Try Taking A Dog’s Dinner

 

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Today’s education industrial complex charged with educating our children is big business, costing an estimated $620 Billion a year. The Great Falls Public Schools District, with an annual budget of $91 million, is part of that bigger complex.

The taxpayers of Great Falls have supported our school system since 1886, and continue to provide the financial resources to give local children a good education.

This past spring, voters rejected a $1.4 million operational levy that by the district’s own admission, was solely for increases in personnel health insurance premiums and raises for district employees, not directly “for the kids”. Property tax increases resulting from the successful $98 million facilities bond, perceived mismanagement and a stagnant local economy were all probably what motivated voters to say “enough is enough already”.

The failure of the operational levy brought a harsh reaction from Superintendent Tammy Lacey, and at Monday night’s school board meeting she also had some disappointing comments concerning the public’s reaction to the administration’s recommendation to give 48 administrators 2% raises for the coming school year.

As reported by the Great Falls Tribune, Lacey had this to say;

“Part of the reason why (the average income in Great Falls) is low is a lack of the will of so many people in our community to go out and earn a bachelor’s degree, let alone a master’s degree, let alone the plus-30 credits and the college time that these people have spent in classrooms learning to get better”.

“Part of the reason why (the average income in Great Falls) is low is a lack of the will of so many people in our community to go out and earn a bachelor’s degree, let alone a master’s degree, let alone the plus-30 credits and the college time that these people have spent in classrooms learning to get better”. – GFPS Superintendent Tammy Lacey

Wow! Is she seriously telling the taxpayers of Great Falls that they are under-educated and lazy? Sure seems like the Chairman of the school board needs to have a little talk with Ms. Lacey about her insulting manner.

“Lacey was more vehement in her answer and said some community members are treating administrators as scapegoats for larger economic and social issues within the community.” As reported by the Tribune, “Lacey didn’t hold back her feelings as she addressed the board and the full room of community members and GFPS staff”.

I would ask, who the heck does she think she is, and who does she think she works for?

Keep in mind that 12 of the 48 administrators currently make over $100,000 per year and 9 would make over $95,000 with the intended raises. Compare that to the $43,374 as reported by the Department of labor, as the median Great Falls income. The average, as opposed to median, annual income in Great Falls is even lower, around $24,000.

Keep in mind that 12 of the 48 administrators currently make over $100,000 per year and 9 would make over $95,000 with the intended raises. Compare that to the $43,374 as reported by the Department of labor, as the median Great Falls income. The average, as opposed to median, annual income in Great Falls is even lower, around $24,000.

Superintendent Lacey can place the blame for what she thinks is a lack of support for our public schools on Montana legislators, the under-educated, weak willed citizens of Great Falls, and her critics, but it’s the administrators on the “Hill” who are calling the shots and should be held accountable for making one bad judgement call after another. Ultimately the buck stops at the superintendent’s desk.

We have learned, without a doubt, it is not wise to try and take away a dog’s food, and that includes saying no to a 2% raise. However, Superintendent Lacey should also remember that it is never a good idea to bite the hand that feeds you, or you might need to find a new home.

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• Category: GFPS