smitty

throwing money at something doesn't solve the problem either.  But that's what prevails here.  Just trying to get people to think here that there may be a different way.  But hardly any good suggestions yet from the pro-bonders.  But that's what forums are for.  To discuss solutions. [quote name="mat" post="1018761" timestamp="1308227960"] Smitty, your view of education is skewed. It’s not all about reduced spending. Sadly, districts have had to become competitive for student enrollment for operating funds. Anything they can do to attract and maintain enrollment and attendance is necessary to just to maintain state funding. Cutting many of the programs you propose will result in a loss of enrollment which results in a lack of funds. It’s counter productive. Kinda like McDonalds cutting fries from the menu to reducing costs. [/quote]

But MY beliefs are consistent with the majority (75-77% if I recall right) that opposed the first bond issue.  Now, for those here:  Gotta wonder how many are employed by the NISD?    ??? [quote name="The-NHS" post="1018804" timestamp="1308238688"] [quote author=smitty link=topic=84302.msg1018712#msg1018712 date=1308178573] When a bond passes you have no choice but to pay the tax.  A true believer would figure what his portion would have been and send that amount.  But since you haven't that means you are really not that concerned.  That's the reason you have no answers but to raise everyone's taxes.  Pass the bond and I'll pay the taxes.  Wow! That's brilliant!!   ;) [quote author=The-NHS link=topic=84302.msg1018544#msg1018544 date=1308096299] [quote author=smitty link=topic=84302.msg1018542#msg1018542 date=1308095773] You, like many, are missing the point.  If it's such a critical need and you are truly concerned then you would do YOUR part by sending your part of the bond money.  Talking the talk but not walking the walk!      ::) [/quote] Lol...this is the worst you have yet to reply with. Sending one check in doesn't solve anything. Typical small minded thinking you are repeatedly guilty of. Like I said I will gladly send a check when the bond is passed. [/quote] [/quote] [i]"A true believer would figure what his portion would have been and send that amount."[/i] - This isn't church smitty. I don't tithe to the city of nederland because I believe in building new schools. I've stated my "portion" and said twice I will be happy to pay it once the bond is passed. Your beliefs differ from everyone else on this thread because you propose cuts to the athletic budget....which has nothing to do with a bond. So right off the bat your argument doesn't even match your thread title. You propose cuts to extra-curriculars to only maintain facilities. Everyone else on this thread IS NOT TALKING ABOUT MAINTAINING. Lets repeat that. Everyone else on this thread IS NOT TALKING ABOUT MAINTAINING. If I spray perfume on a turd...it will still smell...and look...like a turd. They are talking about building new facilities (schools) for our students through a bond. I realize your reply will ultimately suck in nature but once again I eagerly await it. It has already been said that spending has been reduced in various departments and that we have not had to let any teachers go. Maybe with this reduced spending we can hire a maintenance worker to please your soul. Please reply with a relevant and intelligent post and not JUST a question. [/quote]

Email from a teacher's organization?!  Well -- I guess this won't be slanted in one direction!!  Unbiased, huh?  LOL!!   Give me an independent study of it and we'll talk.   ;) [quote name="shermdog" post="1018814" timestamp="1308240915"] I have a feeling that Smitty is in Austin working to "fix the budget".  I just got this email from a teacher organization, and if it passes you will not need to worry about passing a bond.  There will not be anyone to teach the kids. Here is a synopsis of the bills: Here is how [b]Senate Bill 8[/b] would hurt teachers and public schools:    Cuts teacher salaries in two ways:    Allows districts to order furloughs of teachers and administrators for as many as six non-instructional days and reduce salaries accordingly.    Permanently repeals the 2009 salary floor for returning teachers. This would allow districts to reduce pay for all teachers.    Freezes the state minimum salary schedule at 2010-11 levels.    Changes the deadline for notification of contract non-renewal from the 45th day before the end of instruction to the last day on which spring standardized tests can be administered. The same change applies to notification of termination of probationary teachers. This would give laid-off teachers less time to find jobs for the next school year.    Allows school districts to declare financial emergencies for purposes of imposing reductions in force at any time and eliminates seniority as a factor in determining dismissals when RIFs are implemented.    Repeals a terminated teacher’s right to a hearing before an independent hearing officer.    Adds another provision for districts to seek a waiver from the 22-1 class size cap for K-4. [b]And then HB 17:[/b] House Bill 17 by Rep. Bill Callegari of Houston, which also is on Thursday’s House calendar, would repeal the state minimum salary schedule for teachers, counselors, nurses and librarians. This would allow districts to set their own pay levels for all teachers, as long as they are paid $27,320. Read into that that a 20 year teacher could be paid $27,320.  WOW! Is that responsible? As I can see it, Smitty and the legislature is against [b]KIDS, TEACHERS[/b] and [b]SCHOOLS.[/b] Perception is reality.  I feel sorry for the students and residents of Nederland with people like this fighting against you.  To me the CARE stance is one of irresponsibility and selfishness.  The kids you educate today, are being prepared for jobs that do not even exist yet.   It makes me mad, when someone who has already reaped the benefits of an education, refuses to pay it forward and educate the next generation.   [/quote]

