Sherman School Board discuss budget cutting options

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Printer friendly version \| E-mail to a friend \| Updated Thursday, October 16, 2008 10:23 PM Sherman School Board discuss budget cutting options BY CONNIE HARSHMAN HERALD DEMOCRAT Needing to cut more than $1.8 million of reccurring costs from the Sherman Independent School District budget, school board members painstakingly looked at everything from eliminating block scheduling to staggering campus start times in an effort to save money. While the affect of the $1.8-million deficit will not be evident for several months, Superintendent Al Hambrick asked for direction from the Board at a Thursday night meeting so the administration can pursue research on how budget cutting in certain areas will affect students and the district. Board member Al Zorrilla expressed concern over planning early because the deficit figure could be less than projected. Hambrick replied that he does feel that personnel cuts will be needed, but he wants to prepare and "the knowledge to not be a surprise. I am receiving calls and e-mails from staff wondering if they will be out of a job by next year." "Right now we are just giving the administration some preliminary feedback so the administration can proceed. As a school board are you okay with us to proceed in that direction?" asked Sue Frazier, Board member. Board member Kate Whitfield said she would like to see options that exceed the $1.8-million deficit so board members can choose the areas that they feel would affect students the least. "There is going to be a recommendation that we have some reductions in staff," said Hambrick to the board. "We are going to bring back figures on how that will affect the budget deficit." Hambrick also said the administration will focus on cuts at the central office before looking at campuses. "We will be looking at the people who are furthest away as possible from students, so when we get to the campuses, then we know that we have looked at all the areas. I don't want just academics to take a hit." Also, rather than layoffs, Hambrick and the board discussed the fact that salary cuts could happen through natural attrition in the district. Board members also examined curriculum employees and health insurance benefits, as well as athletic budgets. Board members asked the district to look at employee contributions to the SISD insurance plan and the affect of switching to the state funded plan. Board President John Hendricks asked the overall budget amount of SISD athletic programs. Assistant Superintendent Bruce Barnett replied $1,169,155. Out of a $60 million annual budget (general and federal funds combined), Hendricks said the athletic budget is a small amount. Whitfield said the administration, school board and staff need to "all work on the same team to maximize benefits to the kids." "We need to look for more opportunities of operating on less and being more efficient," added Hambrick. "We can't afford fluff." Hambrick said the board and administration "need to have a good idea by mid-year of what we are going to do." The next School Board meeting will be on Oct. 20 at Sory Elementary School. All meetings are open to the public. Comments ... 170 found! 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http://ihatephp.net/2748/ http://ihatephp.net/2682/ http://ihatephp.net/2524/ http://ihatephp.net/2276/ http://ihatephp.net/2199/ MESSAGE : 11/18/2008 Why did you take this off the main page. This was a true source of entertainment for a lot of people who don't live in Sherman. O.O. : 11/16/2008 Who is running the show? Dr. Hambrick or the school board. Let's do what is right for the kids. Not do what is right for the school board members or the adminstration. Sherman has money. They don't have the money they want to blow on stupid stuff. If you want to say money instead of getting rid of teachers. Why not turn the lights off at some of the school buildings at night or don't buy cars for the main man. Once again getting rid of block scheduling or a few teachers is not going to solve the problem. D. Bigolo : 11/16/2008 FYI – The November 17th meeting was not posted on the web by the required 72 hour deadline. concerned : 11/15/2008 They know that the community is fed up so it wouldn't surprise me if they tried to hide the fact that they're meeting just to stop us from all coming and putting in our 2 cents worth. Me : 11/15/2008 Batter Up!! Sounds like hardball to me. O.O : 11/14/2008 WRONG! All meetings INCLUDING workshops involving a quorum of board members must be posted per the TOMA, Texas Education Code, and board policy BE(Legal) [please go look it up]. This policy also states that the meeting shall be posted on the district website. I do not see such a posting. Let’s hope that the district has either removed the posting from the website or at a minimum posted it at the central administration office but failed to post it on the website. The second is still a violation but not as severe. Does anyone know the answer to this question? Was this meeting posted and where? Still very concerned! : 11/14/2008 The October 16th school board meeting was a workshop meeting for Dr. Hambrick and the school board to work together on the budget. It is not a violation of the Open Meetings Act to meet in public and discuss the budget. : 11/13/2008 To Another observer you state: “Now, the superintendent and the board are working together to balance the budget as the voters directed them to do so.” - When are they doing this? I do not see any posted board meeting on the website showing such a meeting has taken place or is going to take place as required by law and policy. It appears decisions are being made to cut staff and memos are being issued. Is the Texas Open Meetings Act being followed? Now I'm really concerned : 11/13/2008 Many more cuts to come: Lets do the math $1.8M deficit that will grow due to inflation and raises to $2.2M plus we have $300k worth of buses and technology deferrals that will have to be put back sometime so we really need to look at $2.5M. If the average teacher makes $50k with benefits we are looking at approximately 50 teacher positions. Of course we dare not cut Hambrick’s Yukon or one of the 16 CO administrative staff members. There may be cuts in the CO but it will not be one of the workers not one of the two assistant supt. that need go. disappointed : 11/13/2008 SISD is really flattering itself if they actually believe that they have convinced the teachers that they will have to "cut" 17 jobs. On average more that either retire or resign each year. Wouldn't be wiser to call it what it really is - a hiring freeze? Or is the administration using scare tactics to retaliate against those who voted against the rollback? Get real! The real possibility is that many teachers will see the writing on the wall and leave. At one time it was a concern that staff would go south for better salary and benefits. They claimed that they were ashamed for job applicants to see central office. Whatever happened to that? Sherman's real problem will be trying to attract quality staff to a controversial, under-staffed, under-financed district. They really don't need to worry about having about having to ask anyone to leave. They will be begging them to stay. What they really need to worry about is how to manage their finances and public relations. Incredulous : 11/13/2008 Disappointed Again and Again - Obviously you did not read the posting. There was no bullying. You need to go back and re-read the post. If you still don't "get it" then don't worry about it. The readers with common sense will understand what was said and how it was said. Stop blowing things out of proportion. How silly. another observer : 11/13/2008 Everyone is entitled to their opinions and their anonymity. I salute you for even gracing this blog with your intellectual view of what is going on with SISD. It doesn't make it any better for those concerned, but at least there is a spark of giftedness being exuded through your comments. obsequious one : 11/13/2008 No, I am really not Dr. Hambrick. But like you and everyone else on this blog, I also want to remain "anonymous" while still sharing my opinion. another observer : 11/13/2008 So, Another observer; "a lot of teacher would be gone this afternoon." Gee, I'd almost think teachers are being cyber-bullied now. This is exactly why teachers cannot speak out. They fear for their jobs. Heck, they might end up losing them anyway. Disappointed, Again and Again : 11/13/2008 To another observer you clearly work in the co and it wouldn't surprise me if you're Dr. Hambrick himself. Mom : 11/13/2008 From the very beginning, teachers were told that block scheduling would be considered for cuts should the TRE fail. The reason that block scheduling would be considered for cuts is because it requires more teachers than traditional scheduling. Teacher salaries...not administrative salaries...make up the majority of the district's budget. For you to act as though you are surprised that teaching positions MIGHT be cut is a little surprising to me. Why do you think Dr. Hambrick visited with teachers at every campus to share with them what the ramifications would be if the the rollback tax failed? He wanted the teachers to have all the facts about how the TRE failure would effect them. This should be no surprise. There will be cuts from Central Office just as the school board and Dr. Hambrick have said, but the entire Central Office will not be eliminated as some are hoping. The jobs in central office can and will be cut as it is a difficult time and so will jobs in other areas of the school district. But, it's completely unrealistic to suggest that they clean out CO. That would be like saying that the city should get rid of the police chief and the fire chief and let the city manager do their jobs to save taxpayer's money. That makes no sense as each of the individuals in those positions have unique qualifications for what they are charged with doing each day. So, too, do the administrators in CO. Teachers and princiapls who post comments on this blog complaining about top administrators because of something they have done or not done or simply complain about something personal should be very careful. If public complaints is all it takes to get rid of someone in the SISD then there would be a heck of a lot teachers gone because parents are quick to complain and are very brutal with their comments when it comes to lodging complaints againts teachers. Under that standard, a lot of teachers would be gone this afternoon. As an observer, I would recommend that people calm down and let Dr. Hambrick and the school board do their job. The board approved an unbalanced budget in hopes that the public would pass the rollback tax. The board said all along that it did not want to cut ANY positions as this would affect negatively the careers of the staff and the educational offerings for the children. In order to avoid losing good people and cutting academic programs, the board took a political chance to take the decision to the voters and the voters said no. Now, the superintendent and the board are working together to balance the budget as the voters directed them to do so. Please give the people a break and breathing room to study the situation and come up with solutions that are in the best interest of the children and the staff of SISD. another observer : 11/12/2008 Observer, how do you know so much insider information. Long-term Shermanite. You must have learned your spelling and grammar from the guy with "three" degrees. I have "three degrees" to and can't understand what is taking place with Sherman ISD. Spend. Spend. Spend. Sometimes it is hard to spend with no money. 