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Pete Geraldizo, president of the California School Employees Association, Chapter 77, addresses the school board during a meeting at McNair High School on Tuesday. (Dan Evans/News-Sentinel)
Lodi Unified School District moves forward with all classified reductions
By Jennifer Bonnett
News-Sentinel Staff Writer
News-Sentinel Staff Writer
Wednesday, April 22, 2009 6:56 AM PDT
In a move to save more money, the Lodi Unified School District voted to either lay off or reduce hours for more than 100 classified fulland part-time employees.
The cuts are effective July 1, and by law employees must receive a 45-day notice. The layoffs can be rescinded at any time before then.
About a dozen employees spoke at Tuesday’s meeting, many of them wearing their official blue union polos.
One employee, Richard Scherr, who is also a district graduate and has grandchildren enrolled in local schools, said the cuts will affect the classrooms.
“Do you know what these people do?” he said, addressing the board. “They replace the four feet of fence Monday torn out by a drunk driver so that the playground is not open.”
“Look at this room, it is unusable without lights,” he added.
Another speaker called classified staff the backbone of the district.
In other action, the school board:
News-Sentinel staff
“Who’s going to clean up after little Johnny gets sick?” Houston School head custodian Robert Sieler asked trustees. “I’ve said it before: We are not only custodians, but children’s friends, counselors.” The district has already cut positions at the administrative office and doled out hundreds of pink slips to teachers to close a multi-million-dollar budget deficit for the 2009-10 school year.
“It’s not getting easier,” Board President Richard Jones said of the recent decisions.
Trustees have been working to reduce next year’s budget since they are short on funds due to a lag in state money and a drop in enrollment.
“We can only spend what Sacramento gives us, and they’re giving us a lot less,” Trustee Calvin Young said.
Among the classified cuts approved Tuesday:
In a separate resolution, trustees reduced hours to a number of part-time staff, including typist clerks at more than half a dozen campuses and 64 paraeducators.
Before Tuesday’s unanimous vote, longtime Trustee Ken Davis praised the district’s classified staff.
“When we go out to a site, you are often the first to greet us,” he said.
“We value each and every one of you. I know you work around the clock to keep this district going.
“Making no decision is not an option. We have had staff go over these numbers again and again.”
Trustee Jeff Thompson concurred, but cautioned that he is fearful that the district won’t be able to maintain its current levels with the cuts. “I can’t look at anyone and say we are going to be able to,” he said.
Contact reporter Jennifer Bonnett at jenniferb@lodinews.com.
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blossom wrote on Apr 29, 2009 10:04 PM:
And I dont judge people until I have at least tried to walk a mile in their shoes~ "
edumacation wrote on Apr 29, 2009 7:01 PM:
Go Administrators Go!! Fire ALL those do-nothing malcontent teachers who take the money we need for our little projects and studies and of course our inflated salaries, bonuses and egos. "
Mainframe wrote on Apr 29, 2009 5:25 PM:
jbhiker wrote on Apr 29, 2009 5:02 PM:
There was no survey - just a simple question: Are you happy with the work the janitors do at the school. Here were the important answers:
The custodians definitely make a difference in the morale of the kids and teachers. The custodians do not clean much more than the floors. We (the Teachers) have to clean our own classrooms. The Men are often found sleeping or goofing off. The women are often busy but do their share of talking when they should be working. One night after volunteering at a track meet, my Wife and I went to her classroom to get her papers to grade and curled up on a table was a custodian - asleep. And I listened over and over to Teachers verify these and more. "
blossom wrote on Apr 29, 2009 10:48 AM:
Are You Sure wrote on Apr 29, 2009 8:32 AM:
I am with you....I do think that Jerry is Dr. Closson or even perhaps Dr. Nemo.... "
blossom wrote on Apr 29, 2009 12:16 AM:
jb wrote: My wife corrected me.Remember that jb you wrote it NOT I~ "
blossom wrote on Apr 29, 2009 12:10 AM:
He dosent like Facility Managers aka Janitor's either....
