Wednesday, July 30, 2008
July 16 was the day you started paying for needs
Americans for Tax Reform calculates the “cost of government day” – the day when you are freed from the cost of federal, state and local taxes and regulatory burdens. It was only on July 16 that you started paying for your own housing, food, gasoline, clothing and living expenses. Are you getting your money’s worth?
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
School districts are addicted to your pocketbook
An update from the friends of Empower Texas
School districts constantly cry poverty. Despite ever-increasing revenues (due to property valuation increases and other items), the appetite of school district bureaucracies grows exponentially. Replicated around the state are spurious claims from school district administrators – superintendents, deputy superintendents, finance officers and their legions of assistants and deputies – that unless tax rates are hiked, children will go uneducated.
Do you really think the tax rate has anything to do with the quality of a child's education? The one room school house was strapped for cash just like the school districts of today, but they turned out educated students. They never complained about what they had and did not have. They made do for the betterment of the student, and thankful for what they did have.
For example, in Kerrville ISD the school board voted unanimously to increase taxes an additional $244 average per household. They claim that to give teachers a pay raise and run the buses, they have no choice but sock it to Ma and Pa Taxpayer.
Never mind that those same taxpayers face those same cost increases in fuel, with the prospect of lost jobs – or at least no salary gains – and yet will now pay higher property taxes. Taxpayers are tightening their belts so government employees can spend merrily along. A quick review of Kerrville’s June check register shows they spent lots of cash buying flowers, Blue Bell ice-cream, and paying for nights at 4-star hotels.
In Robstown ISD, outside Corpus Christi, one teacher recently whined that she and her colleagues needed an across-the-board pay raise – despite lagging academic results. This is on top of a 3-percent raise granted a week ago. By the way, the district is losing students, though apparently not doing much to educate the kids that remain. Yet they are spending more and more.
Pittsburg ISD purchased more pizza and outside meals than the cafeteria staff cooked for students all year. Do a review of the PISD outside meal expenditures - pizza, donuts, deli trays, etc.
School districts constantly cry poverty. Despite ever-increasing revenues (due to property valuation increases and other items), the appetite of school district bureaucracies grows exponentially. Replicated around the state are spurious claims from school district administrators – superintendents, deputy superintendents, finance officers and their legions of assistants and deputies – that unless tax rates are hiked, children will go uneducated.
Do you really think the tax rate has anything to do with the quality of a child's education? The one room school house was strapped for cash just like the school districts of today, but they turned out educated students. They never complained about what they had and did not have. They made do for the betterment of the student, and thankful for what they did have.
For example, in Kerrville ISD the school board voted unanimously to increase taxes an additional $244 average per household. They claim that to give teachers a pay raise and run the buses, they have no choice but sock it to Ma and Pa Taxpayer.
Never mind that those same taxpayers face those same cost increases in fuel, with the prospect of lost jobs – or at least no salary gains – and yet will now pay higher property taxes. Taxpayers are tightening their belts so government employees can spend merrily along. A quick review of Kerrville’s June check register shows they spent lots of cash buying flowers, Blue Bell ice-cream, and paying for nights at 4-star hotels.
In Robstown ISD, outside Corpus Christi, one teacher recently whined that she and her colleagues needed an across-the-board pay raise – despite lagging academic results. This is on top of a 3-percent raise granted a week ago. By the way, the district is losing students, though apparently not doing much to educate the kids that remain. Yet they are spending more and more.
Pittsburg ISD purchased more pizza and outside meals than the cafeteria staff cooked for students all year. Do a review of the PISD outside meal expenditures - pizza, donuts, deli trays, etc.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Fashion show with junior high boys as models
What language do they speak at Spring Branch ISD?
The language of wasteful love. Back on May 1 the Houston Chronicle breathlessly reported that the school district was facing insolvency! No more money! Children would go uneducated! Teachers unpaid! Administrators without enlarged expense accounts!