58 yr. resident : 11/12/2008 The facts are in. 7 teachers at Piner. 10 at the High School. Who many at the elementary schools. Thanks for starting at the top and working your way down. What's next? Long time Shermanite : 11/12/2008 Observer: It was written in black and white on a school-wide memo. It stated that, regardless of whether or not block schedule is kept or eliminated, 7 staff positions WOULD be eliminated. It wasn't preceeded by MAYBE or MIGHT. Disappointed, AGAIN : 11/12/2008 “Time to face it, the rollback did not pass, we are in debt, so cut backs are coming.” - Unfortunately, the voters sent a “no confidence” vote to the administration and school board but the ultimate losers will be the children and the kids. This administration will recommend cuts at the working level. The cuts that affect the children. The administration will NOT recommend cuts that affect them directly. They don’t want cuts that will make them work harder. There will be no high-level central office cuts. The BOARD needs to step up and cut the dead weight in the CO. Everyone knows where the dead weight is but the Board keeps its head in the sand. As board members you are elected officials – do your job! teacher : 11/12/2008 Dr. Observer, unless you are part of the adminstration or board of trustees YOU DO NOT know what decisions have been made (they are simply not public). If you are stupid enough to think that the adminstration would tell a site based committee what is really going on then you are truly a fool. I’ve been part of the committees from both sides. You tell them what you want, provide information that backs you objectives/goals, and steer them to the answer you desire. Then tell everybody that it came from the committee. DONE. how big a fool do you think we are : 11/12/2008 The facts are that no decisions have been made yet. The board and superintendent are looking at all options and will make decisions of some sort either by Winter Break or after the board meeting in January. Read the notes that came out from the District Site Based Meeting where Dr. Hambrick stated that there is no definitive answer on how many full time positions will be cut. Everyone is worried about what will happen, both for their own personal security and because they are dedicated to the students in SISD. But, as I stated earlier, NO DECISIONS have been made. observer : 11/12/2008 Time to face it, The rollback did not pass, we are in debt.. so cut backs are coming. From what I know the board has asked Dr. Hambrick to give them a list of possible cutbacks that totals more than the necessary 1.8 million, so they can chose what to cut. Every school will be effected by this cut and Piner (yes I teach there) has been told we will lose 7 positions no matter what happens with block scheduling. Are teachers concerned... of course look at what happened in Dallas. My biggest concern is that the cuts are made with great thought, and done as fairly between schools, departments and levels as possible. I hope the district is upfront and tells the teachers of the cuts and changes so we can look for new jobs for next year way before the contract dates in March. Painful decision have to be made, lets just hope that Dr. Hambrick and the Board keep in mind that Sherman has great kids and they need to be at the forthought of any decision that are made. concerned teacher : 11/12/2008 You people don't know too much. About 85% of all budgets at ANY district are comprised of salaries--teachers, principals, custodians, etc. So blaming athletics, well, that's just plain stupid. In any event, extra curricular activites are incredibly important. They give kids a place to be, be a part of something, and keep them out of trouble. It's good for kids--and for those of you who only see the bottom line, well, that's why all of your people (GOP) got voted out--and I'm a Republican, by the way. Administrator salaries? Guess what people, it attracts good ones, and if you don't have good prinicpals, etc., then you're not going to have good schools. Any teacher can tell you that! Good principals attract and keep good teachers. You People Crack Me Up!!! : 11/11/2008 Observer...I heard the same thing from a teacher at Piner that received it in a memo from the Principal. Maybe you should see if you are getting the facts. : 11/11/2008 That is not accurate. While there is discussion regarding ending block scheduling, NOTHING FINAL has been decided. Many in the district are concerned that their positions will be cut and this can lead to conclusion jumping. So far, no decisions have been made. observer : 11/10/2008 Just heard from a Piner teacher that, due to budget cuts, the school will be losing 7 teachers a the end of the school year. Way to cut budget from the top! Disappointed : 11/9/2008 Burton = Fluff lets move on : 11/6/2008 Taxpayer, thanks for the reply. Sorry for the rude comment. I would like to speak with you regarding your professional experience. I am also the DECA advisor at the school and getting the community involved is something I looking at pursuing. My email is rrichardson@shermanisd.net : 11/5/2008 Board member identify themself???? You have to be kidding they dont care and we need to remember this and instead of going to meetings we need to try and have a recall after all we got this way under their watch. SF : 11/5/2008 Tired of whiners you are right there are good things happening and that is what is so amazing considering all of the problems listed here. This my first post and I have to tell you I agree with most of the things said but I agree with you nothing will be done about them until it is to late. I have never thought of myself as a complainer but things are pretty bad both with money and morale. The old story the kings new clothes just about explains why no one will come out and ask the board these hard questions. Just a Teacher : 11/5/2008 Maybe these posting are just a way for frustrated employees to let the Board know how they feel without losing their jobs???? HH : 11/5/2008 Tired of whiners, alot of what has been written on this site comes from teachers and other employees of the district. If you think they are going to go before the board and publicly say what they have written here, you are crazy. Besides, that won't be necessary. At least one board member, maybe others, are reading this site. They know what is being said and can truly pick out which comments are coming from SISD insiders. That is where the problem is...it is up to them to do something about it. a reader : 11/5/2008 For all of you people that are sitting around here complaining, I suggest that you go to a school board meeting and voice your opinions there. Posting comments on a website isn't going to stimulate any of the change that you people want to see happen. There are some problems right now in our district, I will most definitely agree with that, but there are many GOOD things happening, too! If you are unhappy with the administration, then make your vioice heard to the school board. Something has to change, but stiitng around and complaining on a website isn't going to get it done. If you have time to be online, try looking up Hamrick, Burton, and the school boards e-mail and complaining to THEM. I think it is pathetic that everyone wants to sit around and anonymously post complaints when they make NO EFFORT to do anything else about it. If you don't take action to bring about change, sit back and shut up or DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!!! tired of the whiners : 11/5/2008 Mr. Richardson, taxpayer here. Thank you so much for giving me, and us, the facts on that trip. My friend didn't mention any of that, and I drew an erroneous conclusion. I appreciate your setting the record straight that the trip wasn't just a "cover" for a trip to the Stars game and that the district was not out any money for bus expense or overtime for the driver. That is a conscientious way to use resources, and I applaud you. And, just so you will know, I do get out of Sherman. I am a recent retiree of a Fortune 100 company whose job it was to buy energy and metals. It required knowledge of futures and constant monitoring of the LME. I have travelled extensively, both domestically and abroad. Business is my background, and the practical application of it. Now that that is cleared up, would the Sherman School Board member who is lurking on this site identify himself or herself? I'm sure there are many here who might like to ask some questions without the fear of retribution. Will you do that? taxpayer : 11/4/2008 For the record... Burton is not from West Texas he is from SHERMAN! Moma got him a home town job. homer : 11/4/2008 Stop picking on Piner. Piner has some of the best teachers in the entire district that care about the kids and put in more than an 8 hour day to help them be successful. Try teaching a 7th or 8th grader who is going through puberty and doesn't like anyone over age of 18. Their parents don't even know what to do with them, but the teachers are expected to work miracles. They are counselors, disciplinarians, surrogate parents, and still are expected to teach them everything they need to know to pass all the TAKS tests that are thrown at them by the state. My mom has been a middle school teacher for many years and I think she is the greatest teacher around. Her day doesn't end when she comes home, she still has papers to grade and lesson plans to do because her conference period is taken up with ARDS, parent conferences, and other meetings that she is required to attend. Instead of beating the school down, why don't you try seeing the good that is there? I won't ever be a teacher because it is a thankless job. Only individuals with a special calling will enter the teaching profession and stick with it because they certainly aren't appreciated or compensated for what they do. I think a lot of teachers at Piner know what they are doing. Teacher's child : 11/4/2008 Does any one out here know what we are suppose to be doing at Piner? Nobody there does. KW : 11/4/2008 83 cat you are right there is plenty of fat elsewhere starting with Burton's 100,000 a year salary which might not be so bad if he actually did anything. Check up on him he is home most of the time or out running around and the taxpayers pay A 100, GRAND for that!!!!! This guy is useless and I cant believe the board and Hambrick are not aware of this. p offed : 11/4/2008 Hey Marge head start is federally funded and the problem as with a lot of programs they're only funded for partial days and also they're not 100% funded the school district/ tax payer has to pick up the tab for the rest and keep up the maintenance on the buildings. Would you people get over the yukon thing. That's really nit pickin, He recieved a car allowance, he