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Should bigwigs give up big pay?
Discussions on cutting costs in the Lodi Unified School District include asking district's top wage earners to take home less money
By Jennifer Bonnett
News-Sentinel Staff Writer
News-Sentinel Staff Writer
Monday, February 9, 2009 6:29 AM PST
With Lodi Unified School District's top budget administrator warning that the money will run out if the state doesn't pass a budget soon, and with the promise of more layoffs in addition the 45 positions cut two weeks ago, some have questioned the salaries of the district's top earners and any incentives they may receive.
The district needs to cut another $21 million before moving into the next school year. The shortfall is based partly on lagging revenues such as property taxes, the state's budget stalemate (the budget is six months late), and declining enrollment, since districts receive per-pupil funding from the state.
"This is the time when things are going to start hitting home," Superintendent Cathy Nichols-Washer said Friday. "This is going to have a drastic affect on our education system."
Chief Business Official Doug Barge has said that without a budget from the state, the district will run out of money this month. However, with a series of stopgaps recently approved by the school board, President Richard Jones said that such a development has been delayed for at least another month.
"We are holding tight to cash," Jones said. "It's projected that if we don't have a state budget by March, we won't be able to pay our bills."
That not only includes making payroll, but funding the district's utilities and outside vendors.
"It would be devastating," Jones added.
Selected LUSD administrator annual salaries at a glance
(Includes benefits)
(Current as of July 8, 2008. Range based on years in district and experience, and set by school board with vote. Represents 1 percent increase over previous school year. Does not reflect annual stipend for highest earned degree limited to the following: MA, MS, M.Ed at $1,000 or Ph.D, Ed.D at $1,500.)
Source: Lodi Unified School District
Budget meeting Wednesday
The public is invited to the superintendent's Budget Advisory Committee meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday in the James Arieda Education Support Center, 1305 E. Vine St., Lodi. Community members will be invited to give input on possible district cuts for the coming school year.The board has already voted to close one of its smallest schools and approved the elimination of 45 positions for the coming school year. The personnel reduction recommendations by Nichols-Washer trimmed $3 million from next school year's budget, but with another $21 million needed in cuts, there will be more layoffs.
In addition to facing those looming cuts, the district is trying to keep enough money in the bank this school year as not to be taken over by the county for day-to-day operations.
The current year's budget is $6.4 million out of balance, Barge told the board last week before members approved an adjustment. Among the fixes was eliminating $300,000 worth of vacant positions.
Meanwhile, teachers have been put on alert. By law, pink slips must go out March 15, and Nichols-Washer said the school board will be voting on the issue Feb. 17.
She declined to speculate on figures, but said: "There will be many, many layoffs."
Depending on what trustees decide, that could mean further personnel cuts in the administrative office and credentialed staff, according to the superintendent.
Volunteer pay cuts
Many of the speakers at the Jan. 27 board meeting — including teachers — said they would take pay cuts if it could save a job or two. Without coming too close to public negotiations, union representatives said they would be willing to take a proposal back to their boards and have been meeting with the personnel department, Nichols-Washer said.
Teacher union president Sue Kenmotsu said last week that the idea is tempting from a policy point of view, but, like any other workers, teachers are trying to make ends meet.
"Taking a pay cut to save people would be fantastic, but how much would have to be cut to save how many? You can't balance millions of dollars on what teachers make."
Nichols-Washer said she would voluntarily reduce her own pay, and she's not opposed to an across-the-board cut like the one approved last week in Manteca.
That district voted for the proposed 8 percent pay cut from its unions rather than adopt a series of suggested cuts presented by acting superintendent Jason Messer. His recommendations could have resulted in the loss of up to 241 positions, while the across-the-board pay cut percentage would not only keep those jobs, but also save the district more than $10 million.
"It won't mean there won't be any layoffs, but it certainly would make a huge difference," Nichols-Washer said before addressing the public issue made of her $200,000-plus-a-year salary. "But me individually taking a pay cut won't solve the problem."
Trustee Calvin Young, who is already taking a 10 percent pay decrease at his day job, said a 6 percent cut across the district's payroll would only save $9.6 million.
