WoodyWayne, (10/18/2009 10:09:33 AM)

Now would be a good time to consider consolidating public schools. For instance, Sperry Public Schools is looking for a new Superintendent, but this school system could easily be absorbed by Skiatook, Owasso, or Tulsa. There is no reason to pay another Superintendent to oversee such a small school district, and pay for the additional Administration. The school could still have its identity, keep its same school mascot, but be administered by another Educational Service Center. Maybe if we cut some of these Administrative costs statewide and provide better benefits for the Educational Employees.

Msdash00, Rural (10/18/2009 10:15:30 AM)

Greedy, self serving, ‘slave oriented’ capitalism is where Oklahoma employment problems began and our tax dollars shifted out of Oklahoma’s pocket!

I challenge we repeal exemptions provided greedy companies that eventually shipped those Oklahoma jobs out of state and into foreign countries breaking our communities. Oklahoma workers were shammed!

Ron Ballew, Lawton (10/18/2009 10:54:33 AM)

Since 78% of the budget is for personnel the State should cap the yearly salary and bonuses of all State employees at $100,000.

Instead of cutting services and personnel at the bottom, the State should cuts salaries at the top.

Mar, Tulsa (10/18/2009 11:02:48 AM)

Great suggestion WoodyWayne.

About 10 years ago I was employed with an organization where I had to set up a database of all the school districts in Oklahoma. I was astounded at all the school districts! Over half of them I had never heard of, many were little, bitty school districts. Which meant each school district had it's own superintendents and assistants, their own buildings, supplies, etc. A lot of duplication, what a waste of taxpayer's money. This would be an excellent time for school consolidation all over the state.

Just a quick look at lists of school districts in surrounding states including student population, state population and square miles of each state (including bodies of water):

Oklahoma -
school districts 603; students 626,160; state pop. 3,642,361;
sq. miles 69,903

Kansas -
school districts 308; students 470,500; state pop. 2,802,134;
sq. miles 82,282

Arkansas -
school districts 341; students 454,523; state pop. 2,855,390;
sq. miles 53,182

Missouri -
school districts 532; students 918,038; state pop. 5,911,605;
sq. miles 69,709

Colorado -
school districts 200; students 756,912; state pop. 4,939,456;
sq. miles 104,100

Louisiana -
school districts 86; students 727,709; state pop. 4,410,796;
sq. miles 51,842

Mar, Tulsa (10/18/2009 11:26:21 AM)

Just checking over the student population of a few individual school districts:

Achille 437; Agra 362; Allen 405, Anadarko 2,127, Ardmore 3,102; Atoka 961; Allen-Bowen 431; Sperry 1,304; Kellyville 1,251; Berryhill 1,156; Bixby 3,847; Owasso 7,495; Sapulpa 4,231; Jenks 9,331; Broken Arrow 14,746; Union 13,819; Sand Springs 5,176, Tulsa 42,280

Newcastle 1,156; Locust Grove 1,517; Mannford 1,668; Adair 940; Moffett 327; Newkirk 717; Peckham 90; Minco 538; Oaks-Misson 330; Wayne 433; Wister 550; Maysville 443.

Above is just a small sampling of various school districts around the state. If the state would just consolidate schools that fall under the 1,000 student population it would save a lot of money for the state. That money could then be put toward the school districts. Consolidating would be difficult as residents would be screaming "not my town/school district"! The politicians worrying foremost about being voted out of office by the screaming populace would be hesitant to vote for consolidation.

So more than likely we will continue with this ridiculous patchwork of school districts and wasting taxpayer's money.

Gone are the days where each town could be it's own school district. It is just way too expensive for each little town to be it's own school district. Financially and even for better education of the students it makes more sense to consolidate small school district together. Like was suggested by WayneWoody, even letting each school district keep its own identity and put several school districts under one superintendent, etc. would save a lot of money.

DBJohn, Tulsa (10/18/2009 11:35:41 AM)

Ron you have a good point.

DBJohn, Tulsa (10/18/2009 11:41:45 AM)

State salaries at the bottom are lower than comparable private industry's salaries. Handling a a cut at that level is extremely difficult for the employees budget in coping with the cost of living. Whereas the higher salaries, governments good old boys" can adapt much better.

