Comments on: Ramona schools in world of hurt http://www.ramonasentinel.com/2012/10/21/ramona-schools-in-world-of-hurt/ Ramona's Community Paper Since 1886 Sun, 19 May 2013 23:57:25 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.3 By: Joe Minervini http://www.ramonasentinel.com/2012/10/21/ramona-schools-in-world-of-hurt/#comment-468164 Joe Minervini Mon, 29 Oct 2012 16:02:08 +0000 http://www.ramonasentinel.com/?p=18415#comment-468164 Did anyone notice the text in the box on the Ballot for Prop R...it does not say anyuthing about Fiscal Impact nor does it mention the obvious, Property Taxes Will Increase ! Also, doesn't half of the $66 million for R go towards retiring/refinancing debt for that new school on boundary that never should've been built ? Lastly, as far as the State and their resultant decrease in funding schools is concerned, the Ramona School Board should've seen their fiscal problems coming down the road years ago. NO on R and any other State Props that increase taxes. Joe Minervini, I'm in the phone book. Did anyone notice the text in the box on the Ballot for Prop R…it does not say anyuthing about Fiscal Impact nor does it mention the obvious, Property Taxes Will Increase !
Also, doesn't half of the $66 million for R go towards retiring/refinancing debt for that new school on boundary that never should've been built ? Lastly, as far as the State and their resultant decrease in funding schools is concerned, the Ramona School Board should've seen their fiscal problems coming down the road years ago. NO on R and any other State Props that increase taxes.
Joe Minervini, I'm in the phone book.

]]> By: big bird http://www.ramonasentinel.com/2012/10/21/ramona-schools-in-world-of-hurt/#comment-467122 big bird Mon, 29 Oct 2012 01:36:46 +0000 http://www.ramonasentinel.com/?p=18415#comment-467122 According the the Union Tribune Watchdog, Superintendent Robert Graeff received a 13.4% raise over the past two years. He has a staff of three assistant superintendents. <a href="http://media.utsandiego.com/news/documents/2012/10/26/Superintendent_Compensation_Survey.pdf" rel="nofollow">http://media.utsandiego.com/news/documents/2012/1...</a> According the the Union Tribune Watchdog, Superintendent Robert Graeff received a 13.4% raise over the past two years. He has a staff of three assistant superintendents.
http://media.utsandiego.com/news/documents/2012/1...

]]> By: Kris http://www.ramonasentinel.com/2012/10/21/ramona-schools-in-world-of-hurt/#comment-466718 Kris Sun, 28 Oct 2012 19:57:59 +0000 http://www.ramonasentinel.com/?p=18415#comment-466718 Actually, only the teachers bargaining unit has not taken one step toward alleviating the problem. Both management and the classified unit (groundskeepers, bus drivers, custodians, clerical, aides, campus security, etc.) took 3 unpaid furlough days last school year in anticipation of this financial crisis and have agreed to pay concessions for this current school year. The classified unit is taking 9.5% cut in pay this year alone. The lowest paid employees in the district. The State has cutting revenue to all districts and declining enrollment have both had a severe effect on this district: they are receiving $12 million less than 5 years ago. Our buildings are aging and our children attend them. If Prop R fails to pass, our facilities will be negatively impacted. How does this help our children or our town? When our schools fail, it is a black mark on our town - who will want to live here or move here? Seriously, this will impact our whole town, not just the education our children get. While I agree that we need sound fiscal management, we also need to take of our own. Those folks in Sacramento are not looking out for Ramona, so we must. This is our town, our schools and our children. Actually, only the teachers bargaining unit has not taken one step toward alleviating the problem. Both management and the classified unit (groundskeepers, bus drivers, custodians, clerical, aides, campus security, etc.) took 3 unpaid furlough days last school year in anticipation of this financial crisis and have agreed to pay concessions for this current school year. The classified unit is taking 9.5% cut in pay this year alone. The lowest paid employees in the district.
The State has cutting revenue to all districts and declining enrollment have both had a severe effect on this district: they are receiving $12 million less than 5 years ago. Our buildings are aging and our children attend them. If Prop R fails to pass, our facilities will be negatively impacted. How does this help our children or our town? When our schools fail, it is a black mark on our town – who will want to live here or move here? Seriously, this will impact our whole town, not just the education our children get.
While I agree that we need sound fiscal management, we also need to take of our own. Those folks in Sacramento are not looking out for Ramona, so we must. This is our town, our schools and our children.