What do they make?
A News-Sentinel review of district salaries last year found that despite the high pay of administrators — which top out at $230,000 annually — teachers and classified can earn a pretty good wage, too, with overtime and extra college degrees.
Teachers are paid based on the number of years they've been teaching and how many college units earned past their initial degree. For example, a teacher with a master's degree will earn an extra $1,000 a year, while a doctorate fetches an additional $1,500.
Administrators have said that they use the district's salaries to lure people to the district and retain them. According to a report by the National Education Association, California's K-12 teachers were the highest paid in the nation last school year. They earned an average of $64,424 annually, compared to the U.S. average of $52,308.
That's way up from the same report that found during the 2005-06 school year, the state average was $59,825 and the national average, $49,026.
Nichols-Washer said she doesn't have the figures for verification as to where teachers' salaries stand in relation to others in the area, but has heard from several people that they are among the highest.
Lodi's highest paid teacher has a base salary of $80,000.
"They make that by earning different certifications and staying in the business," Kenmotsu said.
Still, Kenmotsu said she feels like no one should give up their pay to help with the current budget deficit.
"I'm sure if administrators could take a bit of a pay cut, they would ... Teachers are not prepared to shoulder the (budget) burden," she said. "There are no other alternatives; there are only tragedies. (Alternatives) assume you can do something to make everyone whole. You can't, unless the state does something."
Comparatively, starting pay for members of the Lodi superintendent's cabinet is $110,000 and tops out at $162,000 a year, according to July figures.
Nichols-Washer said with 90 percent of the district's general budget going toward personnel, there is no way to save money without layoffs.
Other cuts?
Some, including former school board candidate David Schindler, have questioned why trustees don't take a cut of their $750-a-month stipend.
Each of the seven board members also receive mileage and other reimbursements when on district business, according to board bylaws. Some trustees have volunteered publicly to trim their district pay, but no motion has been made. This week, Jones said he, too, would take a 10 percent reduction if the issue was officially brought to the discussion table.
"Everything is in the hands of the superintendent's budget advisory committee," Jones said.
The group has been in place for years and is called upon when there is a budget issue, according to Jones.
Its members, including district representatives and community members, meet with Barge before taking any recommendations to Nichols-Washer, who then brings the ideas to the board for input and possible action.
The group, which will hold its first public meeting Wednesday, has not worked on any of the latest budget issues. The board gave direction on examining small school closures and eliminating positions at the administrative office.
However, Jones is hesitant about presenting any cost-saving measures publicly.
"I want the process to work. I want the budget advisory committee to come back with recommendations," Jones said.
Is there other spending that can be curtailed?
"There isn't a lot of fluff in the district, but energy conservation is one (place to save)," Nichols-Washer said. "But, of course, you have to spend money to save money."
The board recently adopted an energy conservation plan, but it called on the district to spend tens of thousands of dollars that it doesn't have, without seeing a payoff for several years.
Several years ago, former Superintendent Bill Huyett did not take a $5,000-a-year pay raise he was awarded because of the state of the district's budget at that time.
Long-time teacher Susan Heberle, who also served on a former district budget advisory committee, said she's helping out any way possible to keep spending down. For example, she told board members at a recent meeting that she flips off her classroom's heater and confirms her computer is turned off at noon every day.
Some have questioned the cost of bottled water offered to board members and administrators at every meeting, and what about the Blackberries administrators have been known to carry?
Jones said he's not sure where the water comes from, but the issue of hand-held devices has come up. "We've discussed that. It's a cost, but I'm not sure how much."
Kenmotsu said union members are seeking answers of their own. "They want to know why administrators have cell phones. Why have the heat on during break at one of the high schools? Those are good questions."
While Nichols-Washer said the hand-held devices don't translate into huge dollar amounts, "every little bit counts."
She has already put the spending breaks on non-essential office and classroom supplies, outside contracts for school assemblies and out-of-town travel, unless approved by her.
"But we're at a point where those things aren't enough," she said, adding that the classroom will be hit through things like bigger sizes next school year and fewer electives for high school students.
"Services are going to drastically be reduced," Nichols-Washer said.
