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Dayton Daily News education reporter Scott Elliott writes about schools, kids, teaching and learning.
Home > Blogs > Get on the Bus > Archives > 2007 > June > 19 > Entry
Here’s what Dayton schools will cut tonight
According to my math, which is based on counts from a draft of the Dayton Board of Education’s agenda for tonight’s meeting, 428 jobs will be eliminated when the board approves Superintendent Percy Mack’s recommendations tonight.
(NOTE: I corrected the job cut figure because the district’s personnel manager said a list of 65 reserve teachers who were terminated is a routine procedure. Those people fill in as substitutes during the school year and work on an as-needed basis.)
Here is a summary:
Administrative job cuts: 29
Non-administrative, non-teaching job cuts: 17
Adjunct staff terminations: 51
Aide positions eliminated: 87
Teacher resignations and retirements: 36
Teacher and instructional staff positions cut: 208
Total job reductions: 428
Here are some of the specifics of what will be cut tonight:
Administrative Retirements (10)
Here are the administrators who are retiring tonight, along with their position and annual pay. A star (*) means it appears they will be replaced:
*Jan West, assistant superintendent, $89,400
Patricia Day, executive director of secondary schools, $82,400
Jeff Mims, director of legislative affairs, $76,500
Guillermo Leal, data analysis coordinator, $69,900
*Dora Carson, Meadowdale High School principal, $73,000
*Sheryl Lenehan, Patterson Carrer Academy principal, $79,000
Vondia Jackson, Fairview Middle School principal, $84,000
*Shirley Frederick, Kemp Elementary School principal, $80,000
- Nolan Graham, Patterson Kennedy Elementary principal, $77,000
Robert Jackson, transportation supervisor, $43,700
Administrative Layoffs (8)
These are additional administrators who are losing their jobs because their positions are being eliminated:
Roberta Williams, associate director of research, $69,800
Yolanda Stephens, associate director of employee development for classified employees, $65,700
Craig Bruntz, transportation business manager, $51,300
Patricia Harris, senior accountant, $65,700
David Knox, Meadowdale High School assistant principal, $71,000
Sandra Smith, Dunbar High School assistant principal, $60,300
Aaron Smith, Fairview Middle School assistant principal, $66,000
Janet Riner, Gifted Coordinator, NA
Other Administrative (1)
*Cheryl Johnson, Kiser Middle School interim principal, NA
Administrative Jobs (21)
These are administrative positions that are being permanently cut:
Assistant Superintendent, Support Services
Executive Director, Secondary Instruction
Director, Legislative Affairs
Assistant Director, Student Assignment
Associate Director, Adult Learning
Associate Director, Elementary Initiatives
Associate Director, Employee and Professional Development
Associate Director, Human Resources
Associate Director, Research and Development
Principal, Fairview Middle School
Assistant Principal, Patterson Career Academy
Assistant Principal, Dunbar High School
Assistant Principal, Meadowdale High School
Assistant Principal, Wogaman Elementary School
Assistant Principal, Fairview Elementary School
Area Manager, Operations
Business Manager, Transportation
Senior Accountant, Fiscal Services
Health and Safety Compliance Specialist
Transportation Supervisor
Assistant Dispatcher, Transportation
Non administrative positions (17):
These are non-administrative, non-instructional jobs that are being permanently cut:
Budget and Inventory Clerk, Transportation
Financial Specialist, Athletics
School Safety Liaison
Senior Contract Specialist
Support Specialist III, Human Resources (2)
Transportation Routing Assistant
School Safety Liaison
Day custodian (5)
Night Assistant Custodian (4)
Aides (87)
These positions will be permanently cut:
Child Care Aides (13)
Teachers’ Aides (39)
Library/Media Center Aides (3)
Parent Liaisons (15)
School bus aides (17)
Permalink | Comments (70) | Categories: Dayton Public Schools
Comments
By Another DPS Teacher
June 25, 2007 6:33 AM | Link to this
Daniel, your sentence structure, like your perception of non-whites, is poor.By Anne
June 25, 2007 2:18 AM | Link to this
Eric, I really like and admire your commments about sticking together instead of fighting amongst ourselves. Your comment here has one oversight, though. In Dayton, Dr. (King) Mack cannot take up the violin on DPS’s dime at this time. He got rid of the people who could have effectively taught that!By Ed
June 24, 2007 10:44 PM | Link to this
Let’s hear about the quality of education in DPS. The reason charter schools can exist is the poor education and the lack of discipline in the public schools. Time Supt. Mack and Mayor McLin quit bellyaching and do something to improve the schools. It is a competitive world.By Laura
June 22, 2007 11:23 PM | Link to this
