PORTSMOUTH
At a special School Board meeting Thursday, Superintendent David Stuckwisch proposed an average teacher raise of about 4 percent for next school year, down from a recommended average raise of about 6.5 percent.
That's because the City Council this week passed a budget that did not give the school system any new money, Stuckwisch told board members.
The city has also put off funding the building of a new Simonsdale Elementary School, he said, and added that school officials would be exploring a public/private partnership in an effort to make the project happen.
Besides a reduction in the level of teacher raises, Stuckwisch also proposed that a pilot elementary Spanish program and graduate school tuition reimbursement for teachers be put on hold until next budget season.
But he recommended a middle school tackle football and cheerleading program start on schedule this coming school year.
Board member Jean Shackelford questioned the merits of an athletic program over an educational program and suggested that the community could help fund the athletic initiative.
Several other board members also expressed disappointment over the proposed elimination of the Spanish program, which had been put on the back burner before.
Stuckwisch also asked board members to consider offering retirement packages to about 17 educators with 36 years or more of teaching experience. The teachers could receive anywhere from an additional $12,000 to $15,000 next school year in exchange for committing to retire in June 2009, Stuckwisch said.
The extra money for the teachers, he said, would come from delaying a major maintenance project, such as replacing a boiler, a high-ticket item.
Ultimately, the savings gained from the retirements would far outweigh the payout, he said. The educators would be replaced with new teachers who are much less expensive.
"It sounds like a good idea," said board member Betty Hudgins.
The board is scheduled to vote on a final school system budget next Thursday.
Cheryl Ross, (757) 446-2443, cheryl.ross@pilotonline.com
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P-Town School System Does it Again
I am a twenty year employee of PPS. This is not the first time, nor will it be the last, that the school board and superintendent take the faculty and staff to the cleaners. I teach in Portsmouth because I believe there is a need to raise expectations. I have been through the pay freezes, step or cola but not both, and now...no raise for top of step.
What is PPS going to do when they start bleeding teachers again? Where will the mentors for new teachers come from? Portsmouth schools are holding their own but they could be so much better! Gone are the DE Science classes... too expensive...won't transfer except as electives. Gone are some elective classes so that principals did not have to RIF core(SOL) teachers. But, hey, we will have full contact football and cheering for grades 7 and 8! Money well spent? I think not! Academics should be leading the way! Class sizes of 20-24 not 35-40 in Science, Math, Social Studies and English.
WAKE UP PPS!!!!!!!!!
Let me start off by stating that I and my husband are both graduates of the PPS. I am currently teaching within the system and will probably catch flack for writing this comment. However, there are numerous PPS staff, students, and parents that will back me up on this issue. I think the public should hear of some unmentioned budget topics. Granted, I am aware that funds for various programs come from many sources, so I do not know for sure where PPS is pulling the two million dollars allocated to renovate an existing wing at WWHS. The plan is to create a vocational type culinary arts program, which PPS refers to as AC-13. What they don't tell you is that this program will only accomodate 80 students max. Two million dollars for a maximum of 80 students. That's our tax dollars! Also, students from CHS & ICNHS will have to be bused over if they desire to take the double-blocked year long course. Isn't gas approaching $4.00 a gallon? Currently, culinary arts is being taught in all 3 HS's, giving nearly 240 students the opportunity to take the course. I don't want to sound completely negative. The general concept of this vocational program is wonderful, but PPS needs to wake u
School Budget Problems
Is it no wonder that the schools are rated so poorly - with an attitude get rid of the experienced teachers and bring in those that are less experienced - I am sure glad I don't have children in the educational system and- by the way you are not going to get the raise you expected either - What an incentive to do a GREAT job for the coming year!
By the way notice - NOTICE voters the City Council did not give the School Board any new money in the budget - It all comes home to roost - we can put billions into a hotel that is not paying for itself, sounds like Ntelos again - we can acquire loans for projects that don't exist but funding for schools - ridiculous! What sound judgment! You put them back in now live with it!
Save save to spend spend spend!
"Ultimately, the savings gained from the retirements would far outweigh the payout, he said. The educators would be replaced with new teachers who are much less expensive."
Finally the truth about public schools is revealed!
SCHOOL board member 1: "Is du childrens passin du S O Ls"
SCHOOL board member 2: "we gots enuff scores to get du funding fo yo project using yo cusins compney"
SCHOOL board member 1: "Den erthing is cool"
SCHOOL board member 3: "But what about our taxpayers children's education and future?"
Balance of School board: "LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL"