Dear, Guv...

[Xenomorph]

Without a doubt you're aware during this strange time some folks are out of work.. some folks are working like normal... and some folks are pulling hellaciously long hours trying to deal with this reality.

One segment that has been on-call every waking minute since the night of Wednesday, Marth 11th is public school administrators. It's safe to say most of them are coming up on 28 days straight with no break in the action.

If you are planning on announcing something that deals with the end of the school year.... and you're contemplating a press conference on Thursday afternoon.. at say, 3pm... I implore you. Don't be a **** heel and do that.

Make the announcement tomorrow (Wednesday) and let them all deal with it on Thursday so they can have some sort of peace on Easter weekend.

 

[Leeshouldveflanked]

Now would be a good time for school district consolidation.

 

[dorndawg]

Excellent point

 

[Willow Grove Dawg]

There has not been a bad time for school consolidation in Mississippi in my lifetime, but I am only 53

 

[40 acres and a mule]

Now would be a good time for school district consolidation.

If this means fewer administrative positions, I don't have an argument with it. If it means putting more students on the same campus, I do have a problem with it. Class sizes need to be smaller, not larger. And I mean the number of students per classroom. Too many of our schools have turned into minimum security prisons.

 

[My Bru]

Now would be a good time for school district consolidation.

Why do you want to cut more jobs from the state? Plus, smaller classrooms are better for the students.

Ignorance is bliss.

 

[My Bru]

Too many of our schools have turned into minimum security prisons.

A big faction of this country thinks this is a good thing. They love the indoctrination center environment.

 

[Crazy Cotton]

Curious to what extent state administration has been communicating with folks on the ground in your situation- at least where I'm at, feels like there's somebody pretty isolated from reality making decisions and handing them down to us without much input running upstream, or justification downstream. I'm in higher ed, but I'd imagine its a similar situation, and we're left to try and explain policies to pissed off/anxious students and parents, when we don't understand the policy goals and had little to no input in them.

 

[J-Dawg]

Why do you want to cut more jobs from the state? Plus, smaller classrooms are better for the students.

Ignorance is bliss.

Yeah, there is a REAL need to have separate East Tallahatchie and West Tallahatchie school districts. So many kids to keep up with. **

 

[My Bru]

Yeah, there is a REAL need to have separate East Tallahatchie and West Tallahatchie school districts. So many kids to keep up with. **

sAvEs MUNeeeee!! Why, to be wasted elsewhere? Or given to you?

At least it's money being spent in the state of Mississippi.

Schools are investments in things not directly measured in hard money/numbers. They should not be run like a business.

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

You Don’t cut the number of schools and classrooms, you just cut down on the number of school districts. DeSoto County is one school district.

 

[My Bru]

You Don’t cut the number of schools and classrooms, you just cut down on the number of school districts. DeSoto County is one school district.

Yeah right. But, if that pipe dream actually did happen, you aren't really saving any money, just shuffling it around. Most who want consolidation only want it for the financial benefits. And any legitimate research will tell you that classes always get combined and the number of teachers go down, in reality.

And let's not even try to pretend that is the reason Desoto area schools are good.

 

[Leeshouldveflanked]

Why do you want to cut more jobs from the state? Plus, smaller classrooms are better for the students.

Ignorance is bliss.

Actually I am all for smaller classrooms and higher Teacher Pay.... Cut the Districts down to 8 Districts just like the Mississippi Highway Department.... you go from 152 Superintendents to 8, 16 asst Superintendents, ... Privatize Transportation, Food Services, Buildings and Grounds Maintenance and Security...standardized programs for each District with additional Vocational and STEM Programs aligned with Private Partnerships and Job Training...
Use the cost savings from consolidation of administration to increase Teacher salaries and offer performance bonuses for teachers. Coaches must be Teachers first, coaches second..... More Education, Less Administration.... cut out all of the bullshat paid Vacation Conferences at the Beau, Nashville, etc.

 

[DesotoCountyDawg]

So what’s the reason?

The money is still the same, youre just using it for teacher pay and school funds for various things.

 

[J-Dawg]

sAvEs MUNeeeee!! Why, to be wasted elsewhere? Or given to you?

At least it's money being spent in the state of Mississippi.

Schools are investments in things not directly measured in hard money/numbers. They should not be run like a business.

I'm not wholly arguing the need to consolidate schools, necessarily... only where there is no other choice. However, you have ample opportunities to consolidate central offices, which would both save administrative costs (which are astronomical and disproportionate in the rural counties) and apply those savings to staff and student spending.