How have what you have stated be considered painful?  A small cut here, a small cut there.  Maybe a dent.  But pretty soon it adds up.  The point is, NISD will survive these.  So the other point is -- why were not they done along time ago?  Humm???  It's amazing the cuts that can be made and will never be missed.  [quote name="Brubaker" post="1018736" timestamp="1308195367"] [quote author=smitty link=topic=84302.msg1018713#msg1018713 date=1308178908] I've already stated a few.  I can, and will, name some more.  I just first need to know the diversity of thought from the pro-bonders.  All I'm getting so far is one trick pony's.  But I need to from you.  In this financial crisis, do you support touching extra-curricular activities?  [quote author=James Mosley link=topic=84302.msg1018533#msg1018533 date=1308092957] Smitty Can you give me, or us, 5 things you would cut that would solve all of Nederlands problems? Cut's that would put Nederland in a class by itself as a district leader. Simple 5 Waiting!!!!!!! [/quote] [/quote] Jardell, football coach took an administration position, he has not been backfilled.  Yeaman, softball coach to my knowledge has not been replaced after stepping down.  Charter bus expense along with travel budgets have been slashed as well.  I know these facts are tough to deal with Smitty, but here are some of the measures that an outsider is aware of, I'm sure there are more.  Fact remains, as painful as these cuts are to endure, they DO NOT make a DENT in the monies necessary to do what needs to be done.  Again, I want you to answer Dawgnut.  He is right, the bond would've lowered taxes.  I know that's hard for your narrow mind to comprehend., but that is afact, you go do your homework like you always tell us to do, and get  back to us.  I beleive it more everyday, like Penny said, YOU CAN't FIX STUPID.  Drop the act, and answer this question, but it will require you to put the kool aid down and drop the talking points.  The math as difficult as it may  be for some, is pretty simple.  [/quote]

Somebody's gotta pay for the bonds!  Our taxes with the NISD would NOT be lower!!  Nice try... [quote name="dawgnut" post="1018734" timestamp="1308194143"] Just for the sake of repetition let me say it one more time, not for you smitty because you refuse to accept facts, when you can believe fiction. If the bond would have passed, taxes would have been lowered. Do you like higher taxes? If you do just keep doing what we are doing and you are going to pay higher taxes no doubt about it. [/quote]

I've already stated a few.  I can, and will, name some more.  I just first need to know the diversity of thought from the pro-bonders.  All I'm getting so far is one trick pony's.  But I need to from you.  In this financial crisis, do you support touching extra-curricular activities?  [quote name="James Mosley" post="1018533" timestamp="1308092957"] Smitty Can you give me, or us, 5 things you would cut that would solve all of Nederlands problems? Cut's that would put Nederland in a class by itself as a district leader. Simple 5 Waiting!!!!!!! [/quote]

When a bond passes you have no choice but to pay the tax.  A true believer would figure what his portion would have been and send that amount.  But since you haven't that means you are really not that concerned.  That's the reason you have no answers but to raise everyone's taxes.  Pass the bond and I'll pay the taxes.  Wow! That's brilliant!!  ;) [quote name="The-NHS" post="1018544" timestamp="1308096299"] [quote author=smitty link=topic=84302.msg1018542#msg1018542 date=1308095773] You, like many, are missing the point.  If it's such a critical need and you are truly concerned then you would do YOUR part by sending your part of the bond money.  Talking the talk but not walking the walk!      ::) [/quote] Lol...this is the worst you have yet to reply with. Sending one check in doesn't solve anything. Typical small minded thinking you are repeatedly guilty of. Like I said I will gladly send a check when the bond is passed. [/quote]

You, like many, are missing the point.  If it's such a critical need and you are truly concerned then you would do YOUR part by sending your part of the bond money.  Talking the talk but not walking the walk!      ::) [quote name="The-NHS" post="1018537" timestamp="1308093111"] [quote author=smitty link=topic=84302.msg1018530#msg1018530 date=1308091239] Let me ask you one thing:  Did you figure out what your cost of the bond would have been and every year sent NISD a check for that amount?  We'll wait for your response!!     :-\ [/quote] Why would I send NISD a check every year when a bond wasn't passed? [b]I will gladly send a check when a bond passes.[/b] According to my awesome cellphone calculator I'm showing a little over 3,000. Whats your point? I'm not going to cut programs that are valuable to students and their education to fix window units so I'm not following you. I want a student facility overhaul and I'm not talking about turf and a scoreboard. I've answered your question once again. I eagerly await your enlightening reply. [/quote]