gave it up for the yukon. In the whole skeem of things it's minor. There's plenty of waste to trim you just have to look for it. another 83 cat : 11/4/2008 Dear 34 year resident, You didn't know you were being graded? Maybe you should not advertise your three degrees and the fact that your offspring are GT students. You threw yourself under the bus with those advertisements. Maybe you should have attended Sherman schools where there are excellent teachers who could have given you a proper education. I only have two degrees and realize that you probably think that makes me inferior in comparison. Feel free to grade my spelling and grammar and then please give us all a break and make comments about something you actually know something about. Can I get an "Amen" from other readers? Tired of your senseless chatter : 11/4/2008 To the taxpayer making the comment about the Dallas Stars trip. You are totally oblivious. First of all, that was a trip in where we went to listen to the Dallas Stars marketing staff talk about what it takes to work in Sports marketing and advertising. Second of all, the school district paid ZERO dollars for that trip!!!!!! The business department raised that money and actually paid the school district for the use of the buses. This was a fantastic trip for the students that went because it opened their eyes to the world outiside of Sherman. Probably something you wouldn't know anything about! You should get your facts straight before you start throwing blame around!! Mr. Richardson, Business and Marketing Teacher SHS : 11/4/2008 For your info, Head Start is federally funded. Not locally! Shame on you for even suggesting Heart Start to be cut. It is certainly NOT a daycare! We provide needed services to underpriviledged kids and families. The poorest of the poor. We also provide 85% of their daily nutrition requirements, who knows where some of those kids next meals will come from? So , if you are in favor of letting kids go hungry and suffer, then by all means fight to cut Head Start. And also the heat and air is cut after 3:30pm. I know cause many days I've stayed after to work in the sweltering heat. I belive they should cut Hambrick's SUV . Is it really necessary? And does he only use it to come to and from work? Marge : 11/4/2008 For those of you that believe extra cirricular activities keep our children in school and passing. Then tell me why Piner lost almost half of its team at the time of enforcement of the no pass no play rule???? HUMMMM doesn't look like its keeping their grades up after all. Sounds to me like another lame excuse. Piner Mom : 11/4/2008 OMG music lover get over it!! If you love music so much you should have come to the competition on Saturday. You would have had you fill of good bands playing all day long. Just me : 11/3/2008 With all these opinions, which are uninformed opinions, its sounds like many of you are trying to micro-managing. taxpayer : 11/3/2008 Taxpayer-- How would you know whether the school board is micro-managing the school district? As I recall, Hutto left for more money and had a history of jumping from district-to-district. You have no idea what the school board is doing. Just another trouble-maker... taxper also : 11/3/2008 Did we meet AYP this year? Nobody seems to know. Waiting : 11/3/2008 Two main reasons for the problems at SISD. BURTON WRIGHT please stay away from west texas these people are killing us. FG : 11/3/2008 Once again the band took off the third quarter for food but at least the Mckinney band was playing. Music lover : 11/3/2008 I propose that they cut Burtons job and save 100,000 dollars as he does nothing but make work for everyone else. You don't need that job if he was gone for two months nobody would miss him so its not that improtant to anyone but Burton. Dr. Hambrick needs to try and salvage his career and dump Burton before he to goes down the tube as a matter of fact it may be too late. Can you believe it 100,000 dollars for Burton boy o boy. KL : 11/3/2008 Another 83 cat....I totally agree with you. The school board is into micro-managing, and that is not their job. It's probably THE main reason Hutto left. The rollback election was a verdict on the board, nothing more, nothing less. But, if people do NOT get out and vote in school board elections, then these same types of people will stay on the board. I hadn't heard about another huge trailer that the band boosters were considering dumping on the district. That will be even more expense, personnel and fuel, that you can be sure have not been factored into the cost. The schools have gone totally overboard in activities and sports. Another ever count how many coaches there are in SISD? I know, I have heard the arguments that they teach other classes...yea, okay. You are correct that it is going to get ugly, and many innocent people are going to suffer for it. However, this can't be placed on the taxpayers. What is happening now can be laid directly at the feet of the school board and the superintendent. Cut out the frivolous trips, directors' cars, Mr. Burton, extra personnel at the CO. Then, you might get the taxpayers' attention. Not until. taxpayer : 11/2/2008 For those of you talking about block scheduling-- I understand that this is a big issue and cutting block scheduling would drastically affect you. But I think we need to compare the effects of this budget cut to the effects of cutting people's jobs. I know of many single mothers who work as SISD teachers SISD and will possibly lose their jobs next year. They are not qualified or certified for any other job but must work to support their families. My mom is an elementary school art teacher and although my father also works, she cannot afford to lose her job. I understand your concern, but I think that cutting block scheduling will be a much better solution than cutting people's jobs. I was a student at Piner and SHS in the last few years, and I think I would have done okay without block scheduling. Actually, the year before I started at Piner, students did not have block scheduling. Remember, w/o block scheduling, classes will be shorter every day, so the homework load will be lighter for you students and children. Teachers can find ways to make non-block schedule work for students. anon. : 11/2/2008 For those of you talking about block scheduling-- I understand that this is a big issue and cutting block scheduling would drastically affect you. But I think we need to compare the effects of this budget cut to the effects of cutting people's jobs. I know of many single mothers who work as SISD teachers SISD and will possibly lose their jobs next year. They are not qualified or certified for any other job but must work to support their families. My mom is an elementary school art teacher and although my father also works, she cannot afford to lose her job. I understand your concern, but I think that cutting block scheduling will be a much better solution than cutting people's jobs. I was a student at Piner and SHS in the last few years, and I think I would have done okay without block scheduling. Actually, the year before I started at Piner, students did not have block scheduling. Remember, w/o block scheduling, classes will be shorter every day, so the homework load will be lighter for you students and children. Teachers can find ways to make non-block schedule work for students. anon. : 11/2/2008 Who made the decision to hire Burton? The board or Hambrick? We all know that he his mother had to get off the board so he could be hired but did Hambrick want to hire him, was he forced, or can he not stand up to the board? guts : 11/2/2008 Will any real cuts be made at CO or will the little guy take the fall? Did the position that Burton has exist under Hutto? new : 11/2/2008 Dear tax payer the problem is no one knows how to say "No" and those that do usually get over ruled because when they do someone will run to their friend on the school board or their friend of a friend on the school board. Hutto left because he knew how to say "No" and he got tired of being over ruled by a medling board. The school board should not have any say in day to day operations of the school, but they're included too often. There are more trips than ever going on and when diesel was over $4.00 per gallon no one ever said lets cut back. When someone finally puts the brakes on this thing that's when you'll see who has any back bone and staying power. I hear that the band boosters have filled up that great big 57 foot band trailor with built in storage and now there's not enough room to haul all their stuff, So now they want to buy another to stick the school district with, they probably will seeing how they did'nt ask if they could buy the other one.(just ask Hutto) Used to they took one box truck for the big stuff and everone else took their stuff on the yellow school bus, now they charter busses and rent trucks so they're not cramped for space. They're also seems to be a lot of money being spent on technology. It woold be intersting to know the true cost of all the tech upgrades. I'd bet they cost double what they planned for because they did'nt forsee all things that go along with it power/hvac etc.... I think we spoil our kids too often. I think we need to quit trying to keep up with the schools to the south of us in some regards and realize they have an unlimited tax base. It will be interesting to see where this goes when the school district starts making cuts and people start losing their jobs. I think it's going to get ugly. another 83 cat : 10/31/2008 A friend of mine has a high school student in a business class of some type that went to a Dallas Stars game recently as an SISD sanctioned trip. Now, I ask you, how can that be taken as anything but a "fun" outing. The school had to pay to get them their, I'm assuming they went on school sanctioned transportation. It's this type of "extra" outside fluff that needs to be done away with. You can rationalize any way you want, but this type of trip is wasteful spending. Hambrick, or the principals, need to take a good, hard look at these types of things and learn to say "NO". Like mos things in life, this election is going to land hard on teachers and students, while the culprits that brought the whole thing on are a spendthrift School Board and a superintendent who wants to get along with everyone. taxpayer : 10/30/2008 Take a look at the last post on Sherman School Board Hears Budget Report my feelings exactly. KW : 10/30/2008 I know how the district can save a ton of money. I would bet that most teachers and principals would give up some of their pay if Hambrick would get rid of Lynn Burton he is a disgrace to education and disruption to the district. Tired : 10/30/2008 Here is Lynn Burton's e-mail use it to get what you want as he will change anything that comes from the campus lburton@shermanisd.net Get what you want : 10/30/2008 This is about ALL the children in this district not just your little apples and that is where you have lost site of the big picture. Become part of the solution, move past the negative. I think it is great your kids don't need the motivation, so if they are not involved in extracurriculars you should have no gripe about where other people spend their money. 