Take my previous hypothetical:

East Tallahatchie School District

4 schools: Charleston Elementary, Charleston Middle, Charleston High, & East Tallahatchie Alternative

West Tallahatchie School District

3 schools: Bearden Elementary, West Tallahatchie High & North Delta Alternative

There is no way you will ever convince me that you couldn't effectively eliminate one of those central offices and consolidate all of those schools into one district. Even in the MS Delta with limited resources. There is mass duplication of effort when you are paying 2 superintendents/curriculum directors/athletic directors/etc. When those positions could easily handle all of the schools in the county. It's not necessarily about saving money, it's about more effective spending.

You probably agree that Mississippi deserves to have the highest paid State Superintendent in the nation, too. You know, since we have the best schools in the nation.

 

[My Bru]

So what’s the reason?

The money is still the same, youre just using it for teacher pay and school funds for various things.

There is no reason. But, I also said your scenario was not realistic. Teachers get eliminated and classrooms get bigger. I'm assuming you are asking what is the reason to consolidate, which is what I am against, so obviously I see very few reasons.

If you're asking why Desoto schools are good, it's because there are good kids there with parents who are involved. Bottom line. A school itself is not good or bad, it's just a building. You also cannot throw money at a problem like that.

Further, you could argue the validity of public schools to begin with, and that's a different subject for a different day. We could certainly make it happen today though, if you'd like. I'm no super advocate of public schools, or of government in education, but I understand the reality of their necessity, thus my points above. So if they are necessary, may as well do them right.

 

[My Bru]

I'm not wholly arguing the need to consolidate schools, necessarily... only where there is no other choice. However, you have ample opportunities to consolidate central offices, which would both save administrative costs (which are astronomical and disproportionate in the rural counties) and apply those savings to staff and student spending.

Take my previous hypothetical:

East Tallahatchie School District

4 schools: Charleston Elementary, Charleston Middle, Charleston High, & East Tallahatchie Alternative

West Tallahatchie School District

3 schools: Bearden Elementary, West Tallahatchie High & North Delta Alternative

There is no way you will ever convince me that you couldn't effectively eliminate one of those central offices and consolidate all of those schools into one district. Even in the MS Delta with limited resources. There is mass duplication of effort when you are paying 2 superintendents/curriculum directors/athletic directors/etc. When those positions could easily handle all of the schools in the county. It's not necessarily about saving money, it's about more effective spending.

You probably agree that Mississippi deserves to have the highest paid State Superintendent in the nation, too. You know, since we have the best schools in the nation.

Are you willing to look those administrators (and teachers, janitors, and all in between) in the eye and tell them their jobs are meaningless?

I mean, it's just a small amount of money, on the large scale, with a lot of good reasons not to do it. Why don't you go after bigger fish?

 

[My Bru]

Actually I am all for smaller classrooms and higher Teacher Pay.... Cut the Districts down to 8 Districts just like the Mississippi Highway Department.... you go from 152 Superintendents to 8, 16 asst Superintendents, ... Privatize Transportation, Food Services, Buildings and Grounds Maintenance and Security...standardized programs for each District with additional Vocational and STEM Programs aligned with Private Partnerships and Job Training...
Use the cost savings from consolidation of administration to increase Teacher salaries and offer performance bonuses for teachers. Coaches must be Teachers first, coaches second..... More Education, Less Administration.... cut out all of the bullshat paid Vacation Conferences at the Beau, Nashville, etc.

Why not privatize the whole thing?

 

[J-Dawg]

Are you willing to look those administrators (and teachers, janitors, and all in between) in the eye and tell them their jobs are meaningless?

I mean, it's just a small amount of money, on the large scale, with a lot of good reasons not to do it. Why don't you go after bigger fish?

It should absolutely start with the big fish and work it's way down. Starting with our highest-paid-in-the-nation state superintendent.

And plus..... their jobs aren't meaningless from a function standpoint. Does a town need 2 mayors? Why is it that there is only 1 mayor of New York City and only 1 mayor of New Hebron, MS? My example above is like having 2 mayors of New Hebron, MS. The town needs a mayor. The town doesn't need 2 mayors.

 

[My Bru]

It should absolutely start with the big fish and work it's way down. Starting with our highest-paid-in-the-nation state superintendent.

And plus..... their jobs aren't meaningless from a function standpoint. Does a town need 2 mayors? Why is it that there is only 1 mayor of New York City and only 1 mayor of New Hebron, MS? My example above is like having 2 mayors of New Hebron, MS. The town needs a mayor. The town doesn't need 2 mayors.

How do you make the distinction of what "needs" what?

And by bigger fish, I meant other areas of wasteful spending outside of education. Not the biggest fish in education.

 

[sandwolf.sixpack]

And by bigger fish, I meant other areas of wasteful spending outside of education.

Doesn't something like 60% of MS's budget go to education? I am pretty sure that is the biggest fish there is.

Edit: Looks like it's just over 40%....either way, it is definitely a big fish.

https://mspolicy.org/reeves-releases-fy2021-budget-recommendations/

 

[J-Dawg]

How do you make the distinction of what "needs" what?