So, there hasn't been any cuts.  I think you just admitted to that.  So you take the easy solution and just raise taxes!!  No guts there!!    ;) [quote name="phunter308" post="1018108" timestamp="1307925906"] Smitty  30 + years of no new schools is a real big cut ,sacrifice or is it you do not have any facts to back up your bullsht. Everyone on here including people from other schools have shown that Nederland is in need of new facilities. The poor shape of the schools speak for them selves no disputing that. is it as you call it keeping up with the jones that our schools are in the shape they are. No throwing millions on repairs for a couple more years of life is not the answer. That would be like givn you a facelift but still the same bullsht keeps comn out and you wont live no longer. They have served thier just time and the citzens have got thier moneys worth for sure. I know nothing will change your outlook but I am reall interested in where you think cuts can be made ,specific cuts, and the dollar values of those cuts. I have yet in all the bullsht you tell any solutions. Give them to us so I can see where they can be made. I hope you can answer this truly without answering with a question. Try really hard please. I think our kids deserve the best no matter what. One day they may be the kids who decide what goes on in your life. [/quote]

Let me ask you one thing:  Did you figure out what your cost of the bond would have been and every year sent NISD a check for that amount?  We'll wait for your response!!    :-\ [quote name="The-NHS" post="1018351" timestamp="1308016704"] Yes! I am so glad someone revived this thread so that we can read smitty's intelligent response. The way he answers questions with questions is so meaningful, helpful, and intelligent. Guys I mean come on. We got to cut athletics saving 1.7 million. We also got to cut busing kids to school. Buses are expensive! I mean just think of all the money Nederland would have if we cut those two things for 10 years! We would drop to 2A which would allow us to shutdown schools and layoff teachers! I mean we would easily have 40 million saved up by then! Maybe we could then hire more maintenance personnel? We could also replace all the old window units with new ones that are remote control! Smitty, maybe you were on to something! This slashing programs thing really does work. Surely with our new window units and more personnel to to patch all the holes in the roof we would bring in quality parents and kids to our school? This new nederland utopia that you have enlightened me with may make me realize I am not worthy to live in such a positive and investing city. When's the next CARE meeting?? Can't wait to go and make this city better for future generations! Vote no on the next bond to save the kids!!! Do it or Bruney will make me come up with lies, propaganda, and fear mongering to make you vote no! But you should know already to vote no because NEDERLAND LOVES ITS STUDENTS! [/quote]

You'll have to try something else.  I don't even know Bruney.  But if he's says what i say, then he MUST make sense!!    ;D [quote name="dawgnut" post="1018076" timestamp="1307913511"] smitty you just keep up with the talking points, you and Bruney have a hot line? If you would take the time to do a little research you would know that in the school year 01-02 the tax rate was 1.53, in the school year 10-11 the tax rate was 1.113. I guess these numbers just don't fit into you FUD so you don't use them. But then again you really don't want cuts, what you really want to do is stop progress. You don't care about the schools any more than the rest of the "CARE" group, what you care about is your own assets that's all. [/quote]

Don't you think you should have significant cuts before raising taxes?  Tell us about all the significant cuts that's been made so far!   PS -- The original title was 2 Pro-Bonder fall.  It should have read "3 pro-bonders."  The ex Superintendent lost.  She was a BIG pro-bonder...    ;) PSS - You sound like you like keeping up with the Jones, instead of doing the right things...      ::) [quote name="phunter308" post="1017981" timestamp="1307841970"] That is Smiitys point he can't think for himself. I will be glad to pay more taxes if new schools are built with energy efficent, high tech classrooms. Smitty thinks he gonna take that money with him when he dies(Good Luck lol). Ned has excellent teachers and students that need excellent schools. Smitty open your eyes and your mind and look at almost every school district around big or small and they are building new schools. Take adrive anywhere around this state and you will see that s a fact that can't be disputed. Oh before you say no not all school districts are  but a majority are. I am proud as a PN-G graduate of the schools they have built and I won.t lie Iwould love to see my son play and beat those Indians on a new Nederland field but hey that can wait , but the schools are needed and if you had to pay with them with more taxes so be it . The future Ned students  deserve to have the best Period. [/quote]

And you can't fix monkey-see monkey-do, kool-aid drinkers that got us in this situation in the first place.  Always wanting to continue business as usual while things were happening.  Now it's crunch time and the kool-aid drinkers don't know what to do.  Except the typical and easy battle cry -- RAISE TAXES!!    [quote name="Penny" post="1017172" timestamp="1307505826"] I guess ol Ron was right.... YOU CAN'T FIX STUPID. [/quote]