Woofenburger, Hominy (10/18/2009 12:33:41 PM)

The good old boys at the top keep hiring their staff and making new positions while the positions at the bottom, the ones who do the work of the department keep getting cut and not replaced.

Faith, (10/18/2009 2:38:20 PM)

Teachers in the Harlem Village Acedemy took fifth grade kids that didn't know first grade math and in two years they all could do eight grade math. Mayor Bloomberg, the Mayor is a blessing for NY and is big in backing a strong education. Too bad this state doesn't have support like that.

The first thing the they do in the state of Oklahoma is make cuts to the very poor and in schools.

What Woofenburger said for the rest.

Faith, (10/18/2009 2:45:49 PM)

What DBJohn said.

Darkstar, (10/18/2009 3:30:02 PM)

Again, I repeat, How do you think the private sector is doing? How about an unpaid furlough day each week? How about having 2/3 of your employees laid off? How about no end in sight?

oldrustytulsa, Tulsa (10/18/2009 3:59:44 PM)

The state does waste more money than any private business would, start with the tag agents, This all could be done with the US mail.The State has No customer service, they all act like the elitist privileged, and dont have to answer to anyone.

Faith, (10/18/2009 4:16:07 PM)

Ron and Msdash00 good ideas

FuglyDude, (10/18/2009 6:31:34 PM)

geeeee, ya think they might tighten their belts and be a wee bit more fiscally responsible?

the legislators are all getting paid way too much. oklahomo is ranked 10th in the nation - and that is for a state that is one of the cheapest to live in.

now, couple that with the fact that the teacher's are some of the LOWEST paid in the nation - and you see where greed stems from.

shame on you brad and kim.

FuglyDude, (10/18/2009 6:33:29 PM)

A COMPARISON OF THE SALARIES OF LEGISLATOR
IN THE UNITED STATES

California Constitution/Comp Commission 99,000
Michigan Comp Commission 79,650
New York Constitution/Statute 79,500
Pennsylvania Statute 66,203
Illinois Statute/Comp Commission 55,788
Ohio Constitution/Statute 54,942
Massachusetts Statute 53,379
New Jersey Constitution/Statute/Comp Com 49,000
Wisconsin Statute 45,569
Oklahoma Statute/Comp Commission 38,400
Delaware Statute/Comp Commission 34,800
WASHINGTON Constitution/Statute/Comp Com 34,227
Hawaii Comp Commission 32,000
Missouri Constitution/Statute 31,561
Maryland Comp Commission 31,509
Minnesota Statute/Comp Commission 31,140
Colorado Statute 30,000
Florida Statute 29,916
Connecticut Comp Commission 28,000
Alaska Statute/Comp Commission 24,012
Arizona Comp Commission 24,000
Iowa Statute/Comp Commission 21,380
Louisiana Statute 16,800
Tennessee Constitution/Statute 16,500
Georgia Statute 16,200
Idaho Comp Commission 15,646
Oregon Statute 15,396
West Virginia Comp Commission 15,000
North Carolina Statute 13,951
Arkansas Constitution/Statute 13,751
Rhode Island Constitution 12,285
Nebraska Constitution/Comp Commission 12,000
South Dakota Constitution/Statute 12,000
Indiana Statute 11,600
Maine Constitution/Statute/Comp Com 11,384
South Carolina Statute 10,400
Mississippi Statute 10,000
Texas Constitution 7,200
Vermont Statute 589 per wk during session
New Hampshire Constitution 200
Kentucky Comp Commission 166 per calendar day
Nevada Statute 139 per day, max 60 days
Wyoming Statute 125 per legislative day
North Dakota Statute/Comp Commission 125 per calendar day
Utah Comp Commission 120 per calendar day
Kansas Statute 78.75 per calendar day
Montana Statute 76.80 per legislative day
Alabama Constitution 10 per calendar day
Virginia Constitution/Statute 18,000 Sen / 17,640 House

FuglyDude, (10/18/2009 6:38:00 PM)

oh - and that doesn't include the fact that the legislators health benefits are WAY better than most of the rest of the state employees.

for example:

state legislators supposedly have no premiums, $10 copay and a $1600 family benefit.

teachers on the other hand have a $1400 premium for a family of 4 or more, $50 copay, and a family benefit of a few hundred bucks.

so what's the difference between one state employee and another? hmmmmmmm.....

and we elected some of them? maybe we can un-elect them too?

if anybody has any figures that are different, please post.

irwindale, Tulsa (10/18/2009 7:17:27 PM)

...as most know, Oklahomans are not the sharpest knife in the drawer. With that said, we can see why the "C" students get elected to political office in Oklahoma.

