By Sharon

May 1, 2007 8:27 PM | Link to this

Lisa, I’m going to guess you no longer work for DPS. I vehemently disagree with your statement that there are that many incompetent teachers. I admit there are some, as in any other profession, but I have not seen a large number in the 28 years I have taught in Dayton. My real concern regarding your post is that you seem to think DPS administration is not really going to lay off all those teachers and administrators. You obviously have not been in DPS a long time because they have done it before. Once I was caught in it and several times since I have witnessed it. It is not a pretty sight when they lay off 400 teachers and all the assistant principals. I’m not saying they will definitely do it, but I’d bet my money on it. As in any other large institution there is waste in the administration. I think,hope, that with the research that Scott did and published recently that the board will do some serious examination of the reported excesses and do some trimming in the administration.

By Here we again!

May 1, 2007 7:31 PM | Link to this

Concerning Lisa’s comment: An $8,000 increase in salary due to relocation is great. If I, as a DPS teacher, decided to relocate, I would receive a similar increase. However, to say that teachers are being ridiculous in their complaint about their salaries is a bit much. Considering that you really don’t know how teachers are spending their own personal funds to promote learning in their classrooms and, in some cases, meeting the basic needs of their students (e.g., food, winter coats, gloves, scrafs, baby clothes, etc.). Not all teachers elect to go to Goodwill because it’s cheap. At my school, many of the teacher purchase their own copier paper, printers, toners, educational materials and supplies for their classroom and even their students. They are not reimbursed. Many of the science teachers also purchase all of their lab equipment and supplies, which can be costly. Many DPS teachers also purchase their own TV and DVD/VCR equipment. As for statement about the Union, the DEA about protecting teachers’ rights and making sure school districts, such as Dayton and others, abide by the terms of the teachers’ contract. This is has nothing to do with being a good teacher or a bad teacher. You never know when you may be subjected to a false accusation by a student or fellow teacher or when you may need extra sick days due to a severe illness. Many of the retired teachers are asked by Dayton administration to come back. Some retirees continue to volunteer in the system. I, for one, love having a seasoned teacher around from which to glean knowledge. Lisa, if you are so dissatified with Dayton and its school administration, consider applying to another district where you feel they are doing the right thing.

By Buford

April 30, 2007 12:24 PM | Link to this

We’re turning the corner and headed for the final stretch. I would suspect most, informed, people have decided their stance on this proposed property tax levy for school funding. For a number of DPS educators or employees, they would likely come down in favor of the levy - and for a variety of reasons: job security for some; potential increase in pay for others; a committed belief from some that more funding would translate into a better product out of the classroom; some could believe more money could/somehow impact student homelife, parental involvement and interest. The listing could continue and grow according to folks contacted and asked. Some will vote, perhaps as part of the estimated 10,000 parental figures identified by DPS as non-registered voters. Though a reasonable percentage of that 10,000 may not have taken interest in community, State, or Federal affairs in the past - now a percentage of the newly-registered will appear and exercise their right to have a say ON DPS future. They will appear because their kids/grandkids (all DPS students) brought home voting/registration packets and made those adults aware DPS needed money to avoid elimination of classes, activities, and the cutting of a hefty number of DPS educators from the payroll. Some will cast their vote absentee because it is even more convenient at the time - courtesy of the absentee voting forms and information provided by DPS volunteers. Some DPS educators will NOT vote for the levy, because they have been in the system, live in Dayton, and just are not convinced more money would change the core problems appearing daily in the classroom. Some DPS educators will NOT vote on this levy because they do not live in Dayton and therefore cannot. Other Dayton voters will vote largely due to potential personal or financial impact. If they are renting and on public assistance, in units of DMHA or private rentals- they can vote easily FOR the levy because by law it will cost them nothing if it passes. If they are renting from private sources or management companies, they may still vote FOR the levy - betting that their rent would not be raised by the “landlord.” Especially, they might vote for a levy is they have kids in the DPS system and the experience has been good, so far. The Dayton property owners will likely fall mainly against the levy (unless they have DPS students) - because they realize this is a potential triple-whammy year that could make a big dent in pocket books and wallets. Property owners know their property right now is being reassessed by Montgomery County Auditors Office (and which will most certainly raise the valuation of the property and consequential tax base) and there is a Human Services levy renewal and additional already promised for the November election. Some property owners will vote against this levy additionally because they know the current school funding process has been decided as unconstitutional four (4) times over the past ten (10) years by the Ohio Supreme Court - and still those who had or have the power and ability to change the system have refused to do their jobs. Many of these property owners realize, if school levies continue to pass against property values, there will continue to be little incentive for the Governor, Legislators, and top State educators to mandate and effect school funding changes to give relief to property owners.