But never fear, France is near. Just over a month later, the very same Chronicle crack reporter did a puff-piece about how Spring Branch ISD was holding a “free summer camp focused on France.” The story began with this priceless gem: “A boy’s fashion show was one of the highlights of the Spring Branch school district’s first ever French summer camp designed for students entering sixth and seventh grades in the fall.” Yes, you did read that right: The same school district claiming to be broke can host a free French camp, featuring a fashion show. A fashion show with junior high boys as the models.
What would the defenders of the Alamo think?
But all is right with the world, because the school district hosted this ridiculous event with a $3,500 grant from the government of France and $1,100 from the local coffers. Taxpayers on both sides of the Atlantic should be fuming mad about this silliness. For their next feat of stunning wasteful excess, edu-crats in Spring Branch will conjure the spirit of Marie Antoinette and serve only cake on the lunch menu come fall.
The language of wasteful love. Back on May 1 the Houston Chronicle breathlessly reported that the school district was facing insolvency! No more money! Children would go uneducated! Teachers unpaid! Administrators without enlarged expense accounts!
But never fear, France is near. Just over a month later, the very same Chronicle crack reporter did a puff-piece about how Spring Branch ISD was holding a “free summer camp focused on France.” The story began with this priceless gem: “A boy’s fashion show was one of the highlights of the Spring Branch school district’s first ever French summer camp designed for students entering sixth and seventh grades in the fall.” Yes, you did read that right: The same school district claiming to be broke can host a free French camp, featuring a fashion show. A fashion show with junior high boys as the models.
What would the defenders of the Alamo think?
But all is right with the world, because the school district hosted this ridiculous event with a $3,500 grant from the government of France and $1,100 from the local coffers. Taxpayers on both sides of the Atlantic should be fuming mad about this silliness. For their next feat of stunning wasteful excess, edu-crats in Spring Branch will conjure the spirit of Marie Antoinette and serve only cake on the lunch menu come fall.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Cornucopia of information
For an amazing and eye-popping cornucopia of information on the Texas Association of School Boards, public school corruption in Texas, erring superintendents and much, much more, visit Peyton Wolcott.She is the gold-standard for citizens keeping an eye on things.
Posted by Fairness Matters
Posted by Fairness Matters
PISD can't even keep a band director
What is the deal - PISD can't keep a band director on the payroll! The new band director did not even make his welcome reception before he ran out the doors. Someone needs to question the abilities of Twilight Super. The more you dig into the Pyramids of the past the more the relics scream. Pull the trigger and get the misery over with before the ship ends up with a Pyramid on top with the point down.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Extra-curricular plays a part
That seems to be why so many countries send teams of educators to the U.S. to study our education system: they want to know how to produce the next Bill Gates or Sergey Brin, the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs.
But here's where most such visitors err: they tend to look inside our classrooms.
They might be wiser to look at what's happening outside of them, for it might be our extra-curricular activities that represent the true genius of today's American education system, at least when it comes to fostering creativity, leadership, and the other "21st Century skills" that employers crave.
That's right: our athletic programs, student councils, debate clubs, school newspapers, orchestras, theater troupes, FFAs, and the rest of the panoply of after-school activities might be boosting America's economic output. While Asian kids are cramming at "exam cram schools" and European youngsters are smoking Gitanes in sidewalk cafés, our students are engaged in activities that give them the confidence to achieve in myriad ways--a taste of achievement they then carry into the world of work.
No, I can't prove it; our able research assistant searched and searched and couldn't find any studies examining this potential link. And not everybody buys it, not even among my Fordham colleagues. (See, for example, Checker Finn's piece below.) But the literature is full of evidence that students who participate in extra-curriculars tend to have stronger "social self-concept," more "cultural capital," loftier educational aspirations, diminished absenteeism, and greater college attendance.