Meanwhile, Lodi Unified continues to attempt to close its budget gap and plan for the future without money from the state, Jones said.
"There are so many things out there that may happen, could happen, will happen."
Contact reporter Jennifer Bonnett at jenniferb@lodinews.com.
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Reader Feedback
takealook wrote on Feb 14, 2009 3:22 PM:
Gator wrote on Feb 14, 2009 3:01 PM:
by the Federal government.. Your in the class room every day??? Remedial
English??? "
Gator wrote on Feb 14, 2009 12:27 PM:
Uncle Stinky wrote on Feb 13, 2009 2:36 PM:
essayjay wrote on Feb 12, 2009 9:20 PM:
essayjay wrote on Feb 12, 2009 9:19 PM:
You screwed us then and now you are screwing us again. What are we going to pay in the future for the buildings that were just built in the last few years? "
essayjay wrote on Feb 12, 2009 9:17 PM:
Start with why we have a Associate Supt. Up until just a few years ago we never had to have an Associate Supt. but somewhere along the line under Huyette tenure we suddenly needed an Associate Supe from Elk grove or we couldn't survive. We needed someone to come down here and spend 250,000.00 and educate us on how incredible bigoted we all were and why our minority students were being prevented from learning at the hands of a systemically racially unfair system. "
loadeye wrote on Feb 12, 2009 8:14 PM:
Jerry wrote on Feb 12, 2009 5:30 PM:
We need to see some leadership from the L.U.S.D. Board; how can they fire 350 teachers and allow these overpaid administrators to draw these
unconscionable wages and benefits. "
takealook wrote on Feb 12, 2009 5:02 PM:
Contrapasso wrote on Feb 12, 2009 4:09 PM:
I think there are many departments that need to publicly disclose actually what they do and how it benefits the students. "
govagent wrote on Feb 12, 2009 3:24 PM:
Jerry wrote on Feb 12, 2009 3:04 PM:
It appears that Dr. Douglas makes $168,500. That's not counting perks like: cars, expensive lunches, a free cell phone and a hefty allowance to attend whatever conference he thinks needs to be attended. Oh, I was just reminded that Dr. Douglas is the same guy that was responsible for getting the District to hire the Pacific Group ($250,000) to help our teachers' get in touch with their "inner-bigot."
Also, it should be noted that the District wants to save money by NOT printing the budget next year. The paultry savings via non-printing is actually mentioned in the budget. Forget transparacy, this Board is shooting for invisibility. The question is why? We should all be very concerned about these folks. This smells. "
edumacation wrote on Feb 12, 2009 10:11 AM:
A few simple recommendations will streamline functions and cut bloat, but too many ESC egos are in the way. "
Jerry wrote on Feb 12, 2009 8:58 AM:
Does anyone know what Odie Douglas is actually paid? Couldn't we determine what he is paid by way of the Budget that was passed last July? "
Dirt Claude wrote on Feb 12, 2009 8:54 AM:
Contrapasso wrote on Feb 12, 2009 8:23 AM:
edumacation wrote on Feb 12, 2009 7:56 AM:
The issue is and always has been about PLANNING? Where is is, if you can't even convene a public meeting properly. We are not even in the first inning of this game and it already looks bad. Maybe we should seriously consider private schools or homeschooling as a choice. The reduced funding because of a drop in enrollment might encourage the big wigs at the ESC that their little desk jockey party is over? Administrative secretarys counting books at $120k/year borders on fraud waste and abuse of authority. Where was the personnel Chief during this decision? Oops, maybe some plumping of pillows in his two departments? "
teach247365 wrote on Feb 11, 2009 9:48 PM:
Contrapasso wrote on Feb 11, 2009 8:51 PM:
Contrapasso wrote on Feb 11, 2009 8:49 PM:
Also, as a supposedly educated person,youshould know that those who make personal attacks and generalizations automatically lose any debate? I would think that someone who teaches at a community college would know that... "
RU4REAL wrote on Feb 11, 2009 3:06 PM:
Contrapasso wrote on Feb 11, 2009 2:00 PM:
RU4REAL wrote on Feb 11, 2009 1:55 PM:
edumacation wrote on Feb 11, 2009 1:41 PM:
Do any of these reasons look familiar? "
RU4REAL wrote on Feb 11, 2009 1:34 PM:
RU4REAL wrote on Feb 11, 2009 1:29 PM:
edumacation wrote on Feb 11, 2009 1:29 PM:
edumacation wrote on Feb 11, 2009 1:25 PM:
edumacation wrote on Feb 11, 2009 1:21 PM:
I am with ALL teachers on this issue. We can talk about increasing academic standards (my main concern) for some teachers in another forum. The invective that I hear coming from administrators is repugnant. It's the old "divide and conquer" strategy. If you tell a teacher that she is "good enough" to be an administrator, she forgets who she really is (a teacher) and starts believing the deceptive advice from other administrators.