DPS Coach: Since the DPS Coaches are paid for out of Title funds, why did they cut them? What purpose did that serve? Could it be that the administration heard most coaches were not doing what they were hired to do? Even if it wasn’t their choice because the principal was misusing them, it was still a misuse of their time and didn’t benefit the teachers. I have not seen our coaches do a fraction of what is described as their responsibilities. I have also spoken to teachers in other buildings and heard the same thing. If you were doing your job, congratulations. Many others were not. But the question remains, why were coaches cut if they didn’t cost the district money from the general fund?By daniel
June 22, 2007 7:41 AM | Link to this
i hope the ones they get rid of are the teachers thant can’t speak proper english anyway!!! dis for this dat for that no ing on almost all words such as going ,doing,and so forth the schools have gone downhill so bad since busing and since most of the teachers and people who run the schools are black!!!!By James
June 22, 2007 7:08 AM | Link to this
Friday’s paper has a story about how bad all important sports has been hit. It talks about “vicious hits.” That’s what’s wrong with the school. Too many in administration view sports as the real reason for school. The article says “Hopefully we’ll get sports back and bring back greatness to this district.” Silly value system. Probably cutting sports programs 5 years ago could have saved a lot of money. How much does this athetic director make? How many assistants? The sports have been cut; why is DPS still paying a full time athletic director? Does anyone see the problem with this value system? How many real teaching jobs could have been saved if the expensive HS sports kept are eliminated and the athletic director job eliminated. It’s all who you’re related to I guess. That’s the problem with DPS. When it’s time to adjust, they’re 8 years late and dollars short on adjusting but keeping education in the classroom first. Oh well, the AD will have a nice office in Reynolds Towers.By Laid off Dayton Teacher
June 22, 2007 12:49 AM | Link to this
Something that I haven’t seen anyone mention is the fact that Gail Littlejohn insisted upon purchasing the Ludlow building for $20 million against the advice of Mayor McLin and most other city officials. According to our Dayton Education Association leadership, this purchase WAS made out of general funds rather than from building funds. This purchase was absolutely unnecessary and opened the mortal wound that is now in the process of killing this district. But still this group of incompetents on the board plan to seek reelection. Why not? They have systematically destroyed everything exciting and promising in our schools and they have gotten away with it. And they brazenly blame the community for not passing their ridiculously high levy rather than taking responsibility for their obscene mismanagement!By Greg Rice
June 21, 2007 2:44 PM | Link to this
No one mentioned the “parents” role in the problems with Dayton Public Schools. During open house for parents to visit the school, I had maybe “8” show up. When I came to help out (non-paid) during a basketball game, you had to park 3 blocks away! Why don’t they put that effort to visit the teachers? And many of those students who did not graduate due to not passing the OGT, cut class, disrupted others and had “fun” creating chaos. And then Mom wants to point fingers at the teachers! And on top of all of that, most voters voted against the levy and want “the Govt” to bail the schools out. I’ve had 3 school levies pass in the last 5 yrs where I live. Someone dropped the ball here over the last 15 years. It’s time to pickit up and start playing or the game is over!By Scott Elliott
June 21, 2007 9:08 AM | Link to this
Regarding assistant principals, I think the plan for next year is not yet complete. When last I spoke to Percy Mack about this, he said they were trying to keep some of the APs at high need schools for next year. The administrative shuffling is not yet complete. Some APs have already been moved up to open principal jobs. I suspect that process is still shaking out.By BH
June 21, 2007 2:33 AM | Link to this
Scott…Do you know if ALL elementary Assistant Principals were cut? There were a few schools specifically mentioned but what about the 15 or so elementary schools unnamed? What have you heard?By DPS Coach
June 21, 2007 12:12 AM | Link to this