Remember this is the Sooner State. A State that honors the cheaters.

FUTURE WORLD, Tulsa (10/18/2009 7:20:47 PM)

Naturally only the poorest of the poor will suffer budget cuts the most. Oh and of cource state employees. But will lawmakers reduce their pay? NO

DBJohn, Tulsa (10/18/2009 9:05:34 PM)

FuglyDude, Some of the state legislators are full time positions.

WoodyWayne, (10/18/2009 10:05:39 PM)

State Representatives, State Agencies and Public School Employees all receive an allowance to help pay the cost of their insurance; however, the amounts received are different. See below:

2010 Monthly Flex Benefit Allowance for employees covering a spouse and 2 or more children will be:

State Representatives will receive $1596.95.
State Agency Employees will receive $1596.95.
Public School Employees will receive $442.80.

State Reps, State Agencies, and almost all Public School Employees are on the same State Plan, with the same costs. The amount paid by these individuals is greatly different because of the Flex Benefit Allowance received to help offset the cost. It is time Public Schools receive the same Flex Benefit Allowance given to State Agencies and State Representatives.

I believe State Agencies (including Sandy Garrett's Dept of Education) and State Representatives really don't want Education Employees to be informed of this difference. Most Education Employees don't even know there is a difference.

Also, we should consolidate small school districts. When a Superintendent retires or resigns from a small district, that district should be required to merge with a larger district. We need eliminate waste and require decent benefits. This a way to make changes for the better!

aint missbehavin, no thanks (10/19/2009 2:00:44 AM)

tell the feds that we need to bail out some more banks,they(bankers) need vacations to the Bahhomahs.The po aint gotta eat,we can spend substantial amounts of money for protein tryin to get the children to and from school,oh rely on the parents?sorry,aint gonna happen,they gotta work,so the state will be out of pocket in the long run gettin the children back and forth,also with that many buses on the road,look out.Better have some good insurance.Yep I dont know but how many folks put on that thinkin cap.Hmmm,educated people.

FuglyDude, (10/20/2009 3:34:47 PM)

so public school employees, teachers, are only getting about 1/4th of what the legislators are getting???? AND they are getting paid one of the lowest salary structures in the nation?

wow, that's insulting. blame brad and kim. she proclaims to have been an educator and blah blah blah, but she has obviously left her fellow educators in the DUST!

hahahahaaaaaaa!!!!!

Msdash00, Rural (10/21/2009 7:28:07 AM)

Creating the funding is the problem!
There is waste everywhere and that is not a generalization.
Could pockets be hemmed in on the state level...sure!
But, history is at play here.
Pretend to make the checklist of naughty and nice, tighten here there and everywhere, but and it is a BIG one...generating the tax base to support state funded services has merit.

Maybe, as a strong Republican state, this is seen as a God send - Certainly, those on Medicare don't want hand-outs so they will undeniably give this service up.
Those who sent their child to Cadet Lawman, choke up, 'didn't Julie look so proud in her Cadet Lawman cap...'but, did she know you were ashamed of government hand-outs when you dropped her off?

Health Services, only those poor underachievers need this stuff. Even though your medical facility gets its flu shot serums from the government (You can recieve your shot at a state health dept. in your area); then your medical provider charges you to administer it (paid for through insurance).
Not to mention those teens that would be pregnant if it were not for the ability to receive birth control from the health dept. "Evangelical teens beginning at 16 become pregnant in greater numbers..." Maybe some good old fashion chaperoning is in order.

If the 'not the sharpest tools in the shed (irwindale)' reflects > Red and proud, Oklahoma is ranked worst state for child abuse, neglect, and deaths (April 2008) we have more to loose than funding. Killing babies is alright in Oklahoma right up there with killing jobs-It's the tax base dull one.