And by bigger fish, I meant other areas of wasteful spending outside of education. Not the biggest fish in education.

I'm not saying wasteful spending doesn't need to be addressed elsewhere. Someone brought up education, so I was just on that topic.

 

[My Bru]

Doesn't something like 60% of MS's budget go to education? I am pretty sure that is the biggest fish there is.

Edit: Looks like it's just over 40%....either way, it is definitely a big fish.

https://mspolicy.org/reeves-releases-fy2021-budget-recommendations/

And these administrators/teachers salaries that you want to eliminate, will make a big dent in that how?

The biggest fish in education will not all be eliminated. You're talking about a small part of it. It doesn't move the needle. It's such small time MS thinking.

What about the idiotic amount of dumb funding we throw at stupid projects? I'm not saying we shouldn't be chasing big projects - we absolutely should. But how about some unification there, throughout the state? West Tallahatchie's superintendent's salary wouldn't even register there if it was stolen, when it comes to some of these idiotic boondoggles.

 

[philduckworth]

Actually I am all for smaller classrooms and higher Teacher Pay.... Cut the Districts down to 8 Districts just like the Mississippi Highway Department.... you go from 152 Superintendents to 8, 16 asst Superintendents, ... Privatize Transportation, Food Services, Buildings and Grounds Maintenance and Security...standardized programs for each District with additional Vocational and STEM Programs aligned with Private Partnerships and Job Training...
Use the cost savings from consolidation of administration to increase Teacher salaries and offer performance bonuses for teachers. Coaches must be Teachers first, coaches second..... More Education, Less Administration.... cut out all of the bullshat paid Vacation Conferences at the Beau, Nashville, etc.

Are there really 152 superintendents are were you just throwing out a hyperbole to prove a point?

 

[philduckworth]

And these administrators/teachers salaries that you want to eliminate, will make a big dent in that how?

The biggest fish in education will not all be eliminated. You're talking about a small part of it. It doesn't move the needle. It's such small time MS thinking.

What about the idiotic amount of dumb funding we throw at stupid projects? I'm not saying we shouldn't be chasing big projects - we absolutely should. But how about some unification there, throughout the state? West Tallahatchie's superintendent's salary wouldn't even register there if it was stolen, when it comes to some of these idiotic boondoggles.

How can you justify a high school like Biggersville in Alcorn County when there is already an Alcorn Central and Kossuth in the county and Corinth in the city? Seems like a huge waste of money.

 

[Leeshouldveflanked]

Are there really 152 superintendents are were you just throwing out a hyperbole to prove a point?

Bolivar County has six districts.. There are actually 141 school districts with 141 Superintendents that are members of the Mississippi Association of School Superintendents. But I think there are 10 or so districts with superintendents that are not members.

 

[Duke Humphrey]

So is the education system designed to provide jobs or educate the youth of this state to be the best prepared to move on, be it to a job, CJC, or university?

Your point about smaller classes is valid, but there are exceptions. I am sure the students in the former Oktibbeha County District enjoyed their small class, but the district was so financially strapped it couldn’t afford a qualified teacher in every room much less the technology that is necessary to teach in today’s world. They are now apart of the Starkville-Oktibbeha District that the Legislature consolidated with help from the community and now ALL children in the district have access to teachers, technology and appropriate classes (AP and high level sciences that were not offered in the old OCSD), even if there may be a few extra in the classroom.

And there are other districts like the old OCDS that are still out there.

But back to my original question, everything should revolves around “What model, method, logistic is going to best prepare the children of today to be able to contribute and perform in society of the future?” And protecting an administrators job is way down the list of questions.

 

[philduckworth]

Bolivar County has six districts.. There are actually 141 school districts with 141 Superintendents that are members of the Mississippi Association of School Superintendents. But I think there are 10 or so districts with superintendents that are not members.

That is absurd.

 

[Duke Humphrey]

I think Bolivar is actually down to 3 now after Legislature consolidated 6 into 3 (which is still too many).

 

[mstateglfr]

Last thursday, our governor proclaimed school isnt cancelled, it's just delayed yet another month.

That has created a massive shitshow for educators because she didnt address requirements for students to graduate and she didnt add on days to the school year.

So now, schools have to create a plan in case they open back up in May instead of spending the time creating a plan for how to address all this lost class time come next year(a trimester for example).

Teacher contracts also werent addressed. Seriously- wt17?! The teachers are working right now to fulfill their contracts for this school year and budgets are already set for next year.
If she extends school by 2 months, then how is that paid for?

Kicking the bucket for a month seems like a good idea because who doesnt want to just wait and see?...well all those who know all the reasons why it's bad to wait and see, dont want to just wait and see.

