Budget Cuts and More

This afternoon, Superintendent Elia emailed all employees about further budget projections. The news was not good, and for the first time, the news sounded dire. She said to expect another $150 million in budget reductions for the 09/10 school year.

To my point of view, she was setting the stage for some severe proposals, way beyond those on the table. I already suspect most 12-month employees will be going to 10 ½ months or 11 months. I also suspect district technical schools will to going to 10 ½ month or 11 month from 12 month. Career specialists will be kaput. Aparicio/Levy will go bye-bye.

I now predict lay-offs, not just furloughs.

Yvonne Lyons, lame duck CTA executive director, was in full faux rant last week when two-day teacher furloughs were proposed. I guess the old girl needed a last hurrah, one last shout to balance her years of impotence leading a dying union. No one doubts the severity of this budget crisis and her shock and awe was the bleating of an old, hapless goat.

The good news for CTA is: Jack Davis, recently retired school administrator, will soon become the new executive director. Good for him and good for CTA. Davis is a bright, energetic guy who will no doubt re-invigorate the troops.

CAC to School Board:

I knew the school board has had a Citizens Advisory Committee. I did not know the current Chair is La Gaceta publisher Patrick Manteiga. At next week’s board meeting, he will present the Committee’s annual recommendations.

We’ll see if his personal yap dogs, Griffin and Valdes, can keep from drooling on him. I know they’ll be licking at his toes.

Good Reporters?

I hate to say anything good about local reporters. Yuck!! They all smoke and have nose hair. :-)

Two do stand out, though.

Courtney Pastor has written for the Tribune for quite a while, mostly covering the education beat in Northwest Hillsborough. She is a good and fair writer and usually tries to find positive stories about the district.

Tom Marshall will soon be replacing Letitia Stein for the St. Pete Times-- Hillsborough education beat. Tom is also a good writer. I know he does a ton of research before writing a story. He will not be a lazy reporter.

posted by admin @ 6:14 PM