" BETA's response to School Board Budget Cuts

This was sent to CUSD220 board members.

Subject: Budget Cuts

Dear Board Members:

As the President of BETA, and a concerned taxpayer in this district, I attended the School Board Meeting/Public Hearing last night regarding the school board's proposed budget cuts. I did not go there to speak, nor did I, but went merely to listen to what people had to say. I am sending you this email to give you my thoughts on the entire matter.

First, this was a PUBLIC MEETING for parent/taxpayers of this district. I find it quite insulting that 65% of the room was filled with teachers and administrators all expressing their concerns. The teachers had their chance to speak to the board during negotiations of their 3 year contract and yet they have the nerve to appear at this public hearing to express their concerns because their jobs are on the line. Where were their concerns about the students when they were demanding increases and a golden contract? Melanie Collins who spoke on behalf of the BEA had a lot of nerve even showing up at this meeting! She had no business at this public hearing and certainly no business speaking on this matter.

Next, you as a Board knew back in 2008 that we were facing some difficult times, yet you gave the teachers a 3-year contract increasing their pay with a minimum 3.9% raise, giving them health benefits, increased their stipends, and increased everything else across the board. Where did your responsibility to the parents, taxpayers and students come into play during these negotiations? Those increases amount to approximately more than $3 Million just for the first year. The administrators were next in line to get raises pending the outcome of the teachers contract. How much more did the administrators get that affect these salary increases?

You are now suggesting budget cuts for about $3.4 Million which coincidentally is just about the same amount you increased the teacher pay and benefits and possibly administrators. Do you see any correlation here? You are going to be increasing class sizes yet the teachers contract states that if student class sizes are more than 29 you have to pay the teachers extra monies. So here we go again, more money in the teachers pockets. When are they going to be told enough is enough?

You are also talking about cutting down on maintenance for the buildings. Don't you think by doing that you will put our buildings in jeopardy? I am sure if you cut down on maintenance you will be asking for a referendum in a few years so you can fix up the mess you have caused.

When is this ever going to be about the students and taxpayers? BETA suggested to you over and over not to give the teachers raises, suggested to you that the student population was on a decrease, gave you other suggestions and yet you continually ignored anything we had to say. BETA speaks on behalf the taxpayers in this district. Your board apparently lacks any representation of taxpayers or students on any of these matters.

You as a Board have mismanaged this district and it is the students and taxpayers who must suffer for your negligent acts. I suggest you go back to the drawing board and get your acts together and start representing the taxpayers and students rather than the teachers!

Carol Schubert

President

BETA