The Sherman School Board heard school district administration recommendations Monday to cut 44 items from the 2008-09 and 2009-10 budgets. Some of the cuts include central office staff, teachers, coordinators, travel budgets, and health insurance changes.
In early 2008, the Board recognized there would be a budget shortfall in the coming year. "There would be a deficit in the Sherman school district, not because of fiscal mismanagement or lack of leadership by the administration or this school board, but an unconstitutional formula for school funding," said John Hendricks, Board president. "The major impact of the new legislation was that SISD's revenue was frozen at our 2005-06 level of funding."
Hendricks said the Board decided to ask the community to approve a 13-cent tax-rate increase rather than pursue budget cuts. On Oct. 4, the tax ratification election failed by an overwhelming margin, putting the district in a tough situation. Due to that failure, the Board had no choice but to pursue budget cutting.
"We strongly believe we did what was in the best interest of our school district by pursuing the tax ratification election first before considering cuts to academic programs and personnel," he added. "Tonight we begin a process that this school board never wanted."
Before allowing Superintendent Al Hambrick to announce the recommendations, the Board invited the public to speak. No one took to the podium.
More details regarding the cuts will be presented by Hambrick on the Dec. 15 School Board meeting. Hambrick said the recommended cuts were the result of more than two months of work and it "was not easy."
For the current fiscal year, it was the administrative recommendation to limit travel for administrators and directors "mainly at the central office location," Hambrick said. Other staff travels and field trips at the campus levels as well as co-curricular and extracurricular activities.
Other areas include eliminating overtime for non-emergency personnel; use of extra staffing through the automated substitute system -- which would allow SISD to utilize existing staff to work in other capacities outside of substituting; and eliminate positions that are currently vacant such as special education speech language pathologist, technology coordinator, secretary, community liaison, and three food service positions. "We are hoping to cut down the extra staffing and use existing staff or trained volunteers," Hambrick added.
"If the SISD projected $1.8 million deficit holds true and the projections for the planned 2008-09 cuts hold true, the SISD deficit would be $1.5 million instead of $1.8," Hambrick said.
Depending on the Board's approval, SISD employees will be on the state of Texas' insurance plan. Previously, SISD has paid 100 percent of the employees' health insurance. Hendricks said SISD "has been the only district in Grayson County to completely fund employee health insurance."
There are three options with the state's insurance plan, Hambrick added; SISD is recommending funding of $250 for each employee's health insurance cost. Hambrick said switching to the state's health plan would save SISD $948,000.
Other cuts include additional central office positions such as four coordinator positions, one secretary, one director and two athletic positions.
It was also the administrators' recommendation to change the SISD pre-k program from a full day to a half-day. Hambrick said the state funds a half-day program. In order to retain the staff, he added, the teachers will work with two different groups of students for a total of 32 instead of 20 students. The cutting of the pre-k program is expected to save $242,492.
The administration is also recommending to reduce staff in the Reading Recovery program, Read Right; SISD campus level security; regional day school for the deaf; and increasing elementary school class size. Hambrick said "six " will be cut from the elementary schools, which will allow SISD to stay within the required state classroom size of 22 students per teacher.
As for eliminating positions, Hambrick said, the recommendations do not include individuals at this time. "We are talking about positions, not individual people yet," he said. "Once the Board has approved the reduction of positions, then I will work with Board members, per board policy, and our directors, supervisors and human resources to identify those individuals in those positions."
Some areas looked at but not recommended "at this time," include staggered campus starting times, block scheduling and ESL teacher positions.
Hambrick estimated the total budget cuts at $2,959,902.
Quick to reassure employee fears of getting cut this year, Hambrick said, "no one is losing their job this year." Hambrick estimates employees whose positions will be eliminated will be notified "around March." Hambrick mentioned that natural attrition could take care of the staff cuts necessary to balance the budget. "There is a very strong possibility that most of the positions that we have can be handled through attrition and every effort will be made to work with our staff in this effort," Hambrick said.
During his presentation, Hambrick said, "out of the instructional staff -- which is the largest portion of the budget -- a small percentage was cut."
The recommendations will once again be presented to the Board on Dec. 15 to be approved or rejected.
Texoma comments ...
96 comment found!
: 12/17/2008
That's it. I'm outta here. In all of my years of teaching I have never seen a situation like this. Everyday I wonder, "Is this the day they tell me they won't renew my contract". I can't live with the constant not knowing. I agree that the administration of this district is extremely gutless. It showed by the lack of push there was for the election. When Dr. Hambrick spoke of this in the new teacher meetings there really was no sense of urgency. Just a "go vote or else". I wish good luck to all of you but me and my family are moving on.
Wish I would have been warned first
: 12/16/2008
The staffing question can be answered very easily. All of this data is included in the AEIS reports that are published on the TEA Website. The AEIS reports are found within the Accountability link. Section II, page 3 publishes a very detailed breakdown of staff numbers. No one has to be misinformed; one just needs to know where to look. BTW the AEIS report has to be presented annually through public meeting!!!
Listening
: 12/15/2008
To parent my childs teacher has complained of the disclipine at Piner this year says its is worse than ever. Don't know as a parent what I can do but I am sympathic for her. My older child loved Piner but it doesn't seem to be the same according to my youngest.
