A perspective on New Jersey teachers and the Governor's budget (Trenton: insurance, best schools)

[nemmert]

Originally Posted by MudShovel

the fact is, IT WAS SUSTAINABLE!!!!!!!!! Why do you think the state got the mentallity that hey we'll just double up next time. Come on, are you really that niave?

Let's see it all started with....................Whitman raiding the state FOP and PBA pension funds to give tax cuts. And the politcal slush funding didnt end there. When the state pension funds were on life support they raided the state's unemployment fund for a nice whopping total of 6 billion dollars.

Thanks for the history lesson... but again... already carrying the highest tax burden in the country... still unable to fund the plan... i.e. unaffordable. Times change, it matters not that it was once affordable, it's not today.

[MudShovel]

Originally Posted by nemmert

Thanks for the history lesson... but again... already carrying the highest tax burden in the country... still unable to fund the plan... i.e. unaffordable. Times change, it matters not that it was once affordable, it's not today.

thanx for the strawman statement.

the fact it's unsustainable right now is the state's fault, not the NJEAs fault. Thanx for playing.

[NewBlood]

Originally Posted by NJGOAT

I think overall most sane and literate people around here, have nothing against the teachers. Their union...that's a different story.

I agree with this completely. Teachers I have nothing against - but the Union I have a loathing for. Not a single teacher had to be let go - that was the decision of the NJEA. They could have cut administrative jobs or those positions could have taken salary cuts - they didn't. They are saving their jobs at the cost of the rank and file - the very people they are there to protect. Have you seen how much some of these administrative positions make?

Right where I live in Absecon; James Giaquinto a Superintendent makes $124,499 and I can't imagine why. Or Thomas Kirchling the 'Assistant Superintendent Human Resources' who makes $170,436. THESE are the folks that should be let go or take the pay cuts NOT the teachers. You can read about those in your districts here:
http://www.state.nj.us/education/finance/fp/ufb/

[MudShovel]

Originally Posted by NewBlood

I agree with this completely. Teachers I have nothing against - but the Union I have a loathing for. Not a single teacher had to be let go - that was the decision of the NJEA. They could have cut administrative jobs or those positions could have taken salary cuts - they didn't. They are saving their jobs at the cost of the rank and file - the very people they are there to protect. Have you seen how much some of these administrative positions make?

Right where I live in Absecon; James Giaquinto a Superintendent makes $124,499 and I can't imagine why. Or Thomas Kirchling the 'Assistant Superintendent Human Resources' who makes $170,436. THESE are the folks that should be let go or take the pay cuts NOT the teachers.

So......................how is that the union's fault that bloat is at the top. They don;t represent anyone above a teacher

[DowntownJerseyCity]

Originally Posted by MudShovel

So......................how is that the union's fault that bloat is at the top. They don;t represent anyone above a teacher

The union needs to drive that point home that the upper management is the problem. You know, they can say it the next time they release one of their stupid commercials accusing Christie of hating children, kittens, and sunflowers.

[nemmert]

Originally Posted by MudShovel

So......................how is that the union's fault that bloat is at the top. They don;t represent anyone above a teacher

Bloat is the result of too much money... money breeds corruption and bloat... the NJEA is entirely against ANY cut of educational funds which in turn means they support the bloat. If the NJEA didn't, they wouldn't oppose every single budget cut... they would spend some of that $130M a year to educate the tax payers on where the bloat is that can be cut to save the teachers jobs. The fact is, the NJEA and those bloated school boards are attached at the hip.

[njkate]

Originally Posted by MudShovel

the fact is, IT WAS SUSTAINABLE!!!!!!!!! Why do you think the state got the mentallity that hey we'll just double up next time. Come on, are you really that niave?

Let's see it all started with....................Whitman raiding the state FOP and PBA pension funds to give tax cuts. And the politcal slush funding didnt end there. When the state pension funds were on life support they raided the state's unemployment fund for a nice whopping total of 6 billion dollars.

Unfortunately that is true...they took the money that was intended to fund the pension plans...THE MONEY WAS THERE..... and diverted it to other things..I think Whitman used it for the tax or homestead rebates....had a plan administrator in the private sector done that he/she would be in jail..and they've been doing it for at least a decade..how now are they going to pay the piper

and yes they raided the UI fund money you paid out of your paycheck as well as what your employer contributed, they also raided that money from the tobacco companies....
Tobacco fund and what is was supposed to be used for:

http://academic.udayton.edu/health/s...co/summary.htm

[Jerseyt719]

Whoever said that he is trying to make consolidations was right on the money. I see no problems with this. It will save many jobs that need saving (teachers) and lower the burden on the masses.

I don't think there are too many people that are really blaming the teachers for our problems. Once again, the NJEA has had a stranglehold on our taxes for a long time, and they need to loosen the grip. Our education system is simply top heavy.

[FrmlyBklyn]

Originally Posted by Jerseyt719

Whoever said that he is trying to make consolidations was right on the money. I see no problems with this. It will save many jobs that need saving (teachers) and lower the burden on the masses.

I don't think there are too many people that are really blaming the teachers for our problems. Once again, the NJEA has had a stranglehold on our taxes for a long time, and they need to loosen the grip. Our education system is simply top heavy.

As you can see, they'll go kicking and screaming, but go they will - the *** is up.

[Jerseyt719]

Originally Posted by FrmlyBklyn

As you can see, they'll go kicking and screaming, but go they will - the *** is up.

I'm hoping you're right.

I know in our high school, there is a guidance counselor going....

I guess they just want to hit the teachers (read "kids"). What about administrators? What about those that can (read "should") retire?

Are they trying to make the parents cave and say, "who cares, raise our taxes"? For a lot of people, if taxes are raised any more on no more income, there will be more homes in foreclosure and then they will lose a lot more jobs....

My husband's union agreed to a two year pay freeze to keep jobs in their company. The union members voted and it was 70-30 to agree to it. 70% don't want to see the guy next to them out of a job. Why can't the NJEA do the same thing??