Laura- The literacy and math coaches have been cut but cutting their positions does not put money into the general fund. They are paid by Title I money and that money can not be used for general fund teachers and can not be used to reduce class size. There are coaches who work extremely hard and have improved the quality of education the students of DPS receive. Unfortunetly, it sounds like you had a coach who did not do what the position was intended to do but you can find classroom teachers who don’t do what they are supposed to do either. Don’t lump the entire group together. My question for Scott is: How many of the administrative positions that were cut were (1) not occupied by anyone or (2) occupied by someone who retired? How many of the administrative positions that were cut are truly saving the district money? It would be interesting to see the amount. Also, three elementaries kept their assistant principals - Meadowdale Elementary, Jefferson, and Patterson/Kennedy. With over 600 students at each of these buildings, it would be impossible for one person to do it all.By DPS Coach
June 21, 2007 12:12 AM | Link to this
Laura- The literacy and math coaches have been cut but cutting their positions does not put money into the general fund. They are paid by Title I money and that money can not be used for general fund teachers and can not be used to reduce class size. There are coaches who work extremely hard and have improved the quality of education the students of DPS receive. Unfortunetly, it sounds like you had a coach who did not do what the position was intended to do but you can find classroom teachers who don’t do what they are supposed to do either. Don’t lump the entire group together. My question for Scott is: How many of the administrative positions that were cut were (1) not occupied by anyone or (2) occupied by someone who retired? How many of the administrative positions that were cut are truly saving the district money? It would be interesting to see the amount. Also, three elementaries kept their assistant principals - Meadowdale Elementary, Jefferson, and Patterson/Kennedy. With over 600 students at each of these buildings, it would be impossible for one person to do it all.By Laura
June 20, 2007 11:23 PM | Link to this
To Andrea and anyone else who still doesn’t understand: The new buildings have absolutely nothing to do with the general funds that pay for the everyday expenses of running a school. Even if they stopped building the new buildings today, they could not use the rest of the money to pay for teachers or textbooks or anything else other than the new buildings. I agree with one person’s question about what administrators are still left and how are they funded. At this point, with all of the questionable cuts, I think the public and parents as well as the rest of the DPS employees have a right to know who kept their job and how they contribute to the education of the students.By Karla
June 20, 2007 10:57 PM | Link to this
I grew up in Dayton and went to Belmont E and HS. Everything was great until the busing began then it went down hill. I now live out of state and in the country. We have smaller schools with a principle and superintendent to each one. It tears me up to know that Belmont has gone down hill so much. Dayton obviously doesn’t know how to manage their money or schools.By rainy
June 20, 2007 10:46 PM | Link to this
A Teacher: Almost all administrators should be cut. The only ones that make a difference to students are the ones in daily contact with them. The arts, music and physical education allow students to use all the skill and concepts learned in the “academics”. Additionally, they develop passion and committment in our young people. It is truly a tragic time in Dayton.By Jackson Greene
June 20, 2007 9:40 PM | Link to this
“Love DPS,” I think you epitomize many of the flaws within the public education system. If you cannot see the correlation between education and taxes, I pity you. Furthermore, I think the way in which you constructed your grammatically incorrect, pro-Percy Mack, yet completely illogical, diatribe suggests that sometimes a teacher can be blamed for failing to educate a district’s students. In a previous post, the benefits of merit-based salary were considered. Perhaps merit should have been assessed when making the teacher cuts. If merit were fairly assessed (hypothetically, of course) it would have possibly alleviated the number of younger teachers being cut. I tend to enjoy younger teachers because they oftentimes bring fresh energy with them. Sure, there are great teachers that are older, so they should be kept too. However, a boring, more conservative teaching style might be allied with older teachers. Ideally, a district should want to keep only its best teachers. It’s just a thought. There seems to be a larger problem associated with cutting younger teachers: many of the young teachers cut were women who have spent many costly years in college learning to become teachers. This is very problematic because it leaves these young women without jobs. They are trained to become teachers, and it’s unlikely that surrounding school districts need all these teachers. Most people have acknowledged problems with Dayton’s economy, and cutting only younger teachers contributes to its downward spiral. Cutting teachers based solely on years of experience makes it impossible for the women in their twenties to begin building economically stable lives. If Dayton needs to build its economy, it seems rather shortsighted for the administration to knock down the foundation level of that economy. Also, keeping in mind that many of the teacher cuts directly affected young women, it is plausible to suggest that the district is promoting a return to “normalized” gender roles. After all, the young women should be able to live off their husbands’ incomes while they look for new jobs.By Laura