OP
: 12/15/2008
Looks like the administration made cuts that are going to affect students and employees while not making cuts ia areas that dont affect learning. Scores in the spring will tell the truth. Who is going to accept responsibility then? Probably will get some more spin from the board and administration on how they had nothing to do with it. Oh well just have to wait and see going to be a long winter
LL
: 12/15/2008
Teacher 08 -- The budget items were not a consent agenda and was presented line by line in an open board meeting in front of a full audience of teachers. After Dr. Hambrick made his presentation, a motion was made and a second was made and their was discussion and questions regarding the cuts being proposed by Dr. Hambrick. Then the board voted on the budget cuts and approved his recommendations. Had you actually attended the board meeting then you would know this. It's very sad that people like you are so misinformed and completely don't understand the system that you spend so much time spreading lies about and misinformation. That is what is truly sad. Probably, the saddest part is that you are a teacher and you aren't even doing your homework regarding this situation. Sad, very sad....
Went to the School Board Meeting
: 12/15/2008
This school district is the laughing stock of Grayson County thank you very much Board
Citizen
: 12/15/2008
IT IS A STRONG POSSIBILITY THAT I HAVE NOT HEARD OF OTHER DISTRICTS MAKING CUTS BECAUSE THEY DID NOT OVER STAFF TO BEGIN WITH LIKE THE SISD DID. I Don't think that Howe and S&S hired a bunch of coordinators have they? I do believe their teacher to student ratio is higher than Sherman's. Look your asking me why don't you just publish the number of employees when Hutto left to the number we have now? Publish this and the public will know once and for all who to believe. You got the guts to do this?
the truth
: 12/15/2008
In response the state funded insurance cost the same to each district now I will give you the truth how much do Howe and S@S contribute to their teachers insurance I will tell you IT IS MORE THAN 250 DOLLARS A MONTH MORE LIKE 300. What do you have to say about that?
dd
: 12/15/2008
To “Now, this is the Truth” – Either some positions have been added or the Administration have been getting some REALLY good raises. “School Leadership” Function 23 was $2,374,872 in 2006 and is $2,782,663 this year. This function has increase over almost 20% in the last three years, over $500,000. “General Administration” (this covers Supt. and asst. supt. – small number of people) Function 41 has also increase over $100,000 over the same time frame. These are the FACTS!
Truth is in the numbers
: 12/15/2008
The School Board will be addressing the budget under item 12(e) of the agenda. This is part of the CONSENT AGENDA. “These items are considered to be routine by the School Board and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussions on the items unless a school board member so requests” Sounds very much like ALL budget cuts have/where already decided and the board is here to RUBBER STAMP whatever the administration tells them to do. Sad, very sad.
Teacher08
: 12/15/2008
I thought the Dec 15 school board meeting was to address the cuts that have been decided upon. The agenda that is listed on the SISD website says nothing about it. Anyone know for sure if it is to be addressed?
: 12/14/2008
To the person who have indentified him/herself as "The Truth", you are certainly "misinformed". You indicated in your blog statements that you have not heard from anyone that Howe and S & S are cutting their funding of teachers insurance nor are they having to cut any positions. You will not hear of these schools moving from a Self-Insured Plan to the State Insurance Plan because these school districts have already made the cuts by moving to the State Health Insurance Plan. This is what the Sherman ISD is planning to do -------the same thing that 12 other Grayson County School districts have already done. This is your first mis-truth. The second in your belief for some reason that the the superintendent has added a large number of positions in 2 years------- what are they; where are you getting your information. There is a strong possibility that you have not heard about other districts' budget cutting because they do not have people who continue to hide behind blogs and make every attempt to hinder their district's effort to balance their budgets. Are those districts in similar situations? Yes they are ! If you need factual information, it may be a good idea to contact your school district's officials---- (a) call Al Hambrick--- Supt. or (b) Bruce Barnett---Finance Director for the district. Now, this is the Truth
: 12/14/2008
Mr. Zorillia please conduct your own survey as you seem like the only one on the board who does not have a conflict of interest. Someone told me your wife was an ex teacher please help employees.
KL
: 12/14/2008
As a taxpayer I am barely able to make ends meet now.
Retired
: 12/14/2008
Will be trying my best this spring to find employment in a district that is not so screwed up.
Soon to be ex SISD employee
: 12/14/2008
Abosuletly no discipline at Piner Middle School. I have a student who was given an ASD and the other student involved received nothing. How I know his parents told me.
Parent
: 12/14/2008
Remember board elections this spring for sure next spring. People that is what it is going to take so lets get on it now and turn the SISD back into what it can and should be.
Voter
: 12/14/2008
The vast majority of the district employees and general public has lost faith and confidence in Dr. Hambrick's ability to lead the district. It is only a matter of time before a change has to occur.
Businessman
: 12/14/2008
Mr. Hendricks in you editorial Sunday you once again state that no mismanagement has taken place. How sir can you say that because it is not true. The state funding is a large part of the proble that is for sure however Dr. Hambrick and Lynn Burton have intensified the result with their reckless disregard in spending. You stated the the other districts where the TRE failed are in the same situation as Sherman. As of today I have not read or heard from anyone that Howe and S&S are cutting their funding of teachers insurance nor are they having to cut any positions. This Sir is a fact and the truth. Hambrick adding a bunch of positions (which would be nice if we could have afforded them) has essentialy blown the district budget. Now if you have all or the experience that you have claimed in your earlier post doesn't this look like mismanagement to you. If you still fail to see this then I am going to have to assume along with the rest of the public that maybe you really don't know what you are doing but merely defending Dr. Hambricks choice for superintendent for which you board members are responsible. We are not against what you now have to do but to put the total blame on the state is a cop out of major proportions. As I stated earlier Howe and S&S did not pass the TRE and are they in the same situation as Sherman? No they are not.
