Hebron Dollars & Sense

The Curriculum Director at HES has resigned. Interestingly, the Board had to have known this at the 4/1/10 Board of Finance meeting, since this agenda was posted early on 4/2/10. www.hebron.k12.ct.us/uploaded/Hebron_Dis...as/Agenda_4-8-10.pdf

One of the suggestions, both from public comment and from Board of Finance members at the 4/1/10 meeting, was to eliminate the Curriculum Director position, a 6-figure administrative position.

BUT... (there's always a BUT when it comes to the Board of Education), notice on the Agenda that immediately following acceptance of the Curriculum Director's position is an agenda item "Appointment -- Discussion and Possible Action."

Made a few calls Friday when this came out, and the story I'm told is that the Super's plan is to fill the Curriculum Director's position immediately (i.e., SAVE that 6-figure administration position) by filling it with the current Assistant Principal. According to board policy, the Super has the right to make hiring decisions for that position.

But then, there would be no Assistant Principal, and the Board of Education has the hiring decision on that Assistant Principal position.

Here's a thought: (1) Don't fill the Curriculum Director's position for this year's budget (FY 2010-11) and probably next year too (FY 2011-12). We all know the revenue situation in Hebron is in a downward spiral. (2) Cut ADK. The budget will most likely be voted down as long as ADK is included. I have talked to at least a 100 residents of all party affiliations, (so don't start thinking this is political), and the response is unanimous. ADK MUST go. It is a non-required program, and a local unfunded mandate with the cost going squarely on the backs of taxpayers.

According to the Super's blog, 3 of the proposed ADK Kindergarten teachers would be paid over $91,000 EACH. What?? $91,000-$93,000 to watch kids take a nap and have play time until the buses come for them at 3:30??? Where does the line start in order to apply for that job??? Count me in to sleep in a tent a night or two in order to be first in line to apply!

So... here's a chance for the Board of Education to repair the damage to their image. Don't fill the Curriculum Director position; cut ADK; KEEP C&E and music programs. Everyone happy; problem solved; budget goals met.

Your thoughts?

Absolutely, positively agree with you. This is the way to solve the problem. So how do we get it to happen?

There are surprises all the time at HES. Don't fill the C.Director position. I agree with the thought #1 and #2. After all management moves teachers about when there is a need to rescue a job. Cut the budget appropriately by actual dollar.

I agree with all of you ... I have no children in the system and I do NOT want current teaching staff cut, nor the elimination of the "C&E" program nor the loss of the 0.7 FTE music position. The last was certainly a bogus offering on the BOE's part -- they even had difficulty explaining a 0.7 FTE to the BOF.

I totally support the (1) elimination of the curriculum specialist -- even before the announced resignation. I also support the (2) elimination of all-day kindergarten (ADK). Those 6 graders performing in the 90+ percentile were not exposed to ADK and did very well on the standardized tests. No credible data has been presented to support ADK and it is not mandated by the state. I support reverting to all half-day Kindergarten.

Without these two items ... the current proposed BOE budget would be "very close" to a zero percent increase. The budget should support programs for ALL of those enrolled not just the 106 students (less than 10% of the student population) who would be eligible for ADK.

IMPORTANT UPDATE: On good authority, the Board of Education will NOT cut the Curriculum Director position. Because they can't: by policy, the Superintendent makes that hiring decision. So an appointment WILL be made to save the administrative slot and salary.

Second, the Curriculum Director position will be appointed to the current Vice Principal. As I understand it, the Board, by majority, is refusing to consider combining the two positions so that one administrator is part time Curriculum/part time Assistant Principal.

The Board, under the Super's direction, will NOT give a list of proposed cuts at the Public Hearing, keeping everyone in suspense, parents fearful of cutting C&E and music, programs that D&S members support.

That's called yelling fire in the theatre; throwing gasoline on the fire. Personally, I am so disappointed at the scare tactics. I thought we had grown past that.

Sooooo...Get out your plywood and paint. Start painting signs.
ADK = NO Vote
in May
Vote NO May 4th

With all due respect, who does the Superintendent work for in Hebron? Who signs the payroll checks for the school system? No doubt about it, Superintendent is not an autonomous entity making these decisions on her own. Elephant in the room - Board of Education is in complete control and not cooperating with Board of Finance.