I say again, They wonder why the kids are soooo disrespectful??
Did you see how he degraded not only women but, the people who work hand in hand with him at school and cleanup his sloppy classroom and by the way he talks I would BET it is a DIVE! "
Lee wrote on Apr 28, 2009 10:53 PM:
blossom wrote on Apr 28, 2009 10:29 PM:
jb get over your big bad self....
I thought you didn't work for LUSD....
Did you lie..... Nahhhh Teachers don't lie.
;-) "
blossom wrote on Apr 28, 2009 10:27 PM:
The Men are worthless. The Women are less worthless.
I say the same about TEACHERS~
I use the Term Custodian - janitor because you do.
I am trying to NOT fall off my chair I am laughing so hard!
You, my friend Teach at the wong school!
I am one of LUSD'S best Facility Mgr's By far~
I also get plenty of respect because of this,you can Bet I work my a$$ off too!
My Techers respect "OUR" school and ME because,I do and then the kids do and so on and so on....
I would give a dollar for everytime I have ever watched a TEACHER pick up ANYTHING!
OMG I am laughing so hard I am crying at your rediculas statement~
Guess what I am NOT Oriental either!
But, I will admit Oriental Teachers ARE very neat with there classrooms.
You are just one of these Teachers with this "godism" thing going on.
My facility is by far one of the cleanest LUSD has to offer and it sparkles like a diamond.
I cannot speak for the rest of LUSD but, I can guarantee that NO ONE is sleep at MY facility!LMAO "
jbhiker wrote on Apr 28, 2009 7:33 PM:
" If they fire all he JANITORS . Who will refill the toilet paper and papertowel dispensers? who will deliver your kleenex to your classrooms??"
Well I did an informal Survey among the teachers I know. The answer is clear - the TEACHERs do it now, not the Custodians! Among all surveyed, only ONE custodian stood out - an oriental lady who actually CLEANED! The Men are worthless. The Women are less worthless. That is a Unanimous opinion. The men are often found sleeping in the classrooms (literally sleeping on the classroom tables) or with their feet propped up lounging and reading a magazine. Blossom - maybe you are on Dayshift and cannot sleep on duty. But you already admitted you do not clean anything as you are "just a custodian". Just what is that anyway? Are you like a guard of the toilet or something? "
blossom wrote on Apr 28, 2009 6:22 PM:
Lodian wrote on Apr 28, 2009 12:06 PM:
How about it, Dr."C"? "
blossom wrote on Apr 27, 2009 6:25 PM:
taxpayer2 wrote on Apr 26, 2009 1:20 PM:
See my blog from 04/24, 7:35p regarding the health insurance. The District has shopped around but to no avail, they will be forced to charge the higher rates.
As for the HS drop out rates...perhaps, some (not ALL) should start teaching instead of telling their students about their personal lives and whether or not they got a pink slip. They should be "teaching", not sharing their lives! "
Lodian wrote on Apr 26, 2009 12:42 PM:
Thank you to the principal, teachers and children that did everything right the day of the fire. Thank you for the perfect response in making sure the children were all safe and sound, and even calm and playing outside waiting for their moms, dads and grandparents that day. What superb organization! THANK YOU! "
Jerry wrote on Apr 26, 2009 11:11 AM:
Thank God for Funge...in another minute that place would have been a deathtrap.
LNS never reported a word of it of course. Is the District and the paper in cahoots? Nah...isn't possible. "
Jerry wrote on Apr 26, 2009 11:08 AM:
Have you noticed yet, they take give it with on hand and take it with the other. In this case, they're just taking. I heard a rumor, maybe someone can set me straight...I heard our union isn't shopping the best deal on our health insurance...they have some sweetheart deal with a single-bidder. Can that be true?
If so, someone get the pitchforks...the rest of you grab the torches. Or, let's get em' all jobs with AIG or one of the big banks. Can you say crook?