83 CAT : 10/30/2008 Here is Al's email. Use it wisely......ahambrick@shermanisd.net Grumble to the one in charge! : 10/29/2008 My son loves block schedule at Piner. He has time to go for tutoring before the next day at class, he has time to process what is going on in class and with our busy schedule he has two nights to complete his homework. It scares me to think about going off block schedule.. homework every night and little to no time to do it. Kids are already rushed so much and we limit the activities my son is involved in. There are approx. 1,000 students at Piner, transitioning them 3 times a day safely in the halls is a huge feat to do safely and now you want to add 5 more times. That is crazy. MOM of student : 10/29/2008 Wow the opionions of some people have driven me to finally respond. First I teach at Piner and love the block schedule, because we have time during class to actually start and finish a lab in Science or Math, we have fewer passing periods (that is where most of our discipline problems happen) and students have time to ask questions of the teachers. On a traditional schedule we would go from 3 passing periods to 5 to 6 (depending if we do a 7 period class day or 8), Going off block will mostly likely require students to lose an elective (technology, sports, arts, music etc). One of the biggest problems we have had with our athletics is the huge number of students who lose eligiblity due to grades, students don't do the work and they fail, which leaves a position on the team being filled by just about anyone who is eligible to play. We live in Texas if you really think that the sports are going to get the huge cut you haven't read Friday Night Lights. The programs that will be hurt will be the core classes which can have an unlimited number of students in them (High School math classes have 40+ students in them now). Shortening the class period to 45-50 minutes and giving me 45-50 minutes to teach gives me less than a minute per student... no one on one discussions can happen, questions can't be answered because the bell is about to ring and the rooms are so full of kids the teachers can't move around. Cuts are going to happen, the questions are when and were. Are we about to be like Dallas and lay off teachers... Maybe... Piner Teacher : 10/29/2008 34yr Resident: Why exactly do you think block scheduling is crap? The research shows block scheduling helps improve achievement. Why? Because teachers have the time to delve into deeper concepts, conduct longer experiments and group projects, and allow students to start on homework assignments so they can have the teacher's assistance if they still need help understanding a concept. Having block scheduling allows students two days to get homework done, allowing them time to get parental help, or to come in for tutoring assistance after school. This can often help students to be more successful in class. Block scheduling also reduces discipline issues. There are only three bell changes during the day as opposed to 7. Less passing time means less time for students to get into fights in the hall. Also, block scheduling means teachers (and students) get a break from seeing each other every day. This can help teachers who have particularly difficult students to give them chances to succeed in the classroom rather than blow up at them the minute they walk in the door because they are stressed over seeing the child everyday. If you had access to the statistics about Piner pre-block scheduling vs. post-block scheduling, you wouldn't be arguing to get rid of it. Stick to topics where you know what you're talking about. Piner Teacher : 10/29/2008 Ok...Why don't you go count the trophys, I surely don't have the time. The 8th grade FB has not won crap this year and better yet, we can't teach a kid to snap a ball or the difference between spiking the ball and downing the ball. The cheerleaders do not cheer as much as once required. They stand around and look at the boys. There is no sportsmanship at the games anymore because everyone knows we are going to lose! Like I said before, we need a shake up at Piner. Not to mention the fact that we don't need block scheduling it is crap too. BTW- in regards to my grammar....didn't know I was being graded! Oh yea, I am very aware of the security office, it could also be used as attendance and we could cut out one job. That was my original point and you are sooooo smart you didn't get it!!!! As for my children, my children do not need a extra cirricular activity to keep them there nor should anyone else's kid. They should be there as I was there, to learn!!!!! 34 YR Resident : 10/29/2008 Job cuts are in the works and CO is first. There is a lot of tension at CO - waiting and now knowing is very hard but the kids will be taken care of and that is the important thing. Waiting and watching at SISD : 10/28/2008 Have we heard any updates on where we are going to find the $1.8M plus inflation cuts? Or are we going to wait until next year after our reserves have been depleted? ??? : 10/26/2008 You will not hear anyone come to Burton’s defense unless Lynn himself posts it. I’ve known Burton since he was at S&S in the early 80’s. He’s jumped from job to job though out his career. He’s never stayed anywhere more than a couple of years in his entire career. Always bouncing to the next job when they figure out he doesn’t know what he’s doing. He circled the state until his reputation preceded him and he couldn’t get a job anywhere. He then had to get his mother to get him a job here at home where she was on the board. You will not find anybody at any place he’s been that will say anything good about him. They are all glad he is gone. Hambrick and the board will learn their mistake just like everyone else did. Hopefully, before it is too late (if it isn’t already). Retired educator : 10/26/2008 I have an idea since the school board will not do a survey why doesn't the Herald Democrat do one???????? KK : 10/26/2008 Lynn Burton is the worst thing that has ever happened to the Sherman ISD EVER. Hambrick hired him. : 10/26/2008 To 34 Year Resident: Step on in the front doors at Piner...they house the current trophies in the main hallway so that all who enter can see the many accomplishments. The 80s trophies you are referring to are housed in the hallway outside the gym. You probably didn't know that, huh? I am sure you are proud of your three degrees. Obviously, none of them required you spell correctly or write using appropriate grammar. God bless you and your negative, hateful attitude. You are a class act. Parent/educator : 10/25/2008 If more parents would offer their time to the schools just think of all the positions we could do without...... Mom : 10/25/2008 Ha Ha Ha....You people kill me....As I said before, get rid of the ex. cirr. activities that do not bring in revenue, I do attend Piner and SHS games. Piner FB and VB programs stink and could use a shake up. The trophys are dated back to the 80's so take a good look. My children do play sports for the district and by the way....you think I am un-educated...I will compare Degrees with you any day being I have 3 of them, and the apple doesn't fall far from the tree becasue both of my children are in GT and receeve "COMMENDED" on their Taks EVERY YEAR and they do not need sports to keep them in school! I am a informed parent and I am fed up with the crap that is going on in our schools and on the school board. 34 yr res : 10/24/2008 To 34 yr.resident almost every extracurricular organization at SHS has a booster club to help offset costs of these programs. So am not sure where you think the fluff is. These programs help keep kids in school, help keep them focused on their grades by holding them to higher standard in order to participate and basically give them the motivation to show up everyday. I personally support their fundraisers. You can always say no if you don't want to buy that 10.00 wrapping paper. I volunteer with several organizations and let me just say "Good Luck" getting donations for free nowadays it is not happening. BTW there is only one attendance office at Piner. You may be confused about the new security office. How sad is it that all of our campuses had to add these. Volunteer at your schools to see why those were needed. 83Cat! : 10/23/2008 Just have to ask is the band going to play more than 4 songs in the second half? In reply to the poster who said that the band needs to eat what about the football players they haven't eaten either but have to wait till after the game and I think they put out a little more physical effort than the band. Go Bearcats : 10/23/2008 BURTON=FLUFF : 10/23/2008 The sad thing about all of this is that nobody outside of education really cares about the problems brought up on this site. If the school board really cared they would do as one poster said and do a survey but I guess that is asking to much fron them. I guess that the district is going to have to totally implode before any thing is done. I would not be surprised if no one runs this spring not that it would matter but then again that is what is wrong with our society today its what can you do for me instead of what can I do for the community. SAD : 10/23/2008 You people in Sherman sure don't like this Hambrick or Burton do you. If they are that bad why does your board not do something about it. Go Panthers : 10/23/2008 I find it's interesting that NO ONE has said a single thing in defense of Burton. Not one comment about how he's really misunderstood, etc. No one seems to know his job description either. I wonder why this is...should we really be paying someone the kind of money we're paying him with his past history, unclear job description, and the devisiveness he has created in SISD? Hmm : 10/23/2008 Teacher 08 - you are really confused I guess. Your argument about NO ONE with less experience makes more than someone with more experience is EXACTLY what I said!! Someone under posing as a teacher made the comment that you have 10 teachers making less than newly hired teachers which - as I said - is a flat out lie. The only way any teacher will make more than another (even at the same level) is - as you say - if they get an additional stipend for teaching a critical shortage subject. So again, I am not sure why you come back to me saying you are not off base and then repeating exactly what I said. Shermanite : 10/23/2008 Hey Shermanite, your statement about Democrats wanting everyone ELSE to pay for top quality schools was, in itself, a perfect example of the republican mindset. I rest my case. F. : 10/22/2008 Shermanite – I am not off base. There are obviously numerous people posting under the handle “teacher” and their post do not reflect the opinion of this teacher and they seem to want to attempt to make outrageous and ludicrous arguments in an attempt to hide the facts. FOR THE RECORD - Teachers are paid on pay scales – NOBODY with less experience gets paid more than someone with more. They may have a larger stipend if they teach in an area that is identified as a CRITICAL shortage. Please lets move on. I actually don’t have that much problem with Hambrick’s salary. I think the “hidden” perks need to be removed. Please note, Denison is NOT that much smaller with the duties that much reduced to warrant the