Need Advice: many teacher firing at my School because of Governor

[Corey_Baker08]

Well I live in Indiana were newly elected Republican Governor has turned Indiana upside down. He has recently put a holt on Education spending for the next two years. Inevitably causing the firing of many teachers at my small town school.

As President of my grade I am willing to do whatever it takes to stop these firings to help my teachers out. However I dont feel confident that going in front of the school board will help because it is the State of Indiana thats implying this law.

Help out, is there any way I can save the teachers? I know cutting the cost of supplies is no longer an option seeing as we are restricted the most basic supplies anyway, paper, scissors, art supplies,ffa supplies, anything that is bought we cant have.

I hate Mitch Daniels

[blondeatlast]

1. Blue flu? I'm assuming the teachers, as public employees, are forbidden

to strike, correct me if I'm wrong.

A "blue flu" is a massive sick day/week, etc. where all of a sudden, the entire teacher contingent is struck "mysteriously" ill and calls in sick. It is a favorite tactic of public employees like firefighters, cops, and nurses.

One point about a teacher's "blue flu" is the impact it will have DIRECTLY on working parents forced to find child care in a massive hurry.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

2. Some suggestions

See if some of the teachers can remain on the payroll as part-time teachers-could be done if the school board could help with health care (this was done back in the 80s in the Illinois district where I worked when money got tight). When things get better, the teachers could go back to full time.

Talk to your school board in terms of quality education-how good schools attract people to your town. Suggest the above or even a fundraiser-perhaps local businesses could "adopt" a school program to free up money to pay salaries.

You might also wish to talk to the local teacher's association to see how they would suggest you help.

[sarahlee]

3. It happened here

Last year we lost about 66 positions in our school district - which is about the biggest employer for the county.

My SO lost his teaching position as he had only been with the district 5 years and another teacher with seniority had his position cut so they had to make room for him. He has been working in another state this year and accepted a contract for the same school for next.

Republicans that care about family values (NOT!) are going to find their policies splitting up families as folks, where both spouces/partners work find that one has to move out to find work.

[alcuno]

4. If parents aren't up in arms, don't bother.

They can be your best advocates. Find out if the PTA is taking a position and if they are massive numbers of people can show up for school board meetings. School Board's hate that. I'm an officer in our union and we've done this before - rail on and on about administrative spending. In most districts, that's where they'll find the fat - the DISTRICT OFFICE!

You'll never find the money in supplies' they don't buy us any. Someone needs to look seriously at the budget - anyone can get a copy. And everyone should.

[Contrary1]

5. My son teaches in one of the Indianapolis

township schools. He's already been given notice that he
will not be working there next year. Really a shame, a
young, energetic, male elementary teacher is not at all
common. The kids love him. The school has received numerous
calls from parents remarking at how their children's attitude
about school has changed, because they enjoy his class. He
has spent several hundred dollars of his own money on extra
supplies for classroom. Indiana's loss.

What Mitch either isn't smart enough to realize, or doesn't
want to admit is the fact that when 6,000 teachers lose their
jobs in Indiana, there will be 6,000 workers paying less income
tax, or none at all. Many of those 6,000 will have to go on
some kind of public assistance to help support their families.
They will have less spendable income, so gasoline and sales tax
revenue will suffer too.

Then, there's the approximately 120,000 students that will be
crammed into already crowded classrooms. How many will not get
the individual help they might need, resulting in retention?
Won't be saving any money if too many have to repeat grades.
Not to mention, the older students, who will just drop out in
frustration. That will lead to an increase in crime.

I have no ideas for you, other than the fact that people
need to stand up to these elected officials. Parents can
refuse to send their kids, teachers can refuse to teach, I'm
not sure it will matter much to Mitch. He's a chip off the
mental midget residing in DC. As long as he and his rich
buddies don't have to do without, the rest of us can take a
flying you-know-what.

(edit for spelling)

[Corey_Baker08]

6. Wow I guess This is The Exact same Situation

Thats what I am trying to fight against exactly, all my classmates love our Gym Teacher, Mr. Fraze and he has already been given his release for nexy year. He is a graduate of that school and is an entergetic 26 year old trying to make a life. And another teacher i am sad to see go is a nice middle aged woman that has a family to financially support.

Its sad and I hate it and as a student i would give anything to see these teachers keep their jobs.