The Truth
: 12/12/2008
Alot of comments have been made here by employees of the district. "Tired of Whiners" seems to feel that many of us on this blog like to just sit back and spout and won't go to the board meeting. It's not the public's job that is on the line, it's SISD employees' jobs that are at risk...why don't the employees go to the board meetings, en masse, to find out what is going on? A large presence by employees would make a statement. You are taxpayers too, so why shouldn't you attend? Pressure has to be applied at all points to get the right decisions made. The Board didn't even care enough about the employees to ask their opinion via a survey. Don't talk about apathy on the part of participants on this blog, Sherman ISD employees. You need to be at those meetings as much, or more, than the average tax payer. I truly feel that school district employees never felt that their jobs would ever be in jeopardy. Well, guess what, they are. It's a frightening feeling, I know, I've been there, as have alot of people.The employees of SISD KNOW what is going on, the rest of us are dealing with info we have gleaned from friends or our children. Those who know the truth have a responsibility to act on it.
: 12/12/2008
Regarding the post from "Tired of Whiners", 12/9/2008... (1) "[people run their mouths]...when they have noting to lose?" You miss the entire point of our exchange: SISD costs too much money -- wasted money which I and others are forced to pay out of pocket. We have lost much year after year, and clearly have much to lose still. (2) I'm sorry my vocabulary intimidates you -- that was not my intention. (3) "...you couldn't HACK IT as a teacher." You're clueless here, so let me help. Knowing I could do a better job than SISD, I homeschooled my daughter, who then aced the SAT and received a scholarship to a prestigious university (where she now makes straight As). Now don't you feel a bit silly? (3) You called me "just another idiot on a tirade." It would seem that you need to, as you put it, "learn some PEOPLE SKILLS and address others with 'mutual respect'." (4) But on to the important part. You say, "I think that there may even be some SMALL truth in some of the things you have mentioned..." Tell me the truth you see and we can build on that. Why? Because if the taxpayers can reach a consensus on a comprehensive set of proposals, then get solidly behind those reforms, changes really can be made for the better.
Sagacioua
: 12/12/2008
To Me..the insurance that teachers will be paying for is what we commonly call a benefit. For starters, teachers don't get paid for holidays, bonuses, and other perks that other professisonals and blue collar workers get. Teachers are paid for the number of days they work and that's it. It may be divided into twelve months pay that's all. I really don't think it is legal to do away with benefits or change pay during a contract year. When you sign a contract, I thought it was a legal and binding document. Maybe I am misinformed. I'm just glad I'm not a part of this mess.
: 12/11/2008
The auditor presented the audit report to the Board at the Board Meeting. It is on the consent agenda because it is not something they vote on. The audit report is posted on the SISD website.
: 12/11/2008
Teacher...get over it!! LOTS of other people pay for their insurance. It's not like teachers are the only ones in the world who are expected to help pay for the cost of their own insurance. Don't get me wrong I voted yes and I'm not happy with the end result either. However, the kids aren't the only ones who should see cuts it should be everyone involved including the teachers and the co.
Me
: 12/11/2008
Where is the board meeting on December 15th?
: 12/10/2008
During the November board meeting the Board accepted the 2007-2008 Audit report as part of the consent agenda. This means that there was no presentation and no discussion. How can the board of trustees accept such an important piece of district information in the consent agenda? Am I missing something and this document was covered somewhere else? Can anyone tell me how the district performed financially during this period? I’ve heard we were $600k in the red but how would anybody know the final numbers. There was no discussion or presentation. If this is true and after looking at the other board agendas it sure appears that the board should be charged with dereliction of duties. They will have discussion on the girl’s softball bids but not discuss the Audit report. Unbelievable. Please tell me I’m wrong!
Now I'm concerned
: 12/10/2008
All I have to say is that SISD Board forgot to tell Al how to spend the money.
OP
: 12/10/2008
Question to the board and Dr. Hambrick. Are the other districts where the TRE did not pass having layoffs and pay cuts? If not wonder why?
Curious
: 12/10/2008
Guess that I will try and get a part time job ( if possible) to help make up for the pay cut I will be taking due to insurance. Buts thats okay less time I have to spend with your children.
Teacher
: 12/10/2008
Our situation is no different than Dallas which was mismanagement also. Say what yiou want but it won't change the facts, Hambrick's unrestrictred spending and hiring of non essential personal has put this District in the position that it is in and the board says he is doing a great job I am really depressed.
Non believer
: 12/10/2008
Apathy is killing our nation. We need to flood our legislators with our concerns. It's time for change in our schools.
A teacher, not from Sherman
: 12/10/2008
Why are none of the agendas from the Special Meetings on the district website and no minutes posted?
