Breaking: School Levy Passes, Establishment Candidates Sweep
H/T to The Electric’s Jenn Rowell, who broke the news:
As of now, Jan Cahill, Kim Skornogoski, and Bill Bronson are the leading vote-getters among school board candidates.
The operation levy stands at approximately 54.7% in favor with 45.3% opposed.
What is wrong with these folks? They will tax us out of our homes…and for what? To squander on their ridiculous salaries?! When will this madness ever end?
H elena – $163,000 (2018) Population 8,065. $20.21 per student
Billings – $170,000(2019) Population 16,644. $10.21 per student
Bozeman – $165,000(2019) Population 7,205. $22.90 per student
Missoula – $180,000(2019) Population 8,959. $20.09 per student
Great Falls – $160,000(2020) Population 10,157 $15.75 per student
If the people who wrote this blog were smart enough to look at the facts, and present the whole story, like journalists do, you would see that GFPS is the second largest school district in the state, and Tom Moore is paid less than the majority of the other superintendents in the state.
I’m confused. Did I just read our schools received over $2m Federal Gov’t for Covid19–to use as they wish. Wouldn’t the right thing have been to rescind the levy since they received the money they needed? Comparative salaries, as mentioned above, are not sufficient to explain the need for more money, especially in these trying, unparalleled times of high unemployment, closed schools, closed services, quarantine and illness. What am I missing? Many people in Great Falls are on fixed incomes. I realize a few dollars/$150000 home does not sound like much, but for those on a fixed income, or with no income at all now, it all makes a difference.
WHAT ABOUT TEACHER SALARIES? THEY GOT A VERY SMALL RAISE..2% HOW DO THEY COMPARE TO OTHER DISTRICTS? LOWER I BELIEVE.
YOU HAVE A VALID POINT AND A REASON TO BE CONCERNED; I AM TOO. KEEP VOTING “NO”
AND ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO VOTE!!!!!! IT MATTERS !!!
I can only compare my experience in the private sector. If you analyze teacher salaries and consider working/non-working days (summers off, holidays, seasonal breaks, etc.) they are probably compensated fairly. Most private sector folks only get 2-3 weeks off plus some Fed holidays, and they have to deal w/employment-at-will. There is no such thing as tenure, and retirement benefits fall on the employee. As far as Admin. salaries, private sector employees are compensated based on experience & education, not on what others around them make. I am not complaining, I would just like GFPS employees to appreciate all that they have and thank the public once in a while for their good fortune. Not ask for more…and more…and more.