;D [quote name="PN-G bandkid" post="1016970" timestamp="1307459507"] [quote author=sandman86 link=topic=84302.msg1016965#msg1016965 date=1307456960] Im not saying the two students are liars bandkid. Im just telling you what the real qualifications are, as someone who help set those regulations and carried them out, and not some passer by that spread a rumor they heard from another student. It happens all the time in school, its called gossip. Some kids don't even know they're spreading rumors, but think its the honest truth. Also, not that it matters, but I graduated 4th in my class and went on to graduate college on the dean's list which would throw me in there as an honor student, and yet, I have lied on occasion. Not perfect, no one is, just something that happens when 1500 students talk while passing by each other. But I say let it drop, maybe they thought thats what got people in and maybe that year a lot got in and it was assumed thats why, who knows?[/quote] Right.... [quote] On another note, smitty, just because someone has an opinion other than yours doesn't mean they are drinking the "kool aid" or whatever. Passing a bond is not the end of the world. Typically, most bonds only add very little monthly to the taxes and are a great [u]Investment[/u] in our schools future. You can't build a $30 million school by cutting a budget that is slightly higher than that. Our district has made cuts in all areas this year and last, with a promise of more to come. We have lost coaching positions, charter buses, teachers who retired and were not filling positions, budgets all around. So its getting to the point where there is not much else to cut. So find another solution and quit saying cut an athletic budget that combined between all schools would only hire a couple teachers, not build a school. [/quote] If anyone's drinking anything, it's smitty. ;D [/quote]

Well one thing fir sure, you are consistent kool-aid drinker.  Your only solution is to raise taxes.  Not a tough decision there!! [quote name="The-NHS" post="1016943" timestamp="1307420418"] [quote author=smitty link=topic=84302.msg1016933#msg1016933 date=1307416686] When some people can't understand something they use names like, well, mediocrity.  Stick around and learn.  Take the "status qua" blinders off and stop drinking the kool-aid.  There are serious problems here.  You "stay the course" answers don't work anymore!!      ::)      ;) [quote author=The-NHS link=topic=84302.msg1016898#msg1016898 date=1307409099] This thread makes me want to [img][Hidden Content]] Smitty's small minded/acceptance of mediocrity [img][Hidden Content]] PNGbandkid's 964 attempts at hijacking the thread into a png celebration [img][Hidden Content]] [/quote] [/quote] "staying the course" is your stance not mine. The current course is slipping schools and crappy facilities. Im not on that course with you. Nice try though. You're right, there are serious problems here and small minded, mediocre content people like yourself have no solution to fix the problems. Keep on drinking that kool aid you speak of that thinks cutting athletics and hiring more people to clean the crap from toilets, patch up failing roofs, tinker on window units, and paint the halls is going to fix the problems. You're out of touch with the needs of NISD and your solution would only cripple our school district.    [/quote]

When some people can't understand something they use names like, well, mediocrity.  Stick around and learn.  Take the "status qua" blinders off and stop drinking the kool-aid.  There are serious problems here.  You "stay the course" answers don't work anymore!!      ::)      ;) [quote name="The-NHS" post="1016898" timestamp="1307409099"] This thread makes me want to [img][Hidden Content]] Smitty's small minded/acceptance of mediocrity [img][Hidden Content]] PNGbandkid's 964 attempts at hijacking the thread into a png celebration [img][Hidden Content]] [/quote]

Can't ever depend on the government.  You should know that.  I was talking, though, about insurance. [quote name="dawgnut" post="1016906" timestamp="1307411335"] [quote author=smitty link=topic=84302.msg1016891#msg1016891 date=1307406481] After Rita came to town.  We have insurance, don't we? [quote author=dawgnut link=topic=84302.msg1016685#msg1016685 date=1307328106] [quote author=KDOSullivan link=topic=84302.msg1016523#msg1016523 date=1307274851] [i]Another factor is teacher participation. NHS teachers, for one reason or another, do not seem to sponsor as much outside of the classroom as they could. I remember a conversation with a now retired PN-G teacher in which I asked why Nederland didn't bring as many students to academic competitions as other local schools and his reply was that there just weren't enough Nederland teachers willing to sponsor the different academic events. That shocked me. I was amazed at the fact that Nederland couldn't get enough teachers to volunteer as most of the other schools in our district. I mean no offense to any Nederland faculty members because there are several good, dedicated teachers in NISD, but that, in my opinion, is deplorable. When the teachers won't participate, the problem isn't funding. A simple modification to the teacher contracts could fix that.[/i] That one sort of shocks me. Maybe it is because I was at a small school, but I and most other teachers were involved in extracurricular activities.  I know this year, knowing I was retiring, I gave up somethings, but I was still a senior sponsor, helped organize graduation,  helped and planned with the homecoming parade, helped, planned the Christmas Formal, and then coached 3 UIL academic teams. One of the things I will miss about teaching will be the kids outside of class. Those in UIL Academics, those kids who worked to help set up dances and parades, and those are not just the "nerds." Maybe it is a small school, but we had athletes, band kids, those in FFA all work because they wanted a good dance or parade. The modification of the contract might be difficult. If these events are held on weekends, it is sort of hard to force them to do so. Teachers are only paid for 187 days. Part of your problem might be you are not hiring the right people? I know some of the younger people that my former district has hired are reluctant to do anything extra. Part of concern about retiring was " who is going to pick up some of the extra jobs I did for the district?" [/quote] Don't kick the teachers to hard, most people don't know and some just don't care but NISD has had budget problems from the day that the ugly old lady Rita came to town. NISD had to spend a lot of money on several schools that FEMA promised to reimburse. It took several years to get a portion of the money back. When you keep reducing the budget a lot of things get reduced such as out of school activities. It cost money to run busses and such. Then you have the problem of escalating maintenance cost. Some very wealthy people in Nederland would have you believe that all you need to do is increase your maintenance budget and all will be well, another dream without foundation. Everything on this earth has a life, buildings included. After they have reached the end of life it cost more to maintain them than to build a new one. When you don't have any money the only way to increase the maintenance budget is to reduce your payroll, or you could pass a bond and build a new school and reduce your maintenance budget because you don't need as much with new buildings. But then according to smitty that's totally illogical! Besides parents not putting much weight on education these days, the American Spirit appears to be dead, if John Paul Jones were here today he would probably something like "your right there are a lot of torpedoes in the water, and those British ships are kind of big and ugly looking, let's get out of here and look for a better day to fight." The right time to do anything is now. If you wait for the weather to be right you will never plant, and if you don't plant you can't harvest. [/quote] [/quote] smitty for someone who has all the answers you ask the wrong questions. In 2010 that's 5 years after Rita NISD was still waiting on a $772,000 reimbursement from the government. They carried a $274,000 deficit the same year. For all the anti-bond crowed that thinks you can just increase your maintenance budget to fix all the buildings it makes it kind of hard when you have a deficit. Maybe we can get the graphic arts department to print some money up, what do you think? You and the "Don't Care" crowd don't want any new taxes or bonds so that may be the only out of the box thing we can do, after all the Feds do it! Oh wait lets just do nothing and wait until the price of money doubles or triples and the price of buildings go up, now that's a good use of your money. [/quote]