]]> By: Guest http://www.ramonasentinel.com/2012/10/21/ramona-schools-in-world-of-hurt/#comment-466573 Guest Sun, 28 Oct 2012 17:58:47 +0000 http://www.ramonasentinel.com/?p=18415#comment-466573 Such a great idea! I had a similar thought. I feel that so many people are having such a tough time in this economy, that asking for ANY more money at this time is just the "straw that broke the came's back". However, most people can find a little extra time to give. Nearly everyone has a skill and maybe if they were allowed to "advertise" that fact, with banners, signs or business cards, they might be very willing to offer up their time! Such a great idea! I had a similar thought. I feel that so many people are having such a tough time in this economy, that asking for ANY more money at this time is just the "straw that broke the came's back". However, most people can find a little extra time to give. Nearly everyone has a skill and maybe if they were allowed to "advertise" that fact, with banners, signs or business cards, they might be very willing to offer up their time!

]]> By: john bourdeau http://www.ramonasentinel.com/2012/10/21/ramona-schools-in-world-of-hurt/#comment-465572 john bourdeau Sun, 28 Oct 2012 03:40:02 +0000 http://www.ramonasentinel.com/?p=18415#comment-465572 NO on R,,,save the tax payers money on this high tax,,,the country is in DEBT,,liv within your means like the rest of US,,,NO on R !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NO on R,,,save the tax payers money on this high tax,,,the country is in DEBT,,liv within your means like the rest of US,,,NO on R !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

]]> By: Concerned http://www.ramonasentinel.com/2012/10/21/ramona-schools-in-world-of-hurt/#comment-465321 Concerned Sun, 28 Oct 2012 00:06:05 +0000 http://www.ramonasentinel.com/?p=18415#comment-465321 I absolutely 100% agree that the schools in Ramona are in desperate need of improvement/repair/modernization. But, I hear all sorts of "cuts" and compromise being asked of the teachers, and now the community...., yet hear nothing about the top of the food chain. Has the superintendant/assistants/head office made any compromise? Have they taken any pay cuts or experienced job eliminations? I see the backbone crew of the schools (grounds keepers, janitors, food service.... all the lower income positions) taking heavy cuts at every turn. These cuts have minimal impact to the budget yet major impact to the day to day operation/preservation of our schools. Do the math. If the heavy end of the scale took cuts or were thinned out there would be more money... money for teachers, money for repairs, money for the classrooms, etc. So.. If the annual budget cannot be managed effectively, how can anyone assume $66 million (?) will be managed any better. I have to agree with "Just-A-Thought".... TRUST would swing my vote too. I absolutely 100% agree that the schools in Ramona are in desperate need of improvement/repair/modernization. But, I hear all sorts of "cuts" and compromise being asked of the teachers, and now the community…., yet hear nothing about the top of the food chain. Has the superintendant/assistants/head office made any compromise? Have they taken any pay cuts or experienced job eliminations? I see the backbone crew of the schools (grounds keepers, janitors, food service…. all the lower income positions) taking heavy cuts at every turn. These cuts have minimal impact to the budget yet major impact to the day to day operation/preservation of our schools. Do the math. If the heavy end of the scale took cuts or were thinned out there would be more money… money for teachers, money for repairs, money for the classrooms, etc.

So.. If the annual budget cannot be managed effectively, how can anyone assume $66 million (?) will be managed any better. I have to agree with "Just-A-Thought"…. TRUST would swing my vote too.

