School Board Budget

The Calcasieu Parish School Board met last night to look at ways of revising their general fund budget.  After discussing the cost of everything from alternative school transportation to lunch portion sizes, the board passed a motion for the revised budget amount of approximately 260 million dollars.  No action was taken on the alternative school transportation, but another heated issue that could cost them more money in the future is that of school lunches.  Officials discussed the possibility of giving students different options for side dishes... this way students would waste less and eat more. The food service department will meet with administrative staff in the coming weeks to make a final decision on how they will adjust lunch portion sizes and menu items in the schools.  Are there any other ways in which the school board can save money, besides adjusting school lunches and bus transportation to the alternative school?   

Comments

[who me]

Once upon a time not to long ago. Gaming was going to support the School system for our children. The people voted for that but after our elected officials took that golden egg and split it up very little if any went to the Schools. Now we can't feed them or drive them to School. What a fine mess we are in now. Moral is hard work gets things not a goose who laids golden eggs.

[Mike]

Since I don't know all the details of the budget, it's impossible for me to suggest other ways to trim it. I have no doubt, however, that there are ways to do it. Transportation and meals are only two of them. If you don't like the way things are going, remember that we have elections coming up and they include your school board members.

[Gotta love our parish]

We will homeschool our child come next year.. they do not learn anything in school.

Our kids are just a number to them for that "BIG" test they take.

At least at home, he will learn the real subjects.

He has many friends already, so him not being able to social with other kids, not a problem. Half the kids in school are wanna be thugs anyways,,thank goodness for the friends he does have. Went to one of his games last night and I couldn't get over the way these kids dress and talk in middle school. Sailors had nothing on these kids

So I'm sorry to the parents who have to go through this...

What will our children have in the future? Nothing

20% "American" voted to get rid of the American Flag due to it causes conflict, horrible isn't it.

[Gotta love our parish]

Oh yeah

Maybe this "new casino" will pick the lunch tab up

[Judy Guillory]

Our kids may go hungry at school but at least they can speak Spanish, GET REAL PEOPLE! Get rid of all the FOREIGN LANGUAGE TEACHERS.. Our kids need a full serving of LUNCH and an EDUCATION!

[Buck]

It's my understanding from relible sources, that some school district employees may have stolen around 1.5 million dollars from the district. If this is true these criminals should be in jail and the people that are in charge of them should be fired. I also understand that no one has be arrested or fired over this criminal act. This type of mismanagement of taxpayer money is a prime example why our school district is in this mess. We need a change in leadership in the district ASAP!!!!!!!!! VOTE VOTE VOTE

[ann]

Get rid of the fat at the top, instead of cutting where it will affect the students.
Perhaps cutting from the top would seem plausible. Why not cut all of the retire/rehire teachers, supervisors, and those in administration. How much do you think this will save the taxpayers? Some of the supervisors in top level positions, and some positions in the C and I dept. have been in those positons for 30 or more years! After these have been cut,close those long term positions, and only keep a few consultants/supervisors. Another is to cut the programs that are futile. Many of these programs require someone to be in charge...Look at these and start cutting....So much waste...
Sign me...a former teacher...

[Tony]

Transportation costs could be trimmed for sure. I know of one instance where an entire bus is being used to transport ONE single male student from an address off of Tank Farm Rd to Bell City High School. Supposedly it's because his dad doesn't like Barbe high and DEMANDS that he be sent to Bell City. An empty bus except for this one child in a wheelchair. I know Barbe has proper facilities for this child. This is just one instance that I know of. I'm sure there are plenty others that taxpayers aren't aware of. A Total Outrage!!

[Ron]

One way to cut the budget for the school board is to get rid of the fluff jobs, like CSI teachers. These are teachers who do not teach students and only meet with a team of teachers twice a month. They then share new teaching styles with the teacher or impart rules or procedures made from the administration. The administration could do this job and save us money. What are they doing to justify their jobs the rest of the time they are not meeting with teachers. They could be teaching to lower class sizes.