This is no secret; it's why elite colleges want to see extra-curricular activities on applicants' resumes--fueling an extra-curricular arms race in some elite high schools. (The research also indicates diminishing returns once students overload on activities, so a good rule is "everything in moderation.")
But here's where most such visitors err: they tend to look inside our classrooms.
They might be wiser to look at what's happening outside of them, for it might be our extra-curricular activities that represent the true genius of today's American education system, at least when it comes to fostering creativity, leadership, and the other "21st Century skills" that employers crave.
That's right: our athletic programs, student councils, debate clubs, school newspapers, orchestras, theater troupes, FFAs, and the rest of the panoply of after-school activities might be boosting America's economic output. While Asian kids are cramming at "exam cram schools" and European youngsters are smoking Gitanes in sidewalk cafés, our students are engaged in activities that give them the confidence to achieve in myriad ways--a taste of achievement they then carry into the world of work.
No, I can't prove it; our able research assistant searched and searched and couldn't find any studies examining this potential link. And not everybody buys it, not even among my Fordham colleagues. (See, for example, Checker Finn's piece below.) But the literature is full of evidence that students who participate in extra-curriculars tend to have stronger "social self-concept," more "cultural capital," loftier educational aspirations, diminished absenteeism, and greater college attendance.
This is no secret; it's why elite colleges want to see extra-curricular activities on applicants' resumes--fueling an extra-curricular arms race in some elite high schools. (The research also indicates diminishing returns once students overload on activities, so a good rule is "everything in moderation.")
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Dumb money
To make the wrong move at the wrong time with regards to money is called Dumb Money. Let's see Twilight Super has now called in THREE separate attorneys to give guidance on a mowing contract. Wonder if Twilight Super would spend her own money in this manner? Most likely not!
Funny, we have been led to believe the importance of schools is education. If Twilight Super cannot handle such basic decisions as a mowing contract - can you imagine what other major decisions are getting 'mucked up' in the process with regards to the education of students. Twilight Super has failed more than once, and now there are no more courses to fail. The Shining Star is tarnished. Time for the board of trustees to trim the dead weight and let Twilight Super see if the tarnished Star can be polished at another location. Surely, children in another location need Twilight Super's assistance. A tarnished Star gets no respect and loses its ability to be effective. Twilight Super the community calls upon you to do the right thing..............................
Funny, we have been led to believe the importance of schools is education. If Twilight Super cannot handle such basic decisions as a mowing contract - can you imagine what other major decisions are getting 'mucked up' in the process with regards to the education of students. Twilight Super has failed more than once, and now there are no more courses to fail. The Shining Star is tarnished. Time for the board of trustees to trim the dead weight and let Twilight Super see if the tarnished Star can be polished at another location. Surely, children in another location need Twilight Super's assistance. A tarnished Star gets no respect and loses its ability to be effective. Twilight Super the community calls upon you to do the right thing..............................
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Taxes are furnished funds
"To compel a man to furnish funds for the propagation of ideas he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical." – Thomas Jefferson
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Texas AG says districts are responsible for retirement
Guess this district and others will scream since they will have to pay the additional retirement benefits associated with a recent pay raise. Probably would not be a problem for the PISD and other districts if they would get rid of the excess overhead costs they have built up through the previous years.
And if we had voted to approve additional costs associated with a new school, then were would the money have come from? Twilight Super, Twilight Dee, Twilight Dum and other board members - Cut your overhead expenses and get back to the basics. The admin office and each campus has a lot of excess that requires trimming!
And if we had voted to approve additional costs associated with a new school, then were would the money have come from? Twilight Super, Twilight Dee, Twilight Dum and other board members - Cut your overhead expenses and get back to the basics. The admin office and each campus has a lot of excess that requires trimming!
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Question
Is this is one of those jokes.................
How many attorneys does it take to award a mowing contract?
