JSten wrote on Apr 16, 2008 7:04 AM:Suggest everyone pool their lunch money, latte money, cable TV money, and what ever else they don't really need and form a transportation district.

I dont think the school districts around here are up to the task.

Business as usual wrote on Apr 16, 2008 9:53 AM:The board members finally got their way. They've been trying to get rid of transportation for years. Why listen to the people who elected you? People who come to board meetings are met with eye-rolling from the board, hostile treatment ... Surely not the picture of democracy I'd like my kids to see. The sad thing is that they are prepared to sacrifice the education of the children they are elected to serve. Should that really be ok? Perhaps taking transportation away is a subtle way of lowering class sizes - and getting the less fortunate students out of the Bonsall schools and on the streets. Is this where the board members feel these children belong?

Cimarron wrote on Apr 16, 2008 10:07 AM:Ugh! Well, I hope they will consider having the elementary & middle school start and end times within 15-30 min. of each other instead of over an hour apart since I'll now have to drop off & pick up at both. Drop off & pick up is going to be a total nightmare both places - not looking forward to it at all.

Arrowood Resident wrote on Apr 16, 2008 2:37 PM:I can't believe we live in an area that tells us we have to take our kids to school more then 25 minutes away, and will not provide transportation. I sincerely feel for all of the people who bought homes in the tranquil city of Bonsall only to have a freeway coming up West Lilac now. I guess we will certainly figure it out, because it is no longer the "District's Problem".

Spread the pain wrote on Apr 16, 2008 2:37 PM:How about making the teachers absorb a higher portion of their health benefits and going a year without a pay increase? This is a fact of life in normal business; somehow teachers are immune to the pain.

teacher's spouse wrote on Apr 16, 2008 7:23 PM:The school district must make cuts to stay afloat and transportation is a huge chunk of money. Where do you suggest they cut from? Complain all you want but come up with viable solutions if you don't like the decisions being made. As for the teachers, they are not expecting a pay raise during a financial crisis like this and the benefit package they get from this district only pays for themselves. Benefits were reduced last year and do not cover spouses or children unless teachers pay out of pocket.

Wise Guy wrote on Apr 17, 2008 6:37 AM:Maybe the Governator should come to Bonsall and transport the kids in his Hummer...

Move wrote on Apr 17, 2008 6:51 AM:If you don't like it move. Its your choice to live within that district.

Rusty wrote on Apr 17, 2008 8:48 AM:Has anyone thought through the impact of increased traffic around schools from the standpoint of pedestrian safety, traffic congestion, or the environmental impact of increased gasoline use and pollution?

I understand there are budget realities, but I suspect there is more to the story (i.e. fiscal mismanagement).

The Board’s actions speak for themselves: Stupid is as stupid does.

Spread the pain wrote on Apr 17, 2008 9:59 AM:I think teacher's spouse needs to make a trip to the district business office. Health benefits for teacher's spouses and children are HUGELY subsidized by the district; the out of pocket expenses teachers pay for these benefits are a very small fraction of the total costs.

Disgusted wrote on Apr 17, 2008 5:04 PM:I agree with rusty 200 0/0. Fiscal mismangement? Hum, apparently this board turns into a group of "BOBBLE HEADS" whenever the business manager speaks. This district has a history of finanical mismanagement, does anyone remember the "COMMUNITY CENTER" fiasco? Hasn't been paid for yet.Rusty, you are right, STUPID IS AS STUPID DOES.

Disgusted 2 wrote on Apr 17, 2008 5:16 PM:To take transportation from the students, speaks the words coming from this board loud and clear, WE DO NOT CARE ABOUT THIS COMMUNITY. If they cared, they would of found other avenues to make the cuts. Seens like it is time to elect NEW BOARD MEMBERS. Maybe NEW members will show a better concern for the people who put them in charge

Angry wrote on Apr 17, 2008 5:55 PM:To Rusty, elections for new board menbers is coming up, how about you running for one of the positions. These current board members sure do not think or care about the safety and welfare of our children, because if they had the childrens interest at heart, they could of come up with other options. As you said, STUPID IS AS STUPID DOES.