June 20, 2007 8:47 PM | Link to this
“Love DPS”, PLEASE tell me that you do not teach any subject that involves writing of any kind (PLEASE tell me that teach math… or art… or gym). My parents pulled me out of DPS the year before the busing began in the 70’s because I would have been bussed across town instead of being able to walk to school. Although I got a good grade-school education in DPS,I got a GREAT education in Tipp City (middle school) and Centerville (High School), and your comment shows just how far things have deteriorated since then. I do hear how much you care about the children and how frustrated you are, but I find it difficult to feel sorry for a school system that has done so little for so many years to enforce minimum standards of teacher competence and fiscal responsibility. As someone else pointed out, other school districts such as Centerville do a wonderful job of properly managing taxpayer funds and being accountable for the education they provide. I do, however, feel sorry for the kids who are not getting a proper education, and for ALL of us in the area because the quality of the DPS further contributes to the economic decline of the entire area.By Dan Greene
June 20, 2007 8:27 PM | Link to this
If the last long comment was really made by a teacher from DPS, then I am very concerned about the quality of education children in Dayton are receiving. That comment was full of elementary grammar and spelling errors. Sadly, I’m not really surprised by the incompetence of government workers.By happy homeschooler
June 20, 2007 7:55 PM | Link to this
I’m curious to see if there will be many parents pulling kids out of DPS and sending them to private and charter schools or homeschooling them. I hope that, for the sake of the children, parents look at all of the options and do their best to make sure their children don’t suffer. Some private schools offer scholarships and homeschooling can be done without spending much at all. (Heck, with a library card, you can just check out most of the stuff you’ll need and never spend a cent). It’s just a shame that not all parents want to take the time or make the effort to evaluate all of the choices available- I feel bad for those children.By Love DPS
June 20, 2007 6:47 PM | Link to this
I myself, can only speak of the good I have done within my teaching career. I come in concern and worry about the children. I feel its to late to be focused on what’s done. We all are upset of what has happen. Not saying sit back and let it continue, but our focus still needs to be there for the children. Its going to be hard but as a teacher and seeing the look on there faces when they get a problem right or they are allowed to participate in extra activities is really the sad part. Not only is DPS hurting, but the children are to. I felt the same way at first, about all the jobs that where given and that could be where all the money was going. But who is to say that they where all not needed? If you really take a minute instead of jumping down Dr. Mack’s back and some,only get to his shoulders, with all the job positions in my eyes they where needed. If you don’t see then wait till the 2007-2008 school year if a change is not being done to help. Before the levy came to play we where already building new schools and that money is funded differently. The schools needed to be done. I remember 2006-2007 school year which was last year it was hard seeing a 22-25 student classroom. With some students ready to learn and then your class clowns. Behavior problems, or someone wanting to be the center of attention, somebody gets hurt so you the teacher have to stop and call home send the child down to the office, or chase the child or even call school security. Thats where all the positions come in play the assistant teacher can handle the craziness within the class room while the teacher continues to teach. While in office if the other secretary is busy with other students in the building that are in the office you have another secretary to help the situations. Now some schools had two principals some had three. Why? One principal is handling a very important meeting the other can be observing the classroom or taking care of the situation. Every job serves a purpose. So you shouldn’t say why is it two of these and two of those . Why everyone wants to get ride of Doctor Mack? He is the head boss