How about this quote? "...You can always tell, because "they" just stand up when you walk in the classroom..!"
From "administrative secretary" to administrator. Sound supportive? "
RU4REAL wrote on Feb 11, 2009 1:19 PM:
edumacation wrote on Feb 11, 2009 12:56 PM:
You may not grasp the concept, so I used a metaphor. "
Contrapasso wrote on Feb 11, 2009 12:35 PM:
Contrapasso wrote on Feb 11, 2009 12:33 PM:
It is not egotistical to state the truth. It is not egotistical to want to be in a job that serves others. I can't speak for everyone who teaches, but many people who teach just want to be of service to others. That doesn't equate to egotism at all. "
RU4REAL wrote on Feb 11, 2009 11:43 AM:
RU4REAL wrote on Feb 11, 2009 10:08 AM:
edumacation wrote on Feb 11, 2009 9:30 AM:
edumacation wrote on Feb 11, 2009 8:33 AM:
edumacation wrote on Feb 11, 2009 8:30 AM:
edumacation wrote on Feb 11, 2009 8:17 AM:
I realize that the most important LUSD employees to you are the administrative secretarys, bus drivers, gardeners and food service workers. Schools were designed for STUDENTS and PARENTS, not service workers! Can you imagine a school with NO teachers? Can you get those $100k/year "administrative secretarys" off their chairs and out into the school to teach what? typing and filing? My solution? Immediately develop proposals to contract out non-instructional services. Save money and stop clerical bloat! "
Contrapasso wrote on Feb 11, 2009 8:11 AM:
RU4REAL wrote on Feb 11, 2009 6:06 AM:
edumacation wrote on Feb 10, 2009 11:41 PM:
Quote in relevant part: "... to enable their peers, and those who play needed supporting services, to maintain employment at reduced wages.." WHAT THE ? The reason we have a fiscal problem is that the hogs in the ESC sty are oinking and they ALWAYS EAT FIRST! Teachers get the leftovers.
1) What are these "needed support services"? Official "textbook counters" and such. NONSENSE! Counting books is a real $120k/yr job?! These edumacrats are self-appointed managers of wasting time. How can anyone justify "secretarys" at higher pay than teachers? But there is another secret--"secretary" is the legal personnel title provided to the school board, to justify the salary expenses. In the LUSD ESC fantasy world they also give organizational titles to these "secretarys" since the high pay is not enough for their fragile egos!
2) Did you forget about the million dollar pension INCREASE last year to the Interim Superintendent for about 100 days of "work" = $10,000/day!?? "
blossom wrote on Feb 10, 2009 7:44 PM:
blossom wrote on Feb 10, 2009 7:42 PM:
RU4REAL wrote on Feb 10, 2009 7:41 PM:
edumacation wrote on Feb 10, 2009 5:56 PM:
edumacation wrote on Feb 10, 2009 5:48 PM:
loadeye wrote on Feb 10, 2009 4:43 PM:
Contrapasso wrote on Feb 10, 2009 1:15 PM:
edumacation wrote on Feb 10, 2009 12:56 PM:
This will be good. "
edumacation wrote on Feb 10, 2009 12:49 PM:
I mostly buy from others. Why sell gold bullion that is going up in value?
Many see Gold to $3,000/ounce!