Lastly, is it true the Lodi Board receives some goldplated (make that solid gold health program at no cost) ...say it ain't so. "
Jerry wrote on Apr 26, 2009 7:36 AM:
bigger lies. It looks like LNS put the Larson fire on the front page for a day, removed it, didn't follow-up and now this... See article on Larson fire, the story they don't want you to read. "
jbhiker wrote on Apr 26, 2009 7:35 AM:
07 06 05 04 03
Bear Creek 59 27 39 4 10
Independ. 47 38 53 50 0
Liberty 2 4 11 0 0
Lodi High 21 35 27 5 11
Plaza Robles 18 25 22 42 0
Tokay 47 34 21 3 6
***
As a district, we DID NOT meet standards for AYP (Adequate Yearly Performance) in these years:
'08 (pathetic), '07 (barely better), '06 (better than '07), '05 (better than '06), '04 (best after changing report method), '03 & '02 a failure
See a trend? EVERYONE is to blame. Everyone needs to stir the pot. Keep this in mind when you vote for the School Board & Administrative positions. "
jbhiker wrote on Apr 26, 2009 6:48 AM:
blossom wrote on Apr 26, 2009 1:45 AM:
If anything we should be supportive of these students and compassionate because of the situations they are dealing with at home.
For some of these kids we are the only stability that they know, and if you don't like what you are doing then they will feel that. It is no wonder our test scores etc and attendance is down.
I agree the moral is really bad right now ane we are all feeling so very unimportant but, we ARE important to our students and no amount of money is worth what I put into someones life!
Because of what I see every day, "
Lodian wrote on Apr 26, 2009 12:58 AM:
Lodian wrote on Apr 26, 2009 12:57 AM:
" And in case there is any question, I am a Teacher. Not by choice..."
If your choice is NOT to be a teacher then please retire from teaching. "
blossom wrote on Apr 25, 2009 8:40 PM:
I am doing fine and I am happy with what I do because, I MAKE A DIFFERENCE and I know it~ "
jbhiker wrote on Apr 25, 2009 8:18 PM:
blossom wrote on Apr 25, 2009 8:15 PM:
Once they get handed a dgree these skill fly away.. far far away~
Don't ask me why I would be a millonaire if I could figure that one out.
People have Masters and can't figure out how to get the top roll of toilet paper to drop to the bottom??
Go figure ~ LOL "
blossom wrote on Apr 25, 2009 8:11 PM:
who will be everybodys mother for the day Children??
I need this , I need that, blah blah blah...
So much selfishness no wonder the kids are SHI@t Heads you are teaching them!Monkey see monkey do! "
blossom wrote on Apr 25, 2009 8:04 PM:
I am a Custodian you are a Teacher that's why.
I would bet money you have been at my facility.
I am a bottom line person however. I love my job and I hate to see what the District is doing to people right now.
If your room is left "NASTY" as you say maybe you should pick it up before you leave!
We are NOT your maids we are CUSTODIANS.
You sound as if you are a Teacher who has this "godism " attitude,
Just get over yourself you know pride is NOT exclusive to the TeacherWorld ( Yeah I know BIG shocker).
Just because you have a degree makes you no better or more important than anyone else! (I know that is a tough one to swallow as well).
Ok, so we have crappy admin, crappy District, crappy JANITORS,crappy schools,crappy Odie, crappy Students, crappy parents, except poor jb... Get off the soap box please "
jbhiker wrote on Apr 25, 2009 7:38 PM:
edumacation wrote on Apr 25, 2009 6:44 PM:
jbhiker wrote on Apr 25, 2009 5:31 PM:
jbhiker wrote on Apr 25, 2009 5:12 PM:
blossom wrote on Apr 24, 2009 10:28 PM:
Jb I have seen many of your posts and I cannot beleive that is even somthing that would come out of your mouth??? "
blossom wrote on Apr 24, 2009 10:27 PM:
blossom wrote on Apr 24, 2009 10:26 PM:
I certainly hope you are NOT a teacher?