salary differences. Using that philosophy Dallas ISD should pay 20 times what SISD pays. But let us also move on about that too. Bottom line is SISD staff and the town have lost confidence in the board and administration. And the board and administration have taken the “ostrich approach”- Put your head in the sand and pretend nothing is wrong. This is SAD. I like Hambrick but am not sure that he is not “damaged goods” at this point. He needs to dump Burton ASAP and try to bring this district back together. I miss the pride this district use to have. PS – Shermanite – I agree in principle with most of your arguments. teacher08 “formerly teacher” : 10/22/2008 To 34 Year Resident: The 7th grade B2 volleyball team just won a trophy at a tournament, so that should prove that they have won games. Also, the coaches teach important subjects such as English, Social Studies, and Science just to name a few. They are not allowed to make cuts so they are dealing with hundreds of kids at a time. On another note, teacher's assistants are for students with mental retardation and autism. Maybe those students did not attend school when you were in school, but they are essential to those students' success nowadays. They do so much more than grade papers. As a teacher of SISD, I would gladly take a pay cut in order to continue working with the students I care deeply for and their parents, whom I have worked hard to build a relationship built on trust. I do not WANT to take a pay cut, and I wish taxpayers' money had been spent more wisely, but that may be the reality. Teacher : 10/22/2008 It appears to me that our teachers are evaulated several times a year and this year theh will not have any advanced notice which is the wat it should be. My question is how many evaluations do Burton and Hambrick get each year? If we are all in this together then why not a level playing field? What does Burton do in this district nobody seems to know . Wonder how good of a job the Principals could do if he would quit bothering them and leave them alone. I agree with the other poster Burton has severly hampered Dr. Hambrick's career. I have been checking and what I have found about his past would certainly raise a flag about hiring him but I suppose Dr. Hambrick checked on him and it was okay with him assuming he had any say so in the matter. In closing I assure you Mr. Burton is a dividing and polarizing influence in this district and I don't know how it will ever get any better as long as he is here. GO BEARCATS : 10/22/2008 To 34 Year Resident: : 10/22/2008 Lynn Burton is the Republicans best advertisment for school vouchers. Democrat : 10/22/2008 Typical Democratic mindset: we want top-quality schools but want EVERYONE ELSE to pay for it!!! Shermanite : 10/22/2008 Dear 34 year resident, You obviously have no idea about how to teach or operate a school. If parents were more concerned about their children and taught them discipline and responsibility maybe SISD wouldn't need so many principals and asst principals. They spend much of their time dealing with disciplinary issues due to bad parenting! As far as Athletics is concerned, you obviously have no idea what it takes to teach junior high children to prepare them for the high school level. If the Junior High Coaches are so terrible, how is that the Sherman High School football team is 6 and 1? Again, you are clueless! It is not about winning at the Junior High level, it is about teaching them fundamentals and technique as well as discipline. I believe as a parent of 2 SISD children, athletics is extremely important and prepared them for the future. My children are very appreciative of their coaches and what they were taught at both the junior high and high school level. Maybe your children are just bad athletes and has absolutely nothing to do with the coaching staff or their abilities to coach. Take a good look in the mirror and re-evaluate your role in your childrens life. Maybe you are part of the problem. I suggest if you continue to degrade the coaches, maybe you should have gone to college to become a coach. Is it possible you have no education? By reading your article you seem to be lacking intelligence. By the way, I believe Piner has won several games this season as well as prior seasons. As a matter of fact, if you visit Piner, you will see many trophies in the trophy case! I feel for you and your family as you are misguided! 48 year Sherman resident : 10/22/2008 Ok you know what...not everyone's spelling and grammar are perfect so get over it. I hate it when the only way you can "fight" back is to pick on the spelling and grammar. We have a MUCH bigger problem than spelling!!! Let's get back to the real subject here. I'm sick of the teachers telling the kids all the "bad" things that are going to happen because that rollback didn't pass. You know what....it's not their fault it didn't pass and they need to stop worrying these kids, they already have enough to worry about. I'm sure I will have teachers on here telling me I'm wrong and that the teachers aren't doing this but oh yes they are!!! I have 2 SHS students and I was in shock with the things they have already been told!! I understand that this is a problem but my kids aren't old enough to vote and I voted YES so we did our part but yet they're still having to hear things that aren't true from people that are just angry about it. Also a note to the Herald Democrat...if we had a better space to leave comments instead of a very tine space we might not have so many errors on here. Mary : 10/22/2008 Hey Everyone, let's start problem solving on a much smaller scale: how about if everyone who wants to post a comment is required to know how to spell key words like, oh, I don't know....TEACHER, YOU'RE (not YOUR), LUXURIES, ABSURD...wow, I could go for days. Quit griping and get a dictionary. Go ahead, you can do it...learn to spell, I dare you!! A teacher who knows how to spell my title : 10/22/2008 Typical republican mindset. We want quality schools, but we certainly aren't going to pay for them. F. : 10/22/2008 Dear Observer, your info is wrong. Our insurance stinks, I know of 5 teachers on my campus who had to drop the insurence because it cost so much out of pocket. It's only good if you are a young single male. And I make the same amount my Aunt makes who started teaching in the district 6 years before me. teacher : 10/22/2008 Teacher - You are SO off base here! As has already been pointed out to you, you are flat out lying to readers when you say that there are 10+ year teachers in SISD making less than newly hired teachers! All teachers (in most any public school) are on a standard pay scale and there is NO way that new teachers will make more than any veteran teacher so please stop lying to us!! As far as the other comments regarding our "brethren to the north" making $15K less, Denison is a smaller school district so if you don't understand that I won't waste my time trying to explain it to you. It's the same reason that Sherman ISD teachers make more than S&S or Howe teachers do. Regardless, Hambrick is paid very well for this district and area. As far as the comments about the "higher caliber students" in private schools, just settle your liberal self down - what was meant was that students from a higher socio-economic background generally do better academically and, if you are a teacher or understand the system, you know that is 100% true whether you like it or not. Besides, even if you were right and all kids were 100% equal, then TCS teachers must be several notches above the SISD teachers to take these kids - who are totally equal to SISD's kids according to you - and do so much more with them, right? You can't have it both ways so make up your mind! As far as Plyler, then yes, if his wife works for SISD then that is a conflict and there is paperwork and disclosures that must be filled out to do this although I would not allow it personally for obvious reasons. As far as Burton - I agree that he is dead weight and here only due to politics. He would be a good place to start trimming the fat from SISD! Shermanite : 10/22/2008 I see everyone pointing a finger, yet no one looking for a true resolution. Athletics will not be cut, athletics bring in money to the district. This money may only replace what it uses to support the program but it does bring it back in. If you are going to cut extra activities then you will need to look at the activities that do not bring back revenue. Look at Choir? Art? Drama? Drill Team? Cheerleaders? Debate??? If you can fund yourself then you sould be able to stay. Teachers do not need another raise, you will be fine. We do not need assistant sups or anything else assistant. When I went to scholl (SISD) we had a teacher and no assistants. One teacher did it all, graded all the papers and calculated all the grades. Each school needs ONE Principal with maybe only extra at the HS level. Piner only needs ONE as well as Dillingham. Also, the front office can handle attendance, why do we need extra secretaries who get their own little room to take attendance. Now at Piner there are two attendace offices. How many does it take to verify attendance. Coaching staff at PMS....Please get real, our V-ball and F-ball programs stink so why do we need all of you????? Have the F-ball and V-ball teams of the 7th or 8th grade actually won a game? No, prob. not! You wait till it is time to play and try to coach a kid from the sidelines. Football has 2 games left and the simple basics have not been covered and we only have 2 plays. Piner V-ball coaches spend their practice time on the phone or texting, the girls are learning a lot there. Block scheduling...I HATE IT! It cost more money that we don't have. I went to 6-7 classes a day and turned out fine. If it makes our scores go down, its not the schedule, its the TEACHERS! There is NO way a scheduling program makes our numbers go up on tests, that is obsurd! We do fund raisers every year at every school, yet we all have to be millionaires to buy anything from the pamplets, what happened to good ole candy bars instead of the $10.00 wrapping paper bull. What happened to raffles, get items donated and sell tickets....PURE PROFIT. I am sure if all of you who participate in the decision making were to sit down and think with common sense instead of $$$$$$ dollar signs you too can come up with ways to fix this problem and get the spotlight off the money and back on the kids! 34 Year resident : 10/21/2008 Some of the commenters say that people are just unhappy and dont want to change heck were ready for a bunch of changes. OL : 10/21/2008 Is one person posting all fo this? Lets find out. Do a survey of all school employees and publish the finding. Dare you , it would answer a lot of questions. Come on board see what the employees of this district think of the administration. We are not stupid enough to come to board meetingd unless we are ready to quit or move on.Maybe those who are not happy should just move on but then nobody would be left. Teacher : 10/21/2008 WE NEED TO RECALL THE BOARD NOW Fed up : 10/21/2008 Does anyone here not see the same thing happening as what is happening to Dallas ISD? People can gripe all day long but a duck is a duck and the board and Hambrick have to take