The same day the Gov announced her wait and see do nothing plan, the Superintendent of the state's largest school district said- 17 it, we are shutting down for the year so teachers can focus on getting review material to students online now and also work on lesson plans for next year that will address all the lost content from this current spring semester.


I am still shocked school districts anywhere are teaching new material online. That's dangerous since, you know, inequity in education is kinda not legal.

 

[Uncle Ruckus]

Your states schools haven’t issued contracts? Yikes.

 

[mstateglfr]

Your states schools haven’t issued contracts? Yikes.

Are you asking if amended contracts have been issued for this year? If that's what you are asking, then no. Amended or extended contracts have not been issued.

Is that a common thing elsewhere?

There is a theory that the Gov doesnt want to hurt our state's great education ranking and decisions are being made based on that. Who knows if there is any truth to it. Perhaps that's just people trying to guess wt17 is the actual motivation is.

 

[PubDawg]

I was looking for info on Rick Cleveland... different Guv. Less popular.

 

[Uncle Ruckus]

You said contracts weren’t addressed. I assumed you meant teachers haven’t been issued contracts for next year. Are you meaning whether or not they will continue to get paid the remainder of the year? If so, that’s even worse. MDE assured us within the first week that we would be getting paid for the remainder of the year regardless of shay happens.

 

[johnson86-1]

Why do you want to cut more jobs from the state? Plus, smaller classrooms are better for the students.

Ignorance is bliss.

If they are unnecessary or duplicative jobs, they are equivalent to transfer payments are far as how it impacts every citizen of the state other than the person getting the paycheck. If the government just employing people to employ people was helpful, Mississippi would be rich, b/c we have a larger percentage of our workforce on the government payroll than most states.

 

[My Bru]

How can you justify a high school like Biggersville in Alcorn County when there is already an Alcorn Central and Kossuth in the county and Corinth in the city? Seems like a huge waste of money.

That money is miniscule.

 

[johnson86-1]

sAvEs MUNeeeee!! Why, to be wasted elsewhere? Or given to you?

At least it's money being spent in the state of Mississippi.

Schools are investments in things not directly measured in hard money/numbers. They should not be run like a business.

Most people want the money to go towards the classroom experience, whether that's just teacher pay or more teachers per child or whatever. But even if it was just to let taxpayers keep more money, why would that not be a perfectly legitimate answer? WHy should taxpayers have to pay extra money to pay for unnecessary positions?

 

[My Bru]

So is the education system designed to provide jobs or educate the youth of this state to be the best prepared to move on, be it to a job, CJC, or university?

Your point about smaller classes is valid, but there are exceptions. I am sure the students in the former Oktibbeha County District enjoyed their small class, but the district was so financially strapped it couldn’t afford a qualified teacher in every room much less the technology that is necessary to teach in today’s world. They are now apart of the Starkville-Oktibbeha District that the Legislature consolidated with help from the community and now ALL children in the district have access to teachers, technology and appropriate classes (AP and high level sciences that were not offered in the old OCSD), even if there may be a few extra in the classroom.

And there are other districts like the old OCDS that are still out there.

But back to my original question, everything should revolves around “What model, method, logistic is going to best prepare the children of today to be able to contribute and perform in society of the future?” And protecting an administrators job is way down the list of questions.

I'll give a little when it comes to some very small districts that are just awful, they can certainly benefit from being absorbed into another, better district.

 

[My Bru]

Most people want the money to go towards the classroom experience, whether that's just teacher pay or more teachers per child or whatever. But even if it was just to let taxpayers keep more money, why would that not be a perfectly legitimate answer? WHy should taxpayers have to pay extra money to pay for unnecessary positions?

Just seems like an unnecessary battle to fight. Such a small part of Mississippi's issues. We are fighting over our spending, we need to figuring out our INCOME problem, or at least some other areas of bigger spending.

 

[johnson86-1]

And these administrators/teachers salaries that you want to eliminate, will make a big dent in that how?

The biggest fish in education will not all be eliminated. You're talking about a small part of it. It doesn't move the needle. It's such small time MS thinking.

What about the idiotic amount of dumb funding we throw at stupid projects? I'm not saying we shouldn't be chasing big projects - we absolutely should. But how about some unification there, throughout the state? West Tallahatchie's superintendent's salary wouldn't even register there if it was stolen, when it comes to some of these idiotic boondoggles.

One superintendent's salary of $100k works out to probably about $132k of cost for the state (probably more, b/c that assumes the gov't side of PERS is actuarially sound, which it won't be for a lot of superintendents who put a good number of years in at a lower salary). Looking at funding that on an annual basis would take about $3.3M if you use a 4% discount or $4.4M if you are looking at an arguably more appropriate 3% discount for a guaranteed funding stream that is going to incease at least some with inflation.

When you look at the communities that these small school districts are often located in, $132k a year, or a few million dollars in a lump sum is real money.