Upset wrote on Apr 17, 2008 6:34 PM:I AS A PARENT I TIP MY HAT TO DR. SARAH HOGGAN. I HEARD HER SPEAK AT THE LAST 2 BOARD MEETINGS AND WOULD LOVE TO SEE HER RUN FOR ONE OF OUR SCHOOL BOARD SEATS THIS COMING NOVEMBER. IN TODAY'S WORLD WE AS PARENTS RELY ON THE BUSES TO GET OUR KIDS BACK AND FORTH TO SCHOOL, WITH TWO INCOMES NEEDED TO SURVIVE, ALOT OF US WORK OUTSIDE THE DISTRICT, WE WILL HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO LOCATE OUR KIDS IN A SCHOOL NEAR OUR WORK. THE BONSALL SCHOOL DISTRICT IS NOT THE CARING SCHOOL DISTRICT IT ONCE WAS, SOMEWHERE ALONG THE LINE IT LOST SIGHT OF WHAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT TOO BAD!

Spread the word wrote on Apr 17, 2008 6:50 PM:Wow, a district with no busing. Why in the world would a family want to move into the RURAL Bonsall District? Making such a foolish decision to cut this out, well parents, what is next? Isn't there anyone that can make a better decision? I am hearing that this board wanted to keep it as far from the classroom as possible, o.k. but in the meantime you hurt the kids and their families anyway. Well, i will certainly spread the word to family and friends that this definitely is a district to stay away from.

Fiscal Management wrote on Apr 17, 2008 8:25 PM:None of these problems would exist if the BUSD were run more like a fiscally conservative business and less like a Government entitlement program.

who is at fault? wrote on Apr 17, 2008 9:09 PM:Maybe the public needs to insist that the board get rid of the person in charge of finances? This seems to be an ongoing problem in the district.

Wendy C. wrote on Apr 17, 2008 11:14 PM:I am surprised that BUSD even knows what kind of money it has to spend. Past administrators have publicly admitted that they have a had time knowing exactly what their budget is! It seems to be composed in a way that only the financial officer can understand - great job security, eh? If you are the only one who really understands where the money is, they have to keep you on. The sad thing is that 4 out of 5 board members are businessmen......if they run their personal business this way, I am surprised they are still afloat.....

Bus Cuts wrote on Apr 18, 2008 5:35 PM:San Marcos, Oceanside & Carlsbad are all cutting their buses too. Our state is in a financial mess due to money given away to health care and well being of illegal immigrants. If our Gov. could do less giving away to social outreach programs our schools would not be in this mess.

District jobs... wrote on Apr 18, 2008 6:52 PM:Has anyone ever asked the question "WHY" do we need a Superintendent and an Assistant Superintendent for such a small school district? Only 4 schools to account for and such a job gets the first paychecks. Just look at the SD school board, they all vote for more and more pay raises for each other.

who is at fault 2 wrote on Apr 18, 2008 7:28 PM:Yes, i agree with who is at fault. Why has this individual been allowed to run amok, with District money?Surely, a person in charge would of come up with a way to make other cuts within the district and not have our children and ourselves at the center of these cuts.

Fed up in Bonsall wrote on Apr 18, 2008 7:35 PM:We agree with Wendy C. Why doesn't the Board look at how other Districts have made the cuts. Why not start with the individual that can't seem to keep the District out of debt. Come on Board Members, it isn't that hard, open your eyes.

Pissed Off wrote on Apr 18, 2008 7:47 PM:We just heard of this horrible decision that has been made about cutting the buses. So what are we as working parents suppose to do? Did you forget -- this is a RURAL DISTRICT? Does the board really care about the people who have put them in those seats? NOT AT ALL. Surely other decisions could of been made, and this was the only choice?

? wrote on Apr 19, 2008 8:29 AM:The Jan. 15 school board agenda on the BUSD website contains the following action item: "EXTENSION OF THE ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT CONTRACT, the board will consider the extension of Assistant Superintendent Wayne Jones' employment contract." Does anyone know if this was approved and for how long?

