Board of Education Priorities
Sign Now
We the undersigned support Simsbury Public Schools.
Our support comes in the form of approval of annual operating budgets and involvement in our respective PTO organizations.
We, as parents, voters and taxpayers urge the Board of Education to realign its proposed spending for the 2008-2009 school year.
Under the assumption that the voters approve the 3.5\% budget increase ($2,032,8560), we understand that you are proposing:
Allocating $609,000 to classroom technology purchases.
39\% of the $609,000 is earmarked for K-6 technology:
o $74,000 for Smartboards (K-3)
o $165,000 for laptops and carts for K-6 ($1300/laptop)
Thus requiring:
CUTS in other area of the budget to keep the technology spending in tact.
o 14-20 Special Education elementary Paraprofessionals ($131,000)
o 2.0 FTE elementary teacher positions ($142,000)
Therefore resulting in:
INCREASED Class sizes at the K-3 level at each of our elementary schools,
with a projection by Dr. Ullman that 4 classes at Squadron Line will exceed the guideline. (2/26 BOE mtg.)
Teachers who have larger class sizes and fewer support staff from paraprofessionals, resulting in a negative impact to ALL students.
PLEASE continue to keep K-3 classroom size and paraprofessional support as your TOP priorities.
Teachers teach our children, computers do not!
Our support comes in the form of approval of annual operating budgets and involvement in our respective PTO organizations.
We, as parents, voters and taxpayers urge the Board of Education to realign its proposed spending for the 2008-2009 school year.
Under the assumption that the voters approve the 3.5\% budget increase ($2,032,8560), we understand that you are proposing:
Allocating $609,000 to classroom technology purchases.
39\% of the $609,000 is earmarked for K-6 technology:
o $74,000 for Smartboards (K-3)
o $165,000 for laptops and carts for K-6 ($1300/laptop)
Thus requiring:
CUTS in other area of the budget to keep the technology spending in tact.
o 14-20 Special Education elementary Paraprofessionals ($131,000)
o 2.0 FTE elementary teacher positions ($142,000)
Therefore resulting in:
INCREASED Class sizes at the K-3 level at each of our elementary schools,
with a projection by Dr. Ullman that 4 classes at Squadron Line will exceed the guideline. (2/26 BOE mtg.)
Teachers who have larger class sizes and fewer support staff from paraprofessionals, resulting in a negative impact to ALL students.
PLEASE continue to keep K-3 classroom size and paraprofessional support as your TOP priorities.
Teachers teach our children, computers do not!
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Goal
345 signatures
Goal: 1,000
Latest Signatures
345.
Matthew D
|
School
Latimer Lane
Our two children are in the largest classes and have been since kindergarten. We are still waiting for a reduction! 26 is a lot of 3rd graders in one classroom! We would like you to consider fixing this first! Thank you
341.
Mark T
|
School
Squadron Line, Henry James
Keeping class sizes small would be my priority. Laptops for students would be much further down the list.
336.
Vitali Z
|
School
LL
It might be too late to vote against the "smart" classrooms. But it is not too late for us to refocus and be proactive in focusing on what is important for our children. I would suggest: find and hire the very best teachers; better equipped sci
335.
Rev Seanm
|
School
Squadron Elem/ Central Preschool
As a community leader and parent, I use my leadership position to support Simsbury Schools over private education. It is essencial that continue to offer smaller class sizes and excellent para professional support
323.
Susan As
|
School
Squadron Line
In our wonderful family-oriented town, between PTO and the generosity of individuals, I'm sure money could be raised to support technology. As a part of the 6th grade yearbook, the children conducted interviews with the teachers. Whe
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