]]> By: Fed up http://www.ramonasentinel.com/2012/10/21/ramona-schools-in-world-of-hurt/#comment-465085 Fed up Sat, 27 Oct 2012 20:34:53 +0000 http://www.ramonasentinel.com/?p=18415#comment-465085 I remember a similar prop on the ballot a while back - money needed to re-roof Ramona High School. The ballot passed, and the money was spent on bleachers for the football field. Yup. The school district then came back the next time around for money...umm...no. Why not get local contractors together to do a sort of barn-raising day to do repairs? Pay what it actually costs, rather than padded, bloated bids? The district is not to be trusted with more and more money. I remember a similar prop on the ballot a while back – money needed to re-roof Ramona High School. The ballot passed, and the money was spent on bleachers for the football field. Yup. The school district then came back the next time around for money…umm…no. Why not get local contractors together to do a sort of barn-raising day to do repairs? Pay what it actually costs, rather than padded, bloated bids? The district is not to be trusted with more and more money.

]]> By: Just-A-Thought http://www.ramonasentinel.com/2012/10/21/ramona-schools-in-world-of-hurt/#comment-462056 Just-A-Thought Fri, 26 Oct 2012 05:11:34 +0000 http://www.ramonasentinel.com/?p=18415#comment-462056 I will answer the question "what would it take for you to sacrifice just a bit?" - Trust, trust that both the school board and the teacher's union have the best interest of students and Ramona as a whole. While I believe that our schools need this money, I don't trust that the school board can manage it properly or that the teacher's union won't use it as a reason to ask for more money. I don't trust that a school district that built a brick and mortar school for home school students while letting RHS rot, has the best interest of our students or Ramona. I don't trust our bloated superintendent/school board with my money - yes, my money. This groups should be good stewards for our tax dollars, and they are not. People who vote "No" on this prop are not against our schools, they are staunchly for our schools. We just don't trust the administration or board to manage it. I will answer the question "what would it take for you to sacrifice just a bit?" – Trust, trust that both the school board and the teacher's union have the best interest of students and Ramona as a whole. While I believe that our schools need this money, I don't trust that the school board can manage it properly or that the teacher's union won't use it as a reason to ask for more money. I don't trust that a school district that built a brick and mortar school for home school students while letting RHS rot, has the best interest of our students or Ramona. I don't trust our bloated superintendent/school board with my money – yes, my money. This groups should be good stewards for our tax dollars, and they are not. People who vote "No" on this prop are not against our schools, they are staunchly for our schools. We just don't trust the administration or board to manage it.

]]> By: Maria Arroyo http://www.ramonasentinel.com/2012/10/21/ramona-schools-in-world-of-hurt/#comment-461991 Maria Arroyo Fri, 26 Oct 2012 04:11:29 +0000 http://www.ramonasentinel.com/?p=18415#comment-461991 Although I never support tax increases (and I'm NOT voting for any tax proposals on the state ballot), I'm supporting Prop. R. I've researched this bill and the money raised by Prop. R stays in Ramona to improve the facilities for our children and grandchildren. This money will NOT go to Sacramento where it could be misdirected or wasted. I'm retired but I am willing to pay a little to help our future generations attend school in clean, safe facilities in Ramona. Hon. Maria Arroyo (ret) Although I never support tax increases (and I'm NOT voting for any tax proposals on the state ballot), I'm supporting Prop. R. I've researched this bill and the money raised by Prop. R stays in Ramona to improve the facilities for our children and grandchildren. This money will NOT go to Sacramento where it could be misdirected or wasted. I'm retired but I am willing to pay a little to help our future generations attend school in clean, safe facilities in Ramona.
Hon. Maria Arroyo (ret)

]]> By: solar1 http://www.ramonasentinel.com/2012/10/21/ramona-schools-in-world-of-hurt/#comment-461743 solar1 Fri, 26 Oct 2012 00:11:15 +0000 http://www.ramonasentinel.com/?p=18415#comment-461743 I am tired of just a bit. Water rates up, $150 fire fee, sales tax increase and the list goes on and on. Keep throwing money at it will not fix the problem. No on prop 30 and Prop R. I am tired of just a bit. Water rates up, $150 fire fee, sales tax increase and the list goes on and on. Keep throwing money at it will not fix the problem. No on prop 30 and Prop R.

]]>