Message from Yes for Higley Kids
Here is the email message I got:
There are 19 days until the override election.
We can not do it without your “YES” vote.Dear education supporters,
I can write five pages on why the students of HUSD will benefit from your “YES” vote. I have chosen to write one page with five points.
1. Higley’s tax rate has dropped $.90. A “YES” vote adds an additional $.23 to Higley’s tax rate. This is still $.67 lower than last year’s tax rate.
My children, along with other HUSD children, cannot wait out a bad economy as it relates to their education. The additional $.23 adds up to 1.4 million dollars for the students of HUSD.
2. HUSD is seeking to increase its budget to keep K-3 class sizes at a ration that fosters a quality educational experience. This is not a luxury but a necessity for the academic and social success of our children. There is no stronger case to be made. The K-3 override is not going to be used to offer a new arts program or to create new curriculum.
3. Future reductions in education funding from the State Legislature are imminent. As a parent, I have little control over that. As a parent, I do have the ability to vote “YES” to a HUSD Budget Increase. This “YES” vote will help to maintain, protect and ultimately improve the quality of HUSD schools and programs.
4. The HUSD website provides factual information regarding this proposed override. In the near future the website will also have a link to show how all voter approved funds are managed. (accountability) Over the last year HUSD was presented two awards for excellence in financial reporting.
5. In closing, the financial challenge HUSD faces is further complicated by its rapid growth. Federal funding HUSD receives is from the year 2000 when the district had 9,600 fewer students than it does now. This growth also contributes to larger utilities bills; this is termed excess utilities and is not funded by the State. Additionally, Higley does not have the option to participate in Career Ladder. Districts that are part of the Career Ladder receive more State funding for teacher salaries. All of these costs have to be absorbed into HUSD’s budget.
The proposed HUSD budget increase will bring needed dollars to the students of HUSD.
Vote “YES” for a HUSD Budget Increase
Stacy LaGoy
YES for Higley Kids
I personally will vote yes and hope others do too. I don’t think it will be easy for this override to pass but I do think it will be good for our kids. In the end it might be a matter of who shows up at the polls. Hopefully the folks in favor will show up in droves.
Pamela:
while I agree there is a need for more funding for the district, I am very inclined NOT to vote in favor of such. Regardless if it is going to be less than last years taxes, I have not witnessed the district spending money where it actually counts the most. I don’t think my children would have cared if we had the old bus barn, the old district offices or even an extra child or two in their class. The numbers than are forcasted for class sizes are not going to change enough to make a real difference. I do understand that the numbers that we are receiving funding for are far less than what we currently have, however, perhaps they should not be building as rapidly as we are. We opened a high school at only Freshman and Sophmore level, we have a new k-8 school that is far from capacity and we are CONTINUING to bring in new district employees for insanely high salaries plus perks. We are doing nothing to improve teacher/employee morale and we are spending large amounts of money to investigate employees for frivolous things. I am tired of having to read about the district each day in the paper. I wonder how many parents are looking at other schools for their children for the upcoming years.
I understand that the original post is the opinion of one parent, and I respect that. I would hope that my opinion is also respected. It is a tough time for all and for the district to ask for ANOTHER override at this time, when the last one barely passed, seems crazy. Surely, I am not alone in my thinking.
October 15, 2009, 10:26 amGeoff Johnston:
Pamela,
How do you think voting NO will help solve the problems you noted?
October 15, 2009, 10:44 amazfam:
It’s my opinion that Denise Birdwell could have spent the money that HUSD had on the classrooms and the teachers, and she chose not to do so, and the board allowed it to happen without question. She is a master at manipulating data and figures, and she focuses her efforts on personal PR. I do not think she has the best intention for Higley kids, and I will not vote to give any more money while she is managing it. I was not in favor of Birdwell becoming the superidendent (nor was I a fan of Lutrey). When that position changes, maybe my opinions will change.
October 15, 2009, 11:39 amI do feel sorry for the HUSD students who are the victims in this political mess.
Pamela:
Geoff, Again, this is just my opinion. I am speaking on MY feelings about this override and can only assume that there are others with questions as well. I attend the board meetings and can watch slide after slide on a powerpoint presentation and have found that they can say what they want on any subject, provide whatever survey results or paint sunshine on a picture of a storm, bottom line is, I don’t feel comfortable with what I am seeing or have seen in the past.