if someone feel like they could have done a so called better job and went to school for his position then why you sitting back. But trust me you not going to be in it for free. Its more than one doctor more than one nurse. Yes I agree its more money in that field and DPS don’t have it like that. But why? It was up to use to make it like this. Now everyone is waiting for answers and wondering why. I tell you why all we in the world are worried about is money. I truly don’t feel education has no combination with taxes. its our twisted economy who has us thinking like that. That’s crazy if we want to be upset that’s what should be the issue. I understand some home owners are already struggling but instead of fighting about the levy lets arguing why it was on the same ballot. Instead of question why jobs being taken away lets raise the roof on trying to still change it. And for the tax payers you should have thought about it before you said no to the levy because when your child or grand child act up there is not going to be no more chances let him or her wait out the school year and take him to concealing NO!!! they are going to be home with you. for the lazy parents who don’t have time to stop in and check on there child until they get in trouble that applies to you to , you don’t have to worry about getting phone call after phone call they will be at your job acting out with you. So you still coming out of the pocket. I am not one who lost my jobs as of yet but you see IM still fighting. So to those of my DPS family who has lost their jobs we need to stand up and continue to hold the torch of Dayton Public School. Allow a new day to still dawn and not give up on the children. All parents who are thinking of taking there child out of DPS is a mistake, its a mess where ever you go you just don’t hear about it. A bigger mess is waiting to come. We need it not to!!!!!!!!!!!By Frances
June 20, 2007 4:57 PM | Link to this
I truly think that this is a shame. I am very upset about this matter. Surely, there has to be more than what is being told to the public. The children are at risk. Is anybody thinking of the education of our children. What is this world coming to when our teachers who have made a sacrifice to develop the minds of our youth suddenly become insufficient. This is devastating.By Kelly
June 20, 2007 4:51 PM | Link to this
Unfortunately, there is no easy fix for this problem. The funding system for Ohio public schools was declared unconstitutional over ten years ago, and yet our children still suffer from the prejudice associated with the system. The Ohio Supreme Court told the legislature in 1997 that it was required to change the way our schools are funded. Taxpayers in Dayton simply couldn’t afford to pay any more in taxes, and Dayton Public Schools could not operate the same without the money. We need to stop blaming each other in this city, and start looking towards the state. No, Dayton isn’t perfect, by any means, but if we want to affect change in this state, we need to stick together.By Doug
June 20, 2007 3:21 PM | Link to this
Sad, but necessary. Finally someone has the common sense and the guts to take action. A lot of jobs have be lost in this area and it isn’t going to get any easier for the taxpayer anytime soon. I don’t know what these teachers may have teaching, but it seems to me that getting back to the basic classes will lift some burden on the taxpaying community and allow the focus to be on Math, Science, English, History, and Government!By Connie Pavliga
June 20, 2007 3:05 PM | Link to this
Back in the 60s and 70s, I went to the Dayton Public Schools. I can say I received a wonderful education. When they did away with neighborhood schools, that began the downward trend. I would have gladly lived and sent my children to DPS had the same standard applied to putting children first as when I went to school. We were fortunate to send our children to Centerville schools. Centerville is extremely careful where our funds go. We don’t have a top-heavy administrative staff and we can account for every penny spent. My heart goes out to the parents in Dayton who are forced to rely on mediocre administrative staff to serve them. Parents and children deserve better. The Dayton school teachers deserve a staff who is fiscally responsible. Children, parents, and teachers are now paying the price.By GJordan
June 20, 2007 1:21 PM | Link to this
My mother was a longtime educator in the Dayton Public Schools and it saddens me to see how low the district has had to go with this round of layoffs and program cuts. It is partly because of economic issues such as these that I myself quit teaching after only 2 years back in ‘94 and have never looked back.By Anne
June 20, 2007 1:13 PM | Link to this