Teacher08
: 12/9/2008
Isn't it funny how "Sagacious" can sit and run his/her mouth when they have nothing to lose? I am sure that they aren't one of the many people that work for Sherman ISD and now has to worry about affording decent insurance or even having a job next year. I am assuming that this person has never even worked in the public school system, or they wouldn't be making the comments that I have seen. It is so easy for someone to sit back and tell everyone how to do their job... as I have said many times before, if you think that you are so smart "Sagacious" then why haven't you been at the school board meetings to present all of you ingenious ideas??? That's what I thought... you are just another idiot on a tirade. While I am on here, I would also like to point out that just because you think that you have an above average vocabulary does not mean that you have any common sense or know-how. Maybe you should consider that before you start being condescending or talking down to others. I expect to see you at the next school board with all of your "quick fixes" or I suggest that you give it a rest. Truth probably is that you couldn't HACK IT as a teacher :-) (And before you go accusing me of being a member of the administration, you can look at my previous comments. I am a TEACHER for the district.) I would also like to make a point of saying that normally I have no problem with people expressing their opinions or ideas nor would I call someone an "idiot" under normal circumstances. In fact, I think that there may even be some SMALL truth in some of the things you have mentioned, Sagacious. However, you have NO RIGHT to talk down to someone . I don't care WHO you THINK you are or WHAT your profession is. You need to learn some PEOPLE SKILLS and address others with "mutual respect". No matter how smart you THINK your ideas are, if you are ignorant enough to present them in a demeaning way to others NO ONE will bother to listen. Consider that when you come to the next board meeting with all of your brilliant ideas... I can expect to see you there right??? :-)
Tired of Whiners (and now tired of arrogant idiots)
: 12/9/2008
Or better yet, he or she should MOVE!
:)
: 12/9/2008
Mr or Ms Saggy...why don't you run for school board since you have all the answers?
: 12/8/2008
Regarding 12-7-2008 comments by smiley face... (1) Wanting to end free food in schools "is like saying there should be no welfare... etc." Try again. The point was that our educational institutions are not the place for such programs, and that our "educational" costs would be reduced by ending these programs in schools (whether the money comes from local, state or federal taxes). Duh! (2) Ditto on your first argument regarding Pre-K programs. Your other argument, that ending Pre-K programs is "setting schools up for failure," is silly. By that logic, we should have Pre-Pre K so that we aren't setting up the Pre-K programs for failure; indeed, to follow your thinking further, we should just put children in state schools at birth to make sure we aren't setting the Pre-Pre-K programs up for failure. I mean, duh! (3) Your argument that "varsity athletics provides income for the district" is sophistic. When you add up personnel salaries, insurance premiums, administrative costs, trip expenses, equipment, facility construction, upkeep and maintenance, etc., athletics represent a huge net financial loss to the school district and a waste of taxpayer's money. Besides, as noted, all the presumed value of athletics (discipline, character, teamwork, etc.) would be enjoyed by far more of our students in a vibrant intramural setting, at little or no cost. That's a win-win for our schools, our students, and taxpayers. (4) Merit pay for teachers... Bottom line? The less capable fear merit-based salary and vigorously defend a "reward the garbage and the great alike" mentality. Congratulations on speaking for that group. (5) Sorry, but you've done nothing to undermine my facts with your grade-school level logic. (6) Finally, nobody has more right to speak up about SISD costs than those of us who, year after year, are each forced to pay thousands of dollars to the SISD, even though WE DO NOT HAVE, AND NEVER HAVE HAD, A SINGLE CHILD IN THESE SCHOOLS.
Sagacious
: 12/8/2008
Where has Burton been lately? Laying low hoping that Al gets canned so he can slip in. Lord help us all.
Scared
: 12/8/2008
I agree with the other poster I also donot condone personal attacks but that just goes to show how messed up this district is . I think we have some serious problems and they are not going to go away. Like the other poster why doesnt the school board just do an employee survey if they want or even care about hearing from them. I dont think that Dr. Hambrick wants the board to know how employees feel about his ability to lead the district. I also don't think that the board wants to admit that Dr. Hambrick is incapable of leading this district as that would mean they made a mistake in hiring him. It looks like some of the business people in town were right we should have at least interviewed other canidates before just handing the job to him. But then again I think that Dr. Hambrick is just what Mr. Hendricks, Mrs. Whitefield, and Mrs. Frazier wanted and now just look at our school district we are in a mess that may take years to rectify.
Businessman
: 12/8/2008
Cscope Lives
JJ
: 12/8/2008
Mr. Henderickson. How am I suppose to pay my bills and pay for my kids Christmas. If you guys raise my insurance and cut my hours.
Day late dollar short
: 12/8/2008
Teacher: C-Scope will not be part of the cuts. You must understand that Lynn Burton was hired to do curriculum. I’m not sure that Lynn can spell curriculum much less lead a curriculum department. He does not have a background or any working knowledge in curriculum (we all know why he was hired). Therefore, Lynn has turned to an off-the-shelf program. The program from my understanding is really not bad but leave it to Lynn to screw it up.
Teacher08
: 12/7/2008
just commenting on the other posts that are bashing our sports programs. It amazes me to see how little faith some parents and probably coaches too put into the students. makes you wonder if what they ever tell you at practice is really true...
SHS student
: 12/7/2008
Sagacious- Free and reduced meals is based off of a federally funded program. You are much better off to complain to your legislators than to write on the Herald Democrat as a suggestion for reducing the Sherman ISD budget deficit. That is like saying there should be no welfare, food stamps, medicare, medicaid, etc. Pre-K is also another area in which districts receive state funding. By not offering Pre-K we are setting schools up for failure. Varsity athletics provides income for the district and totally doing away with those would not be smart either. As far as teacher merit raises, did you ever consider that some teachers get good classes with the above average students whereas other teachers get the more challenging students because their administrators feel that they are better equipped. If you are going to offer merit pay, you need a plan for making sure that students are equal. I don't think that you will be able to come up with one. I suggest you get your facts before writing on here and making yourself look incompetent.