After Rita came to town.  We have insurance, don't we? [quote name="dawgnut" post="1016685" timestamp="1307328106"] [quote author=KDOSullivan link=topic=84302.msg1016523#msg1016523 date=1307274851] [i]Another factor is teacher participation. NHS teachers, for one reason or another, do not seem to sponsor as much outside of the classroom as they could. I remember a conversation with a now retired PN-G teacher in which I asked why Nederland didn't bring as many students to academic competitions as other local schools and his reply was that there just weren't enough Nederland teachers willing to sponsor the different academic events. That shocked me. I was amazed at the fact that Nederland couldn't get enough teachers to volunteer as most of the other schools in our district. I mean no offense to any Nederland faculty members because there are several good, dedicated teachers in NISD, but that, in my opinion, is deplorable. When the teachers won't participate, the problem isn't funding. A simple modification to the teacher contracts could fix that.[/i] That one sort of shocks me. Maybe it is because I was at a small school, but I and most other teachers were involved in extracurricular activities.  I know this year, knowing I was retiring, I gave up somethings, but I was still a senior sponsor, helped organize graduation,  helped and planned with the homecoming parade, helped, planned the Christmas Formal, and then coached 3 UIL academic teams. One of the things I will miss about teaching will be the kids outside of class. Those in UIL Academics, those kids who worked to help set up dances and parades, and those are not just the "nerds." Maybe it is a small school, but we had athletes, band kids, those in FFA all work because they wanted a good dance or parade. The modification of the contract might be difficult. If these events are held on weekends, it is sort of hard to force them to do so. Teachers are only paid for 187 days. Part of your problem might be you are not hiring the right people? I know some of the younger people that my former district has hired are reluctant to do anything extra. Part of concern about retiring was " who is going to pick up some of the extra jobs I did for the district?" [/quote] Don't kick the teachers to hard, most people don't know and some just don't care but NISD has had budget problems from the day that the ugly old lady Rita came to town. NISD had to spend a lot of money on several schools that FEMA promised to reimburse. It took several years to get a portion of the money back. When you keep reducing the budget a lot of things get reduced such as out of school activities. It cost money to run busses and such. Then you have the problem of escalating maintenance cost. Some very wealthy people in Nederland would have you believe that all you need to do is increase your maintenance budget and all will be well, another dream without foundation. Everything on this earth has a life, buildings included. After they have reached the end of life it cost more to maintain them than to build a new one. When you don't have any money the only way to increase the maintenance budget is to reduce your payroll, or you could pass a bond and build a new school and reduce your maintenance budget because you don't need as much with new buildings. But then according to smitty that's totally illogical! Besides parents not putting much weight on education these days, the American Spirit appears to be dead, if John Paul Jones were here today he would probably something like "your right there are a lot of torpedoes in the water, and those British ships are kind of big and ugly looking, let's get out of here and look for a better day to fight." The right time to do anything is now. If you wait for the weather to be right you will never plant, and if you don't plant you can't harvest. [/quote]