By lisa

April 30, 2007 5:28 AM | Link to this

I taught in Dayton after moving from the east coast. For the record I made $8,000 more money teaching in Dayton and yet Dayton teachers continually complain about being underpaid. This is ridiculous. Secondly, the teachers union is worthless, all they do is protect the worst teachers (this is a large number of teachers) The answer to Dayton’s problem is not a Levy, the answer is better management of the money they get. Look at the salaries of the administrators in the central office of DPS and you’ll see where all the tax money goes. Also, lets talk about how we voted for the bond isssue and look at how long that money sat in the bank. Have the new schools improved poverty in the community? Have the new schools improved discipline? The answer to all the above is NO!!!! I’m tired of DPS threatening to cut teachers and assistant principals as a scare tactic. They think they have problems now, they aren’t that crazy. Cut the excess spending and the double dipping of those who retire and come back to work for anormous salaries. DPS needs to be held accountable for how they spend our tax dollars. Vote NO!!! Make this school system accountable to the tax payers!!!!!!

By Mary

April 28, 2007 10:02 PM | Link to this

Sharon, for the record, I did not make any comment about the number of secretaries the superintendent has. I remember reading it, but I forget who and under what topic. There has been a lot of traffic lately. I appreciate your calm and candid comments as an insider.

By sharon

April 27, 2007 7:27 PM | Link to this

To all the people worried that the tax monies will really go to the teachers and that teachers are supporting the levy to get the money I can tell you that is not the talk at my school. There are some who are supporting the levy and some who are not. Some feel as you do that there is too much waste and they can’t afford it. Although it might be on their minds, I have not heard one teacher mention a possible raise. That being said, please keep in mind that teachers like anyone else need and deserve at least a cost of living adjustment. Those of us with 20 years seniority or more don’t get step increases. The only time we see our pay go up is with a cost of living adjustment. What I do hear teachers talking about are the layoffs and budget cuts that have already been imposed. I am very concerned that there will be a lot of teacher positions cut and in turn the class sizes will be unmanagable. I get tired of buying so many of the supplies I need to do my job. I, like many of my coworkers, are very irritated by some of the waste we see and the situations Mary has mentioned. We don’t turn a blind eye to it. The only one she has mentioned that I think my be unfair is the one about the number of secretaries that Dr. Mack needs. Five does seem excessive, but I also think 1 is probably unreasonable too. Given the length of time it has been since DPS had a levy, and the “unique” way Ohio funds it’s schools, it seems reasonable to request additional money. I know it is a lot of money for anyone but keep in mind how little the schools actually receive compared to other area districts. I hope people will take the time to really read the articles Scott has coming, do a little research on the subject and make a fair decision.

By Buford

April 26, 2007 11:03 PM | Link to this

Null - I can appreciate your frustration. Do this, if you have the time. On this web site, go to “Message Boards” and then to “Miami Valley Issues”. Scroll down until you get to my posting entitled “Tax Levies and School Funding” from 4/20/07. The posting gives you the web site for the Governor of Ohio and is intended for contact from constituents (and you are most surely a long time constituent). Send an e-mail to the Governor and tell him your taxes are too much, and you need some relief quick. As you can tell from your tax bill - you are already paying more than 50 percent of your taxes in support of the DPS system.