:)
: 12/7/2008
Mr. Hendricks: I fully understand that being on the school board is one of the most thankless jobs one can have. The pay is terrible (none) and at times parents become very irrational when it comes to their kids. They fail to see that sometimes the greater good of the district overrides the needs or desires of a single child. For the record, I do not condone personal attacks. I know you’re a good man and I am sure that you are good at your job. I do not know what “business experience” you truly have and how much of that experience that you are injecting into the oversight/management of the district. What I do “know” is what personnel within this district have been subjected to under this administration. You are upset by someone commenting about you on a message board. You don’t have to work in this district, try LIVING with poor leadership and leadership DECISIONS EVERYDAY. Things weren’t rosy under Hutto. I think that Al Hambrick is trying to do his best, but things hit ROCK BOTTOM when Lynn Burton was hired. I will not delve/comment any deeper than that. If the board cannot see the problem at this point, which is hard to believe, you never will. I truly hope you have very Merry Christmas.
Blue Christmas
: 12/7/2008
What about firing Mr. Mitchusson? He does a horrendous job. Certainly we could save some money there. Also- Is Dr. Hambrick taking a pay cut to help with the budget?
overwhelmed w/ school system
: 12/7/2008
Mr Hendricks can we employees please cash in some of our sick days to help pay insurance costs? Please I work just as hard as Mr. Hambrick.
Hourly employee
: 12/7/2008
Is it true that the administration spent money remodeling the old central office when we are scheduled to build a new one? And you wonder why we taxpayers voted down the TRE.
Taxpayer
: 12/7/2008
How come c scope is not being mentioned in the cuts? Was it approved by the Board? Dr. Hambrick told teachers in August that it was nonnegotiable yet parents are being told we do not have to use it. I am confused. Great leadership.
Teacher
: 12/7/2008
Mr. Hendricks no one is saying that you don't have experience. We are only looking at the facts: You hired Hambrick and he messed things up. Tou evidently do not see this and refuse to correct the problem. Now you can coat it any way you want but these are the facts. We realizt that you are in control and will make decisions as you see fit but promise us the taxpayers, students, and employees that YOU will take the responsibility when things get worse due to YOUR decisions. Can you do this Mr. Hendricks and board? Time will tell but don't say you weren't aware as people on this site have been trying to tell you for several months now and all you want to do is say that it is a bunch of malcontents. Do you know what it is like to work under Hambrick ( a hard worker but way in over his head) no I don't think so. He is so busy trying to please the board that the district is suffering from any leadership. The solution is simple do a district wide survey and a community survey if you want to know the truth. Maybe Hambrick is a great leader but the fact is he has no credibility within the district and therefor cannot effectively lead. Mr. Burton speaks for himself.
The truth
: 12/7/2008
Mr. Hendricks if you have all this experience then maybe you don't know what the heck you are doing.It maybe hard for the people living your mistakes to have a good Chtistmas.
Noy sure you understand
: 12/7/2008
We need to take control of our public school system. Consider this plan a start in the right direction. (1) Eliminate free food for students. Feeding the masses is not the proper role of our educational institutions. (2) Eliminate all varsity athletics, coaches and budgets. The benefits that come from athletics would reach far more of our students (at little or no cost) through a vibrant intramural sports program. (3) Eliminate 25-30% (or more) of our administrators, liaisons, coordinators, etc. The school system bureaucracy is top heavy. (4) Eliminate all ESL programs and staff. We'll save money and the students will learn English much faster. (5) Eliminate all pre-K programs. Pubic school is not the place for glorified day care. (6) Eliminate all corporate-inspired "perqs" for administrators. None should have taxpayer-supplied cars, etc. (7) Eliminate across-the-board raises for teachers, using only merit pay increases instead. This will properly reward our better teachers. Enough said.
Sagacious
: 12/6/2008
This district mismanages their money. Why are they putting in those high tech in the ceiling overhead projectors that connect to the teacher's computer over at the Head Start Campus? 3, 4 and 5 year old students do not benefit from that. ALso,I noticed 2 maintenance workers changing the air filters in the classrooms. One would change the air filter while the other man stood there and watched. What a waste of tax payer money. ALso- the district looks at the idea of staggering start times as a negative thing. As a parent trying to get to 2 campuses on time- I think a staggered start time would be great!One more point- I am tired of paying for Dr. Hambrick's SUV. Why does he need that?
wondering why
: 12/6/2008
Only one security position will be eliminated in the entire school district and that position is at the Perrin Learning Center.
: 12/5/2008
Pressure is not put on kids to play sports but to try and pass I guess this is a bad thing?
Horses mouth
: 12/5/2008
Taxpayers are you aware that the board is considering removing police presence at the campuses? We spent hundreds of thousand dollars build security offices and will now staff them with a receptionist I guess. Makes me feel real safe. Dr. Hambrick's vehicle and associated costs would off set a large part of this cost. To me the board has not come up with anything sensible on balancing the budget. In the future lets not put out in the paper about our expenditures to keep our kids safe because we are going to cut the one big thing that assures that.
Just my opinion
: 12/5/2008
Once again COLOR ME CURIOUS- They are saving more with the state plan because they ARE NO LONGER PAYING 350 DOLLARS A MONTH BUT HAVE LOWERED IT TO 250 DOLLARS A MONTH. They are saving money not because it is cheaper they are not paying as much. The net result is at least a 104 dollar a month pay cut for every employee in the district. So taxpayers delight in the fact we are sharing your pain too. Dr. Hambrick will feel it at 150,000 salary just as a $9 per hour employee. Wonder which one will struggle to make it and which one won't?