Let me say that I have reviewed the Q&A on HUSD’s website. From MY understanding, it lists that the following is what it will be used for:
1. salaries, benefits and programs SPECIFICALLY for k-3
2. Reducing class sizes k-3
3. Enrich Curriculum
4. Provide instructional support
Yes, each of those would be nice, but I would like to see numbers to accompany each. Whose salaries will be increased? I know that the teachers at our school took a pay cut this year. Are we going to bring in new teachers at higher salaries? Are the teachers going to get what they deserve? Benefits: Will the teachers actually get the same type of perks and benefits that the directors are getting? We are currently paying for many directors families health insurance as well as life insurance exceeding 200K each. (mind you, this has been in effect for quite some time) as well as company cars, laptops etc. Last time I checked, each person had a desktop for their office, why the need for both. Programs: What programs? explain which they are actually going to bring to the classrooms.
Reducing class size would be beneficial but I would like to know actual numbers. What are they currently at vs. the intended number. Where will they house the additional classrooms or do they plan to bring in portable classrooms or remodel each school for additional space?
Enriching curriculum: We currently have at least 3 Director 3 that are in charge of curriculum in one way or another and I am sure there are assistants or other departments that are in charge of development and such. How do they plan to enrich the current curriculum? How many more staff members will be brought on board for such?
Providing instructional support: How do they intend to do such? Does this mean adding an aide in each room or hiring a trainer and holding more “group classes” for the teachers?
The outlines look intriguing, but I would like details. When do they plan to put this into effect? I would be more inclined to vote yes if I knew the funds were going towards something like text books so each child could have their own to bring home for homework. I would like to see more electives in the K-3 as well. The specialty classes we are offered need to be expanded, however, I am sure they will ask for more funding for that next year.
October 15, 2009, 12:17 pmGeoff Johnston:
azfam,
How do you think voting NO will help solve the problems you noted?
October 15, 2009, 2:08 pmGeoff Johnston:
Pamela,
Those are good questions about the details. Hopefully someone more in the know can point us to some answers. I am glad to see you are not set on voting NO though.
I sometimes get the impression that some people have a beef with district leadership and are more interested exacting revenge than doing what is best for the kids. I think that is problematic. Sure there are problems with the district but I fail to see how voting NO on this override will do anything to help solve those problems at all.
October 15, 2009, 2:12 pmPamela:
Geoff, the questions I have could easily be answered if the district were willing to be open and honest with their answers. I live in the district and have yet to receive ANYTHING in writing, mail or email explaining what their goals, plans or intentions are. As mentioned, I have attended board meetings that often show fancy powerpoints but don’t really answer the questions for the general publics understanding. I have found better campaigns while strolling the campus with my children at their school in which the students are running for school class offices. While I understand that the school, district and teachers are unable to advertise, so to speak, I would really like to see something from the district selling us on why we should vote yes on such an important issue. As we all agree, the students and their education should be the number one priority, now show me how that is going to be achieved. Don’t simply tell me curriculum enrichment, salaries etc. Show me the dollar figures and what will be spent on what and how much. My gut feeling tells me that a good portion of that would be spent on new administrative fees and positions that we currently do not need.
I am open to being swayed if the answers are provided, however, time is a ticking so to speak.
October 15, 2009, 2:33 pmGeoff Johnston:
Pamela,
I understand that you have complaints about the district management. What I don’t understand is what your specific complaints have to do with voting YES or NO on this specific k-3 override. Are you under the impression that voting NO will somehow punish district leadership or something? If so I think you are mistaken. A NO vote will mostly punish the k-3 children in our district and their teachers.
October 15, 2009, 2:41 pmPamela:
My complaints are not with the district management, they are with the money management. Like I have said over and over, I am willing to form a better opinion if I am shown EXACTLY where the money will be going. I would not buy a house or car without knowing what I am paying for, so why would I just hand over funds for my childrens education without asking the questions?
The district should be able to show us where they plan to spend the money on specifics and sell us on the override. That is all I am asking.
October 15, 2009, 3:51 pmStacy LaGoy:
Pamela,
October 16, 2009, 12:50 amWould you mind if I copy and paste your questions to District for answers?
