Comments on: Schools Provide Data, Talking Points for Budget Discussion http://fallschurchtimes.com/3125/schools-provide-data-talking-points-for-budget-discussion-with-council/ Falls Church City's Online Community Newspaper Wed, 23 May 2012 17:01:05 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 By: TFC http://fallschurchtimes.com/3125/schools-provide-data-talking-points-for-budget-discussion-with-council/comment-page-1/#comment-1168 TFC Thu, 23 Apr 2009 17:33:04 +0000 http://fallschurchtimes.com/?p=3125#comment-1168 I am curious about the frequent citation of the increased value of City homes as a direct result of the reputation of the schools. Could someone tell me the source of this information? Was it a result of a survey or is it anecdotal? Thanks I am curious about the frequent citation of the increased value of City homes as a direct result of the reputation of the schools. Could someone tell me the source of this information? Was it a result of a survey or is it anecdotal?
Thanks

]]> By: Charlie http://fallschurchtimes.com/3125/schools-provide-data-talking-points-for-budget-discussion-with-council/comment-page-1/#comment-1166 Charlie Thu, 23 Apr 2009 17:21:36 +0000 http://fallschurchtimes.com/?p=3125#comment-1166 So wait, Andy..... they don't know which positions they are trying to save? Forget it then and cut the staff as originally planned. Why on Earth would saving a particular position be 1) a councilperson's choice or 2) still to be figured out by the city manager. If Mr. Shields has such a poor grip on this debate, he needs to go. Plain and simple. Hearing something like this said in a public forum must make steam come out of the Mayor's ears! Talk about being politically hung out to dry! Ms. Gardner, now is the time to act. So wait, Andy….. they don’t know which positions they are trying to save? Forget it then and cut the staff as originally planned. Why on Earth would saving a particular position be 1) a councilperson’s choice or 2) still to be figured out by the city manager.

If Mr. Shields has such a poor grip on this debate, he needs to go. Plain and simple. Hearing something like this said in a public forum must make steam come out of the Mayor’s ears! Talk about being politically hung out to dry! Ms. Gardner, now is the time to act.

]]> By: Andy Rankin http://fallschurchtimes.com/3125/schools-provide-data-talking-points-for-budget-discussion-with-council/comment-page-1/#comment-1161 Andy Rankin Thu, 23 Apr 2009 14:20:56 +0000 http://fallschurchtimes.com/?p=3125#comment-1161 My understanding was that at the last meeting the Council asked which two positions would be saved and the City Manager said that either he could figure that out or the Council could specify. Maybe at tonight's meeting there will be more information about it. My understanding was that at the last meeting the Council asked which two positions would be saved and the City Manager said that either he could figure that out or the Council could specify. Maybe at tonight’s meeting there will be more information about it.

]]> By: Peggy Monahan http://fallschurchtimes.com/3125/schools-provide-data-talking-points-for-budget-discussion-with-council/comment-page-1/#comment-1155 Peggy Monahan Thu, 23 Apr 2009 12:31:07 +0000 http://fallschurchtimes.com/?p=3125#comment-1155 What are these 2 positions, who are the incumbents of these postions that need saving, and in what way are these 2 positions more vital to the life of our city than $170k for our schools? What are these 2 positions, who are the incumbents of these postions that need saving, and in what way are these 2 positions more vital to the life of our city than $170k for our schools?

]]> By: Andy Rankin http://fallschurchtimes.com/3125/schools-provide-data-talking-points-for-budget-discussion-with-council/comment-page-1/#comment-1138 Andy Rankin Wed, 22 Apr 2009 17:07:59 +0000 http://fallschurchtimes.com/?p=3125#comment-1138 It's nice to see this coming from the schools - up until now I hadn't heard much in terms of why the School Board was budgeting for a small raise. I'm sure people will debate whether or not the reasons stated are sufficient but now I know what the School Board is thinking. I think the two important points are: 1) It's not that the "schools are a critical economic engine for the City’s economy" - the schools are THE critical economic engine. With average schools the City loses almost all of it's appeal over neighboring Fairfax County and the property values would drop dramatically. 2) How/what the school staff gets paid does not need to be connected to how/what the City staff is paid. It seems "unfair" to give some people a raise while others don't get a raise and others actually lose their jobs - but sometimes that's how things work out. It’s nice to see this coming from the schools – up until now I hadn’t heard much in terms of why the School Board was budgeting for a small raise. I’m sure people will debate whether or not the reasons stated are sufficient but now I know what the School Board is thinking.

I think the two important points are:

1) It’s not that the “schools are a critical economic engine for the City’s economy” – the schools are THE critical economic engine. With average schools the City loses almost all of it’s appeal over neighboring Fairfax County and the property values would drop dramatically.

2) How/what the school staff gets paid does not need to be connected to how/what the City staff is paid. It seems “unfair” to give some people a raise while others don’t get a raise and others actually lose their jobs – but sometimes that’s how things work out.

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