We are all in this together and I dont know where in the heck some of these teachers get this holyer than though attitude~
Do they hand out degrees and say" NOW YOU ARE A SAINT"???
I just dont get it?? "
blossom wrote on Apr 24, 2009 10:21 PM:
Let me just add this is a District wide problem.
NO ONE WANTS TO DISCIPLINE STUDENTS~
It is a never ending cycle... Teachers send them to Administration.... They in turn DO NOTHING and send them back to class OVER AND OVER again~
Wabt to talk about saving money?? Get RID of some of these so called CAMPUS SECURITY who are more the kids friend then a ROLE MODEL for them!
It is BULL S@#T "
jbhiker wrote on Apr 24, 2009 10:00 PM:
taxpayer2 wrote on Apr 24, 2009 7:38 PM:
taxpayer2 wrote on Apr 24, 2009 7:35 PM:
jbhiker wrote on Apr 24, 2009 5:51 PM:
jbhiker wrote on Apr 24, 2009 5:42 PM:
Devolution - I rest my case. "
jbhiker wrote on Apr 24, 2009 5:39 PM:
Are You Sure wrote on Apr 24, 2009 8:50 AM:
Are You Sure wrote on Apr 24, 2009 8:31 AM:
I am not so sure I would say that Bear Creek High School is a bottom less pit that is such a diaster.
Lodi Unified just spent millions to modnerize their school and is currently working on an Emergency Repair Project. Have you paid the School a visit lately?
If it's such a disaster, I am sure some situations would make the papers... "
takealook wrote on Apr 24, 2009 5:53 AM:
jbhiker wrote on Apr 23, 2009 7:41 PM:
jbhiker wrote on Apr 23, 2009 4:54 PM:
YourKidding wrote on Apr 23, 2009 2:21 PM:
edumacation wrote on Apr 23, 2009 1:49 PM:
YourKidding wrote on Apr 23, 2009 1:21 PM:
If their supervisor is not happy with their performance then they should be evaluated properly and the bad ones weeded out. I do know that all of the coordinators were previously Teachers. "
edumacation wrote on Apr 23, 2009 12:52 PM:
The California state Department of Education has already determined the content standards and Frameworks that districts must teach. The CDE has already decided which content standards will be tested by standardized tests and which components are NOT to be tested. Virtually all educational materials must ve approved not only by the CDE, but also by the local County Departments of Education. So what is there for the "curricum coordinators" to do other than to fetch coffee for the administrators and masage their tender egos. Can you explain why small districts don't need "curriculum coordinators"? The answer is they are not needed. It's one more layer of obfuscation of the obvious. In the classroom, its the teacher who really develops the curriculum and it has always been that way! That's one reason teachers have credentials, so they know what is important to which child. All teachers know the content standards and the specifications for test questions on the standardized test. If schools score under 800 whats the worry? Only 3 Lodi schools achieve 800. "
YourKidding wrote on Apr 23, 2009 8:40 AM:
However, I will say for the record, that Odie's position was not created for him. Dr. Rich Ferarra previously held that position. "
Jerry wrote on Apr 23, 2009 6:38 AM:
Does anyone know? What about CTA? I hear they're cuttn' a fat hog also. "
Good Fun! wrote on Apr 22, 2009 10:02 PM:
jiazhou wrote on Apr 22, 2009 9:46 PM:
edumacation wrote on Apr 22, 2009 9:45 PM:
Both of these gentlemen are known for their radical political agenda. Odie worships at the labyrinthe in Wellesley, and he still preaches the old SOicialist ideology. White man= bad, Everyone else gets ranked by cultural identity. Go visit the SEED architetss at Wellesley college where Odie posed for photos.
It is a chummy atmosphere of group think and MY WAY or the highway attitudes.