Besides, there is a difference between below ground gold ore and above ground gold bullion. Ever since Newmont closed their Carlin, NV mining operation, I switched to gold bullion. "
edumacation wrote on Feb 10, 2009 12:44 PM:
In my very first education course, the professor said they conducted a study of hundreds of California public schools to learn why so many new teachers quit teaching (up to 50% in the first 2 years). They conducted exit interviews and learned that "the principals secretary", "department headquarters clerks" and "custodians" were the main reason stated for new teachers quitting the profession!
The lesson was: Never park in a secretarys parking spot, Never leave your classroom in disarray! If possible, bring your own vacuum cleaner to clean or scrub the the floors! And never ever let any "central office clerk" get upset at you.
I was amazed how the lowest echelon support people have so much influence. I later learned that this was endemic throughout California. What is your experience? "
commonsense1 wrote on Feb 10, 2009 12:37 PM:
edumacation wrote on Feb 10, 2009 12:28 PM:
I would like to see this on a David Letterman monologue-- First he did a story about Mr. Pickles dancing in the middle of Lodi Avenue--- Now he needs to comment about PIZZA at the LUSD school board meeting! I hope he gives you credit for the quip.
I'll send this LNS news clip to CBS to see what THEY say!
CONTRAPASSO: " I think I'll have the Odie special....all flapping tongue. They best part of this pizza is that it's served with WHINE and cheese...! Is that Lodi whine?
I bet CBS would love to ask questions about $120k/year "book counters", million dollar handshakes and "Assistants" to the Assistant Superintendent of educational services. It would be excellent to watch them yapping away justifying their own jobs, while terminating teachers and reducing school hours (their next ploy). "
Contrapasso wrote on Feb 10, 2009 12:13 PM:
I wish I could go to the meeting. I would like to know why clerk/typists make more money than teachers.....not that anyone would bother to explain.
About 3 months ago, some LUSD teachers had to go to a week long training to learn how to use an anthology that we will probably be retiring in the next few years. The district really does use money wisely...huh? And what about the proposed closure of Clements school? They were going to spend 50,000 dollars to save 4862 dollars. I wonder who the genius is who thought up that solution, and how much he/she gets paid? Thank goodness common sense prevailed for once and the school will stay open. "
edumacation wrote on Feb 10, 2009 11:35 AM:
Have you heard?
As Obama bails out banks, US currency loses value and GOLD increases in value. "
edumacation wrote on Feb 10, 2009 11:23 AM:
Wednesday, FEBRUARY 11th--- 1305 E VINE street 6:00 PM FREE PARKING for parents. VALET service for Administrators only. Bring your notepads and tape recorders. Prepare to start asking lots of questions. "
commonsense1 wrote on Feb 10, 2009 11:19 AM:
edumacation wrote on Feb 10, 2009 11:11 AM:
edumacation wrote on Feb 10, 2009 11:06 AM:
Remember last year when our last "Interim" Superintendent received his huge pay increase and later his additional milllion dollar pension benefit for 100 days of work? I think he was wondering about how a person who only counts books (The Williams Act--I think?), can make more than the Asst Superintendent of Personnel. I can see this justifying getting paid MORE than text book counters.
Hey mommy! Look at them, they have IPods---I want one too... I mean...er.. a.. Blackberrys. LOL "
edumacation wrote on Feb 10, 2009 10:57 AM:
blossom wrote on Feb 10, 2009 10:56 AM:
commonsense1 wrote on Feb 10, 2009 10:55 AM:
blossom wrote on Feb 10, 2009 10:53 AM:
IO think this monster has more than 3 or 4 heads there are like 20!! "
edumacation wrote on Feb 10, 2009 10:53 AM:
edumacation wrote on Feb 10, 2009 10:47 AM:
Contrapasso wrote on Feb 10, 2009 10:24 AM:
Loadeye wrote on Feb 10, 2009 9:51 AM:
jramagic wrote on Feb 10, 2009 9:50 AM:
commonsense1 wrote on Feb 10, 2009 9:24 AM:
blossom wrote on Feb 10, 2009 9:10 AM:
I can count!! I am hired at a fraction of the cost!!!!