Maybe, like ol' Smitty has been saying, too much emphasis has been put on non-priority things!  I remember a couple of years ago we gave the HC a 17,000 dollar raise because he threaten to go to LaMarque.  We didn't really have the money but it was given anyway.  Foolish decision!  Would they have done the same for a teacher that threatens to leave?  I think not!  So, if KDOSullivan is right, the people with blinders on, like NHS and Penny -- you'll become a dollar one day! -- will understand that what they believe is causing NISD to become just mediocre academically!  [quote name="KDOSullivan" post="1016315" timestamp="1307194088"] [quote author=James Mosley link=topic=84302.msg1016084#msg1016084 date=1307094689] Penny is dead on right with everything. Sad to say but I tell young men we hire who are moving into our area with family to raise their kids somewhere besides Nederland. Currently Nederland does not understand how to prepare for the future. Very sad. [/quote] This is just from the few kids we see transfer to my "former" rural district. About 5 years ago now, we had a small influx of kids transfer from Nederland to the district. The district I was in was 2A, in a rural setting. It has an "open" enrollment, and there is no out of district tuition charged. The kids generally lived with a relative or even drove to the school. Most would say " We had to get out of there." I was surprised at how far behind the kids were academically. I don't know what is going on there, but a kid who transferred from Nederland with A's and B's, would make B's and C's in our district. The kids would even make comments at how "hard" we were. I don't know what is going on there, I had always thought of Nederland ISD as good district, but in the last 5 years, I have changed my mind. It makes me wonder????? [/quote]

It's not OK to over staff anything.  let's start from the beginning.  In a crunch the first, and easy, thing to do is lay off teachers.  With 1.7 mill this does not need to be done.  Now if 1.7 mill is available and you feel you have the right teacher/student ratio then no, no need to over staff.  then you look at other areas to use this money for.  But you DO NOT cut teachers first!!  Only those with blinders on to change would advocate such a thing. [quote name="mat" post="1016276" timestamp="1307156023"] [quote author=smitty link=topic=84302.msg1016259#msg1016259 date=1307153882] Thanks for reminding me.  I'll check it. You hire more teachers BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT STUDENTS GO TO SCHOOL FOR!!  How can you in good conscious pour money into something like extra-curricular activities and at the same time lay off teachers?? [quote author=mat link=topic=84302.msg1016247#msg1016247 date=1307152254] [quote author=smitty link=topic=84302.msg1016223#msg1016223 date=1307142862] 1.7 mill is a lot of money.  [size=12pt][b]Wonder how many teachers we could hire[/b][/size] for what's REALLY important?  It's amazing how the status qua always wins for some.  I guess because it's easy!!    ;) PS -- I've got another question.  Thinking outside the box.  What is the maintenance budget fir NISD.  How many employees are there in this department.  Anyone know? [quote author=Penny link=topic=84302.msg1016067#msg1016067 date=1307074233] Okay, let's do this, let's cut the $1.7MM in extra cirriculars from the budget, and start making the necessary REPAIRS to 50 and 60 year old buildings.  In about 15 years or so, we'll have PATCHED these facilities up to a reasonable standard.... keep in mind, you're tens of millions spent and you haven't made a single IMPROVEMENT, you've only kept it from falling down around you.  All the while, anyone under the age of 60 who can get out of Nederland, will have done so, and NOBODY will be moving in to this town, because it still has OLD OUTDATED facilities and NO programs to kids who want to be ALL THEY CAN BE... we're just teaching Algebra and Conjugation at this point.  Now we have 70 and 80 year old facilities that we've MAINTAINED by cutting the programs that offer our kids a chance to enhance their education.  We've got OLD OUTDATED facilities, a shrinking tax base, plummeting property values, crime on the rise.... but thank God we didn't raise taxes a couple of hundred bucks.  Now you tell me, who needs to change their thinking here... who's the freakin IDIOT... cuz one of us is.   We pay the LOWEST tax rate in the area, I'm not going to WHINE and CRY because I have to pay for services rendered.  I'm not going to be a FREELOADER with absolutely NO VISION.  The bond that was proposed would've put us in a respectable tax rate compared to the rest of the area, not the highest.  Your ATTEMPT to paint this as a Government attempt to RAISE taxes is LAUGHABLE.  This isn't Washington, we get to see and DIRECTLY reap the benefits of the money that we contribute.  I know this is tough for you to diffentiate.  If you could enlightena and teach me on the points made above and how those are incorrect, I'm listening.  But the fact is that what you suggest WILL END this community.  End of Discussion. [/quote] [/quote] Bandkid posted the link of the NISD budget. Quit asking questions and do some of the research yourself like you do on political topics. I know; its just easier to ask the question. Answer this. If you cut extracurricular and save (according to you, which probably too high) $1.7 million, why would you hire more teachers? [/quote] [/quote] So its OK to over-staff by hiring more teachers? [/quote]