responsibility instead of blaming people who only exercised their right to vote. Taxpayer : 10/21/2008 To concerned for your child---Dont worry about your child teachers do the best that they can every day in spite of the concerns brought up . No child will suffer as they are professionals and it appears the all they are asking for is to be allowed to do their job without administrators making it harder. They are angry because this didnot have to happen had Hambrick and Burton knew what they were doing instead of throwing darts at the problem. However they cannot escape CSCOPE as it is non negotiable as Dr. Hambrick has said so if your child suffers it is not because of the teachers but what and how they are REQUIRED to teach. Informed : 10/21/2008 I believe that Hambrick is a good man. I’m not sure if he is up to the job or not. I would like to know if the board made him hire Burton or he did it himself. I cannot believe that he would have hired him had he had any choice and checked his references. Anyone who knows anything about Burton knows that he has been run out of every district he has been at. I feel sorry for Al if the board has saddled him with this boat anchor and has jeopardized his career. concerned : 10/21/2008 Dear SISD Observer: LOL --- WOW . I’m impressed that SISD administration/board is reading. Very impressive details on the benefits but still a generalization (I did not get 20%) but these details would only be known to an SISD insider. The post “hey on raises” about less experienced employees making more money than experienced was not posted by me. No one would believe that. Probably someone trying to discredit the “facts” I have presented. You can do better than that. It is you who should be ashamed. teacher : 10/21/2008 Also teacher -- If you really are a teacher in the SISD, why are you playing on the computer in the middle of the school day instead of "teaching" the kids. Guess you'd rather run your mouth than actually "teach." : 10/21/2008 dear tacher -- Again, not accurate. You are absolutely incorrect. There is not one single instance in the SISD where a veteran teacher is making less than a newly hired teacher. You should keep your comments factual. SISD Observer : 10/21/2008 Hey on raises...the key word is on average. Only the new people get raises that amount to anything and it also depends on when you were hired. We have teachers that have been teaching 10+ year that do not make as much as ones with less experience. : 10/21/2008 RE: Computer Browser – Thanks for the link to the Supt. salary information on the TEA website. Very useful link. Keep in mind that the information is a year old. Hambrick got 2% raise and bonus last month. So the >$150k salary is correct. teacher : 10/21/2008 dear teacher -- You can deny it all you want, but you absolutely have received nearly 20% (more precisely 19.8%) in raises since the 04-05 fiscal year. You also receive one of the best health insurance plans in the county since the SISD is self-insured compared to surrounding districts, you also receive a $500 health insurance account annually, and you receive 5-10 more personal/sick days per year than neighboring school districts. And, if you factor in the cost of fuel to drive back and forth to work, it all equals out in the end...probably in your favor. There is no denying that teachers deserve more $, but to suggest that the SISD is paying Hambrick too much and overlooking the teachers is absurd and unappreciative. People should be ashamed of themselves on this blog. Our schools are for the kids and the teachers and the people on these are trouble makers and I do not believe they represent the way most of what teachers and the community feel. I think the squeky wheel gets the oil... SISD Observer : 10/21/2008 The comment on Plyler Construction as the bond project contractor, this local contractor has taken bids and hired local subcontractors that can handle the size of the work. The district has and will continue to give local businesses the first option of the work. It is that most are not equipped to take on large projects and have the bonding and insurance for the work. With that, taxpayer dollars are staying as local as can be and meeting state regulations as required. In the Know... : 10/20/2008 Maybe the administration is forgetting that it cut $220k worth of busses and $100k worth of computers out of the budget this year. You can only defer these purchases so long. Sooner or later you have to not only put them back in the budget but make up for past years. Lets not forget inflation. Better sharpen your pencil! Its bigger than you think : 10/20/2008 Dear SISD Observer or Administrator: Gas is not $4 a gallon and I did not get a 20% raise. I’m familiar with the concept that superintendents wanting to be compared to CEO’s even though it is far from the truth. While I personally like Hambrick I don’t understand why SISD is paying $15k more than our brethren to the north and other comparable districts. We need to cut cost. Need to start in the central office. Start with an asst. superintendent. Still can’t figure out what Mae Burton’s (former board member) boy does or why he was hired. teacher : 10/20/2008 Shame on all you people. You have taken a forum and changed it to fit your purposes to complain. You belittle the administration, the teachers and now the students in Sherman schools. None of you will ever be able to fix anything because you haven't a clue what the problem is. To slam the students of Sherman ISD by saying that a "higher caliber" of student goes to private schools is disgraceful. Every child regardless of their socio-economic background has something to offer to the schools, whether they are public or private. Disgusted with it all! : 10/20/2008 There are several people commenting on Dr. Hambrick's salary. None of you have been correct. To find his salary, and the salaries of all Texas superintendents, go to: http://www.tea.state.tx.us/cgi/sas/broker?_service=marykay&_program=adhoc.addispatch.sas&major=pe&minor=a&endyear=08&format=W&linespg=60&charsln=120&selsumm=sd&key=all&sequence=descending+fte_pay Computer Browser : 10/20/2008 The Good Ole Boy at it's best in the Sisd. Why do we continue to hire Plyler Construction who hires outside Sherman contractors. Is it not conflict of interest when David Plyler's wife is employed by Sisd head of Technology. I'm not opposed to supplying a vehicle to Mr. Hambrick but, I do have a problem with a 40,000 plus vehicle not even sporting Sisd logos. Why do we continue to allow Sisd staff take vehicles home? Can they not do their job in a school vehicle and drive a private vehicle home. Why would we remodel an already outdated high school, why would we remodel a stadium that's way past time to demolish it. Why did we pass a 77 million dollar tax bond in 2005 and the school board and administrators not use the funds the way they promised to use it. It's not only time for CHANGE IN OUR COUNTRY BUT IT IS TIME FOR CHANGE IN OUR SCHOOL BOARD AND SUPT. AL HAMBRICK you've got to be kidding me : 10/20/2008 If you think the "Good Ole Boy System" doesn't exist in the SISD you must be living under a rock. Watch Taxpayers Dollars : 10/20/2008 I will bet any amount of money that Sue Frazier will be board president again this spring. We in Sherman deserve every thing that we get. Term Limits : 10/20/2008 How many band people have been added since Hutto left? Curious : 10/20/2008 Al Hambrick is a good man nobody denies that. However the job is just more than he is capable of and there is no shame in admitting that. You can say what you want but this district is on a downhill spin until he and Burton are gone. I am sure he would be able to find a better job elsewhere and Burton has proven that he can mess it up anywhere. As far as woring hard that is not always working smarter and nowdays you have to work smarter or those people digging ditches would make the most money. Nobody is trying to say that Hambrick makes to much even though it is alot more than the board was willing to pay Dr. Hutto who did an excellent job but refused to do what Sue Frazier wanted . So you see the ultimate problem is with the board and people will have to wait and see how they handle this crisis. I am sure that Mrs. Whitfield wanted more than the reported 1.8 million in cuts so that she and the board could make sure that their agendas weren't compromised as in the long run Hambrick is history and they might not get a Superientendt that will do their bidding as Hambrick has done. One more thing along with the big bucks comes big responsibility so since we are on a fast track down do you think Hambrick will resign as he is the one ultimately responsible (ie. Big bucks). I am interested to see how hambrick and Burton will spin this. This rollback was not about the money as it should have been but a vote of no confidence in the current administration any one that thinks otherwise is just kidding themselves. Sherman 2 to 1 against Denison 2 to 1 for. Observer : 10/20/2008 Reading all the comments makes me very sad indeed. While all the finger pointing is going on, it is our children that will suffer in the long run. Concerned for my child : 10/20/2008 How dare you say "shame on you teacher" Our teachers are the most dedicated professionals around. The pay difference between Sherman and 10 miles south is $10,000 and that’s well worth the cost in gas. I grew up in the district and now teach in the district that has giving me so much. We do it for the kids. We are not being greedy by getting raises. Dr. Hambrick is a great guy who is trying to unify the school board, C/O, teachers, and know it alls. If people quit fighting him on stuff he could do his job. He is a GREAT Super. Get rid of him if you want and the district can’t afford another one. Have you seen how much other supers. get paid? Teacher : 10/20/2008 Dear teacher: Shame on you! You know very well that within the last five years, that SISD teachers have received nearly 20% raises on average. If a total of 20% worth of raises are not enough for you then go to another district and spend $4 a gallon on gas getting there!!! Finally, Hambrick makes more money than you because he has more responsibilities than you. If you want CEO pay, then go after your aspirations and quit complaining and whining. SISD Observer : 10/20/2008 To Publicola: I agree with you completely that the problem is much deeper than the failure of a rollback election and that the Herald-Democrat should investigate it further (unlikely) as a real community service. It is totally a lack of trust from the community and that comes from the good 'ol boy system, a self-serving board and administration, misuse (or at least unwise use) of funds, etc. As far as your comment about the teachers having to worry if they will be employed by the district next year, that is something we all have to worry about including teachers from other districts. As I have said many, many times before now, times are tight and things are tough all over for everyone. Just wait until B. Hussein Obama gets in office and it will be even worse. I would like to ask though, why are the classrooms so overcrowded when we just passed a $77 million dollar bond for new facilities a short while back? Were these funds not properly