Mad wrote on Apr 19, 2008 4:31 PM:To ?.It is public knowledge. It was approved for 3 years. There is a savings of over $125,000, had it not been approved. There's a start at saving the district some money. Why not start at the top and spread it out evenly? My question is, why doesn't this board look at the "BIG PICTURE" when making decisions like elimatating transportation? Surely the asst. superintendent can't recommend reasonable ways to cut.

Wendy C. wrote on Apr 19, 2008 9:56 PM:there are some school districts around the country that not only put their budget online, but also list the payments they actually make - and to whom. Transparency for BUSD finances? Not at all possible with this group of guys.

The sad thing is that the board has made it clear that they are ready and willing to accept that some kids can't make it to school. Just the lost ADA from the state will cause even more of a budgetary impact on the district. But they're ok with this. OK with kids not getting to school? OK with less money for their already ailing budget? I surely am NOT ok with this!!!!!

If Bonsall were not a rural school district, and had an abundance of dependable mass transport like Oceanside and san Marcos, then I'd be ok with the elimination of transportation. But it's not. Too bad the district didn't consider that they could buy used busses from the districts that are getting rid of theirs for cheaper than new ones - which would negate the unending argument about the aging bus fleet. If the board had consulted the community, perhaps we could have all come up with a better solution.

FYI wrote on Apr 20, 2008 7:09 AM:There is a budget meeting next Tuesday at 6:00 in the community center.

teacher's spouse wrote on Apr 20, 2008 7:52 AM:To spread the pain.
Here is info from the Ed Data website as of 2006/2007. The following shows maximum annual benifit package contributions from Bonsall and other North County districts:(Bonsall $6,408)
(Valley Center $7,350)(Del Mar $8,048)(Encinitas $8,424)(Escondido $9,144)(Poway $9,734)(Vista $10,512)(San Marcos $11,692)(Oceanside $13,276).
As you can see Bonsall is already at the bottom in terms of benifits. They were cut last year already do you really suggest we cut them again?

disgusted 3 wrote on Apr 20, 2008 12:39 PM:I would love to invite Wendy C. to the next budget meeting, maybe we could come up with other options other than axing transportation. Seems like 2 of the 5 board menmbers sees what a strain and burden this places not only on the parents but what a domino effect this will have throughout the district.There are other options, Dr. Hoggan had a suggestion "HOW ABOUT A STAY OF EXECUTION", at least until this board can REALLY look at the "BIG PICTURE" as "MAD" stated

Woke Up wrote on Apr 20, 2008 1:01 PM:We need to all wake up and ask, what is the business manager's job? Isn't it to look at ALL POSITIONS throughout the district and see where there is waste? Is this the only area that could of been cut? Seems this business manager has tunnel vision. This should be a wake up call to the school board and ask yourselves.....is this a person that we all want to supposely manage the budget, i think not.

disgusted also wrote on Apr 20, 2008 7:22 PM:If there isn't any money, how come the district office was redecorated? That building will no longer be used when the new school opens. What a waste of money. They also feel they are understaffed at the district office and will try to hire more personnel to help out there. Where will that money come from? If people are incompetent, replace them. It was running fine before with the same amount of people.

Spread the pain wrote on Apr 21, 2008 7:15 AM:Hey teacher's spouse, it the benefits stink in the Bonsall school district, have your spouse get a job in another district. The last I checked, teachers were allowed to get jobs in other districts. That's the way 99.5% of the working population does it.

fyi 2 wrote on Apr 21, 2008 8:28 AM:To disgusted also, you are kidding? More staff at the district office. Something is wrong with this whole picture. Here they take away our busing and now this. When talking about incompetent people, why not start where these problems begin, with the person in charge of the schools finances. How about some feedback.

Cimarron wrote on Apr 21, 2008 10:43 AM:Ok, so if there will be no buses and drop off & pick up are going to be a traffic nightmare ... here's an idea that hopefully the PTA/PTSA's of the BUSD schools will pick up on. I believe the PTA's have websites - at least Bonsall Elementary's PTA does, so it would be great for parents if there was a message board on the sites so those who are interested in a car/van pool rotation can connect. That would help a little bit anyway - one car/van with 3-6 students vs. one car with 1-2 students. And, since there won't be buses at Sullivan, the car/van pool drivers should get priority and use the current bus lanes for drop off & pick up.

