tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post4005729680933892019..comments2024-03-28T02:21:17.452-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: Times Kicks Some Ass on Education FundingMelissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-33112525309061346322016-05-24T14:16:18.230-07:002016-05-24T14:16:18.230-07:00Or is MJ suggesting the public schools on the East...Or is MJ suggesting the public schools on the East Coast are like Seattle's private schools, because of better funding from income taxes? <br /><br />-grammar girlAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-17543578602169249982016-05-24T12:39:13.029-07:002016-05-24T12:39:13.029-07:00MJ, Seattle Public Schools are many things but &qu...MJ, Seattle Public Schools are many things but "like private schools?" Me and a lot of parents would disagree with that statement but I guess it would depend on the private school you are talking about.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-80596393097035142832016-05-23T22:23:32.681-07:002016-05-23T22:23:32.681-07:00FYI, the GSA sets per deim rates go travel expense...FYI, the GSA sets per deim rates go travel expense allowances based on locale. It's not unheard of that there might be accounting for different cost of living expenses around th country. Why not the state as well?<br /><br />In example:<br /><br />http://www.gsa.gov/portal/category/26429Ann Dnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-75886923934784363502016-05-23T13:25:47.641-07:002016-05-23T13:25:47.641-07:00We need a state income tax. Higher property taxes ...We need a state income tax. Higher property taxes in Seattle as well to help pay for better police and the increase in neighborhood property crimes. I have lived on the East coast with high taxes. The public schools are like private schools in Seattle. There is also visible patrolling in areas with high property crimes.<br />MJ Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-62221821586637806092016-05-23T08:53:16.134-07:002016-05-23T08:53:16.134-07:00Okay, isn't it possible for the state to say, ...Okay, isn't it possible for the state to say, "This is the base salary for teachers statewide but from that point, we use Scale X for where they are teaching/living." Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-52031140137861568102016-05-23T08:25:19.221-07:002016-05-23T08:25:19.221-07:00How can the state align its salary scale with mark...How can the state align its salary scale with market rate when the markets are so different? The cost of living varies significantly throughout the state, so why shouldn't the cost of basic education also vary? Statewide salary scales for educators mean we'll either be underpaying some or overpaying some. <br /><br />HFAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-46327771406474020872016-05-23T04:39:07.312-07:002016-05-23T04:39:07.312-07:00I am just one voter, but my position is, and will ...I am just one voter, but my position is, and will continue to be, that if we are to attract the best teachers we can, and make Washington a desirable place to work for the best teachers in the world, then those teachers need to be able to bargain their salaries, benefits, and working conditions district by district.<br /><br />I am very wary of technocratic solutions like statewide bargaining, and the beancounters who push them. <br /><br />-- Ivan WeissAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-61646340272223164992016-05-23T00:56:45.921-07:002016-05-23T00:56:45.921-07:00Local vs statewide bargaining is the big concessio...Local vs statewide bargaining is the big concession. I am not pro or con, but when salaries are negotiated locally they are in a sense negotiating different costs for basic education (salaries and benefits make up about 80 percent of operating costs of K12). The argument is if the state is going to cover the full costs of basic education, then the state has to set the salary scale. And it has done just that, but then locally unions bargain a different salary, raising the costs of basic education. I suppose a counter argument is local raises wouldn't be necessary if the state aligned it's salary scale with market rate. In any case, the concessions referred to are who decides salaries and how do we set them so we don't end up right back at this point (state pays for basic education, but funding always comes up short because locally districts are paying higher salaries.) A technical working group came up with recommendations a few years back, but the price tag for covering actual pay and benefits scared everyone. And the delay continued. Paying for K12 means talking revenue, revising taxes, or gutting things like higher education or social services.Ramona Hhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17269272676307680777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-8369441665858139472016-05-22T19:26:53.521-07:002016-05-22T19:26:53.521-07:00I don't expect anyone to give anything up. Bu...I don't expect anyone to give anything up. But if pensions or salaries are an issue (for those on the right), it's worth listening to any and all alternatives. If the alternatives are irrational, sure, say no. But it's worth listening to at least say you did try instead of saying certain things are off the table.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-2095586518801499602016-05-22T18:31:25.997-07:002016-05-22T18:31:25.997-07:00Just wondering, Melissa: What precisely do you exp...Just wondering, Melissa: What precisely do you expect the unions to give up, and why?<br /><br />-- Ivan WeissAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com