KK
: 12/5/2008
It has been brought to my attention that individuals in this discussion forum have made efforts to demean my vocation as a professor of communication and classroom teacher while at the same time noting that my “lack of business experience” makes me unqualified to serve as school board president. As an educator, I do have “business experience”…I am in the “future building business.” In fact, education is the very engine that drives the 21st century economy. As a mid-level manager in higher education, I have experience managing budgets, overseeing facilities and infrastructure, developing and assessing performance of programs, building academic programs that meet the demands and needs of the today’s marketplace, and supervising personnel. I believe that I have more than enough “business experience” to serve my community on the Sherman school board. Finally, there is no amount of criticism or mean-spirited comments on this discussion forum that will ever diminish the tremendous amount of pride that I feel when I am able to tell others that I am an educator and classroom teacher. Despite the criticism and respectful disagreements by some in the community, I am still honored to have the opportunity to participate constructively and positively in the process as we work toward ensuring that our children receive a quality education in the Sherman school district which will enable them to achieve great things in their future. Most respectfully and Merry Christmas,
John Hendricks
: 12/5/2008
Parent/grandparent/professtional - on the self funding of insurance. How can you say "for about the same cost"? Hambrick himself has stated that it will save the district nearly 1 million dollars to go back to state coverage. So, conversely, it is costing about a million dollars for SISD to fund the insurance you have now. Being given any amount in a health spending acct is a wonderful thing. I wish my employer did that.
Color me curious
: 12/5/2008
Why did we go to self funding insurance? Because the benefits are so much better for about the same cost. It is pretty simple. Also, Buck was good...too good. He ways axed because he was not a "yes" man. And as far as supplies, teachers spend so much of their own money because we do not have enough in our budgets to share with everyone. Who monitors the out of town non-district games? Does anyone or do the coaches just schedule them without asking. And, what about the pressure put on kids to play and put the sport first, not their academics. How many of you have walked the halls of SHS in the last four years. Hold on, you will see sex, drugs, and anything else you want. Wake up Sherman, it is going to get worse because teachers and principals are the ones who are going to pay for the failure of the tax vote. And one more question, why did some of the older generation vote against it when it does not even affect them? Just a few of the questions I have.
parent/grandparent/professional
: 12/5/2008
Tired: Just FYI, I am a TEACHER for Sherman ISD... and trust me no one is more upset with the way that things are playing out than we are. We are VERY aware of what consequences we will face for not supporting the TRE, much more aware than you are I am sure. The teachers in this district knew that money was not being spent wisely (again more so than any of you did because we see the 'little things' that money gets wasted on), that is the reason that we couldn't support to give them more. Until they prove that they can manage money better, why would we continue throwing more at the problem? That is why I stress that any change in the administration or school board is going to have to be perpetuated by the taxpayers. As a member of Sherman ISD staff, our hands are tied if we want to keep our jobs. Yet you tell me to "accept it"- I most certainly will NOT! Accept what? That you taxpayers are a bunch of loud mouthed complainers that won't take action? It is sad that you will not support the teachers of this district. Instead you react by sitting back and allowing these cuts to be made without standing up and letting the board and administration know that it is not right. The people that are lazy and whose jobs SHOULD go are going to be here next year. Instead of getting rid of the useless people, the teachers that work hard are now going to be paying $100 more a month just to keep decent insurance- and that is for a single person, naturally monthly premiums will be higher if you have children or spouse on your policy. So before you start ASSUMING that I am one of "them" and get on your soap box, maybe you ought to get the facts. The hard working teachers of Sherman ISD need the support of the taxpayers to get rid of the current school board and/or administration if they feel like they are not doing a sufficient job. From the comments on this site, I think that it is pretty obvious that they don't think that is happening. When will you people takes these same comments and concerns that you put on here and give them to the school board???
tired of the whiners
: 12/5/2008
Don't know who the bonehead is that wants Buck back, but there were no golden days when he was here. It was mass confussion, no dicipline and screw up at SHS.
: 12/4/2008
Stop the bleeding bring back Buck.
Good old days
: 12/4/2008
Mr. Hendricks I for one appreciate your willingness to serve the community. That being said I don't think that the community can stand much more of your leadership. The entire board needs to resign before they are embarrassed at the next two elections. They blame teachers for not voting bet we will the next two board elections.
Teacher
: 12/4/2008
The SISD Board doesn't even have the guts to admit the AL was even a teeny part of the problem. I agree with the other poster The Drama teacher needs to find something else to do than mess with taxpayers money and SISD employees lives.
MK
: 12/4/2008
SISD Teacher I agree my wife is a teacher with SISD and I have told her under no circumstances will she spend one red dime for this district. We also will be sure and vote this spring and especially in the spring of 2010
Employees Husband
: 12/4/2008
Color me curious- The board allows Dr. Hambrick (only) to cash in up to five of his vacation days at his daily rate of pay. Probably in the neighborhood of 500 to 600 dollars per day. Nice perk isn't it. By the way employees lost 100 dollars a month toward their insurance. It pays to be the CEO and get all the cheese.
GOLDEN PARACHUTE
: 12/4/2008
It seems we have a problem district wide with no leadership.It seems to start at the top(Supt.)and down through the rest of the administration and athletic dept.Does anyone realize we are probably the laughing stock of this area.We will only lose good teachers and certainly not be able to replace them with good replacements.Until somebody stands up and says that is enough it is only going to get worse.My children are grown,but I have lived here all my life and I don't like people laughing at us.School board members if you want all the good,but want none of the blame you need to resign because you are effecting lots of peoples livelyhoods.
Unhappy Green
: 12/4/2008
Tired, what do you mean by "buying back vacation days"? Does SISD do that? I was under the impression, from friends who work at SISD, that it was a "no use, you lose" proposition on unused vacation. Who got paid for unused vacation? If a special arrangment was made for someone, the Board had to know about it. Anyone have any answers?