By Buford

April 26, 2007 10:31 PM | Link to this

Mary and “Null” - The current Homestead exemption means test (income) puts many people out of range. Governor Strickland has indeed proposed an expansion of the Homestead Exemption Act - essentially to remove the means test and take $25,000 off the top of the County property assessment for all seniors. The seniors would then be taxed on the reduced valuation of their homes. In the Dayton area, the savings would supposedly be in neighborhood of 30 to 36 percent (if I remember the percentages about right). The funding for this expansion would come from a lump-sum payment in vicinity of anticipated five billion dollars from the Ohio share of the Tobacco settlement. Problem is, if the tobacco settlement were allowed to play out in installments - the final payout would be around 18 billion dollars. So, the decision makers have to decide whether they want to take a severely reduced amount up front and do things with it - or continue with the installment payments. The first use of any lump sum payment is supposedly for school construction. After that, a portion is to be set aside to pay for the homestead exemption expansion for seniors - for a proposed twenty year period. No idea what would be done after the twenty year period was up.

By Mary

April 26, 2007 5:20 PM | Link to this

I wonder if “null” is aware of and qualifies for the “homestead exemption” for retirees on a fixed annual income of $24,000 (or whatever the figure is) and less. I think Governor Strickland is proposing some changes to increase the limit.

By null

April 26, 2007 2:19 PM | Link to this

I am 76,voted since I was 18 for the schools.I have gone thru $50,000 Hospital Bills for my wife.Ins paid two thirds.I need knee surgery, need a new furnace and new roof. I have been trying so saye for these. I have savings for my funeral. Iam on Social Security a limited income. I cannot afford $40.00 or $50.00 a month to pay for the school taxes. I am breaking close to even to pay regular expenses. DPL,VECTREN,Hospital Bill,RE Taxes, Water. I need the Knee Surgery but can’t afford it at this time.So I can’t afford the School Taxes they want. If passed I could loose my property to the Sheriff Sale, This would not be progress. At this time in life I should be enjoying old age, but the situations don’t look like it.

By dps teacher

April 26, 2007 9:10 AM | Link to this

To David: I work in a school that has no paper, including the office. I have personally purchased paper for the office so that we can send out information to the parents. The district has cut all “frivolous expenditures” and we at the building level have been left holding the bag. If is true that the $250 deduction is being cut, it seems odd that would happen right after a Democratic Congress was elected. I thought the Democrats were supported by the unions, especially the NEA. I guess the slash and burn tactics of the anti-Bushies has no limits.

By Mary

April 26, 2007 7:31 AM | Link to this

Buford, the tactic you describe to call for strike after the levy, is one used apparently in a lot of districts. The same thing happened in our suburban district a few years back. As I recall, I had a letter published in the Dayton Daily News that mentioned how quickly the tune had changed from “for the children” to “for the union”. Furthermore, I think the teachers’ unions campaign for the levies principally with their own pockets in mind while shamelessly presenting “for the children” to the public as emotional rhetoric.

By Scott Elliott

April 25, 2007 11:13 PM | Link to this

Charter hater, more coming this Sunday and next. Many of your questions are directly addressed. Again, patience. Breathe. Relax. See you Sunday.

