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Not a 4 Week Newbie Blog... (not yet)

By
Real Estate Agent with Edisto Real Estate Company

Wow this is crazy! I was just getting ready to blog about my 4 weeks as a newbie. My mind was racing with thoughts and clever ideas. Then  I read a post by Chris Duran, Major Job Cuts, Why not Salary Cuts, to save more jobs!!! 

I became inspired to write about how these exact thoughts and suggestions Chris makes are already happening around our country Already happening where I, a 28 year veteran teacher as well as an Edisto Beach realtor, am already living.

For months teachers in my top rated, top national SAT score county have been discussing all the possibilites that could happen to balance our school budget. People have been afraid that they may lose their job or be transferred to another that is not their love and passion..Last night our Board of Education meeting was packed, people were everywhere listening to what may not only be their future, but their children's future. 

Here are a few of these cuts from our school system, which is one of the absolute top systems in the state. This is a partial of the letter from our county superintendent of schools.

            The board voted to furlough all 12-month classified 210 and 240-day employees for two days this year. Employees will work with their supervisors to decide when the furlough days will be taken. It is suggested that employees try to take the days during times when students and teachers are not in school such as the upcoming winter and spring breaks.

The board also approved the voluntary furlough of contracted 210-day employees for four days and 240-day employees for five days. This includes me as well as the deputy and assistant superintendents, principals, assistant principals, coordinators and directors.

There likely will be more cuts to education funding next year. As the housing market continues to struggle and more people lose their jobs, we anticipate that the tax collection rate will continue to decrease. This means that our board will have to make some tough decisions about cuts for next year.The board discussed some possible cuts for FY 2010 including a 2 percent reduction in pay for all employees and a reduction in the contributions the school system makes to paid benefits. We also discussed reducing our workforce by at least 100 positions, which will hopefully happen through attrition, and requiring employees who live out of county to pay tuition if they want their children to attend schools in our system.  

Again, I want to thank and commend you for the sacrifices you have and are making to help us get through this difficult time. I know that the actions we are being forced to take affects each of you personally but by working together we are going to make it through to better days.

Signed our school superintendent!

There are many mixed feelings about this. People depend on that money, however, they are positive and optimistic that this is a way to hold onto their jobs. They know this will not last forever.Things will improve. They are thankful, as of last night for their jobs. However, more cuts will have to come..this meeting will be next month. Most teachers I know are  passionate, dedicated and highly skilled. We have to believe our sacrifices today will shape our future for better days!

Thanks Chris Duran, for helping me to remember this as well ! Not only as a teacher, but also as a  Realtor!!

Thanks,

Cindy

 

I hope this newbie is not too way off! Appreciate you all!

 

Bruce & Mary Smith
Savannah Lakes Homes - McCormick, SC
REALTORS, Savannah Lakes Village McCormick SC

Hi Cindy-

School systems in South Carolina are having a tough time like everywhere else in the nation!  I heard of a district the other day where the lights in the cafeteria were turned off during the day to save electricity.  The administration felt there was enough natural light there not to need the cafeteria lights.  But that school is lit up like a Christmas tree during off hours when no children are present!  Go figure!

I was an educator in SC for 31 years - a teacher and administrator/supervisor and always thought that there were areas in which spending was not carefully monitored and other areas where the needs were great.  Now, all spending will be on the line.  The economic situation we're in will hit our schools hard!  Even though I worked on the district level, it makes sense to cut administrative and district consultant services first and hold off on cuts that will affect the classroom until last. 

Thanks for the post!

Mary

Jan 28, 2009 10:38 PM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Cindy, there are a lot of wonderful Realtors® who got their start while teaching.  One of the best agents I know worked with emotionally disturbed teenagers, and developed skills that served her will in her new career.

Jan 29, 2009 01:09 PM
Cindy Hartpence
Edisto Real Estate Company - Edisto Beach, SC

Hi Mary,

Thank you so much for the great input!

I know exactly what you mean. It does make sense to cut at the administrative level first. Our system is definitelyt attemppting that first. Unfortunately, class sizes will be growing again and parapros will be fewer.. Much of the NO Child Letf Behind will be affected.

 

Cindy

Jan 29, 2009 01:10 PM
Cindy Hartpence
Edisto Real Estate Company - Edisto Beach, SC

Hi Patricia,

I have been meeting so many realtors that are ex teachers. They also have been so helpful. I know they can't help but not miss an opportunity to help. :)

I am a teacher for the deaf and hard of hearing. Love it and am close to full retirement. Love the real estate, Always have been an investor myself and dad was an amazing realtor years back. I  am thrilled at the opportunity I have been given to do both! I am "hyper" by nature so both jobs are great for me!

Thanks so much,

Cindy

 

Jan 29, 2009 01:29 PM
Anonymous
Kelly Klein

President Obama's wife Michelle has made education her number one cause.  Perhaps, there will be some new ideas that will come out of it that will not only save teacher's jobs, but provide a high quality education for our youth.  Thank you for the update.  This is happening across the nation.

Kelly Klein

Feb 03, 2009 01:12 AM
#5
Cindy Hartpence
Edisto Real Estate Company - Edisto Beach, SC

Thanks Kelly for the input. Lets see what happens. I really do think it will improve. The world has been in a worst position before..this is a time to go back to basics and re-adjust life styles.I sure hope we can help people hang in there. Educators have been tired but now they seem almost rejuvenated perhaps because they have a job?

 

Thanks again!

Cindy

Feb 03, 2009 01:28 PM
Not a real person
San Diego, CA

The education system always seems to be one of the first to suffer cutbacks, yet I've never seen a school superintendent take one. It's always Main Street that suffers first while Wall Street gets big bonuses for cutting costs or ever running their companies into the ground.

Feb 08, 2009 06:26 PM
Gail MacMillan
Titusville, FL

Hi Cindy:  Since it's been several weeks since you wrote this post, can you tell us what finally happened with these proposals.  All in all they appear to be aimed at keeping people in their jobs with some minor sacrifices.  Let us know, thanks!

Mar 17, 2009 12:10 AM