegals must stop. There is a limit to what the taxpayer can support.

Cut the special programs wrote on Mar 12, 2008 12:13 PM:and bloated, self appointed administrators in the CTA. Just like corrupt "politicians" everywhere, the NEA and the CTA care ONLY about their continued existence. The way they are going about handling the budget cuts only proves this all the more. When I was teaching, there were so many "special programs" I couldn't keep track, with new one's weekly. They have proven, by the abysmal failure of ALL CA school performances over the last 20-30 years that these are NOT the answer. I went to Parochial school and we had 50 kids in each class yet lo and behold, we got a great education. No "special needs" classes available, yet somehow we ALL scored high on IOWA tests every year or we were "disciplined" for failure and actually held back. Today, the public schools just develop MORE special programs to justify their pathetic existence. Public Education is a misnomer as it has devolved into Public Socialization and Indoctrination. Cut all "special" programs and get back to the business of EDUCATING, period.

dave from oceanside wrote on Mar 12, 2008 12:38 PM:The border patrol is hiring, but no liberal educators please.
Your the reason we have this problem.

Greg in Oceanside wrote on Mar 12, 2008 12:43 PM:The recent rash of layoffs in our educational systems is a direct result of California's budget shortfalls. Why are there budget shortfalls? Well, this is pretty much a no-brainer. We have hordes of illegal aliens who are receiving public assistance, delivering babies in our hospitals, and receiving medical care in the emergency rooms and clinics for free, at taxpayer expense since illegal immigrants are generally paid under the table and don't pay taxes. Many people will argue that we can't put all the blame on illegal immigrants. But, it is an undeniable fact that they are predominately the root cause of our budget crisis. Typically illegal aliens use a vastly disproportionate amount of taxpayer-funded social services. American taxpayers are footing the bill and have been doing so for all too long, and unfortunately it has finally caught up with us. And, to compound the problem companies are relocating out of the state and many taxpaying professionals have left, taking resources and potential tax revenue with them. So, the time is now to take away all incentives (including the 14th Amendment) for illegal immigrants to flood our communities, and and foster a good business climate or we'll continue this downward spiral and decay of our quality of life.

I agree with Michael M wrote on Mar 12, 2008 12:46 PM:as well. His obvious grasp of the language, his grammar and punctuation, lead me to believe that a) he is "old school", meaning he got his education pre the current dumbed down curriculum or b) had the priviledge of going to a private school. Instead of Public education being randomly funded by the taxpayers, I think it would be very advantageous to have each parent "pay" for their own students. Vouchers comes to mind. If more parents were responsible for their child's education, or lack thereof, maybe that education would improve. The old, "you get what you pay for", might come into play. I have to "reteach" my kids on a nightly basis, while my tax dollar goes to free lunch, home schooling and day care centers for pregnant students, bi lingual education,text books in Spanish and on and on. That isn't what I signed up for but that's what I get. Public education should be run by businesspeople with the "bottom line" being education. IF the schools fail, they deserve to go out of business. I can only dream that this idea will ever come to fruition

How about giving wrote on Mar 12, 2008 12:48 PM:the pink slips printed with a map back to Mexico?

Trucker from Oceanside wrote on Mar 12, 2008 1:20 PM:Looking at the world through a windshield is a lot less complicated than trying to fathom the logic of supporting social spending to the point that it has bankrupted, morally and fiscally, our government; but the question remains, why did we let it happen? All of this could have been avoided had a majority of us voted in favor of Governor Schwarzenegger's cost-cutting proposals two years ago. Now, rather than cutting frivolous state-government spending or auditing the budget to ferret out misappropriation of public funds, we are allowing the board of education to send classroom teachers packing. What of the administrative personnel who contribute little or nothing toward our children's education? How did the priorities become so hideously skewed?

Balance wrote on Mar 12, 2008 3:30 PM:If every adult capable of work (legal and illegal) were pulling their own weight, situations like this would be avoided. This is a result of the unbalanced share of work and reward in our system. Some put in more than they get back, and some put in less than they receive. Some on extreme levels. I think we all have an idea where each of us stand.

Looking for a job, again wrote on Mar 12, 2008 4:00 PM:To Dave from Oceanside: Looks like the Border Patrol needs a few teachers around. You're grammar is off, buddy.

