Tulsa Public Schools Spending

[Gaspar]

I thought it was illegal for any local group to raise money for public schools above the anointed allotment.  Raising money for local kids put other kids at a disadvantage.  You have to keep reminding yourself that we all strive for the Lowest Common Denominator.   DO NOT FORGET.....LCD.  It works to keep education fair for everyone.

. . .and the trees are all kept equal, by hatchet, axe, and saw!

[Townsend]

I thought it was illegal for any local group to raise money for public schools above the anointed allotment.  Raising money for local kids put other kids at a disadvantage.  You have to keep reminding yourself that we all strive for the Lowest Common Denominator.   DO NOT FORGET.....LCD.  It works to keep education fair for everyone.

So no donating jackets or anything?

[Townsend]

Tulsa schools are about to lose their music budget.

That's sad.

[AquaMan]

Buses are probably next.

Truthfully, I don't see public education in Oklahoma long term as sustainable in its present form. About 20% of the population is outraged by its systematic strangulation and foresee its consequences. Roughly the equivalent to the appx % of upper level degrees in the state.

The remainder either don't know, don't care or gleefully applaud the process in hopes parochial, for profit and home schooling will replace it. Good thing we have casinos, lotteries and evangelism to get us through.

[Red Arrow]

So no donating jackets or anything?

That's the impression I have.  I'd be glad to be proven incorrect on this issue.

[nathanm]

. . .and the trees are all kept equal, by hatchet, axe, and saw!

Should have known you'd quote Geddy Lee.

[RecycleMichael]

My kid's schools raise thousands of dollars each semester. My daughter's elementary school raised $41,000 this month just to fund a PE teacher.

People give private money to public schools all the time. My family gave more money to public schools this past year than we did to our church.

Jenks just reached out to some wealthy parents. There is nothing wrong with taht. Tulsa Public Schools accepted.

This story ran last summer...

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=19&articleid=20110627_19_0_Ananon334874

Anonymous donor funds eight TPS social worker positions cut from budget

By ANDREA EGER World Staff Writer
Published: 6/27/2011 

An anonymous donor has stepped forward to fund eight social workers' positions that had been eliminated in a $4.2 million cut from the Tulsa Public Schools special education budget for 2011-12.

The district announced the $175,000 donation in a Monday afternoon press release. Superintendent Keith Ballard expressed gratitude in a written statement. "Of all the programs we were forced to cut, this is the one that troubled me the most," he said. "Special education services are so critical, especially when we have such a strong desire to help students beyond state-mandated minimums. Additionally, it is a good leverage of school dollars when combined with the resources of DHS to provide for these positions. We are so grateful to our anonymous donor for pitching in when our own state legislature doesn't provide adequate funding to support these mission-critical programs."

With the restoration of the eight positions, social workers can continue to get students connected to services ranging from food, clothing and shelter assistance to crisis intervention services because of abuse, loss or suicidal thoughts. TPS slashed its special education budget in preparation for state funding reductions and the expiration of federal stimulus funds.

The cuts included 65 of the 140 special education employee positions that were being paid for with stimulus funds and $1.3 million for student counseling services provided by mental health agencies.

[Gaspar]

Should have known you'd quote Geddy Lee.

You have just impressed me. 

[nathanm]

You have just impressed me. 

I like the music, but I could do without Geddy's politicking.

[Hoss]

I like the music, but I could do without Geddy's politicking.

Do what I do.  Ignore it.  I like a lot of Nugent's music.  I ignore his insanity.

[nathanm]

Do what I do.  Ignore it.  I like a lot of Nugent's music.  I ignore his insanity.

Easier said than done since some of Rush's best music is paired with ultra-libertarian polemics.

[Hoss]

Easier said than done since some of Rush's best music is paired with ultra-libertarian polemics.

Keep in mind that Geddy does not do much writing of music.  Most of Rush's music is written by Neil Peart.

[Gaspar]

I like the music, but I could do without Geddy's politicking.

That would be Neal, not Geddy. 

[nathanm]

That would be Neal, not Geddy. 

I could swear I've seen them both together on some show or another promoting their philosophy. I have been known to be wrong on occasion, though.

[heironymouspasparagus]

Just kick back and relax.  Put on the headphones and bask in the goodness....


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvQ2JF-glvw