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Maggie,

That 'cut' in pay three years ago was a temporary one that was restored the following year. I believe it only lasted for approximately 6 months and then they pay went right back to where it was.Tha Mayor's chief of staff was quoted in the Beacon three weeks ago saying that the full $3.8 million the schools asked for (which I don;t think they should get the full amount) was equivalent to .40c per 1000 of the current tax rate of $18 and change. You say you;re not Ok paying more taxes as long as it doesn't go to the schools and yet nearly every penny of your past tax increases have gone to fund the city side of things and you're not railing against them with the same level of energy as you do the schools. You praise the city for cutting costs and yet all your tax increases are going to them so how well is that cost cutting going? The last 6 years of school fundng does not prove you point because during those six years the school dept has closed 4 schools, cut staff, implemented a 20% healthcare copay (which the city just got around to doing in the most recednt contract), and privatized special ed bus services which resulted in a further reduction of staff. At some point, there's little left to cut before you really start effecting the students. Closing the jr high is not the best way to go - moving to a 6-8 middle school model is the way to go and then you could close an elementary. I said before that no one disagrees that a school(s) should close but you have to be smart about how you go about. Closing gorton, in my opinion, is not a smart move. By the way, I don't work for the school department, never have. I work in the private sector, like you.

From: Schools to press for budget

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