No on 103

[TFOGGER]

And once again Colorado votes down anything to do that might actually help our schools.

I'm as conservative as anyone here but as a parent in torn on the issue when it comes to school funding. Colorado is always at the bottom of the list when it comes to school funding and I can tell every time I walk into my daughters school.

Not to put too fine a point on it, but the school systems waste MILLIONS on mid level, do nothing administrators and other bullsh!t that has NOTHING to do with education. Cut the fat out of the middle, pay the teachers, stop spending money on feel good projects that don't benefit actual teaching. When I went to school in the 70s and 80s, there was money not only for fine arts, sports, and driver's education, but for a whole array of vocational programs as well. Student fees for sports and such were reasonable. Yet, the property taxes we proportionally lower. Why? Because the administrative overhead was about 20% of its current percentage. We had 1 principal, 2 secretaries and 2 assistant principals for a student population of about 1500 students at my high school. The 2 assistant principals also taught 3 classes each per day. The same school now has ann enrollment of just over 900 students, a principal, 3 vice principals, 5 assistant vice principals (none of whom teach), and about a dozen office staff.

[Danimal]

I currently view public schools as poorly managed daycares. I do not expect any child to come out of any of them with anything resembling an education. Dumping money on the problem does nothing because lack of funding is not the problem, it is a problem rooted deep in this touchy feeley everyone gets a ribbon teach to the lowest common denominator society that has developed as a result of liberals taking control of our school system.

I honestly believe that creating a conservatively ran education system that encouraged competitive education standards through pay by performance would completely fix this country in about 20 years. You would kill the liberal set of retard ideals at the source instead of fighting with idiots who cant shut thier mouth long enough to form a complete thought. Just my 2 cents. No on 103.

[BigBear]

Been on my soapbox before on this issue. Y'all know where I stand. I love teaching and I love music. Better yet, I love being able to teach music!! Your kids will get an education with me "whether or not you want to" because that is my job. I can do my job with a paycheck of $1mil or a paycheck of $18K a year. Granted, the $1mil would be nice and I would be able to afford new instruments and music for everyone in the school, but... it's not needed.

As a teacher in a low socio-econimic school that has minimum funding (even by CO standards), I know beyond a shadow of a doubt, that it is the quality of teachers and not how much money you throw at a problem...

In music, we have to learn critical thinking skills, reasoning, logical sequenceing, teamwork, discipline, math, science, reading (English and Foreign languages), et al... but for some reason, music is the first thing to be cut. If you get a chance, look up Chris Potter and how she turned her music program around with private marketing, etc. Amazing.


Thanks for listening.

[sniper7]

Been on my soapbox before on this issue. Y'all know where I stand. I love teaching and I love music. Better yet, I love being able to teach music!! Your kids will get an education with me "whether or not you want to" because that is my job. I can do my job with a paycheck of $1mil or a paycheck of $18K a year. Granted, the $1mil would be nice and I would be able to afford new instruments and music for everyone in the school, but... it's not needed.

As a teacher in a low socio-econimic school that has minimum funding (even by CO standards), I know beyond a shadow of a doubt, that it is the quality of teachers and not how much money you throw at a problem...

In music, we have to learn critical thinking skills, reasoning, logical sequenceing, teamwork, discipline, math, science, reading (English and Foreign languages), et al... but for some reason, music is the first thing to be cut. If you get a chance, look up Chris Potter and how she turned her music program around with private marketing, etc. Amazing.


Thanks for listening.

and this is what you are going to see out of 95% of the teachers out there. It isn't the teachers, they are still doing their best, even with crappy class sizes, even with pay freezes, sub-par equipment, and even covering supplies out of their own pockets (without re-reimbursement).

[Aloha_Shooter]

covering supplies out of their own pockets (without re-reimbursement).

This is one thing that chaps my arse. I would love to see a private non-profit devoted to finding these cases and fixing them. I KNOW some families or districts can't afford proper supplies -- I'd be happy to donate supplies or funds to get the students going in the right direction, I just don't want my pocket picked by Denver or the county to do what THEY think they want to do (which is probably funding more "education" in "diversity" and "sensitivity").

[sniper7]

This is one thing that chaps my arse. I would love to see a private non-profit devoted to finding these cases and fixing them. I KNOW some families or districts can't afford proper supplies -- I'd be happy to donate supplies or funds to get the students going in the right direction, I just don't want my pocket picked by Denver or the county to do what THEY think they want to do (which is probably funding more "education" in "diversity" and "sensitivity").

best thing you can do is be patient and answer your door when the bell rings. Students who do fundraising are where the biggest impact will occur and you can be certain almost all your money will directly impact that kid, and most of the time you will get something back out of it....even if it is an overpriced tub of cookie dough

[stove]

Dont see how funneling more money to the state will fix anything. My family, including an out of work Teacher all voted no. When ever the state blows the budget they cut Teachers, Fire fighters, Police ... and wail to high heavens for more money. Oddly, local school still have an abundance of Administrators and I haven't heard anything about cutting their positions or salaries. Only seem to make cuts in the classroom.
Raising taxes will definitely hurt the economy and I doubt it would do a bit of good for the schools. Call me cynical but not thanks!