Oceanside mom wrote on Mar 12, 2008 4:11 PM:It is unfortunate that some of us start blaming the weakest who needs the most help. Having the public divided and blaming each other is what the people at the top of the hierarchy wants.
Anyways, I believe we as parents must become active participants in our children's education. I also would like to see some cuts at the district office level (administrators and board members) rather than at the school level. We need teachers but we could probably do without some of the beuraucrats who are just using their current positions as stepping stones for their political goals.
Complaining and blaming others won't solve the problem. Get your pen, phone, and/or computer and let state's legislatures know we are unhappy with the budget cuts.

itsmoi wrote on Mar 12, 2008 5:03 PM:Why don't we do what Mexico does? They have to pay to go to school down there. The rich kids down there go to school. Has anybody ever been to Guadalajara? They have nice big homes, big city, school buses and lots of children going to school. Come on new president, can my child go to school down there?

Curtis wrote on Mar 12, 2008 6:40 PM:This is great news for the taxpayers. We are finally cutting wasteful government spending. Parents now need to push for school vouchers!!!

Kelly wrote on Mar 12, 2008 8:59 PM:Repeal Prop. 13 already. You know it's coming.

The fact that CA would seemingly rather spend money on prison guards than educators is the #1 reason our little piece of your tax base is fleeing the state.

Shelly wrote on Mar 12, 2008 9:08 PM:Dump anyone who's been in the system >20 years and is pulling down a salary that would afford the retention of three energetic young teachers - particularly the layer upon layer of ineffectual district and county administrations.

No one wants to admit that allowing teachers to work 30 or 40 years when all they're required to do at that point is show up - or worse, inflict their burnout on students - serves absolutely zero purpose but greed.

Julie wrote on Mar 12, 2008 9:16 PM:I think its ridiculous that our government would cut funds from education when that is the most important thing! Today, about 40% of my school's teachers received pink slips, and most of them are highly qualified, if not better than those old tenured teachers. Teachers who have worked 8 years or less were in danger in our district, and we live in a relatively wealthy community.

And for people who think private school vouchers are the answer, please do the math. Bush proposed $300 million; look up the number of children living below the poverty level (family income

it affects me wrote on Mar 12, 2008 10:01 PM:I am one of the teachers being laid off...it stinks. The saddest part is that I won't see my students now move forward in life...I give my life to students and no one seems to understand that. To Bruce...they don't start at the top, they start at the bottom, the ones who have to the recent education and new masters degrees...the ones who really help our students. Hopefully this budget will change and people will remember its about our chilren...lets stop the crime and educate our kids!!!

Oceanside Res wrote on Mar 12, 2008 10:06 PM:We dont need the teachers, We have the new Sprinter and it only cost a half billion. But we probably will need to cut a few more teachers to cover expenses!!

jvc wrote on Mar 12, 2008 11:28 PM:What is the problem?
Why is this teacher layoff so depended on state funding that affects a local issue? Let the shortfall of funding
to keep these teachers from being layed
off come from a special local means to raise the shorfall of funds since this is really a local issue and gives notice that our school district is not
wholly dependent on the state for our
education funding!Let us meet as a district to find the funds necessary to keep these teachers employed: open the town hall meetings to tackle this
problem and issue and let us come together to solve this problem as a community that values education and saves jobs! Local issues demand local
solutions!

Karl wrote on Mar 13, 2008 12:02 AM:To "Kelly
[-] wrote on Mar 12, 2008 8:59 PM:" Not a snowballs chance in hell Kelly. It would need 67% of the voters and I don't think they'll ever get it. If some legisltors try it, they will probably be voted out in their next election. Our government doesn't need more money, they need to manage the money they do have better

Beat The Bush wrote on Mar 13, 2008 1:53 AM:Well all you George Bush voters....first the war......next 3990+ dead soldiers in a senseless crime. Now you parents are gonna have to dig deep into your wallets for money to buy those bus passes for your kids. Better sell that second car cause gas will be at $4.50 a gallon in September when the new school year starts.

What about the BIG bonus the higher brass in the school boards get.

What happened to the California Lottery was supposed to raise. I just bought my last ticket last week.

to: dave from oceanside wrote on Mar 13, 2008 6:17 AM:Liberal educators are the reason for the problem? Try corporations whose bottom line is cutting costs and profit maximization. Demand for cheap labor is the reason people come here from Mexico. You can't have it both ways.

And yes, Prop. 13 should be rescinded. It IS a shame that we spend more per prisoner than per student. If we spent more on students in the first place (what are we as a state, #47 for spending on education?) we probably wouldn't need the $$ to build more prisons! Think prevention!

