Here we go AGAIN!!
Dear Diary,
Well, here we go again! Happy New Year!! When we returned to school on Jan. 2nd, there was bad news awaiting us. The district was once again informed us that we were in debt some 2 million dollars. The state said they will NOT bail us out again. News got around that there would be more cuts. Bad news hit when the Board of Ed. dismissed half of our custodial staff and all the security guards. We knew there would be more. This past Wednesday 6 staff received RIF letters (Reduction in Force). Our school nurse, one of our secretaries and 4 teachers received letters. The letter stated that they would be finalized on Friday at 1:00pm at an emergency board meeting. Interesting that the meeting was conviened when we could not be there. The district principals dismissed the teachers who received letters so they could attend the meeting. Thursday was horrible. The teachers and secretary were sobbing. The nurse was very upset as were the children and the rest of the faculty. http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/frontpage
You can read some of it under layoffs.
http://hometown.aol.com/njjournalist/freedomofthepress2007.html This is another article. This woman writes articles about the Lakewood Bd. of Ed.
This is a tragedy for the children in the community and the staff. The children are very upset some asking if we will all be leaving. I had to tell them that I just don’t know. Friday, the teachers returned from the meeting by 2:30 and indicated to us that the board stated that they had more important matters to attend to so they stopped the meeting to be reconviened Monday evening. What is more important for a Board of Education to attend to then the destruction of it’s schools??? We will ALL be there Monday evening! This is not the first time this district has misappropriated money. This is not the first time that this board has tried to "bust" the union. This is not the first time this board has not been investigated.
There is so much wrong here I have no idea where to begin. I just know one thing……THESE CHILDREN ARE BEING SHORT CHANGED! Courtesy Busing is a BIG issue because most of the children being bussed by the Bus Companies attend private schools. I could go on and on but I would not have enough space or time.
I just hope there are no more RIF’s and those responsible for this "mistake" will be indicted for their crimes.
Our children deserve an equal education as any other child…it’s time to CLEAN HOUSE!
Peace,
LYB
This is so wrong…however I really believe there has been a subversive movement for the past 40 years or so to dumb down Americans. Just read any newspaper from the 1940’s and compare it to the dumbed down rags that pass as newspapers today. Just the difference in comprehension levels is startling, not to mention the difference in “white space”. This type of action pretty much falls into the current administration’s policy of saying one thing and doing just the opposite. “Support the troops” – when in reality they want to screw them out of any benefits they are entitled to, for just one example. The public is so numb to it all there is no moral outrage or action. (at least until it makes the Ophra show!)
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This is just the start of worse things yet to come and if America can’t see that and start taking a stand against this very kind of thing all we can do is watch it happen. I hope you make it thru this yourself?? I will be thinking of you… BIGGEST HUGS
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How horrible. How are they going to adjust to all those layoffs. Is this a private school? I was wondering because many schools go on austerity. And would stop bussing hot lunches and school sports. But I think that is only with public schools. So sorry to hear all this I pray it will all work out.
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Ugh! Here we cannot get full time custodial staff because the district doesn’t pay enough and the oil field call. If people pay taxes, there should be enough money to pay teachers.
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I’m so sorry. I hope things can be worked out:)
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that’s just terrible! those poor kids who lost their teachers. i’m sure they’re quite confused. i hope there are no more firings. take care,
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RYN: I have no acreage. I live in a condo. The trees are on an easement between our property and the apartments behind us.
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RYN: I think the appliances are my favorite part of the house. THe homes come standard with white appliances, but for $500 extra, you can upgrade to either black or stainless steel. I think I’m going to go with the SS!
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Missing you extraordinary lady!
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