By Charterschool Hater

April 25, 2007 8:19 PM | Link to this

Nice article on Sunday but it did not get to the point of providing any valuable information about whether the Dayton Public Schools are in trouble, and if they are Why? Below are some of the details of the why. We are still waiting for that expose of how our tax dollars are spent. I for one might be inclined to support a levy if I could see that 1) They would spend it wisely, and 2)They really need it to survive. and 3)If funds were wasted, who was brouhgt on the carpet and disciplined for it. Until I am convinces I there is not going to be any support from me a levy because of these and other things 1)so Dr. Mack can have an office staff of five? NOT!! 2) So the paraprofessionals union president can run around town in a board owned van doing a job in no way realted to being a teachers aide. NOT!! 3)So transportation can have 6 supervisors who do very little to supervise. NOT!! 5) So transportation can have 3 routers instead of 1 like other districts NOT!! 6) So they can have 2 dispatchers who both work when school is out instead of laying one or both off during those periods NOT!! 7)So we can continue to throw thousands of dollars down the drain on overtime to the operations staff to maintain a building, Ludlow Street, they never should have bought NOT!!. If any of the accusations above are untrue, then please enlighten me. The public deserves to know of this extravagent waste of our dollars and I seem to be the only one angry about it. Maybe the levy is not needed if they cut out some of these expeses listed above. I really do not know why you are not informing the public Scott. I like you but you are doing a real disservice to the public if you do not inform the readership about the things I have just alluded too. The public needs to know. If I am wrong tell us. We are waiting. In closing, we are in an financial crunch, and as long as these and other extravagent expenses go on, then the Dayton Public Schools seem to not want to cut cut cut!! If this trend continues, then I will vote NO NO NO. Any informed person would too!!

By Buford

April 25, 2007 7:45 PM | Link to this

Deb - For reasons I really don’t want to go into in a public forum, I have been in all the DPS High Schools (except Longfellow) a number of times over an extended period of years. I have seen and heard a lot from teachers, counselors, and the odd principal or so. I DO realize teaching in some of the DPS high schools is a problem for teachers. Fact is, I would not do it - mainly because I do not debate or negotiate with kids in such an environment. So I will leave the schools to you. However, some of we “old-timers” still have long memories and recall, for instance, all the hype given to the voters back in late Fall of 1992. It was “all about” the kids then, too and the Dayton voters said okay. The time line for what happened immediately before and after the voting, is fairly easy to obtain. Suffice it to say that a number of we voters were more than a little miffed when the Teacher’s Union called a strike and then actually went out for 16 days - until a mediator wickered a pay raise agreement between the Union and DPS. We felt sandbagged - and rightfully so. Now this levy is projected against property owners again, despite everyone knowing it IS NOT SUPPOSED to be that way. Just because the Sate Supreme Court wimped out and did not demand an immediate change - does not change their decisions. Ten years now, and people a lot smarter than I - and paid a whole lot more - have sat on their collective thumbs and stared out the window - not doing what we voters pay them for.

By Buford

April 25, 2007 7:25 PM | Link to this

Let me try to put this web site information out here for any who choose to take a look at it. This comes courtesy of “cynicalanddisgusted” who posts every once in a while on the “Miami Valley Issues” section. The web site is an article from last Fall and addresses the question of whether “more money” makes for a better student. The site is: http://dreckless.blogspot.com/2006/09/education-mythology.html

By sharon

April 25, 2007 4:55 PM | Link to this

Mary, Yes I do deduct the $250. from my taxes. As others have said, that barely touches it. Buford, Thanks for the support! The legislators have been told how much teachers spend and that is why we have the $250 deduction. I don’t know if it is true, but I was told that this is the last year it will be offered to us.

By David

April 25, 2007 2:58 PM | Link to this

Sharon spends her own pay on school supplies for students who don’t have parents responsbile for sending their own. Do you think the Central Office has to buy their own copy paper? their own staples and tape? Even the principal’s office-do they buy their own paper and tape? Who has visited the DPS offices to see them bringing in their own paper from Office Depot? After all, who’s more important the other 99% of the time except when there’s a levy…, the highly paid many administrators or the kids in the classroom, when it comes to spending the money people voted for the last times and from the State of Ohio.

By lou

April 25, 2007 1:51 PM | Link to this

Mary, the tax deduction is only for $250.00 dollars. To deduct anymore you have to be able to itemize. Some are not able to itemize.

By deb

April 25, 2007 12:14 PM | Link to this

The maximum tax deduction is $250 - not a lot if you spent $1000 on school supplies for your students. For those of you that think teachers don’t earn their money or deserve that big raise you think they are going to demand if the levy passes - I encourage you to go to a school and spend the entire day there seeing what a day is like. Spend 2 or 3 days. I would encourage you to attend a middle school or a high school where some of the more challenging days can take place.