: ) "
edumacation wrote on Feb 10, 2009 7:55 AM:
edumacation wrote on Feb 10, 2009 7:51 AM:
karensays wrote on Feb 10, 2009 6:03 AM:
I had hope that things would be different too, but unfortunately it is now clear that Ms. Washer became one of the "good ol' boys club" the minute she took that job for a $75k pay raise and then claimed the district office had already made all it's cuts and the rest would come from outside the ESC.... ironic or sad? You make the call... "
shockedinlodi wrote on Feb 9, 2009 10:11 PM:
loadeye wrote on Feb 9, 2009 8:31 PM:
lodivice wrote on Feb 9, 2009 8:04 PM:
blossom wrote on Feb 9, 2009 4:58 PM:
gray cloud wrote on Feb 9, 2009 4:19 PM:
gray cloud wrote on Feb 9, 2009 4:14 PM:
edumacation wrote on Feb 9, 2009 3:54 PM:
blossom wrote on Feb 9, 2009 3:49 PM:
edumacation wrote on Feb 9, 2009 3:48 PM:
All the schemes and games will not teach our kids. "
blossom wrote on Feb 9, 2009 3:41 PM:
They would FLIP if they saw what was actually going on behind closed doors!
I welcome that day! "
edumacation wrote on Feb 9, 2009 3:39 PM:
blossom wrote on Feb 9, 2009 3:36 PM:
one of the good ol boys however, Washer is not one of the good ol boys.....This is a good thing!
I think it is awful to lay off 45 People to save 3 mil when they could lay off 25 and be money ahead!!
This wouldnt even impact the Students!They all have tons of degrees let them go find new jobs, should be easy as wonderful as they all are!The ones that are left can actually earn their money! "
edumacation wrote on Feb 9, 2009 3:32 PM:
edumacation wrote on Feb 9, 2009 3:11 PM:
Blossom--Didn't our last million dollar superintendent come out of the Personnel Department? Are they inventing something in there? Why all the people, all they need us a few typewriters. I smell dead fish in that department. What do you think?
As they say---the fish ROTS from the HEAD down. "
loadeye wrote on Feb 9, 2009 3:11 PM:
wtf wrote on Feb 9, 2009 2:56 PM:
As an example: All those financial staff positions could be handled by one department. "
karensays wrote on Feb 9, 2009 2:19 PM:
blossom wrote on Feb 9, 2009 2:16 PM:
All of the jobs are not there, what about the old principal at Lodi Middle School??
She is at the D.O. making 100K or more in a job that was created just for her??
Why do they keep hiding numbers??
Makes me wonder and they want to cut pay when they need to get rid of ALL THE EXCESS FAT!!!!!!!Then come to the employees and ask to reduce pay..... "
Whoa Nellie! wrote on Feb 9, 2009 1:23 PM:
"Trustee Calvin Young, who is already taking a 10 percent pay decrease at his day job, said a 6 percent cut across the district's payroll would only save $9.6 million."-- well, thats almost half money right there. The educrats, teachers, and classified folks should be HAPPY to take a 6% cut to save their job and the jobs of many of their co-workers. Take a look around, jobs are being lost EVERYWHERE. One thing for sure, it is going to get ugly. "
edumacation wrote on Feb 9, 2009 1:17 PM:
Here is the portal to the Neverland at the LUSD. Its mostly online-except for the numerous consultants, subcontractors and categorical programs.
Point your browser to:
http://www.lodiusd.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=144&Itemid=83
www.LODIUSD.NET home page
And carefully examine all the captions in RED. Each caption--according to the LUSD legend represents a division.
Not all functionaries are listed, only the top few employees. I suggest taking out a piece of paper and writing up a list of the many many departments.
Just because only one secretary at $60,000/year is listed does not mean there are not more assistants and helpers.
