DetentionSlip.org: budget

Jenny McCarthy closing her school for autistic children

Smells Like: budget

I apologize for the photo (sort of) but hey, she did it. I really like Jenny -- for different reasons now then when I was 16 -- she has been an active advocate for Autism and has been running a school for autistic kids. The rumor is she split up with her man, and funding has dried up for the project -- I don't really buy it as she has plenty of cash of her own.

STORY: Jenny McCarthy closing her school for autistic children

Schools profit with alpaca poop!

(TV's Jake Sasseville with an Alpaca)

An Illinois school booster club is going to be raising money by selling 30 lb. bags of alpaca poop as fertilizer. You might remember when a kindergarten teacher sent a bag of human poop home with a student (and later resigned) -- perhaps this would have been a better option and would have made them some money in the process.

STORY: School booster club plans to sell alpaca manure as a fundraiser

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs432.snc3/24897_546906448507_57600472_31955177_3929391_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs432.snc3/24897_546906448507_57600472_31955177_3929391_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(TV's <a href="http://edgewithjake.com/">Jake Sasseville</a> with an Alpaca)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
An Illinois school booster club is going to be raising money by selling 30 lb. bags of alpaca poop as fertilizer. You might remember when a <a href="http://www.detentionslip.org/2009/04/kindergarten-teacher-sends-bag-of-poop.html">kindergarten teacher sent a bag of human poop home with a student</a> (and<a href="http://www.detentionslip.org/2010/01/teacher-who-sent-poop-home-with-student.html"> later resigned</a>) -- perhaps this would have been a better option and would have made them some money in the process.<br />
<br />
<b>STORY:</b> <a href="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/unleashed/2010/04/school-booster-club-plans-to-sell-alpaca-manure-as-a-fundraiser.html">School booster club plans to sell alpaca manure as a fundraiser</a>

Obama unveils $900M plan for schools

Smells Like: budget , D.C. , k12 , Obama , reform , USA

Story: Obama unveils $900M plan for schools

One of the ideas not listed in his plan, is to replace teachers with robots.

NY teacher making over $100K, hasn't taught since 2001

Smells Like: budget , New York , sex , teachers

Story: Easy money for millionaire exile

After being accused of "staring at girls butts" almost a decade ago, this guy was saved by the union and can't be fired. He still receives his annual salary of over $100,000, but hasn't been in a classroom since the accusation. In his spare time (on the school districts' clock), he is "working on his law practice and managing 12 real-estate properties worth an estimated $7.8 million." So while he might be a horny creeper, he is one f---ing rich man. More proof that our current education system is flawless!

No bus for thousands of Medina students

Smells Like: budget , bus , Ohio , safety

Story: Bus cuts affect thousands of students and parents

In November, voters decided in favor of budget cuts that would reduce spending on school buses. Now less than two months later, the children of the parents who may or may not have voted are now forced to find another option. Basically, this affects ALL high school students and anyone who lives within two miles of the school. So yes, kindergarteners might have to walk a mile and a half to school. For a 15-year old with working parents and no friends, that hike might be longer. Isn't it great how convenient getting a public education has become?

<a href="http://www.brockport.edu/ssp/winter/students.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.brockport.edu/ssp/winter/students.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 398px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 235px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><strong>Story:</strong> <a href="http://www.wkyc.com/news/local/news_article.aspx?storyid=128164&catid=45">Bus cuts affect thousands of students and parents</a><br /><br /><div align="justify">In November, voters decided in favor of budget cuts that would reduce spending on school buses.  Now less than two months later, the children of the parents who may or may not have voted are now forced to find another option.  Basically, this affects ALL high school students and anyone who lives within two miles of the school.  So yes, kindergarteners might have to walk a mile and a half to school.  For a 15-year old with working parents and no friends, that hike might be longer.  Isn't it great how convenient getting a public education has become?</div>

L.A. teachers still owe from $60 million payroll mistake

Smells Like: budget , California , idiocy , jackpot , teachers , theft

Story: Two teachers ordered to return more than $148,000 in overpayments

A couple years ago the L.A. Unified School District decided to upgrade its payroll software and it resulted in nearly $60 million worth of overpayments to its employees. Two of the teachers who reaped the most benefits (almost $150,000K between the pair) haven't returned their share and are still on the lamb. We can only assume they don't get cell phone reception in Barbados. In the meantime, thanks to some computer tech who messed up a few zeroes and ones, don't plan on a raise any time soon if you're teaching in L.A.