By Buford

April 25, 2007 9:56 AM | Link to this

Sharon, Just to close the loop. I sent a lengthy e-mail thia morning to Congressman Clayton Luckie, addressing the school funding issue and teachers paying out of pocket for supplies.

By Mary

April 25, 2007 8:01 AM | Link to this

Sharon, do you deduct the costs of the classroom supplies from your taxes. As I recall, there is tax law at the federal, and possibly state level,just for teachers that allows these costs to be deducted. I am not saying you should have to purchase the supplies for other families, but if such deductions exist, I think we should know that, as well.

By Buford

April 24, 2007 9:52 PM | Link to this

Sharon, I just finished sending an e-mail to Governor Ted Strickland, regarding your revelations of personal funds used for purchase of school supplies either for use in the classroom or by the students who come unprepared (and who supposedly are too poor to buy them). I will also send an e-mail to State Representative Clayton Luckie first thing in the morning. Don’t know what good it will do, but I am a voter (a constituent, if you please) and I currently have plenty of time to shake trees publicly and privately on matters that irritate me. There is no way you should be expected to furnish supplies for the work required and subsidize students. Perhaps some others will weigh in and raise a bit of cain with our elected officials. We’ll just have to see.

By sharon

April 24, 2007 7:29 PM | Link to this

Gwen, By law, the schools can not assess a sales tax. That must come from the legislators. Rick, by law, DPS cannot assess the students school fees because of the high rate of poverty in the district. We cannot legally require students to bring in pencils and paper. That is why I have had to spend approx. $1,000 of my own money every year to supply my classroom. I buy most of my own copy paper, most office supply things like tape and staples. I stock up on school supplies in the summer and sell them to the kids at cost. If they obviously don’t have the money, I end up giving them the supplies just so they can do their work. Things are usually different than many of us realize.

By Rick

April 24, 2007 12:25 PM | Link to this

Oldprof, I read all three of Buford’s posts and none of them remotely resemble what you attribute to them. He does mention the likelihood that if the levy passes the teacher union will seek significant increases in wages. That has been the practice in the past. Buford’s post also alludes to what I call the “Dirty little secret of DPS”, mainly black racism. This racism finds its most appalling symptoms not only in assaults on white students, but also in the utter indifference of administrators. If the parents of the victims were affluent, there would be no such indifference because the administration would be getting huge judgments levied against it. We need more student fees. I realize many of our students come from poor backgrounds, perhaps neighbors and churches can help. While the last levy was passed in 1991 oe 1992, don’t forget that the student population is something like 405 less than it was back then. Heck, at this rate we will not need ANY levy in 20 years.

By Buford

April 24, 2007 11:35 AM | Link to this

Gwen - I believe the reasons property owners keep getting hit for school levies, comes from several circumstances. First and foremost, the tasking comes because the process is already in place, known to the educational system, and fairly easily accessed for the purpose. Second, our past Governor, past and present Legislators, and senior members of the educational community - have not insisted the primary source of school funding be shifted from property owners, to other options such as an Earned Income Tax, an increase in local income tax, or an increase in State Sales Tax. (It still remains interesting that the Ohio Supreme Court could have four times now ruled AGAINST use of property taxes as a primary source of school funding. And the State has been told to “fix” the system. After ten (10) years our elected and appointed people have been unable or unwilling to change from a system declared UNCONSTITUTIONAL by the highest court in the State). I suspect the system and funding source process will not change until levies consistently don’t pass, and until enough voters weigh in with various elected officials, including the Governor - and say we are tired of being taken for granted, tired of being a convenient target, tired of an in-place process where voters who would experience absolutely no out-of pocket consequence from any levy vote - can dictate budgetary constraints on the property owners haveing no such protection and immunity. If enough voters contact enough Legislators (and the Governor) the system will change. The idea is, we have to actually upchannel our concerns straight past the local level and put them constantly, publicly and privately in front of those people we are currently paying to take care of such things.