Tuition should be wrote on Mar 13, 2008 6:39 AM:charged to every illegal parent here sending their children to our schools. The EUHS district wants another bond measure (presently on hold) What are they nuts???? We are in a recession. Maybe if the so called educated educators had "real life" jobs they would know how things work in the "real" world. The schools need not act as ICE agents but could require documentation showing they are citizens or not. If not a legal resident, then start charging tuition. The time has come for the free loader, non US citizens to pay up.

Publius wrote on Mar 13, 2008 8:16 AM:Vouchers sound like a good solution -- if you have money -- but will only serve to create an even bigger divide between the haves and have-nots in our society. And illegal immigrants are not the only have-nots who will be affected.

Think about it: Suddenly every parent is given a voucher for $5,000 (to pull a number out of a hat) for each of their school-age kids, to spend at a school of their choice. But all the private schools are already pretty well filled up. That means demand for those schools has suddenly gone through the roof, and those fo you have taken Econ 101 know what that means: All of sudden it costs anywhere from $10,000 to $25,000 a year to put your kid in private school. Those of us with means might bite the bullet, but most can't afford that, epsecially if you have several kids.

Hundreds, if not thousands, of new private schools will form overnight to take advantage of all these people with government checks in their hand, but many will be fly-by-night schools just taking the money and delivering worse education than the public schools. And who will oversee them, if anyone? The government will insist that any school that gets government money be approved or monitored by the government. That's a whole new bureaucracy that will need to be established.

And who's left in the public schools? All the "poor" kids, whose parents couldn't afford the extra money on top of the vouchers. Public schools become a dumping ground (like they already are in the big cities, but even worse). You think it's bad now, wait until you take out the kids whose parents have money. The best teachers will all be hired away by the reputable new private schools, too. (The fly-by-night schools will just hire 'babysitters' to sit in their classrooms playing video games while the kids run amok.)

Be careful what you wish for, people.

We need to PINK SLIP wrote on Mar 13, 2008 11:36 AM:the politicians who continue to spend OUR tax money on food, and medical care and housing for ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS!

They Didn't Lay Off Enough wrote on Mar 13, 2008 12:16 PM:The government needs to get completely out of the education business. Government schools rarely teach students to think critically. After all, if students learn to think critically, there is the possibility that they would reject the status quo of ever expanding government involvement in the lives of ordinary Americans. Without public schools, we would have more money in our pockets. Private schools would be accountable to parents and not mindless government bureaucrats. People without children would not be forced to pay for the education of other people's children but would be free to voluntarily give to private schools. Religious expression would be permitted at all schools. For these reasons and more, all concerned taxpayers should support the separation of school and state.

Jenny wrote on Mar 13, 2008 4:16 PM:The state should get rid of ESL, it's a black hole that drains budgets dry and doesn't actually achieve anything. Districts should also get rid of the expensive "diversity" training sessions that some have bought into, Lodi did and are saving hundreds of thousands of dollars.

dave wrote on Mar 13, 2008 7:52 PM:Easy solution parents. Take your kids to private school.

Private Schools Rule wrote on Mar 13, 2008 9:21 PM:"They did'nt lay off enough" hit the nail on the head. Way to go!!! Enough said.

Teacher wrote on Mar 14, 2008 6:51 AM:Actually, if we closed the borders and sent all illegals home, we wouldn't need all the teachers or schools that we have. And for cutting money spent on English language learners, I doubt that it will happen. ELD programs seem to be more regulated than almost any other program in my school. It is mandated, I have to take time out from the rest of my students to work with those who are learning English. I, too, agree there are some serious things that need fixing in education. For instance, the unions. My teachers' union is very strong and it is battling with the district constantly. I pay $100 per month for their protection, but I've never needed their protection. Who needs their protection? I guess those not doing their job, and, of course, they get the union's protection.

$100 ???? wrote on Mar 15, 2008 10:24 AM:You pay $100 per month to your district in union fees? I highly doubt it. It should be less than $20 per month. People seem to forget, or maybe they don't realize, that a union is there to protect due process rights of the teachers. You may never need the service during your teaching career, but if unfounded accusations were lodged against you, you would be paying a fortunate in attorney's fees to represent your side. Less than $20 per month is a small price to pay.

Check my pay check wrote on Mar 15, 2008 6:57 PM:It is $98.90 ten times per year that my union takes out of my paycheck. I'd like to know where you work that you only pay $20.