<a href="http://www.synergyb.com/images/payroll.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.synergyb.com/images/payroll.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 332px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 257px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><strong>Story:</strong> <a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-lausd28-2009dec28,0,2789178.story?track=rss">Two teachers ordered to return more than $148,000 in overpayments</a><br /><div></div><br /><div align="justify">A couple years ago the L.A. Unified School District decided to upgrade its payroll software and it resulted in nearly $60 million worth of overpayments to its employees. Two of the teachers who reaped the most benefits (almost $150,000K between the pair) haven't returned their share and are still on the lamb. We can only assume they don't get cell phone reception in Barbados. In the meantime, thanks to some computer tech who messed up a few zeroes and ones, don't plan on a raise any time soon if you're teaching in L.A.</div>

Texas Tech Students Rented School Buses To Party

Smells Like: alcohol , budget , bus , college , Texas

Story: Texas Tech Students Used School Buses To Party

It sure was nice of the Plainview school district to rent out their school buses for frat boys to party in. It's good to know they now have a safe place to get liquored up on the weekends. I wonder how many elementary school kids learned what Jello shots smell like on their way to school Monday morning.

District nixes cash-for-grades fundraiser

Smells Like: budget , grades , North Carolina

Story: District nixes cash-for-grades fundraiser

The principal approved an idea that allowed students to pay for better grades. This is not a made up story. To off-set budget problems (and presumably poor grades), students could buy extra points on their tests. $20 can increase your score by 20 points! It was also learned that the district scratched "Morals and Ethics" from their lesson plans and replaced it with "The Art of Bribery." After hearing this story, I can only hope that our schools have finally reached rock bottom.

<a href="http://woodwardsontheavenue.com/images/paying-cash.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://woodwardsontheavenue.com/images/paying-cash.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 265px;" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Story:</span> <a href="http://www.newsobserver.com/news/education/story/185460.html">District nixes cash-for-grades fundraiser</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">The principal approved an idea that allowed students to pay for better grades.  This is not a made up story.  To off-set budget problems (and presumably poor grades), students could buy extra points on their tests.  $20 can increase your score by 20 points!  It was also learned that the district scratched "Morals and Ethics" from their lesson plans and replaced it with "The Art of Bribery."  After hearing this story, I can only hope that our schools have finally reached rock bottom.<br /></div>

Hawaii schools closed most Fridays to save money

Smells Like: attendance , budget , Hawaii

Story: Hawaii schools closed most Fridays to save money

While we recognize that several school districts have already been trying a 4-day week to help their budget, it is interesting (as the article points out) that not too long after Obama announced he would like to add more school days to the academic year, his home state cuts them back. While Hawaii schools have never ranked in the top half of most educational categories, I assume the extra day to go surfing will benefit everyone in the long run.

<a href="http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2008/02/11/HawaiiSurf_wideweb__470x313,0.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2008/02/11/HawaiiSurf_wideweb__470x313,0.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 334px; height: 222px;" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Story:</span> <a href="http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_13594991?source=rss">Hawaii schools closed most Fridays to save money</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">While we recognize that several school districts have already been trying a 4-day week to help their budget, it is interesting (as the article points out) that not too long after Obama announced he would like to add <span style="font-style: italic;">more </span>school days to the academic year, his home state cuts them back.  While Hawaii schools have never ranked in the top half of most educational categories, I assume the extra day to go surfing will benefit everyone in the long run.<br /></div>

Area schools may soon sell naming rights

Smells Like: budget , economy , Florida , marketing

Story: Area schools may soon sell naming rights

How do you dig yourself out of a budget crisis? You sell out. Businesses can start the bidding because some Florida schools are going to start advertising on buildings, hallways, uniforms, Web sites, printed handouts and more! Everything in the school will be sponsored by something. Get ready for your children to come home everyday and inexplicably want to consume more products!

