What do you think of the proposed budget cuts to HISD magnet program? (Houston: apartment, motels)

[Meyerland]

Originally Posted by David Dollar

Do what you need to do to get teachers more money. Most teachers are making similar to what they made 5 years ago but inflation in Houston has been very high.

Yes, HISD had the lowest pay and it would have hurt recruitment if the funds for teacher pay raises wasn't passed. I am thrilled about that.

[buckeroo]

Originally Posted by Meyerland

On a side note, I found out that there is some federal money that does fund the vanguard students, but I am unaware of the amount.

It's state funding for Vanguard students. I think it's about $500 per student

[Meyerland]

The board voted to keep the vanguard funds the same as last year. thanks buckaroo for letting us know what the state funds are. With the PUA increase and not cutting the funds for vanguard,the schools shouldn't have to make cutbacks again.

[texan77]

Originally Posted by Meyerland

The board voted to keep the vanguard funds the same as last year. thanks buckaroo for letting us know what the state funds are. With the PUA increase and not cutting the funds for vanguard,the schools shouldn't have to make cutbacks again.

Meyerland, can you please cite to the source for your statement that the "board voted to keep the vanguard funds the same as last year"? My understanding is that board has not made a final vote on this. So the issue isn't settled yet.

[EasilyAmused]

Its a bunch of bs. Stealing the better kids from each zoning to a " better" school, kills the neighborhood school. The schools should reflect the area. All this stress for your 5 year old to hit a magnet is nuts. its public school for pities sake.

Neighborhood schools make a neighborhood. Magnets kill them. Pretty simple Imho.

[Meyerland]

Originally Posted by texan77

Meyerland, can you please cite to the source for your statement that the "board voted to keep the vanguard funds the same as last year"? My understanding is that board has not made a final vote on this. So the issue isn't settled yet.

I got a direct email in reply to an email i sent to the superintendent and my district rep.( not a personal email from either of course) It was sent by someone in the advanced academic Dept. It may be wrong though. The email told me it would be in the minutes when that is uploaded.

Here is the entire email message she sent when i enquired about The vanguard PUA rate for this year and next year. I wanted to see what the difference was.

"The PUA for GT is 0.12 the same as last year. The 5/8/2014 Board Agenda provides this information. "

Edit- maybe she meant the PUA would be .12 without the cuts? Maybe I misunderstood the email.

The string of emails I have been getting about this issue don't really give a straight answer. I also don't understand the .12 PUA. Is that 12$ or what?

I have not gotten back a response to my response to this last email.

[Meyerland]

Originally Posted by EasilyAmused

Its a bunch of bs. Stealing the better kids from each zoning to a " better" school, kills the neighborhood school. The schools should reflect the area. All this stress for your 5 year old to hit a magnet is nuts. its public school for pities sake.

Neighborhood schools make a neighborhood. Magnets kill them. Pretty simple Imho.

I say that if they don't properly fund the magnets, then send the kids back to their neighborhood school. That would be inconvenient and includes my own child, but it would solve crowding issues.

Stopping all transportation services would have to save a big chunk of money.

Here is some info i just got from another parent on the PTO.

2013-14 Magnet $ / Student/Per Student/ Total Magnet Coord./ 2014-15 Total
Red 234164 592 150 88800 50000 138800 -95364
Horn 285504 749 50 37450 50000 87450 -198054
Lovett 371232 692 350 242200 50000 292200. -79032
Twain 344100 845 50 42250 50000 92250. -251850
Kolter 208395 600 50 30000 50000 80000. -128395
Herod 197393 765 0 0 50000 50000. -147393
Lanier Middle 118423 0 0 50000 50000. -68423
Parker 427354 815 350 285250 50000 335250. -92104
Carnegie Vangu. 412039 0 0 50000 50000 -362039
Wilson Montesorri 209703 482 350 168700 50000 218700 8997

The last number is the money that will be lost at each campus, except for Wilson.

Poor Carnegie!

[Vicman]

Originally Posted by EasilyAmused

Its a bunch of bs. Stealing the better kids from each zoning to a " better" school, kills the neighborhood school. The schools should reflect the area. All this stress for your 5 year old to hit a magnet is nuts. its public school for pities sake.

Neighborhood schools make a neighborhood. Magnets kill them. Pretty simple Imho.

Parents in poorer neighborhoods feel there are problems in their zoned schools, so they want to get their kids elsewhere. That was one pressure with the Rice School when it opened: What Went Wrong at the Rice School? | Houston Press - The poor minority parents didn't want the same things the wealthier white parents did.

[Meyerland]

I get why they want to go to a better school, but HISD needs to fund those schools if they do that. I personally like a mix of SES at my child's school. I just don't see how these schools can do great next year with these cuts. I didn't realize how few schools would be affected, but how greatly they will be affected.

[Meyerland]

Channel 2 news is doing a story about the proposed budget cuts at 5:00 today. Ryan Korsgard is the reporter.