Now ask this question, with ALL these people running around promoting themselves, HOW MANY CHILDREN DO THEY TEACH IN THAT ESC building? I doubt that many students are taking instruction inside. This makes an inquisitive taxpayer wonder: What is REALLY going on in there? If they aren't teaching, why can't we contract out the work or at least computerize the operation. "
Contrapasso wrote on Feb 9, 2009 1:07 PM:
Contrapasso wrote on Feb 9, 2009 1:05 PM:
Rhodie wrote on Feb 9, 2009 11:39 AM:
dogs4you wrote on Feb 9, 2009 11:37 AM:
loadeye you say they should fire both King and Hanson, who is "they" loadeye, even though they don`t come up to your high standards, untill election time rolls around enjoy the ride since it will be a rough one. BTW I agree. "
Bob Hussein Loblaw wrote on Feb 9, 2009 11:30 AM:
Rhodie wrote on Feb 9, 2009 11:23 AM:
Here's a question; if the burdge was out of balance already, why did Larson spend money on reseeding a fresh playground, it looks just as it did before. And how much did the repaving of Tokay's parking lot cost this time? I'm sure those of you involved with other schools could have examples of money that was spent that could have been used to balance the budget instead.
Something tells me if any budget orientated person other than an administrator for the school district looked at the budgets they could find solutions. "
momto2 wrote on Feb 9, 2009 11:20 AM:
concerned parent wrote on Feb 9, 2009 9:03 AM:
shockedinlodi wrote on Feb 9, 2009 8:38 AM:
Acampo_Mom wrote on Feb 9, 2009 8:35 AM:
stucknlodi wrote on Feb 9, 2009 8:26 AM:
blossom wrote on Feb 9, 2009 8:20 AM:
These were positions for incompetant Principals... for instance C. Pennington who is more than capeable of doing her job has an assistant and She has a secretary also.... Why was that position not listed??
Their is still fluff in there and we are NOT being told of it....
Get rid of all cell phones and blackberries, if they want them they make MORE THAN ENOUGH TO PAY FOR THEM!!
Cut at the top that is where the waste is!!! "
Rhodie wrote on Feb 9, 2009 8:01 AM:
Even a halfway competant accountant can tell you that travel for work is a tax deduction. I wonder if any of these employees of LUSD get the reimbursment and claim the milage on their taxes?
Here is the milage deduction list right from the IRS website.
http://www.irs.gov/taxpros/article/0,,id=156624,00.html "
loadeye wrote on Feb 9, 2009 7:51 AM:
wtf wrote on Feb 9, 2009 7:51 AM:
If the individual pays for them, that's a different matter. You mentioned health care costs, loadeye, and I was thinking of that, too. ;)
Health insurance is a hidden cost that is way over priced along with prescription drugs - drugs that often are more harmful than helpful. Perhaps, especially since this **is** the "teaching" profession, the individuals involved should learn to take more responsibility for their health and that of their familites, and reduce "health care" costs.
"Health" care has gotten to ridiculous proportions and much of it isn't health care at all because it's disease and illness that keep the health care industry in business along with drugs whose side effects are worse than what they allegedly help. "
wileycoyote wrote on Feb 9, 2009 7:32 AM:
Therefore anyone with "associate" or "assistant" in their job description is not needed and should be fired ... immediately. "
loadeye wrote on Feb 9, 2009 7:31 AM:
Then city hall and city council should be on the agenda next. Lodi is deeper in debt every day, yet, the select few are still getting raises. "
loadeye wrote on Feb 9, 2009 7:23 AM:
That should include city manager, city clerk, division department heads, LEUD director should be fired and Hansen do it for free since he's chief boardman for the NCPA and owes Lodians a couple hundred million for his bad judgement, and appoint Ms. Ann Cerney as Mayor! That would be a great day. "
They're all overpaid in malfunctioning positions and anyone can see that until they can turn their financial positions and spending around, they're the ones to take the first. I have faith in our superintendant, Ms. Nichols-Washer, but her salary is ugly. Lodi is still in a dreamworld and deep into denial when they continually spend money unneedlessly and keep voting one another raises. The whole wage structure should be based on results, not what another person in that same position makes in some other city that has itself put together and isn't just pumping out dropouts ad D students like LUSD is. "
wtf wrote on Feb 9, 2009 7:20 AM:
But I wonder if it couldn't go further than that. If lay offs are inevitable, and class enrollment is down, maybe some of the superintendent positions can be eliminated and rolled into one thereby saving an entire salary in addition to pay cuts. "
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