Color me curios
: 12/3/2008
When were athletic positions considered Central office employees?
Wilson
: 12/3/2008
I live in Denison and my children go to school there. Do you people in Sherman know how stupid you look? I am glad that our teachers are not having to go through all the mess that yours are.
Denisonite
: 12/3/2008
To the SISD School Board--- Why is it that in the other districts that the TRE failed are having to cut costs and put off purchases yet WE are having to gut our disrtict? Why is that? Mr. Hendricks I will tell you why MISMANAGEMENT and a COMPLETE LACK OF LEADERSHIP. You can rationalize all that you want but that will not change the truth. I am totally amazed that you people on the board do not see the problem with our district. Dr. Hambrick has been in charge for what 2 years? and we got this way because of funding? I can understand your defense of him as you people hired him and admitting that the job is more than he can handle whould mean you people made a mistake. But you people don't make mistakes do you? This spring two board seats will be up for election and if the incumbents run and lose we will be ready to make a change in the spring of 2010 as that is the election we are all waiting for. I really don't know how you board members can face taxpayers, SISD employees, and students after you have allowed the district to get in the shape it is in.
A Change is A Coming
: 12/3/2008
Please understand that many of the supplies offered to students who don't bring them are supplied by teachers out of their own pockets! I teach in the district and would estimate my personal expenses for my classroom to average about $300.00 annually. I am not alone in this. As the district is making these cuts, people need to understand that we are there for the kids. There was a loud vote of "no confidence" this October. I will stay, but I will be voting very differently in the next school board election. This is "non-negotiable", Dr. Hambrick.
SISD teacher
: 12/3/2008
Tired of Whiners: Unfortunately, most people will not speak up and go to board meetings. Accept it! However, they spoke LOUD and CLEAR on the TRE election. It was defeated 2 to 1 even though it promised raises to the staff. If that staff supported the election there is no way it would not have passed. The failure was a vote of “no confidence” in the board and the administration but they refuse to acknowledge this and act like it is all the state’s fault. They staff will feel wrath of the administration for not supporting the TRE and the pain of the cuts. We did not see nor hear of any cuts in the administration’s perks. I’m sure they will give the administration another 3% pay increase, $3,500 bonus, and buying vacation days when the time comes next summer. Why not, a $1.8 million dollar deficit last year didn’t stop them. But if you’re considered a CEO at SISD you deserve to be treated like the CEO’s at Lehman Brothers. Of course, they are bankrupt too!
Tired
: 12/3/2008
HTW: Hambrick didn’t inherit all the problems. Hambrick hired Burton (possibly being force by the board since his mother was on the board) who is the worst thing that has happened to SISD in at least 20 years. He was run out of ever district he has been at. Nobody, I repeat nobody at any district he has been at within the last 10 years has ANYTHING good to say about him. It doesn’t matter if you talk to the administration, board, or janitor. Hambrick who is basically a new Supt. hires Burton who has 10+ years of TOTAL failure as a Supt. advising him. And we wonder why things are so screwed up? Same song different verse, same as the first!
Teacher08
: 12/3/2008
No one will disagree that that HB1 was terrible, has severely handicapped schools and makes no sense. However, SISD receives more money per student than most of the districts in this area and is still having severe fiscal issues. Mr. Hendricks wants to assure the public that the districts problems are not due to lack of management by the administration or the board. The district should have recognized in two years ago the fund issues that were facing the district and should have started taking appropriate action at that time. While I’m sure the board members in general are good people but I am not sure that anyone on the board has the ability to understand school finance and they are left at the mercy of an incompetent administration. Case in point, the board is lead by a college theater teacher who I doubt has any understanding of finance or business.
Tired
: 12/3/2008
I do not accept John Hendrix's explanation that this budget problem was caused exclusively by forces other than the managment of our Board and Administration. He should publish a list of all expenditures requested by Hambrick that were not in the budget. Isn't it juvenile to begin the discussion by stating, "I didn't do it!" "The Superintendent didn't do it!" If Hendrix was doing his job he would be asking Hambrick some very tough questions. Maybe the answers would reveal that Hendrix wasn't sailing the ship in the right direction. We need new leadership.
Disgruntled
: 12/3/2008
The SCHOOL pays $5 a head for each kid to eat. This is usually just during Athletics. But they do PAY for the food not the parents
School Employee
: 12/3/2008
why do we furnish the Supt. w/ a vehicle? Just because that's what they do in Plano, or Highland Park? A milage allowance would be in accourdance w/ what most other enties do.
JB
: 12/3/2008
Joe, I don't know what sports you are talking about but the one mine is in as SHS doesn't do that. The parents pay in advance for their out of town meals. The school doesn't pay for MY kid to eat I do!!
Mary
: 12/3/2008
Let me first say that had the TRE passed Dr. Hambrick and his runaway spending tactics would have eaten up that money in no time. What the board did to try and balance the budget was to punish the employees of the district. Look real close at what they did they still didn't cut any unnecessary positons but just didn't fill slots such as the one at Central Office. Taxpayers you should be incensed at this blatant attempt to balance a budget when being good stewards of the taxpayers money as the board has stated they want to do requires that they fund and operate with what is necessary to educate our children and not the hair brained throw more money and people at the job that Hambrick has brought in with his leadership. Isay again as a businessman we did not have this problem under Dr. Hutto but from friends i totally understand this boards need to rule which is only possible under Hambrick.