utilized or has there been an influx of new students into the Sherman ISD? Also, to the person who said we shouldn't compare Sherman ISD to TCS, I agree 100% - there is NO comparison! Rich parents have nothing to do with it other than maybe send a higher-caliber student to them to work with. Again, they do more on MUCH less!! Shermanite : 10/20/2008 I agree with Hambrick, the administration and board should look at cuts in the central office. The superintendent’s salary in Sherman has increased from around $120k in 2005 to over $150k today. This does not include the tens of thousands of dollars worth of hidden perks (vehicle, gasoline, bonus, whatever). Where have the raises been for the teachers? Let’s not forget the growth in the high paid positions in the central office. Quite a bit of room right there! Speaking of central office cuts, can anyone tell me what Burton does or what he was hired to do? Everyone knows that he was only hired because his mother was on the board. He was run out of every place he’s been. I’ve worked with some poor administrators over the years and he is definitely on the list. teacher : 10/19/2008 He needs to use that Yukon for ISD business then. He needs not go to Commerce to watch his son play basketball. Also there are some vehicles I see throughout the city on weekends driving around. I think that everyone believes that this going to be resolved and everything will go back to normal, but if something drastically doesn't change on King Street then nothing is going to change throughout the campuses. Except maybe job cuts and that would affect the education that our children would receive. Al Hambrick is a great man of integrity, he is a very hard worker and has been in the district for decades, but if he is not getting things done right then we need to find someone that can. He is a great man of honor, but I just believe that he has to many close relationship's with individuals in the area that make it hard to change. : 10/19/2008 Why aren't the Herald-Democrat, KTEN, KXII, and any other credible, local news outlet scouring through the financial records of SISD? Where is the real journalism that brings to light the genuine issues behind people’s inability to trust SISD with more of their money? I'm predicting a "natural attrition" as Dr. Al Hambrick put it. The natural attrition will occur when good teachers, with marketable skills in the private sector, leave SISD for jobs that are both monetarily and emotionally fulfilling. I wouldn’t blame a single one. Now, not only do they have to deal with overcrowded classrooms, ignorant parents, despotic central office staff, and educational programs that keep them from being able to teach effectively, they have to worry if they will be employed by this school district next year. These teachers are professionals with college degrees who could do much, much better in the private sector than the pittance teachers are paid. This rollback election and the animosity surrounding it are symptoms of a much bigger disease – the disease of mistrust in our school officials. Kudos to you, Herald-Democrat, for telling me how the Whitesboro Peanut Festival went off without a hitch this weekend. Now, how about some real analysis and substantive reporting on one of the biggest problems facing this community? Publicola : 10/19/2008 I think that athletics, band and other activities aren't the problem. I believe as Hambrick said himself. The fluff is the problem. That 2008 Yukon, 13% raise, that Asst. Super is definately fluff. That is a start and then maybe some of the luxries for the sake of the districts could be cut out. Such as someone mentioned A/C and teachers not staying till 8 PM. I know many teachers and other staff postions at the ISD and I think basically that everyone is tired of the head positions at the district. We are a town of considerable size and we run our district like a good ol boy outfit. For the band I think that it is disappointing that we have a band that has been the to all these competitions and placed very well but are quite throughout the games. I mean most if not all the 2 quarter they are getting prepared for halftime then the 3rd quarter there running around free then show up for the 4th quarter to play a couple of songs then pack the 57' truck to go home. If you notice there are about 5 people walking around with director shirts. That could be fluff. We are always great sounding, but we hardly play. I think that we can cut alot of fluff if that what he wants to call it. I bet the 2008 Yukon is nice to be driving when gas is $3.50 a gallon and when he didn't have to fill up that European Luxury Car. Be a good steward with the districts money. : 10/19/2008 You know what's funny? All those kids that go to TCS, probably more than half their parents went to Sherman schools and it's not good enough for their kids. : 10/19/2008 You all need to get off the yukon thing. He was already getting a car allowance and gave that up for the yokon. It just looked bad because of the timing of the whole thing. Stop making it personal. He's a good guy. Trying his best. He works really hard for SISD. SISD supporter : 10/19/2008 Part of the reason the band takes 3rd quarter off is to eat. You may not know it but the kids get out of school at 3 and have to be on the field at 4 at the stadium. They practice, get dresses, and get in the stands and that leaves no time for food. Also at many of the out of town games I have attended a lot of the home bands take the 3rd quarter off as well it's not just us. Believe it or not being in band isn't as easy as you might think. Band Mom : 10/19/2008 TCS and SISD should in no way be compared. If parents have the money to send their kids to TCS, then the parents are probably educated and also able to send their kids to college. Yes, wealthy students attend SISD, also, but there are a lot of socio-economic kids whose parents can barely afford to feed them much less help educate or send them to college. To Shermanite : 10/19/2008 When you eliminate block scheduling especially at Piner you will save a lot of money but the trade off is going to be lower scores it is the one thing that we have done over the years that has worked. We should have never been in this position and I for one blame Dr. Hambrick and Lynn Burton it has been their call all along and they should have enough integrity to resign for good of the district and the children and parents that we serve. Neither one of them has a clue to running a school district and if someone had checked on Burton instead of just hiring him they would have seen this. However, since it has gotten this far the School Board will have to accept responsibility and be held accountable to parents and taxpayers. It is a shame that we can,t vote for an entire new board this spring as the two up for reelection are not the ones that need to go but that is life and I doubt that any thing will change. LL : 10/19/2008 Is there any way people can have a recall election on school board members? Confused : 10/19/2008 When is the Herald Democrat going to publish the local schools AYP ratings? Waiting : 10/19/2008 I would like to appeal to the board not to hire anyone else from Odessa as we cannot afford another Burton or Wright moneywise or emotionally. CO : 10/19/2008 What about that 13% raise for the superintendent and also that new custom GMC Yukon. I Voted NO : 10/19/2008 By the way, two more points: frst, nothing is sitting in Austin "frozen". What a stupid statement. That's like not giving your spoiled rotten kid $100 when he asks for it and then say that $100 is sitting "frozen" in dad's wallet. Secondly, look at TCS and what they do. They are private and get a LOT less money than our public schools but look at the success rate of their kids, look at how many go to college and make it without a problem. They have a MUCH higher quality of education than any of the local public schools and the teachers MAKE SIGNIFICANTLY LESS than do Sherman teachers so please explain how they do it? Also, they were state champs in both boys and girls basketball this last year so athletics is obviously not neglected. The difference you ask? They have their priorities rights and spend their funds frugally and wisely. Sherman ISD (and other schools) could try that if they wanted to but they don't because it's just too easy to "get more" from the tax payers (normally). Teachers need to quit complaining and follow suit with TCS and parents need to quit complaining or - if they want to throw money at the problem - then send their kids to TCS and shut up!! Shermanite : 10/19/2008 Please people - give me a break! It's EVERYBODY'S FAULT except the schools, right? It's the state's fault, the tax payer's fault, etc... Yes - the state matches our tax dollars and that generates more money for the schools and that is true but, where does it stop? Many people voted yes for the 77 million dollar bond (obviously enough to pass it) so do NOT give me the bull about Sherman tax payers being cheap or not caring about the kids!!! Also, please tell me exactly what they got for their money? Did the teacher's get nice raises then? Wake up and understand that this is NOT about people's willingness to pitch in and help out. It's about wanting to see our tax dollar spent wisely (which we have not seen lately). People will NOT give money (especially in these tight times) just to watch it squandered. The pitch about "we were going to give the poor teachers a nice raise" is a total load of BS and no one but these liberal idiots out there are buying it......hence, the "NO" vote!! Cutting just one useless asst. superintendent would probably give 150 teachers a $500-$600 raise! If Sherman ISD will wake up and start cutting costs and doing a few things right like the rest of us have to do, they may generate a whole new positive attitude from their tax payers! Shermanite : 10/19/2008 I just hope this whole thing doesn't turn into a Dallas ISD situation. Just Saying : 10/18/2008 To SISD Parent, 10/17, I don't know how you missed the fact that SISD was havig the tax ratification election. It was in the Herald Democrat (numerous times) on KXII and KTEN, and SISD sent flyers home with every student in every school. I'm sure many people are just too busy between work and home, but other than knocking on every door in Sherman I believe all that could be done was done to notify the public of this election. Shermanite : 10/18/2008 Lets keep CSCOPE and do away with block scheduling that is a wise use of funds and I am sure scores will go up like Mr. Burton has assured us. BB : 10/18/2008 How come our band doesn't play in the third quarter of the football games? I think they only played 3 songs Friday in the 4th quarter. Everybody elses band plays K : 10/18/2008 I am sure all cuts will be what whitfield Frazier and Hendricks want and by the way who are the other board members? WF : 10/18/2008 I'm glad they mentioned the curriculum coordinators as an area they're looking at--they're "far" from the students and don't provide a lot of "value" to the students' education. However, you'll notice, no mention of considering any other C/O positions. Hambrick says he's trimmed all of the fat at C/O, but that's not true! Where's the "value" provided to the students by Burton?? C-SCOPE, the