<a href="http://digitalsignageuniverse.typepad.com/.a/6a00e55025f77288330115711e9564970b-800wi" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://digitalsignageuniverse.typepad.com/.a/6a00e55025f77288330115711e9564970b-800wi" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 142px;" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Story</span>: <a href="http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/News/Headlines/frtHEAD01091209.htm"><span class="centerpage"><span id="rssheadline" class="headline">Area schools may soon sell naming rights</span></span></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">How do you dig yourself out of a budget crisis?  You sell out.  Businesses can start the bidding because some Florida schools are going to start advertising on <span class="centerpage"><span id="rssbody">buildings, hallways, uniforms, Web sites, printed handouts and more!  Everything in the school will be sponsored by something.  Get ready for your children to come home everyday and inexplicably want to consume more products!</span></span><br /></div>

Education Spending Doubled, Test Scores Stagnant

Smells Like: budget , economy , grades , k12 , politics , USA

STORY: Education Spending Doubled, Stagnant Test Scores

"Since 1970, inflation adjusted public school spending has more than doubled. Over the same period, achievement of students at the end of high school has stagnated according to the Department of Education’s own long term National Assessment of Educational Progress (see chart above). Meanwhile, the high school graduation rate has declined by 4 or 5%, according to Nobel laureate economist James Heckman."

Thoughts on this?

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3glm2Kh4w9V0rFEt7yap7sYnqRriK9iUd5K4cVdFCK2jt-xjru559xjFTIeGalobe2COhiaXauYQsgHk3gnB0_BGyPI8aocffWxs5GHzwl7PoAwRkrhlVXfLjjSKga6r6Myk2WnZv63p9/s1600/cato.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3glm2Kh4w9V0rFEt7yap7sYnqRriK9iUd5K4cVdFCK2jt-xjru559xjFTIeGalobe2COhiaXauYQsgHk3gnB0_BGyPI8aocffWxs5GHzwl7PoAwRkrhlVXfLjjSKga6r6Myk2WnZv63p9/s400/cato.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br />STORY: <a href="http://mjperry.blogspot.com/2009/09/education-spending-doubled-stagnant.html">Education Spending Doubled, Stagnant Test Scores</a><br /><br /><blockquote><i>"Since 1970, inflation adjusted public school spending has </i><a href="http://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d08/tables/dt08_181.asp?referrer=list" target="_blank"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: none;"><i>more than doubled</i></span></span></a><i>. Over the same period, achievement of students at the end of high school </i><a href="http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/ltt/" target="_blank"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: none;"><i>has stagnated</i></span></span></a><i> according to the Department of Education’s own long term National Assessment of Educational Progress (see chart above). Meanwhile, the </i><a href="http://ftp.iza.org/dp3216.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: none;"><i>high school graduation rate has declined</i></span></span></a><i> by 4 or 5%, according to Nobel laureate economist James Heckman."</i></blockquote>Thoughts on this?

Bill Cosby attacks education cuts

Smells Like: budget , comedian , Pennsylvania , protest

Story: Bill Cosby attacks education cuts

Bill Cosby is protesting budget cuts and Tony Danza wants to be a teacher. What is going on in Philadelphia that all the 80's TV stars are joining together to help education. If Michael Jackson were still alive I think we'd be hearing another "We are the World" song.

Teacher in jail for sex with student, still being paid

Smells Like: Alabama , budget , law , sex , teachers

Story: Teacher in jail for sex with student, still being paid

It's been two years since she lost her job for raping a 14-year old student. She's been locked up for about a year and a half of that. She will continue to collect her full salary until this case is cleared in court. It seems that in some states losing your job might not be such a bad gig. Parents must love knowing that situations like this lead to budget cuts in schools. And if you really want to be confused, check out her mug shot and ask yourself what teenage boy would want to sleep with her "at least 10 times."