What does Odie do all day? "
Good Fun! wrote on Apr 22, 2009 8:58 PM:
jbhiker wrote on Apr 22, 2009 8:47 PM:
jbhiker wrote on Apr 22, 2009 8:46 PM:
As for all of the classified workers; You all sat back quietly while the teachers warned you of this. The top of the "pile of manure" will not be scraped off by teachers, by citizens nor by classified workers. Your actions and failure to see these pompous A$$3$ for what they are is now YOUR problem too.
OK Tough guy. What are you going to do about it? I think I know. "
Jerry wrote on Apr 22, 2009 12:23 PM:
If the School Board insisted on a different culture or educational priority it would happen over-night. The Board hires "like minds" and given the leadership, direction and level of managerial talent...you've got a mess.
Let's get a new School Board. Four seats are up for re-election next year. Let's throw the bums out.
P.S. Does anyone know if these fine people get $700 per month or $700 per meeting. Also, do the Board members themselves get health benefits. I heard from a source of unknown reliability that they do. Can anyone education me.
As for Odie Douglas and what he does all day? I have asked a number of people who should know...and they don't.
Nobody is willing or able to tell me what he does "exactly." Hey, what do you want for $168,500 plus big time perks? "
YourKidding wrote on Apr 22, 2009 11:52 AM:
Custodians are very important...I hope he/she is okay. "
blossom wrote on Apr 22, 2009 11:42 AM:
THE CUSTODIAN was treated for smoke inhalation.
They want to get rid of custodians?
Give me a break!
we put our lives onthe line every single day for Students and Staff and we are Unimportant?? I think NOT! "
YourKidding wrote on Apr 22, 2009 11:11 AM:
blossom wrote on Apr 22, 2009 10:49 AM:
we need to get ahold of some bus drivers and figure out a day.
I will talk to some and you talk to some, I cant tell you where I work because I dont want anyone to know who I am.
We will have to figure out a way to get in touch... any ideas? "
taxpayer2 wrote on Apr 22, 2009 10:30 AM:
YourKidding wrote on Apr 22, 2009 10:28 AM:
blossom wrote on Apr 22, 2009 10:16 AM:
Let them clean their own classrooms and change their own lightbulbs and good luck restocking the Toilet paper~
School can't happen without us! "
YourKidding wrote on Apr 22, 2009 10:06 AM:
I understand exactly what Calvin said..."We can only spend what the state gives us," but how the district makes their decision on who to cut is beyond my thinking.
If you look at the cuts and know anything about how the district operates...so many of the cuts are political and sometimes even personal.
Another point: Just because an employee is paid out of the M & O funds but does not actually work out of the M & O yard, doesn't mean their position should be cut. Especially when their position has to do with the health and safety of our students. "
hapalady wrote on Apr 22, 2009 9:10 AM:
blossom wrote on Apr 22, 2009 9:04 AM:
I don't know what school you work at but, I thnk you had better take a look at who's hanging out around the clock.
Classified Employees get NO prep periods and the last time I checked it wasen't a Classified employee that was out at lunch/prep looking for Heroin.
LUSD is making a huge mistake Classified staff salaries are not breaking the bank! "
edumacation wrote on Apr 22, 2009 8:07 AM:
It is an eerie parallel to the banking crisis on Wall street. The Good Ol Boys who are making back room deals and plans, smashed good banks against the rocks to destroy them, and then got Taxpayers money to bailk them out AND give them billions in bonuses. These oinkers have no humility. They are grinding down the work of hard working students, and grabbing very morsel of tax money they can while they try to justify doing nothing all day. Just what does Mr. Odie do all day? Is he still plotting with the SEED people at the radical incubator, Wellesley college, to subjugate anyone who doesn't agree with his radical politics? "
WCPatty wrote on Apr 22, 2009 7:48 AM:
Libraries aren't just for research. They foster literacy, which many people would assume is a fundamental aspect of quality education. Unlike cell phones for administrations. "
jbhiker wrote on Apr 22, 2009 6:25 AM:
commonsense wrote on Apr 22, 2009 5:36 AM:
Comments on this story are now closed.