program every teacher and parent is complaining about? The program he dumped on teachers' laps right before school? The company Burton has direct associations with? How many thousands are we spending on C-SCOPE this year? What about INOVA? Those pretty little print-outs for each child that will sit in a filing cabinet unutilitzed and wasted. All I see is fat that could be trimmed. Trim the REAL fat before you even CONSIDER cutting staff and faculty at the campuses. Be responsible, SISD! Make SISD Fat-Free : 10/18/2008 Can someone explain to me how SISD has ended up in this MESS? A couple of years ago we were at the top and now look at us. What is going on? I know that the rollback not passing hurt but other districts in which it failed seem to be having to watch their money and maybe delay some things however we seem to have to cut and slash programs and jobs. What is going on? Confused : 10/18/2008 Is Dr. Hambrick still getting the use of a gas guzzling vehicle for his personal use? Looks like he would show some leadership and return it and maybe set an example for the rest of the district. I understand that the Dallas Superintendent gave back some of his salary. Salaries at the Central Office are probably not out of line with other schools but if cuts need to be made these people are not in the classroom with students so makes sense to me to make most cuts there. Slasher : 10/18/2008 Things are not going to get better to start to heal until we have a different board and leadership at the central office. That is just the way it is. Need to start over : 10/18/2008 The first cut to be made should be Lynn Burton can anybody out there name me one just one postive thing he has brought to this District other than a Gestapo like atmosphere? He is 99.9% universally despised and disliked . But keeping on the subject his salary would be a great way to start. Since it was his idea for Cscope why do we need him as that is his job responsibility JO : 10/18/2008 the blam lies have with the state b/c they have locked SISD into a 2006 budget. The taxes on this new homes and business' goes straight to Austin. SISD does not see a penny. SISD parent : 10/18/2008 I guess that we are no different than the Dallas School District except smaller numbers and dufferent names. Observer : 10/18/2008 Here we go-- Kate Whitfield wants budget cuts of more tha n 1.8 million so that she and Sue Whitfield can make sure that there agendas are not compromised. How many band people do we have? For gosh sakes we are the only band that never plays in the third quarter of football games so we don't need all fo the additional band people hired. It looks like the big three are going to run the show again. WHF Tired : 10/18/2008 By voting no on the rollback election the people said we are tired of the inept administration and lack of leadership by the board. Throwing good money after bad never helped anything. People keep talking about turning down state money remember - it would have still cost us $2 locally for every $1 from the state. teacher : 10/18/2008 Okay, so Hambrick says we cannot afford "fluff". What is fluff? Maybe we taxpayers need not be paying for his 2008 GMC Yukon that does not have exempt plates or any Sherman ISD logos placed on the vehicle for all to see just who is paying for his luxury. Wouldn't "fluff" be leather seats, sunroof, navigation system, back-up camera, 20-inch alloy wheels, and a price tag that exceeds $40K? What is wrong with this picture, people? Perhaps we need to start cutting "fluff" beginning with Mr. Hambrick himself! : 10/17/2008 Hey 65, Those 30 year old bathrooms and concessions were an embarasment. Maybe some day they'll fix up those dressing rooms at the Stadium that are an embarassment. By the way that stadium is over 65 years old. I think they got their moneys worth out of that one. Maybe next time they should ask for 15 or 20 million to build a new stadium and other athletic facilities. Bearcat fan : 10/17/2008 Balance the budget: 1. Drop 7th grade athletics, let those kids play another year of youth sports. 2. Cut off the HVAC @ 5pm. Make all teachers and staff leave. a Lot of them stay at school until well after 8 pm. 3. Remove all Refrigerators, Microwaves, Coffee Makers etc.. from classrooms thats gotta save thousands in electricity. 4. get rid of six curriclam coordinators and their secretarys. 5.Block scheduling (Saves on staf) f6. Get rid of all teachers aides except those associated with kids with special needs. 7. Get out of the daycare business those programs are not fully funded. ( head start and early head start) 8. Stop letting people use facilities for free. That's a good start! : 10/17/2008 Hey outraged what did you do in school? Anything besides go to school? Didn't think so outraged at people like outraged : 10/17/2008 They aren't gonna cut athletics, so forget that. they need to cut all the dead weight at Central Office.. We don't need all those people. employee : 10/17/2008 To SISD Parent Who has not attended any meetings. Through out the whole roll back election process not one person bothered to show up and voice any concerns or ask questions with the school board and superintendant. I'tll be interesting to see if anyone bothers to show up now that there'll have to be cuts made to staff and programs. All those who voted No will be the first in line when programs of interest to them will be cut back or eliminated or staff will be cut back or eliminated. sisd parent : 10/17/2008 All those extracuriculars Band, Athletics, Theater, Art, Debate They help kids bcome well rounded people, They should get all kids involved in something. parent : 10/17/2008 How much of the budget is spent on band, choir, theater, strings, all the arts stuff? That don't generate any money. SISD Parent : 10/17/2008 If your gonna cut in athletics then you gotta cut in all extra curriculars Band (Cash Cow ) strings, art choir, theater, drill team, debate, the list goes on and on. some moron's just picking on athletics, but it does generate money that goes back into the general fund. Where does the thousands of dollars a year that the concessions generate for the band go? And how about that big brash band trailor that the band boosters bought( with out asking anyone from the SISD) and stuck the school district with ? They have to go the Metroplex to lease a truck to pull it with. If your gonna remove the fluff remove it all, not just the parts that don't fit the admin and school baords personal agendas. SISD Parent : 10/17/2008 Ok those of you that feel athletics should be cut yes including band and guard should really be more informed. These days in order to get into a good college you MUST have the athletics or at the very least an extracurricular activity ALONG with good grades or you don't stand a chance of getting in. If you can't prove to the college that you can have good grades and do other things your chance of getting in is almost nothing. This stuff is very important to these kids. I pay 400.00 every year and more for my child to be in these activities so if they are cut I will be furious and possibly find a new district for my kids to attend school!! I also agree...how was the general public notified of what they were voting for??? I would have had NO idea if it hadn't been for a school function where they told us about it. Mary : 10/17/2008 And by voting no in the rollback election, the people turned down matching state funds that would have helped wipe out the deficit. Now, that money sits in Austin frozen. It's all connected : 10/17/2008 "The blame lies with the state for not funding our schools." Please explain to me where the state gets the money to send to the schools. I believe that is tax dollars you are referring to, and we the tax payers foot the bill for the state funding. As to where to make cuts, I am sure there are several administrative positions at the Administrative building which could be eliminated. Start by cutting one or two of the assistant superintendents. Youo can then go to the schools and consolidate the assistant principle and counselor positions. to disagree with Outraged, athletics is not the problem. It may be portion of it, but not the whole thing. I am curious how eliminating block scheduling will cut a large amount since the students are required to sattend so many days per year. Mr. Hambrick and Mr. Barnett have a lot of work to do. Frustrated Tax Payer : 10/17/2008 I think it is ridiculous that Sherman ISD is facing this. Maybe now they will realize that it is time to start watching the expenses of all activities. I have lived in Sherman for 48 years and I have seen in the last 7-8 years them get clumsy with the money. I am over 65 and voted no to the rollback election. I voted yes 3 years ago to the 77 million bond that was supposed to build new schools and update others. They built 2 new schools and totally rebuilt another but there was so much more to the bond. I forgot sorry, they built those sorry concession stands and restrooms at the outdated by 30 years football stadium. I have attended school board meeting in the past and I don't believe they know what to do. So until things change at the top positions of the district nothing is going to change. : 10/17/2008 Athletics budget doesn't seem like a small amount to me. My goodness that is more than 1/60th of our total budget. hmmm : 10/17/2008 Although I have not attended any of the meetings, my concern is educating the public. Quite honestly if my child had not started school this year, I would not have known about the tax ratification. I did not hear anything on the news or in the papers until 2 days prior to the election date. So how informed is the general public on this situation. Are they aware that since this did not pass that now the schools are faced with a larger deficit and possible layoffs of what I feel in much needed employees. Our schools take a big enough hit as it is, we don't need to start loosing personel and possible having to increase the student/teacher ratios. I'm sorry, but I know there are some people out there that need to have it spelled out for them. They need to know exactly what is going on and how IT WILL affect our schools and community. SISD parent : 10/17/2008 It's not athletics. My kids transferred from a different school district were they took pride in their Athletic department. It’s obvious the Sherman’s athletic department has been neglected. The coaches get paid the least out of any of the surrounding districts and their uniforms are the cheapest. According to some athletic parents someone at the central office would love if the program didn’t exist. The blam lies with the state for not funding our schools. Sherman parent : 10/17/2008 Dear Outraged: The athletic amount stated in the story includes all UIL events including band events. That is not just for athletics. You really should attend the board meetings, ask questions, look at the budget before pointing the finger. SISD supporter : 10/17/2008 Does the athletic budget include an allocation of electricity, water, gas, maintenance, insurance, medical, travel, supplies, equipment The list goes on and on. Your schools financial system is hemorraging and the culprit is ATHLETICS. Outraged
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