The State of North Carolina always lives within it's means: it has no other choice. The issue being debated was whether North Carolinian's could afford to keep sales taxes at last year's level so as to maintain public education at last year's levels. Conservatives decided that they preferred to cut spending on education in order to reduce sales taxes. In their view the cost to education was worth having more money in taxpayers' pockets. So be it. But conservatives should at least be honest about the choice they made rather than casting dispersions at those who disagree with this choice.
Does the editor believe that teachers will be paid for the extra five teaching days? There was no salary increase for teachers this year despite the added work: if there is not state salary increase there will be no additional cost to the county's supplement, which is a percentage of the teacher base pay set by the state. I'm sure Dr. Purser is not planning on having Moore County taxpayers foot the entire bill. You may believe it appropriate for teachers to bear the heavier burden - increased retirement contributions, increased working days - but there should not be any doubt on the fact that they are bearing one.
@TreadLightly - No one said that people won't be able to work with a reduced budget. Generations of American's have made the financial sacrifices to ensure that future generations received a quality education; Auden is simply wondering why this generation of taxpayers will not return the favor they received to those students now in school. I can guarantee you that no one put her up to writing this letter and would suggest that your suggestion that someone did could be perceived as insulting by the author.
@SnakeFlag - the state has an interest in Moore County schools because the people of North Carolina, in the late 18th century, made the state responsible for education as part of the States Declaration of Rights.
To be sure, the State legislature has decided to cut education substantially in order to make good on campaign promises to not reinstate a temporary state tax. That said, the County Commissioners are left with their own choice - to boost taxes [their analysis] or force the school system to absorb the full impact of the State's cuts. The decision to step to the side and let the educational chips fall where they may, speaks volumes regarding the County's commitment to the education. What harm would a temporary tax increase have done?
Actually, the debt fallout from the Bush tax cuts, Medicare prescription drug plans, and Iraq-related expenses far outweigh the fallout from Obama's stimulus package. I personally commend the Tea Party's commitment to a political point of view, but wish that this commitment was less blind to the transgressions of Republican leaders against the Tea Party's platforms.
When many of our European ancestors immigrated to America, it was because America did not bar such immigration: the tired, poor, and hungry were welcomed and could live legally. That is not the case today. The tired, poor, and hungry are not welcomed: immigration is reserved for a small segment of foreign societies. I'm not making a value judgement on the change, just noting that many of our forefathers would not be welcomed today.
I couldn't agree more. As I understand it, $3million remains unfunded: the ball has been passed to the County Commissioners for additional monies. If this is the case, shouldn't we have a clear understanding regarding what will happen if the County Commissioners do not come up with said funds?
I have to wonder if continued discussion on Academy Heights even makes sense given the likelihood of substantially higher budget cuts. Most of the variable costs in education revolve around teacher salaries. It appears County leaders - Board of Education and Board of Commissioners - will be forced to come to grips with the trade off between substantial increases in class size and reduced offerings and the need to increased local funding for education. The sooner this 'hypothetical' discussion begins the better for all concerned.
publius 1 year, 11 months ago
Budget Now Hangs Squarely on GOP
The State of North Carolina always lives within it's means: it has no other choice. The issue being debated was whether North Carolinian's could afford to keep sales taxes at last year's level so as to maintain public education at last year's levels. Conservatives decided that they preferred to cut spending on education in order to reduce sales taxes. In their view the cost to education was worth having more money in taxpayers' pockets. So be it. But conservatives should at least be honest about the choice they made rather than casting dispersions at those who disagree with this choice.
publius 1 year, 11 months ago
The Budget Giveth and Taketh Away
Does the editor believe that teachers will be paid for the extra five teaching days? There was no salary increase for teachers this year despite the added work: if there is not state salary increase there will be no additional cost to the county's supplement, which is a percentage of the teacher base pay set by the state. I'm sure Dr. Purser is not planning on having Moore County taxpayers foot the entire bill. You may believe it appropriate for teachers to bear the heavier burden - increased retirement contributions, increased working days - but there should not be any doubt on the fact that they are bearing one.
publius 1 year, 11 months ago
We Must Not Leave Education Behind
@TreadLightly - No one said that people won't be able to work with a reduced budget. Generations of American's have made the financial sacrifices to ensure that future generations received a quality education; Auden is simply wondering why this generation of taxpayers will not return the favor they received to those students now in school. I can guarantee you that no one put her up to writing this letter and would suggest that your suggestion that someone did could be perceived as insulting by the author.
publius 2 years ago
Descending Into Class Struggle
The Pilgrims and Puritans were two different groups. The latter -a theocracy in many ways- absorbed the former and was indeed divisive.
publius 2 years ago
Passing the Costs On Down the Line
@SnakeFlag - the state has an interest in Moore County schools because the people of North Carolina, in the late 18th century, made the state responsible for education as part of the States Declaration of Rights.
publius 2 years ago
County's Proposed Budget: Tax Rate Stays the Same
To be sure, the State legislature has decided to cut education substantially in order to make good on campaign promises to not reinstate a temporary state tax. That said, the County Commissioners are left with their own choice - to boost taxes [their analysis] or force the school system to absorb the full impact of the State's cuts. The decision to step to the side and let the educational chips fall where they may, speaks volumes regarding the County's commitment to the education. What harm would a temporary tax increase have done?
publius 2 years, 1 month ago
Sorry Bouser Finds Us So Bothersome
Actually, the debt fallout from the Bush tax cuts, Medicare prescription drug plans, and Iraq-related expenses far outweigh the fallout from Obama's stimulus package. I personally commend the Tea Party's commitment to a political point of view, but wish that this commitment was less blind to the transgressions of Republican leaders against the Tea Party's platforms.
publius 2 years, 1 month ago
Proposed State Law Would Strip Immigrants of Dignity
When many of our European ancestors immigrated to America, it was because America did not bar such immigration: the tired, poor, and hungry were welcomed and could live legally. That is not the case today. The tired, poor, and hungry are not welcomed: immigration is reserved for a small segment of foreign societies. I'm not making a value judgement on the change, just noting that many of our forefathers would not be welcomed today.
publius 2 years, 1 month ago
Action, Reaction On School Front
I couldn't agree more. As I understand it, $3million remains unfunded: the ball has been passed to the County Commissioners for additional monies. If this is the case, shouldn't we have a clear understanding regarding what will happen if the County Commissioners do not come up with said funds?
publius 2 years, 1 month ago
Purser Revises Proposal on Year-Round Schools
I have to wonder if continued discussion on Academy Heights even makes sense given the likelihood of substantially higher budget cuts. Most of the variable costs in education revolve around teacher salaries. It appears County leaders - Board of Education and Board of Commissioners - will be forced to come to grips with the trade off between substantial increases in class size and reduced offerings and the need to increased local funding for education. The sooner this 'hypothetical' discussion begins the better for all concerned.