By Mary

April 23, 2007 11:41 PM | Link to this

Buford, some of the situations you mention also happen in suburban schools. If schools cannot better handle the school day experience, why do they even take on after school responsibilities? Lou, the cost of school supplies is a problem under the concept of “free public education”. In our suburban district, I have seen the board aaprove costly student fees for classroom work in t eblink of an eye, but fret and moan when they have to charge students lesser fees for “pay to play”. In other words, boards will tend to oversubsidize after school while charging higher student fees for required academic work.

By Gwen

April 23, 2007 10:55 PM | Link to this

My husband and I are both retired and are on a fixed income and we have always been wondering why? Why is it always the Home Owners responsibility to pay for the Dayton Public Schools. Doesn’t that fall on the parents! I think the Dayton School Board doesn’t know what the word BUDGET means. They all come out and the first thing they will cut is teachers salaries. That’s like cutting the pay of a Doctor and increasing the pay of the maintenance worker. What’s that. The teacher should always be paid more than any other person working for the Dayton School System including, yes, the School Board Members. I would like to know where does all that Property Tax Monies get distributed into the School System. Please,Take the burden off of the Home Owner who’s on a fixed income and budgeting all the time. Try to have a 1% Sales Tax increase that will cover the Dayton Public Schools, that everyone will be responsible in paying, not just the Home Owners. If you keep increasing the property taxes, some of the Home Owners will have to force to Sell their homes and move into a Rental place. Then the value of homes will decrease and you the Dayton Public Schools will have to increase taxes again and again to make up for loss Properties in the Dayton Area. Please, don’t make all the remaining Home Owners PAY for your mismanagement. My husband and I are fed up with paying for all the new Dayton Public Schools while the older existing school buildings stay vacant. Why? Stand up Home Owners and Senior Citizen’s. Walk, Drive to the Poles on May 8th and speak out by Voting NO against the Increase of our Property taxes for the Dayton Public Schools.

By Buford

April 23, 2007 10:32 PM | Link to this

My experience with DPS (a middle school and a high school) began in 1987. For the next six or seven years, I had one or both of my youngest kids in the system. Each was either physically assaulted by a student group (just off campus) or threatened with assault if money/homage/extortion was not paid to another group. Then, trying to get the HS Principal to talk to me was impossible - he didn’t have the time. Finally managed to get a few minutes with the Assistant Principal - who took some action after I offered to put one small group of students in Juvenile. Then, the DPS Superintendent chose not to talk with me, or to respond to my five-page typed letter on perceived problems with students and with the HS Principal. Not the smartest idea for a manager in a system asking for my periodic financial support. One of my kids actually ended up in honors classes and received a decent education. The other was too distracted by the intimidation factor present (and having already been assaulted) and had the standard classes. That kid came out not knowing it usually took two sticks/rubbed together to make fire. (After some remedial Community College work, the kid recovered). Point is, DPS has had discipline problems for years. Twenty years now that I know of, and the discipline problems are still there. Then, today, as another local HS let out and RTA bus loads of HS students swung out and onto Salem Avenue - I see and hear HS kids on those buses cursing and carrying on, as they head home. DPS still seems to have a cadre of students who impact the ability of other students to get full benefit of the education available right now. From other/education-related posters, it would appear our politically-correct society (and perhaps some regulatory requirements) apparently offer limited options for dealing with the malcontents and classroom disruptors.

By lou

April 23, 2007 9:03 PM | Link to this

For those of you that keep talking about how much more per student DPS spends, let’s look at some facts. My son is in 4th grade and goes to a suburban school. Last week I sent in $20.00 in for lunch, $35.00 for 1 field trip, $3.00 for another field trip, $7.00 for a t-shirt. This is a typical week. He started the year with a $200.00 school supply list. My students bring in no school supplies, no pencils, paper, notebooks, no tissues, nothing. Yes DPS my pay more per student but I bet I pay more out of my pocket and I still pay taxes. You cannot compare apples and oranges.