The PISD is now up to three and still no contract awarded. Who is authorizing the spending on all these lawyers? Our PISD leadership and elected members of the board are throwing good money away that could be used to offset the increased cost of fuel. This would make a great clown act for entertainment at the rodeo.
Someone needs to step up and be a leader, before the taxpayer goes broke on a mowing contract.
On second thought a PISD board meeting might make a good TV reality show. Mr. Trump would have the opportunity to say "Your Fired" SEVEN times (we will give the new guy a break). Stay tuned for the next episode will be playing soon.
How many attorneys does it take to award a mowing contract?
The PISD is now up to three and still no contract awarded. Who is authorizing the spending on all these lawyers? Our PISD leadership and elected members of the board are throwing good money away that could be used to offset the increased cost of fuel. This would make a great clown act for entertainment at the rodeo.
Someone needs to step up and be a leader, before the taxpayer goes broke on a mowing contract.
On second thought a PISD board meeting might make a good TV reality show. Mr. Trump would have the opportunity to say "Your Fired" SEVEN times (we will give the new guy a break). Stay tuned for the next episode will be playing soon.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Twilight dee and twilight dum now have a companion
Twilight Dee and Twilight Dum now have a new companion in Twilight Super. Has anyone been able to figure out what Twilight Super does to earn the big bucks for the PISD? Things are more of a mess today than they were before she arrived on the PISD planet. It has been noticed that she has brought some more of her cronies into the PISD system. According to residents from her previous planet these are the same cronies that caused the downfall in their school system.
When you infiltrate a system with incompetent Twilight's you eventually end up with a system failure. It is kinda like putting Kool-Aid in the gas tank of an automobile. Eventually everything gums-up and you have system failure. The PISD tank has already ingested the Kool-Aid and they keep pumping in more to over compensate for possible failure. Unfortunately, you can't stop the gumming up process. Damage is done!
Guess they were trying to add ethanol to the tank. The Twilight's forgot that you have to refine the sugar first! GUM-UP leads to SYSTEM FAILURE. Someone better shut the motor down before we have total ruin. Twilight Super is part of the Kool-Aid mix that needs to be removed in order to prevent complete system failure!
When you infiltrate a system with incompetent Twilight's you eventually end up with a system failure. It is kinda like putting Kool-Aid in the gas tank of an automobile. Eventually everything gums-up and you have system failure. The PISD tank has already ingested the Kool-Aid and they keep pumping in more to over compensate for possible failure. Unfortunately, you can't stop the gumming up process. Damage is done!
Guess they were trying to add ethanol to the tank. The Twilight's forgot that you have to refine the sugar first! GUM-UP leads to SYSTEM FAILURE. Someone better shut the motor down before we have total ruin. Twilight Super is part of the Kool-Aid mix that needs to be removed in order to prevent complete system failure!
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Texas central appraisal district practices
This was forwarded to my attention and this is important information for property owners in Texas.
Tom Pauken who was appointed by Governor Perry to chair the Property Tax Reform Committee a couple years ago, penned the initial blog regarding his father's Appraisal Review Board hearing.
Many of you have experienced similar treatment from our CAD. Many firmly believe they train one another statewide, and have huge pressure to maximize revenue, through higher appraisals. The system is highly flawed, and full of bureaucrats that have way too much power.
Thomas Jefferson would NOT approve. Taxation is Oppression!
"It flat wears me out to read the communist blather put forth by the people who believe taxes are just super fantastic! We just aren't paying enough, and appraisals are too low.We must punish those selfish property owners, who have been getting away with low taxes all these years!" To go along with this Speaker Tom Craddick has just appointed Rep. Dan Branch (R-Dallas) to the Legislative Budget Board. This is the same Rep. Dan Branch who has stated publicly that "TEXANS ARE UNDER TAXED". Yes, folks Rep. Branch feels that we don't pay enough taxes in Texas to fund governmental operations, etc. Rep. Branch must be a rich man! If the folks in Dallas keeping electing tax and spend guys like this - we all will suffer. Conservative - Rep. Branch has not one clue as to the meaning.