I'd still prefer the school buses, but am certainly willing to car pool with others parents with students at Sullivan and/or Bonsall Elementary.

Wendy C. wrote on Apr 21, 2008 12:50 PM:My understanding is that the PTAs supported the elimination of transportation. I also understand that they plan to sponsor a couple of nights at each school where parents can come and work out carpooling.

Another key issue to consider is what to do for those kids who inevitably will be dropped off early or picked up late.....does the district have a contingency plan to deal with them? I have heard from some school personnel that kids are being dropped off early and will hide behind buildings until it's an ok time for them to be at school. What will done about this?

Another "solution" to the cutting of transportation is to make Bonsall West a K-6 school instead of just K-5. This would eliminate the trek to Sullivan for next year's 6th graders from Bonsall West. That is still on the table, and due to be addressed at the next board meeting.

wondering wrote on Apr 21, 2008 2:10 PM:How about the district as it grows, do people really want to move to a district like rural bonsall with no transportation? I think not, certainly not my family.

teacher's spouse wrote on Apr 21, 2008 4:02 PM:"Spread the pain said: How about making the teachers absorb a higher portion of their health benefits and going a year without a pay increase?" I pointed out to you teachers already absorbed a higher portion of their healthcare benefits this past year. I also pointed out to you they are not expecting a pay raise during this financial crisis.

"Spread the pain said: I think teacher's spouse needs to make a trip to the district business office. Health benefits for teacher's spouses and children are HUGELY subsidized by the district; the out of pocket expenses teachers pay for these benefits are a very small fraction of the total costs." I in turn gave you accurate information about the actual amounts of money paid in benefits by this district compared to other districts in North County.

I never stated the benefits "stink". I was just pointing out the actual amounts to you. I do not want to see my spouse's benefits cut as I already have seen this happen recently and they are indeed already lower than most of the surrounding districts.
Not complaining about the benefits just trying to comment on your comments!

How much money do propose to get from cutting benefits?

Spread the pain wrote on Apr 22, 2008 7:19 AM:I think a simple pareto chart of district expenditures would reveal where the most significant district cost drivers exist. Sadly, I don't think transportation is the number one cost, rather it's most likely teacher and support staff salaries and benefits. Only after the board has adequately addressed the number one cost item should they move on to the next highest cost item. This is not a new concept. Successfully run organizations make these sort of decisions every day.

xela wrote on Apr 22, 2008 5:18 PM:I live in another town and work in another school district, yet showed up to protest. I was surprised there were so few parents who showed up to complain!! If I had had children in that district, I would have had 100 families there to speak, chant, and stare them down... This is a SAFETY issue!! We know that not all parents will be able to transport their children, and this means that someone is going to get hurt on one of the high traffic roads with no sidewalk.

Am furious too wrote on Apr 22, 2008 9:12 PM:To xela, this certainly is a SAFETY issue. But guess what? They DO NOT CARE. No matter what we hear, other cuts could of been made. Just take a look at other districts and how they have cut, certainly not like this one.

Spread the pain wrote on Apr 23, 2008 6:54 AM:If the board had instead chosen to make a 10% cut in teaching staff, this would have resulted in an average class size increase of two students per class, from 21 to 23 students per class. At the same time, it would have freed up hundreds of thousands of dollars to partially restore transportation funding. I bet the parents of students whose transportation has been eliminated would be willing to tolerate two additional kids per class.

Got out quick wrote on Apr 29, 2008 1:48 PM:Yup! Yup! I live in Bonsall, but my kids will now be in a totally different district! I got sick of the BUSD with all their promises and lies.

SOON TO BE TOO wrote on Apr 30, 2008 6:25 PM:What kind of a district would do away with busing in our rural town? Speaks wonders of this school board. I too will be putting my kids in a different district, I have no choice. Certainly things were not thought out very well, otherwise different choices would of been made.