By sharon

April 23, 2007 7:34 PM | Link to this

There is a lot of truth in what Caroline says about the issues that money isn’t likely to change. However, without the money, teachers are very much aware of where the cuts will be made. And I don’t mean no raise for teachers. Class sizes will become larger, teachers will either be let go or not replaced as they retire. The difficulty getting supplies will become even worse. Assistant principals will be let go or returned to the classroom. Some people see no problem with that but what I see is an even larger discipline problem because some schools have so many discipline problems they can’t deal with them now, let alone if there is no assistant principal. I know there is a lot of waste, but there is a lot of waste in all business. The government makes cuts where they shouldn’t and keeps people in jobs when they have nothing to do. People complain but they don’t do anything about it. I’m not condoning waste but I do get frustrated when people think the schools should be perfect at everything. No matter what the schools do or don’t do, somebody has a complaint. I honestly don’t think the schools can make any more cuts without seriously affecting the gains we have made.

By Buford

April 23, 2007 4:14 PM | Link to this

Caroline - Bless your heart! Some candid commentss from one in the trenches! It did my heart good to see a teacher come on line and have some reservations on additional monies turning little “Becky Sue” or “Billy Ray” into honors students.

By Daytonian

April 23, 2007 11:15 AM | Link to this

The schools will remain OPEN if the levy FAILS. The schools will shift priorities and remain focus on remaining OUT of state control and academic emergency. VOTE NO!

By Caroline

April 23, 2007 11:01 AM | Link to this

I get really tired of hearing people call teachers greedy. That’s ridiculous. Teachers are paid way below what others with their same education and experience are paid. What is really important in this discussion is, will more money help Dayton kids out of poverty????? As a Dayton teacher, I don’t know the answer to this question. It will be very difficult for the Dayton schools to really help the students as long as they don’t have support from parents and as long as students don’t care about their own education. Will more money cause students to be more motivated??? DPS needs to be more strict in terms of the behavior that they allow from students. They need to require parents to at least talk to administrators and teachers at some point. Until DPS starts removing the few students who are causing severe disruptions, it will be very hard for the others to get an education. I don’t see how more money is going to help this situation.

By Mary

April 23, 2007 10:09 AM | Link to this

“oldprof”, I think Buford’s comments were well put. He seems to comprehend the reality of constraints and limits and multiple demands on resources. Greed does exist. Older, more experienced administrators and teachers should share the kitty with younger teachers and quit making demands for health care and other benefits the vast majority of the public does not receive. As a professional group with an education leadership role, teachers and administrators should work to make philosophical changes about what schools are and should be in the interest of the public based on fiscal reality. I already have a child, slowly but surely emigrating to another country, and with my understanding. Our education system and our country is failing his generation. I just saw a book review today written by Lee Iaccocca “Where have America’s leaders gone?” Of course, he might have been one to scarf off with more than his fair share, too, but I might read it anyway since I have been asking the same question for some time. I thought team sports was supposed to be developing all the leaders we need. That is what schools and “well rounded leaders” have been saying for years.

By Chris

April 23, 2007 9:32 AM | Link to this

Dayton spends more per pupil than I believe every school district in Mont County except Oakwood. I am tired of an outrageous tax bill with no service. VOTE NO!

By Oldprof

April 23, 2007 8:01 AM | Link to this

I think a major factor in people’s decision-making regarding school funding is the ongoing campaign of falsehood and distortion provided by Buford and his ilk, people who continue to spread the unfair canard that teachers are overpaid and greedy, that nobody should have to pay for any quality public institutions, and that Ohio’s uneducated parents are better able to design their children’s education than professionals. We’ll not get more quality than we’re willing to pay for, and if the ongoing attack on America’s public education continues, rather than continuing to lead the world in science and technology here in the USA, our grandchildren—the few who aren’t ignorant regarding geography and economics—will be wondering how to emigrate to Europe, India or China.

By Mary

April 22, 2007 9:53 PM | Link to this

The most interesting thing in today’s articles was the statistic on how much of the taxes are from private residents as opposed to business. My husband and I had just eaten out last night with someone who pointed out that Ohio taxes are mainly coming after private residence owners, while businesses and apartment dwellers get the breaks. I would like to see more facts in the articles such as per pupil spending trends.

By Buford

April 22, 2007 7:52 PM | Link to this

The Lady with the $200,000 house down in Grafton Hills is likely going to be facing an increased tax figure more like $100.00 per month (than the estimated $77.00). After the current/on-going six-year reassessment being done for Mont Co Auditor’s Office, and after the projected Human Service Levy passes in November (which it almost certainly will pass, unless this school levy leaves an extreme bad memory in the collective voters brain). And, the renters in Dayton View are not likely to escape having to pay an increased rent - unless their landlord is unusually benevolent - or they are on public assistance. Landlords usually maintain a “cushion” with their rent rates. If the expenses (taxes) go up, the landlords raise the rents to maintain that cushion. By the way, any teacher going around telling parents certain classes or services would be cut if the levy fails - any such teacher is playing to the emotions of potential voters. The reality is, if the levy fails, any cuts in personnel, classes or services would have to be decided and announced out of the Superintendent’s office.

By sharon

April 22, 2007 12:54 PM | Link to this

The disparity between what Centerville and Dayton actual gets in revenue is appalling and parents should be outraged. If the state won’t fix this problem, maybe one way to lessen the difference would be to go to county-wide funded schools. Each district could remain independent but the funding would be split equally between all the districts in that county. I can see it now. The outrage within the wealthy suburban schools would be heard from here to Columbus……..Hmmmm

By Buford

April 22, 2007 10:38 AM | Link to this

Of course the levy is personal, or should be, to each voter. Voters should be aware, however, of the effects of this proposed levy - and potential effects of: (A) The new Mont Co Auditor’s six-year property reevaluation now in progress - that is almost certainly going to up the tax base of each residence, municipality and business property in the County; (B) The proposed renewal and additional Human Services levy anticipated on the ballot in November of this year; (C) The pass-on property tax costs to renters NOT on public assistance; (D) The indirect costs paid to Dayton as the municipality goes out to its residents and increases services costs/or reduces services - to pay for increased taxes on municipal housing and facilities; (E) The indirect costs paid in form of higher prices for goods and services, to businesses located within Dayton; (F) The likely reduction of availabile levy money - as the Teacher’s Union takes a cut off the top as they did on the last levy. And, if that is not enough, consider the false premise implied that “more school money” makes better students. Money can buy “things” (books, equipment etc.) but does not change homelife, necessarily correct discipline problems, or get a kid to come to school, pay attention, and do the work.

By Mr. Jobe

April 22, 2007 10:37 AM | Link to this

DPS is basically paying 2007 prices on a 1992 salary, and with low property values high mills gernerate low dollars. The basic math of the millage system is lost on most voters. The district has made vast improvements across the board while cutting costs. For example, I work at the district’s Alternative High School—nearly all of my students have been expelled from the other buildings. These kids come from the worst circumstances of the worst ghettos in town—parents on drugs, incarcerated, and the students themselves are often already in the penal system, in gangs, selling drugs, etc. Yet on last year’s OGT, we scored third in the district in ALL areas! We were behind only DECA and Stivers. Some of my students began thinking of college and seeing that they can succeed if they apply themselves. But when the voters send them the message that they don’t care about them and don’t believe they’re worth investing in, that their school isn’t worth investing in, that their teacher isn’t worth investing in, then they will drop out, our graduation rate will drop from the 80% we’ve grown back to a middling 50%, and my students will go back to selling drugs, recruiting for their gangs, and getting into fights at 3rd and Main. We will all pay the cost eventually—either by investing in schools or in prisons. This is the real choice for voters—why kind of Dayton do you want?