Stupidity, Suckiness and the School Budget

Okay, so remember the other day I mentioned the BOE meeting about the budget? Well, P.S., it was a bust...not a complete bust, but nothing was rectified other then the fact the Board told us if the budget doesn't pass, then they will be forced to the extreme measures (AKA, closing a school). Every year, regardless of what my taxes will be increased to, I vote for the school budget, it's important if not to me then to someone else like our kids. On top of a budget that ALWAYS gets voted down, our district is taking a $3.3 Million hit to our funding from the state...can you say "Hit Twice"?
So my part in all this? I'm a concerned parent...with our local (and last) Catholic school closing in June that leads me to wonder what our class sizes will be next year and will we have enough teachers to handle it??? Our teachers are already overburdened being asked to go above and beyond and getting paid in breadcrumbs. Why is it that the "supervisors and administrators" can't take a pay cut or even, God forbid, asked to to give up their bonuses so save some money? I printed out the budget today and also found out that the current salaries of our administration is $748,645 BEFORE bonuses and benefits which is another $30K... oh, oh oh AND they get 117 days off (they work 248 days) and THEN get 28 vacation days, 14 sick days and 7 personal days which bring them to a net of working 199 days per year!!! Our teachers teach 180 days + grade papers at night and then ALL those holidays we get, those are in service days for them...they start 2 weeks before the kids and work 2 weeks beyond and sometime more. They are making less money then they deserve and could potentially be VERY hurt by all this...I fear for the future of our kids!
On the up side, we went out for drinks after the meeting and had some girl fun! It was nice to spend some time with the "Mommies" and hear the stories about their kids and experiences with the teachers and school. I found that some of these ladies are VERY funny and a late night and good time was had by all! Thank you to the patrons of Valley View for putting up with our loud stories and laughter!!!
Happy Thursday All...XXXOOO

Did you miss me?

I am sorry to those of you who read my blog that I had to change location. Spam and my Yahoo account had become overwhelming and I got tired of all the complaining so I though it best to sever all ties and start fresh...so, did you miss me?
Things have been very busy! With scout events and the NJ School budget being cut and all my other commitments life has been very hectic.
Let's go back 2 weeks, Danny and I went on an encampment weekend on the Battleship, NJ with our scout pack and had a BLAST. We started out in the pouring rain in Philly at Geno's for Cheese steaks and the Franklin Institute for some learning. The encampment was so cool, even with only a few hours of sleep, I highly recommend it!
Last week was, of course, St.Patrick's Day which is always fun! I made Corned Beef in the slow cooker and Irish Soda bread and even had a beer! This past weekend was jam packed...Friday we ordered pizza and watched Spiderman I, very cool movie...cannot wait for II to arrive. On Saturday Danny got his Light of Christ religious emblem, we booked the caterer for First Communion, ran numerous errands and had soccer. When we got home from Church Saturday night we kicked back with a few beers and took the new firepit for it's Maiden Voyage...ended up entertaining the neighborhood kids with S'mores! Then Sunday we had breakfast at the Greenwood Lake Airport and then onto Spring cleaning for me, yard clean up for Ryan and some backyard baseball for Danny. For those of you in WM...go and have a meal at the Passport Cafe' and meet the new owners, great food and wonderful people! We booked Danny's communion luncheon there...cannot wait!
This week, it's meeting, meeting and bookfair! Tonight and tomorrow are the Board of Education Meeting to hear how we are going to deal with the $3.3 million budget cuts our schools are going to take...ugh, why now? Thursday is our family night at the bookfair, have to do my part! And Friday is our Den meeting for Scouts, going to teach our little men about Recycling and Composting so they are ready to help our towns people at the Highlands Greenfest on May 22nd.
We are also counting down to our road trip to TN, 12 days! Danny and my Parents cannot wait, it seems to be the only topic of conversation. I have a laundry list of all the goodies we need to pack up and bring with us...at the top of the list? Bacon and Vanilla beans, can you beat that?

Happy Tuesday! XXXOOO