You can access Mr. Pauken's comments at the following: http://www.dallasblog.com/200807021003038/tom-pauken/the-dallas-appraisal-district-can-it-get-any-worse.html
Tom Pauken who was appointed by Governor Perry to chair the Property Tax Reform Committee a couple years ago, penned the initial blog regarding his father's Appraisal Review Board hearing.
Many of you have experienced similar treatment from our CAD. Many firmly believe they train one another statewide, and have huge pressure to maximize revenue, through higher appraisals. The system is highly flawed, and full of bureaucrats that have way too much power.
Thomas Jefferson would NOT approve. Taxation is Oppression!
"It flat wears me out to read the communist blather put forth by the people who believe taxes are just super fantastic! We just aren't paying enough, and appraisals are too low.We must punish those selfish property owners, who have been getting away with low taxes all these years!" To go along with this Speaker Tom Craddick has just appointed Rep. Dan Branch (R-Dallas) to the Legislative Budget Board. This is the same Rep. Dan Branch who has stated publicly that "TEXANS ARE UNDER TAXED". Yes, folks Rep. Branch feels that we don't pay enough taxes in Texas to fund governmental operations, etc. Rep. Branch must be a rich man! If the folks in Dallas keeping electing tax and spend guys like this - we all will suffer. Conservative - Rep. Branch has not one clue as to the meaning.
You can access Mr. Pauken's comments at the following: http://www.dallasblog.com/200807021003038/tom-pauken/the-dallas-appraisal-district-can-it-get-any-worse.html
Friday, July 4, 2008
Independence Day reflection
"The Prayer at Valley Forge"
There is a painting you may have seen called “The Prayer at Valley Forge” by Arnold Friberg, painted in 1976 in honor of the county’s bicentennial. It depicts a bitter cold day in the dead of winter 1777–78. The Continental Army had set up winter camp in a harshly criticized location. General Washington insisted on it because it could be easily defended.
Weary from marching, hungry, and wearing only tatters of clothing, the soldiers settled in and tried to stay warm, and alive. They had next to nothing to eat, and only a cause to help them endure. While there, over 2,500 men died. It’s said that even General Washington feared that the army would disband if something miraculous didn’t happen.
So that cold day, General George Washington took a short leave from his men, and went out into the forested area near the camp. There, this giant of a man got off his horse, knelt in the snow, and cried out to his Heavenly Father to help them. This example of humility has always been inspiring to me.
There is a painting you may have seen called “The Prayer at Valley Forge” by Arnold Friberg, painted in 1976 in honor of the county’s bicentennial. It depicts a bitter cold day in the dead of winter 1777–78. The Continental Army had set up winter camp in a harshly criticized location. General Washington insisted on it because it could be easily defended.
Weary from marching, hungry, and wearing only tatters of clothing, the soldiers settled in and tried to stay warm, and alive. They had next to nothing to eat, and only a cause to help them endure. While there, over 2,500 men died. It’s said that even General Washington feared that the army would disband if something miraculous didn’t happen.
So that cold day, General George Washington took a short leave from his men, and went out into the forested area near the camp. There, this giant of a man got off his horse, knelt in the snow, and cried out to his Heavenly Father to help them. This example of humility has always been inspiring to me.
Help was indeed given, through the gift of a quartermaster and a drill sergeant. The Continental Army emerged from Valley Forge in June of 1778 a force to be reckoned with, defeating the British at Monmouth and then at Yorktown, leading the way to independence and freedom.
I love this country. I love what these men did. I love the man, George Washington, for his humility and inspired leadership. Let us never forget the soldiers, veterans, and patriots that have bravely paved the path to independence for this country. And on this Independence Day, may we all take a moment, as Washington did, to pray for this country’s future and the blessed life and freedoms we all experience today.
God Bless America!
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