Many school systems are struggling to find money to fund its basic programs. In fact in Newton, MA they will be voting on a Proposition 2 ½ override for more funds while in Needham, MA they are looking at having to cut approximately 2% -3% from next year’s budget. At the same time however, school systems are wasting lots of money on “public relations aides” to speak to the media and parents on their behalf. The purpose of these public relations aides are to give a positive spin on whatever the school system wants you to believe and at taxpayer expense. Gone are the days of the $213,000+ salaried Superintendent defending the system’s position to parents and media. Apparently the Superintendent and all of the other $129,000+ Assistant Superintendents are “too busy” to speak effectively to the parents.
Newton MA Override Vote
In Newton MA, they will be voting on three property tax overrides to increase taxes by $11,400,000 to mostly pay for school projects. While Newton Public Schools cries how they need new buildings and program funding, they never tell the public about some of their spending. Every time there is a local override vote, cities and towns always whine about how if you don’t vote to raise your taxes, they will cut teachers, police, and firefighters and everyone will suffer. They never seem to threaten to cut or reduce the salaries of the unessential hacks that serve little function in the day-to-day education of our children. In the city of Newton for example, Newton Public Schools hired in 2012 a Communications and Community Engagement Coordinator at a salary of $60,000. Here are some other non-essential Newton Public School officials with outrageous taxpayer funded salaries for fiscal year 2011 that are hidden from the public:
Superintendent of Schools – $254,573.53
Deputy Superintendent: Chief Administrative Officer – $150,540.83
Deputy Superintendent For Teaching and Learning – $72,259.32
Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education & Special Programs – $141,484.24
Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Education - $140,908.50
Assistant Superintendent for Student Services – $132,750.08
Director of Human Resources – $117,750.08
Chief of Operations – $128,346.19
Director of METCO – $103,190.00
Assistant Budget Director – $89,683.10
Assistant Human Resources Director – $85,149.84
Assistant to Superintendent – $81,259.76
Co-Director of Elementary Student Services – $104,212.40
Director of Language Acquisition – $118,436.54
Budget Analyst/Administrative Assistant – $75,345.08
Data Management Specialist – $88,276.44
Coordinator of Grants – $106,361.52
Can you think of a better use of over $2,000,000 used to fund your child’s education?
Money Management & Kids: Start Early
Teach your kids early on to save their money for future purchases. If they learn the discipline of how to set aside money for their toys today, then they will know how to save up for a car or a house when they are older.
Natick Public Schools
In the town of Natick, MA 42% (almost half) or $ .42 of every tax dollar the town receives goes to the school department. This leaves 58% or $ .58 of every tax dollar to be divided up among all remaining town departments. For example public safety only gets 11% or $ .11 of every tax dollar and most other departments receive significantly less (elderly, public works, park & rec, town hall, etc). Most other cities and towns have comparable figures. Some believe that more money should go to schools while others maintain that schools receive too much of a percent of the total tax dollars. What are your thoughts?
Gifted Kids
Schools don’t feel bad for gifted kids that need to move ahead. Tax money is spent on special ed services and the gifted are often forgotten.
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