Longtime Businesman
: 12/3/2008
Every Parent and taxpayer ask your childs teacher or SISD employee how they feel about the current administration and they will tell you. It is evident that the board could care less. It is going to take the parents and taxpayers to rid the SISD of this administraion and board.
PP
: 12/2/2008
Who is it that does not understand that the school district's operating expenses increase every year just as the expenses in your household? Who does not understand that the needs of YOUR children increase at school just as they do at your house? I am a taxpayer that has not had a kid in school for 20 years but I do understand the needs of YOUR children. Some of you writer do not even pay taxes, so you and your children are getting a free ride. Be thankful that some of us do care. Dr. Hambrick inherited most of these problems from the previous elected officials and staff. Its not like he chose this staff and we elected the board. And some of you went to the extreme; took your kids with you, to the school board meeting whinning and got your Football coach. He is still doing the same thing he was doing as the assistant . . . So suck it up!!!! Each time you point your finger remember it is more of YOUR fingers pointing back at you than it is at Dr. Hambrick and staff. Now he only can make recommendations your elected friends have to approve it so who will you point at next?
HTW
: 12/2/2008
To O.O....its not SISD who loses it draw for new employees, its the City of Sherman. Who would turn down even Pottsboro for Sherman. Sherman is so bias it will never prosper. You must belong to the "click" to even feel accepted in this town. Now I invite all of you to talk about the budget cuts for the city of Sherman after being stupid and just got sued. Way to Go Mayor!!!
Taxpayer
: 12/2/2008
For all of you that seem so "concerned" with our district- Where were you on Monday night??? I assume that you WEREN'T at the school board meeting at Sory Elementary. This meeting was announced to the public in the last article about the SISD budget cuts. You all obviously read the paper, so why didn't you go and speak up? You have time to write complaints on websites though, right??? As stated in the article, "no one took the podium" to ask these important questions or voice concerns. Everyone just wants to sit around and SPECULATE what they THINK know or what they have heard.... why did none of you ask the people that could have given you answers?? For all of you that are complaining, you can quit whining. Every one of you is all talk and NO ACTION. If you don't like the way that things are being done, it is your responsibility as taxpayers to speak up and voice those concerns. You can't sit back and complain and expect things to change. It is a well known fact that Sherman ISD employees can't speak up for fear of retailiation, or trust me THEY WOULD. Every bit of information regarding the budget and expenditures is public knowledge. All you have to do is ask for it. This is YOUR CHILD'S EDUCATION we are talking about! Get off of the computer and DO SOMETHING!
Tired of Whiners
: 12/2/2008
Yes the SISD needs to trim its budget. Why doesn't SISD begin with cutting Mr. Burton's position as Assistant Superintendent. He seems to have no job responsibilities than to spend his day harassing principals and campus staff. It is obvious that the board is going to balance its budget by reducing the district's contribution to employee health insurance. Is this an attempt to punish district employees for the failure of the TRE to pass?
Fred
: 12/2/2008
All of a sudden we don't talk about test scores and security. Wonder how important they were to begin with?
JH
: 12/2/2008
Once again did this happen under Hambricks watch or not?
KK
: 12/2/2008
"Hambrick said switching to the state's health plan would save SISD $948,000." What was the rationale for moving to a self-funded insurance program if it would cost so much more than the state plan?Health care costs are off the charts and most entities are doing all they can to "lower" costs. I'm just curious as to why SISD opted out of the state program to begin with.
Color me curious
: 12/2/2008
Why would anyone complain about a child eating a free breakfast? Please have a little compassion for the little ones.
Kell
: 12/2/2008
I'm gald to see that Hendricks is a constitutional scholar! Too bad he isn't real sharp in business matters or he could see what mismanagement is taking place in the SISD. Time to clean house folks.
Frustrated Tax payer
: 12/2/2008
Question about the sports budget? Is it a UIL rule are a SISD rule to feed all sport teams at away games at 5.25 a head?
Joe Beard
: 12/2/2008
I don't see any cuts in sport trips. Did you no we have teams go all the way to AR. far away in Texas just bto get beat. When they could play closer and still get beat.
Joe Beard
: 12/2/2008
I like all of the references to cutting teachers, academics, health insurance, etc. but I am missing one thing here. Where are the cuts to the extra-curricular and the non-academic things? Why are the schools here Mr. Hambrick??? To teach our kids football and cheerleading and how to play a french horn? I am not against extra-curricular activities and I know that they are very important to the overall student but let's at least get our priorities in order! i would at least look into this before I laid some of my teachers off!!
Get Real!!
: 12/2/2008
In the elementary School that my child attends, I am sure that the School provides School supplies for many of the mexican children. I am not prejudice by no means, but it seems as though every year, I see a lot of kids who DO NOT bring any supplies. AND why do they offer free breakfast to all of their students. They offer reduced price meals. The parents will have to come up with money to feed their own kids. I do understand that a child may need a free meal every now and then and that is fine, but for every student who wants to eat breakfast at School gets it free. My child has even told me that he has eaten again after going to School. I told him he had a good breakfast, so do not take advantage of that. I know that I send School supplies with my child that gets used by others and then I receive a note that my child needs more glue, more tissue, more of something. If the parents would do for their won children and not the Schools, then maybe we would be a little better off.
: 12/2/2008
With the reduction of benefits, SISD loses it draw for new employees and retaining quality employees because you don't have the salary to attract quality replacements for those who are going to leave. What a mess.
O.O.
: 12/2/2008
How can you cut down on field trips when the kids don't get to go anywhere anyway?
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