Norfolk teachers hold 'wake' on proposed budget cuts

I will admit that I may have been a little harsh on teachers in my earlier comment. I am sure that most teachers out there are very dedicated to their profession and take pride in their students. I also realize that they have a pretty high level of education for their pay. I have also heard that they are restricted in many ways by the government from teaching the way that they would like to. I apoligize to those I have offended unfairly. However, I wonder how many of you would have the courage to support a voucher program that would enable people of lesser means to have a real choice of what school they can send their children to and see what they choose.

I would like to go on with the weekend and since my husband has been on his job for 28 yrs, has had to cut back his hours, just like everyone else's pain, we can deal with it by doing some yard work, walk the dog and enjoy the beautiful warm weather. Everyone is in the same scenario but feeling that one career is more tragic, I don't agree. Please don't show me crying at the gas pump, grocery store trying to add up my purchase, pay my insurance and mortgage like everyone else.

That says it all. And I'm not knocking the good, loyal, hard-working, and under-paid teachers. STIMULUS SCHMIMULUS! While the teachers certainly deserve higher pay, money isn't going to fix THIS school system. The administration hierarchy needs to lose their tunnel vision on drop-out numbers for a few years and have the courage to give the schools a good fumigating. Yes, the (so-called) graduation rates are the name of the game with respect to state standards and accreditation, but we are now in a vicious cycle of clinging onto every warm body for as long as we can hoping we can count him/her as a "graduate." And in this process, we are poisoning the schools, discouraging the serious students, and frustrating good teachers. IT'S JUST NOT WORTH IT. Clean house. Throw the bums out. Take some statistical hits for few years. Start all over with a student population rid of the vermin. Watch graduation rates (legitimately) climb and teacher morale soar. It's time to stop talking and start acting.

the first thing we all need to ask is where is the money we collect from the lottery the lottery always have signs everywhere talking about all the millions they donate where is it shouln't that bring money to offset some of these cuts when someone wins 212 million they only get 160 million there should be some money somewhere for our children if the sole purpose when lobbied for was for education where is the money we need our teachers and our children need more of them more security and more exercise calling on all to ask where is the money do we need an audit

The bottom line is that we (by which I mean me) are counting on those kids in the public schools to grow up and become responsible and productive members of society. Therefore, I support public schools. America can not afford to go into the 21st century with an uneducated population. That way lies the third world. Whining about the problems in our imperfect system or flinging mud at the teaching profession is about as useful as burying your head in the sand. The loss of those teachers equals a loss of capability in the school system. None of us should be for that. Perhaps we should be mourning. It may seem a little over the top for those teachers to protest in the manner they did, and their expectations likely will not be met. But the simple act of protesting does not make them villains.

ACF: I'm right there with you e.g. "buzz-work "education"" and "Problem is . . ."

Perhaps Bob didn’t convey his views absolutely correctly. However, he is spot on. Perhaps it’s not the NPS teachers that are sub-standard compared to private school teachers. I have no doubt that there are some very talented and dedicated educators that have a genuine concern for their pupils. However, if you want to chastise certain populace in the NPS system, look at the leaches that call themselves Administrators. Perhaps an educated expose on government mandates would reveal shocking results. How about looking at all the ridiculous programs and restrictions that public teachers have to endure that prevent the “quality” education they need to perform. Private school teachers don’t have to be subjected to government idiocy. The bottom line, you want you children to be educated at the level the government decides, then, by all means, put them in NPS. But if you want them to be better than average, you might want to seek out the private education sector.

1. Learn to write. Please. Obviously the teachers YOU have encountered didn't manage to teach you the difference between a possessive and a plural ("summer's off" -what??). I guess that's why you think teachers are ineffective?
2. Show me a teacher who has summers off instead of spending it taking more classes--because I've never met any of these teachers with their "free summers." (see that--SUMMERS is plural!)

"Good for those teachers. At least they're advocating for themselves because if they wait for the public to advocate for them"

I could have sworn these teachers are protected by their UNION. Something many, many, many of us don't have. Unlike police, fire and rescue, teachers are way over-paid. Ones that have been in the system for years cried and boohooed a few years ago wanting compensation because newer teachers were starting out at almost the same salary as they were currently making. Hello! That's called inflation. MANY of us in private sectors haven't seen a decent raise in years and a cost of living increase.....what's that? I know a few retired teachers and trust me -- they've got nice, cushy lives and bank accounts. Teachers underpaid? Gimmee a break. Many are overpaid and underperform. I've seen it firsthand in my kids schools.

It appears that this group is looking for a free handout or something. The quality of the education in the Norfolk Public School system is terrible. They need to clean house snd get rid of some of these underperforming teachers. Besides, the economy is in a state of emergency right now and everyone across the board is suffering.

Do you teachers want some whine with that cheese?

