In the February 8th edition of Newsday, on page A6, there is a story by John Hildebrand outlining some of the ideas proposed by the State Education Department Commissioner, David Steiner, that are intended to begin the process of reducing the number of unfunded mandates for school districts. As you know, unfunded (or underfunded) mandates increase the costs for school districts but require the property taxpayers of each district to pay for such activities or services, thereby increasing the components of a district's budget which cannot be adjusted by its administration or board of education, except by increasing local taxes or decreasing other services.
Interestingly, some of Mr. Steiner's proposals are not even supported by the Board of Regents, as Mr. Hildebrand writes:
"But the Regents had reservations. For starters, members of the policy-making board nixed a proposal eliminating required middle-school courses in technology and Home and Career Skills. Steiner reports to the Regents, though he also sits on the governor's task force.
For those of you who are Optonline customers, or Newsday subscribers who missed today's paper, you can read the full story on Newsday's website.
Frankly, I am sceptical about the value of these kinds of tweaks and minor adjustments, but when combined with a lot of other adjustments to the cost structures of districts (personnel costs, transportation costs, shared services, reducing administrative overhead, etc) it may have a positive impact. One of my favorite lines was attributed (with some dispute about whether he ever said this) to the late Senator Everett Dirksen, "A billion here, a billion there, and pretty soon you're talking real money."
So, when we add up the many things that we hope will be done to reduce expenses for school districts, the cumulative effect can be powerful. But the appropriate phrase would certainly not be "A hundred here, a hundred there, and pretty soon you're talking real money." The State, and school districts, need to focus upon the major elements of cost, and not merely the convenient minor elements.
Beware the sleight of hand, and the increasing use of smoke and mirrors, which some will undoubtedly employ in an effort try to deflect attention from the really big cost factors for school districts, hoping that people will merely focus upon very minor cost elements, or sacrifice by one or two.
Shared sacrifice means just that; sacrifice by all.
Interestingly, some of Mr. Steiner's proposals are not even supported by the Board of Regents, as Mr. Hildebrand writes:
"But the Regents had reservations. For starters, members of the policy-making board nixed a proposal eliminating required middle-school courses in technology and Home and Career Skills. Steiner reports to the Regents, though he also sits on the governor's task force.
One board member, Roger Tilles of Great Neck, noted that fellow Regents want to put more emphasis, not less, on studies related to careers and technology.
"For us to take out something that we've been moving toward is just not something we want to do," said Tilles."
For those of you who are Optonline customers, or Newsday subscribers who missed today's paper, you can read the full story on Newsday's website.
Frankly, I am sceptical about the value of these kinds of tweaks and minor adjustments, but when combined with a lot of other adjustments to the cost structures of districts (personnel costs, transportation costs, shared services, reducing administrative overhead, etc) it may have a positive impact. One of my favorite lines was attributed (with some dispute about whether he ever said this) to the late Senator Everett Dirksen, "A billion here, a billion there, and pretty soon you're talking real money."
So, when we add up the many things that we hope will be done to reduce expenses for school districts, the cumulative effect can be powerful. But the appropriate phrase would certainly not be "A hundred here, a hundred there, and pretty soon you're talking real money." The State, and school districts, need to focus upon the major elements of cost, and not merely the convenient minor elements.
Beware the sleight of hand, and the increasing use of smoke and mirrors, which some will undoubtedly employ in an effort try to deflect attention from the really big cost factors for school districts, hoping that people will merely focus upon very minor cost elements, or sacrifice by one or two.
Shared sacrifice means just that; sacrifice by all.