Stacy
twoboys:
It’s my understanding that the construction projects were paid for with the bond money from a few years ago. That came from a totally different bucket of money and if it were up to the district, they would have thrown that towards kids and teacher salaries. However, according to state law, bond money is already earmarked. It is frustrating to see new buildings and such being built when money could be better used, but it’s the legislature and state policies that are the bigger issue here. Help the kids/teachers and vote yes on the override. It’s pennies per person.
October 16, 2009, 3:40 pmGeoff Johnston:
Thanks for the comment twoboys. That jibes with what I have heard about construction funds as well.
October 16, 2009, 4:03 pmPamela:
stacy, that would be wonderful if you could present them to the district. I have contacted one of the secretraries there for stuff in the past and after several requests for public information and have been told I must fill out some request forms and forward them to the HR department Director, unfortunately, I have never received those requests. Please don’t misunderstand me or my thoughts, I am simply wanting some sort of answers or guarantee that each penny that is supposed to go for the K-3 kids actually goes to the kids and not for more unneeded bodies, expenses etc. I love the school, I love the teachers my children have had and the ones in their futures. I WANT to see them succeed and know that many of them struggle financially to do what they love, teach. I would hate to see any of them leave to go to districts that can offer them a better opportunity, or what they may not be getting at HUSD. I am afraid that we will lose more if the funds are not going to the right places. Is there not something that the parents and public can vote on as to where the funds go or how they are spent? I think that could make a difference in the voters. Allowing others, who have their own ideas, to spend the money could be a bad decision, in my opinion.
October 18, 2009, 10:01 pmStacy LaGoy:
Pamela,
October 18, 2009, 10:11 pmI will bring your questions to the district. Please email yesforhigleykids@gmail.com with you contact info. Let’s get in touch.
Stacy
Stacy LaGoy:
twoboys,
October 18, 2009, 10:17 pmYou are right on. 2006…120,000,000 voter aproved bond. This can only be used to build.
Sheila Nelson:
A “YES” vote on the tax increase will do nothing to solve the bigger funding issues created by federal and state governments–that’s where the money is, and that’s where our efforts would create the biggest pay-off.
Additionally, there is an inverse correlation between school funding and student achievement. If you don’t believe me, compare school performance results from a heavily funded place like Washington DC and a much less heavily funded place like Utah.
October 20, 2009, 9:34 amGeoff Johnston:
Sheila: A “YES” vote on the tax increase will do nothing to solve the bigger funding issues created by federal and state governments
True. It won’t solve world hunger either. But it would fund the local k-3 grades a little better and would help HUSD improve. If the issue is return on investment the question is what improving HUSD might do to increase housing values in the district. I don’t have any hard numbers on that — I just think it stands to reason that a stronger HUSD will help home values.
there is an inverse correlation between school funding and student achievement. If you don’t believe me, compare school performance results from a heavily funded place like Washington DC and a much less heavily funded place like Utah
Well it seems to me that there are lots of other factors that might play into the performance of kids in poor urban areas like DC versus places like rural or suburban Utah. I doubt anyone would seriously argue that children in DC perform worse than children in Utah _because_ those inner city districts were saddled with some extra funding…
October 20, 2009, 10:17 pmStacy LaGoy:
I received this via HUSD listserve….There is the first of a series of community forums with Dr. Birdwell this Wednesday, October 28th at 7:00 at the district office. The topis of this forum are acedemic achievement, classroom expenditures and technology integration.
October 26, 2009, 9:03 amIf you have questions, comments and/or concerns bring them and ask. It is always best to get information from the source.
See you there.
azfam:
HUSD just got over $1 million back from the Department of Education for their student membership numbers, along with more than half a million dollars from correcting audit errors from the previous year.
October 28, 2009, 5:05 pmPamela:
Azfam, that sounds too good to be true. I would be very curious to see how that turns out and can only pray that this will go back into the schools and benefit the children. I sincerely hope that this will NOT go into more district office staffing. Unfortunately, I was unable to sit in on the superintendents presentation tonight, however, anyone that may be able to share the information would be greatly appreciated.
October 29, 2009, 9:31 pmazfam:
Pamela, Birdwell did not discuss this money at the forum.
October 30, 2009, 9:45 amPamela:
azfam, I am confused, as I thought, from the listserve email that this was a topic that was going to be discussed. Considering the district has not fully convinced me where this money is going, I am going to have to vote by following my heart and try to determine if this is in the best interest of my children. Thank you for following up on this for me.
November 1, 2009, 11:24 am