Another way to cut the budget is to get rid of retire-rehires. Most of the people at the top of school system holds these positions and are really making a profit off of this incentive.

[Rach]

School lunches is such a problem in Calcasieu Parish because they are so many irresponsible parents who think the government should pay for there kids school lunches. The state had to flip a some $80,000 bill for unpaid lunch tabs last year! REALLY! You brought them into this world....pay for them! If people would actually pay for their school lunches, this would not even be an issue!!!!

[Ann]

I live right across the street from a Calcasieu parish public school. I know that this comment may seem minimal but I really think that if they would make sure to turn the lights out inside of the classroom at night that it would, in time, save a bundle. The gym lights stay on all night and all weekend. Summer before last, they were on for 2 straight months. Almost all summer long. During the week while school is in session, there are different lights left on in different classrooms. I would much rather see my tax dollars used for sufficient portions of food for our children then for electricity that is wasted!!!

[SHANTA]

I am a cafeteria worker for Calcasieu Parish and it makes me sooo angry that these children are going hungry!!! I send my children lunches everyday to make sure they are getting enough to eat!For some of these kids this is all they have to eat and it is sad that these people are gonna take that away!!! and as for adding another vegetable like green beans and cabbage that is just more waste!!!! The cabbage will be thrown away!!!! They need to punish the ones who put us in this postion and stole from Food Services NOT OUR CHILDREN!!!!!GIVE THESE KIDS MORE PROTEIN LIKE MEATS AND STOP TRYING TO BLOW THEM UP WITH STARCHES LIKE POTATOES AND BREAD!!! WHAT HAPPENED TO WORRYING ABOUT THE OBESITY PROBLEM IN OUR CHILDREN!!!!

[Monica]

Buffet style would be a good way to serve lunch in the middle and high schools. Kids could select and serve themselves from the buffet line.
Elementary kids could also use a buffet style if the teachers and cafeteria workers assisted them in carrying their plates.
At least this way each child can choose and eat what they want and would be less likely to go hungry.
Cut the top heavy administration but DON'T CUT THE FOOD BUDGET.

[Do Whats Right!]

To Buck: It is irresponsible to post what you did unless you have proof. If you have proof why don't you contact the School Board Administration, board auditors or the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Department.

[ann]

I agree with Tony. Cut the fluff in all areas. The curriculum specialist in each school would better serve the needs by going back into the classroom and teaching students. Does the SB really need people in each school to interpert data, come up with strategies to meet the needs of the students. Aren't the Curriculum Guides, textbooks and other state approved curriculum meet address the GLE's set forth by the state.
I taught at a school that had such a person. Waste of the teacher's valuable time and ideas implemented interferred with instruction, because all had to be stopped in order to implement the ideas that Curriculum specialist thought was wonderful...PLEASE! Teachers know their students better than the administrators or the so called Master Teachers. What an insult.

[Buck]

To, Do Whats Right. I am sorry for you, but some time the truth hurts. It is my understanding that a investigation is on going at this time over the missing funds. This possible large theft of taxpayer money has occurred over a long time period. The investigation is being conducted at the highest level in the district. The same people involved in this investigation, are the people whose lack of oversight may have created the environment to allow this mess to occur in the first place. Untill the investigation is completed by the district personal, when ever that is, the appropriate action will be taken.

[Heather]

They should not cut the lunches. Cut the transportation? How would that even be possible? I guess they could start by working with the parents. If the parents have the ability to get their child to and from school on time, they should have the responsibility or they should start paying to use the service. Some people are too lazy to change out of their pajamas to get their children to school.

As far as the lunches go. If the parents cannot pay for their child's lunches, apply for reduced lunches. If you fail to even apply and then just run up a lunch bill, i think that the school should not allow that child to go home with a report card. By all means, no child left behind, but keep the report card. I am sure that will get the parents to want to pay up.

I was raised in Cameron Parish and if you had an outstanding balance, your report card was not going to be mailed or sent out.