Thanks for reminding me.  I'll check it. You hire more teachers BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT STUDENTS GO TO SCHOOL FOR!!  How can you in good conscious pour money into something like extra-curricular activities and at the same time lay off teachers?? [quote name="mat" post="1016247" timestamp="1307152254"] [quote author=smitty link=topic=84302.msg1016223#msg1016223 date=1307142862] 1.7 mill is a lot of money.  [size=12pt][b]Wonder how many teachers we could hire[/b][/size] for what's REALLY important?  It's amazing how the status qua always wins for some.  I guess because it's easy!!    ;) PS -- I've got another question.  Thinking outside the box.  What is the maintenance budget fir NISD.  How many employees are there in this department.  Anyone know? [quote author=Penny link=topic=84302.msg1016067#msg1016067 date=1307074233] Okay, let's do this, let's cut the $1.7MM in extra cirriculars from the budget, and start making the necessary REPAIRS to 50 and 60 year old buildings.  In about 15 years or so, we'll have PATCHED these facilities up to a reasonable standard.... keep in mind, you're tens of millions spent and you haven't made a single IMPROVEMENT, you've only kept it from falling down around you.  All the while, anyone under the age of 60 who can get out of Nederland, will have done so, and NOBODY will be moving in to this town, because it still has OLD OUTDATED facilities and NO programs to kids who want to be ALL THEY CAN BE... we're just teaching Algebra and Conjugation at this point.  Now we have 70 and 80 year old facilities that we've MAINTAINED by cutting the programs that offer our kids a chance to enhance their education.  We've got OLD OUTDATED facilities, a shrinking tax base, plummeting property values, crime on the rise.... but thank God we didn't raise taxes a couple of hundred bucks.  Now you tell me, who needs to change their thinking here... who's the freakin IDIOT... cuz one of us is.   We pay the LOWEST tax rate in the area, I'm not going to WHINE and CRY because I have to pay for services rendered.  I'm not going to be a FREELOADER with absolutely NO VISION.  The bond that was proposed would've put us in a respectable tax rate compared to the rest of the area, not the highest.  Your ATTEMPT to paint this as a Government attempt to RAISE taxes is LAUGHABLE.  This isn't Washington, we get to see and DIRECTLY reap the benefits of the money that we contribute.  I know this is tough for you to diffentiate.  If you could enlightena and teach me on the points made above and how those are incorrect, I'm listening.  But the fact is that what you suggest WILL END this community.  End of Discussion. [/quote] [/quote] Bandkid posted the link of the NISD budget. Quit asking questions and do some of the research yourself like you do on political topics. I know; its just easier to ask the question. Answer this. If you cut extracurricular and save (according to you, which probably too high) $1.7 million, why would you hire more teachers? [/quote]

1.7 mill is a lot of money.  Wonder how many teachers we could hire for what's REALLY important?  It's amazing how the status qua always wins for some.  I guess because it's easy!!    ;) PS -- I've got another question.  Thinking outside the box.  What is the maintenance budget fir NISD.  How many employees are there in this department.  Anyone know? [quote name="Penny" post="1016067" timestamp="1307074233"] Okay, let's do this, let's cut the $1.7MM in extra cirriculars from the budget, and start making the necessary REPAIRS to 50 and 60 year old buildings.  In about 15 years or so, we'll have PATCHED these facilities up to a reasonable standard.... keep in mind, you're tens of millions spent and you haven't made a single IMPROVEMENT, you've only kept it from falling down around you.  All the while, anyone under the age of 60 who can get out of Nederland, will have done so, and NOBODY will be moving in to this town, because it still has OLD OUTDATED facilities and NO programs to kids who want to be ALL THEY CAN BE... we're just teaching Algebra and Conjugation at this point.  Now we have 70 and 80 year old facilities that we've MAINTAINED by cutting the programs that offer our kids a chance to enhance their education.  We've got OLD OUTDATED facilities, a shrinking tax base, plummeting property values, crime on the rise.... but thank God we didn't raise taxes a couple of hundred bucks.  Now you tell me, who needs to change their thinking here... who's the freakin IDIOT... cuz one of us is.  We pay the LOWEST tax rate in the area, I'm not going to WHINE and CRY because I have to pay for services rendered.  I'm not going to be a FREELOADER with absolutely NO VISION.  The bond that was proposed would've put us in a respectable tax rate compared to the rest of the area, not the highest.  Your ATTEMPT to paint this as a Government attempt to RAISE taxes is LAUGHABLE.  This isn't Washington, we get to see and DIRECTLY reap the benefits of the money that we contribute.  I know this is tough for you to diffentiate.  If you could enlightena and teach me on the points made above and how those are incorrect, I'm listening.  But the fact is that what you suggest WILL END this community.  End of Discussion. [/quote]

Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with extra-curricular activities if you can.  But when it comes down to crunch time, then we must think outside the box.  Your idea of "nutting up" is to raise taxes first.  That's the easy way out.  No guts there!  But it's detrimental to the community in the long run.  Maybe the traditional thinkers like you is what got us in this situation. Everything you want done, what's the price tag?  2 pro-bonders just got booted from the school board.  Yes, maybe people are actually concerned and are thinking outside the box.  Traditional thinkers may have to sit on the sidelines and learn.  But, I'll say again, for what you want spending-wise, put this bond amount on the ballot and let the people decide!!  I'll go with their decision!  Maybe!    ;) [quote name="Penny" post="1015611" timestamp="1306899958"] Sorry, I must need more educatin Smitty.  Education is about more than proving Geometry Theorems, Conjugating Verbs, and finishing Combustion Reactions.  Yep, I got all that, did pretty good at it, but nothing.... NOTHING...... could have prepared me for the freakin grind of daily competition in the workplace like the EDUCATION I got competing in the ATHLETICS you want to get rid of.  I'm very sorry, but this isn't up for discussion, it's not up for compromise, you do away with this aspect of EDUCATION and it's the beginning of the end for our society as a whole.  As Americans, we created this way of life because we would not back down, when most nutted up, we found a way to win.... we COMPETED.  We are also Innovative and willing to take risks, which means we're willing to fail at times.  But we get back up... because we know how to COMPETE.  This is a LEARNED skill, COMPETING, you get better at it the more times you are faced with situations that demand it.   Smitty, please TEACH me, please EDUCATE me on how we do this without a Complete and Balanced EDUCATION.  I'm sure you'll have a question for me, that's how you compete, you dodge, which I guess is a form of competing, it works for Switzerland.   We're going to pass a bond that builds new schools.  And, we're going to maintain the athletic program that provides the complete education our kids deserve.  Will we find ways to do things more efficiently and productively... I hope so, that is also an American trait, we are the most productive society on the planet.  You have three choices.  Hop on this bus, get the heck out of our community, or stick around and whine your butt off as you think you're 'teaching' us. [quote author=smitty link=topic=84302.msg1015272#msg1015272 date=1306791075] Education is number one priority.  It appears that you don't believe this.    ???   PS -- Smite back at you!      ;) [quote author=Penny link=topic=84302.msg1014490#msg1014490 date=1306468826] Look, now we know where Smitty's coming from.  He's on a SPORTS website prodding all us idiots to get rid of extracirriculars... "sports"... football, so we can build our schools.  That's what he's said.  That's what he is.  Nederland needs to tell our kids to quit competing, sit in algebra, and watch everyone else be all they can be, learning to compete in sports with their education.  Our kids don't get to do that, it's the responsible thing to do.  That's his solution for you Nederlanders.  Suck it up, you can't have the best, you can't even have good.  You can't give your kids what they deserve.  They can't have a complete education.  Smitty has spoken. [/quote] [/quote] [/quote]

You do need to expand your universe.  Again, the teaching never stops!!    ;) [quote name="dawgnut" post="1015556" timestamp="1306887985"] Hey I looked in the "New Nederland Standard Dictionary" under teacher, and it said "Not smitty" and you being the most enlightened one amongst us, what gives? [/quote]

NHS, it's tough for some to understand somethings.  That's why the teaching never stops! [quote name="The-NHS" post="1015351" timestamp="1306812372"] [quote author=dawgnut link=topic=84302.msg1015243#msg1015243 date=1306786384] [quote author=The-NHS link=topic=84302.msg1015160#msg1015160 date=1306767355] [quote author=smitty link=topic=84302.msg1015152#msg1015152 date=1306763988] Economic Development Corporation.  It's with the city.  It's used to increase business for Nederland.  Looks good on paper.  And could be.  But it takes in a lot of money but not much of it goes out. [quote author=mat link=topic=84302.msg1015146#msg1015146 date=1306760211] [quote author=smitty link=topic=84302.msg1015143#msg1015143 date=1306754563] Shut down EDC?  Yes!!  Another waste of money.  Can you defend it with positive facts?  I'm willing to listen! What I'm gaining from you is that you LIKE to waste money.  And any discussion of what's REALLY important is foreign to you.  But stick around!  The teaching never stops!!  Whether or not one chooses to listen!!     ;) [quote author=Penny link=topic=84302.msg1014491#msg1014491 date=1306469097] OOOOPS, forgot to Smite you Smitty, my bad.  Okay, took care of that.  And, I so thank you for living in our little community.  Smitty, should we SHUT DOWN THE NEDERLAND EDC also? Just wonderin [/quote] [/quote] What is EDC? [/quote] [/quote] And I'm not sure anyone on our EDC has any knowledge in economics or how to build up nederland. An example of the EDC's work is Sanderson's Restaurant. [color=red]To my knowledge the EDC gave money to Everett to start it all up.[/color] Correct or no? please give the correct story if I'm wrong. [/quote] So what's the point? [/quote] No point. Someone asked what the EDC was and I was giving a reference to their work. [/quote]