The teachers are PART of the problem. Children are not being taught responsibility for their actions in the home, OR in the schools.

"Oh, dont fail little Johnny, it will hurt his feelings".

BAH.

If the teachers taught, and the students learned, then we wouldn't be asking for government handouts, and we wouldn't be in this mess.

Worse, I remember applying for an IT position in the school system, and I was turned down for being "Over qualified". Wouldn't over qualified be better than under qualified?

If it's just about money, take a look at Washington, DC's school system, among others. They spend more, per student, than just about any other locality on their schools, and look at the 'success' they are! The education performance in this country ought to be a warning for all those who believe the govt can run the health care system better than the private sector.

Far, far too much money has been recklessly dumped in the education system without filter simply because it "felt good" as a politician to say I helped pump more money in a buzz-work "education". Education in general gets TOO much money and wastes it frivolously on too many projects to list that has nothing to do with creating functional/self-supporting adults. Problem is we generally have current or former "educators" handling budgets and attempting to make sound business decisions vice trained management/fiscal professionals able to decide based on hard cold data and performance markers. Teachers specifically, although we "hope" are doing great work for us, far more times than not fail to deliver a quality product yet ewant their free money summer's off. Some can't even pass HS level SAT's. Yes most only work nine months out of 12 vice the average Joe's 12 months. Summers are a blast for these folks. Many turn down summer school jobs (extra $) where they could go back and fix the kids they failed during the regular school year. I suggest the "raise" money be spent on providing them additional training during those off months. Or even weeding out those who don't belong in the educ

Instead of complaining about Raises that will not be available this year, they should be looking at the Benefit of having Jobs and Benefits when many in this Nation are loosing Jobs,Benefits and in some cases their Homes as well.

Good for those teachers. At least they're advocating for themselves because if they wait for the public to advocate for them....they'd be working for free.
Teachers are in a constant state of economic crisis. When was the last time you heard an elected official say, "We've got some extra money, let's give it to the teachers,"" Never.
In VB it isn't just the financial crisis, but the Superintendent was TOLD by the City Council not to give their employees a raise, not even a piddley little experience increase, because they don't want to give THEIR employees a raise. Now, this is a group who's spending money they have yet to collect.
But the SB won't advocate for school employees and, apparently, neither is the teacher association. If the SB and association won't stand up to the City Council, how can we expect the public to support teachers.
So...good for those teachers in Norfolk.

It is not surprising that teachers are advocates of their profession and choose to express their concerns in public. All occupations will defend their standing when threatened by conditions they did not create. It is unfortunate that those charged with educating the next generation are also impacted by the worldwide economic downturn. However they are not alone as evidenced by the record number of new unemployment claims each week. The sacrifices that teachers are being asked to make during this crisis are no more onerous than those being made throughtout the country by many millions of employed and unemployed Americans. It may sound harsh, but those in the public sector including those in public education must work to deliver the best products possible even when faced with unpleasant personal situations. Those still working are very fortunate. Now is not the time to make demands that are impossible to meet. Keep working to enhance the profession but keep your current employed status in the proper context.

I feel your pain as my income (401K retirement) has been cut in HALF !!

Still reading that stimulus bill for help......

My tears are real. Not a fake wake

Norfolk public school teachers are some of the most dedicated people I have ever seen--they come to work every day and deal with students shoving them, hitting them, stealing their belongings, and threatening to kill them (or send their cousin who's in a gang over to do it)--and then deal with administrators who, instead of disciplining anyone, say, "Well, that's where they come from; you'll have to find a way to stop making them angry." Seriously? Are you kidding me? And BY THE WAY private schools around here pay at least a third less than public schools.

um,to anyone who thinks teachers only care about their paychecks--have you ever SEEN a teacher's paycheck??? I have, for 7 years..I've worked in both public and private schools in Norfolk and I can tell you that the problem with Norfolk public schools is NOT the teachers--it's the students. When the parents are drug dealers in jail or teen moms who are only 12 years older than their kids, what exactly are you supposed to do with that?

Stop the whining! Schools have been overstaffed for decades. I am not talking about teachers necessarily but administration and other staff. I bet there are more administrators than teachers, but who gets cut? Take a look at where the money goes. Schools get more than enough money. Private schools do just fine with a lot less per student. Ask your supertendant where the money goes, and count it all federal, state and local funds. You will be surprised!

The next time you or one of your loved ones is in the ER, an ambulance or a burning building, ask the person about to save you/them if they were the product of a public or private school. You'd be surprised at the answer and I doubt that you'd care. Some of the most prominent physicians in our area went to public school, including the director of Sentara's trauma unit. Did it ever occur to anyone that these teachers ARE concerned about their students, not just a paycheck? If it was just about the money, they could just get a job at a private school or in another school district.