<a href="http://www.nocashneeded.com/resources/money-uncle-sam-180x270.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.nocashneeded.com/resources/money-uncle-sam-180x270.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 180px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 270px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><br /><div></div><div><strong>Story:</strong> <a href="http://www.wbbm780.com/Teacher-in-jail-for-sex-with-student--still-being-/4968010">Teacher in jail for sex with student, still being paid</a></div><br /><div></div><div align="justify">It's been two years since she lost her job for raping a 14-year old student. She's been locked up for about a year and a half of that. She will continue to collect her full salary until this case is cleared in court.  It seems that in some states losing your job might not be such a bad gig.  Parents must love knowing that situations like this lead to budget cuts in schools.  And if you really want to be confused, check out her mug shot and ask yourself what teenage boy would want to sleep with her "at least 10 times."</div>

Schools face bigger classes in response to smaller budgets

Smells Like: budget , k12 , USA

Story: Schools face bigger classes in response to smaller budgets

We predicted years ago that this was going to be a growing trend. Now, more so than ever, the realization is setting in. Either teachers are going to have to learn to be just as dynamic with more kids in their room, or students will just gradually be receiving a worse education because of large class sizes. This model works in large universities, so maybe it's just a tool to weed out any child who isn't college-bound.

Funding mix-up on US stimulus aid creates $250M windfall for schools

Smells Like: Arizona , budget , idiocy , jackpot

"I must've put a decimal point in the wrong place or something. Shit, I always do that. I always mess up some mundane detail." - Michael Bolton, Office Space

Story: Funding mix-up on US stimulus aid creates $250M windfall for schools

Thanks to a mundane detail (and a huge error by someone at the state), Arizona schools will be sitting pretty with twice the amount they were originally expecting in stimulus money. They will be receiving $500M in cold hard American cash. You can expect a lot more luxury cars and big screen TVs in the Grand Canyon State.

<div align="center"><a href="http://www.takepart.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/cash-pile.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.takepart.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/cash-pile.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 331px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 212px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;">"<em>I must've put a decimal point in the wrong place or something. Shit, I always do that. I always mess up some mundane detail</em>." - Michael Bolton, <em>Office Space</em></span></div><em><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></em><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><strong>Story:</strong> <a href="http://www.azstarnet.com/metro/301216">Funding mix-up on US stimulus aid creates $250M windfall for schools</a></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Thanks to a mundane detail (and a huge error by someone at the state), Arizona schools will be sitting pretty with twice the amount they were originally expecting in stimulus money. They will be receiving $500M in cold hard American cash. You can expect a lot more luxury cars and big screen TVs in the Grand Canyon State.</div>

Schools looking to parents to pay for sports

Smells Like: budget , parents , sports , USA

Story: Schools looking to parents to pay for sports

Too bad, because some poor kids are pretty good athletes. The schools will have no problems having sports teams, but the parents will have to provide all the equipment and uniforms. Public school is getting harder and harder to afford, and the quality is not improving. It's only a matter of time until they ask the community to help pay for teacher pay raises.

Principal accused of misusing district money

Smells Like: budget , Florida , principal , theft , trouble

Story: Palm Beach Gardens High School principal accused of misusing district money

At some point, it's going to catch someones eye that thousands of dollars are being spent on chocolate roses, tuxedo rentals, and dinners. Those aren't exactly items you find in the Back-to-School section at Target. Ready for the best part? His salary last year was $113,157! I hope he treated his staff as well as his dates.

700 NYC teachers are paid to do nothing

Smells Like: budget , New York , teachers

Story: 700 NYC teachers are paid to do nothing

All the teachers that get accused of something or are under investigation don't get fired...they get paid time off! They get to hang out every day, away from the classrooms, and watch their paychecks keep coming in. If you are trying to analyze some flaws with our education budget problems, this might be a decent place to start looking.

Principal sits on roof to raise money for school

Smells Like: budget , principal , weird , wisconsin

Story: Principal sits on roof to raise money for school

Was he planning on jumping if he didn't reach his goal? And isn't there some kind of risk management department in this school district? A roof can't be the safest place to host a fundraiser. It took Steve Martin's character from Roxanne to finally coax him down.

TUSD boss seeking to hire 4 assistants at up to $130K each

Smells Like: Arizona , budget , economy , teachers

Story: TUSD boss seeking to hire 4 assistants at up to $130K each

In any other year, this would not be a story. After recently cutting around $60 million from the school districts budget (which included close to 600 teacher positions), they are now looking to hire four assistants to the superintendent. I can only hope one of their job responsibilities will be to figure out how to make students succeed in over-sized classrooms with under-qualified teachers.

Banner Ads

ARCHIVES

Followers