So what about the specialists - their are ‘specialists’ over different areas from Social Studies to math. These are more people who are never in the buildings and never see the students. They don’t help - get rid of them and hire a few more teachers back. What about the multiple secretaries for Dr. Mack? It appears the students can go with less, but not the admin.!By Bob540
June 20, 2007 1:01 PM | Link to this
I don’t live in Dayton, so I don’t pay the property taxes to support the schools. I understand people are struggling under the burden of taxes and the expenses of living, and they don’t feel they can pay more. Due to the special needs of urban children, one cannot expect the cost to educate them to be the same as for children in suburbs. Yet, I can believe there is waste in the system. For the sake of Dayton, perhaps the State should come in and help decide priorities and how money can best be spent for the children’s sake.By Teacher and taxpayer
June 20, 2007 12:58 PM | Link to this
Scott: Is there any way to post a list of all DPS administrative jobs that are still in force, as well as who holds them? It would also be helpful if you could break up those paid by general fund monies, those positions required by the state and those which are paid for by special grants and funds. Thanks.By Eric
June 20, 2007 12:58 PM | Link to this
Isn’t it interesting that only one person dealing with the DPS budget (you know the one that was surprisingly millions in the red) is being let go and that is because the no longer need a SENIOR ACCOUNTANT!!!! If anything from the past 3 months has shown us is that DPS MUST have a senior accountant….but apparently there is no need for accounting when you run a school system in the red for millions of dollars. What was I thinking? I think Mack should change his name to Nero and take up the violin.By courthouse pidjun
June 20, 2007 11:47 AM | Link to this
Good god man! “No Wonder”, your sentence structure, puncuation, spelling, and grammar indicates you must have attended the underfunded Dayton school system. The proof of Dayton’s failure is in the citizenry. Get an education!By saddened
June 20, 2007 11:43 AM | Link to this
I am a DPS teacher, and it saddens me that our district has come to this. Our students deserve so much more than what we are now able to offer them. Having been told at one point this year that the ratio of administrators to teachers was 16:1, I have to say I am not sorry to see any of them go. If I had that ratio as a teacher, I could accomplish so much!! Every teacher in the district wonders what most of the people at Ludlow do all day…they sure aren’t supporting us in any fashion that we can see. For too many years the district has been top heavy, and perhaps these cuts will change that. The sad part is that those cuts come with cuts that our students don’t deserve. However, I will return (thankfully) to my classroom in August and teach my students, hoping to make a difference in each one…no matter how many are sitting before me.By Skeptic
June 20, 2007 11:19 AM | Link to this
According to Education Week, Detroit will graduate only 25 percent of their students. Cleveland and Baltimore: less than 35 percent; Dallas, New York, and Los Angeles: 45 percent. Dayton is doing better than most of these cities, but not for long thanks to our voters and these cuts.By laura
June 20, 2007 11:01 AM | Link to this
David/Keith/??: DPS does not spend “way too much per student”. The problem is that the amounts shown as per pupil spending are not true indicators of how much is spent per pupil. The students receive a very small amount of that money directly. If they would truly spend the money on student education, we wouldn’t be one of the lowest scoring districts in the state. We do not need all of the administrators or assistants or teachers on special assignment, or curriculum coaches. They do not do anything for the teachers and therefore do nothing for the students. There are soooo many people in coach, specialist, director positions that the teachers never see. The literacy coaches spent an unbelievable amount of time at inservices and meetings. What for? They didn’t come back and share it with teachers. What about the math coaches? They were supposed to help teachers with small group instruction and they spent more time doing “stuff” for principals. If they would eliminate the majority of those positions, we could have class sizes that were small enough that we could really work with our students and bring them up to grade level. Many of our students need so much extra help but we could do it if we were in very small class sizes. Instead, we are going to have our class sizes increased to unmanageable levels. What I would like to know is why no one asks the teachers what we really need? I can tell you right now how we could raise tests scores AND save the district money. Get rid of a large portion of the supervisors, assistants and literacy/math coaches. Lower the class sizes drastically. Provide teachers with needed supplies and materials. Provide teachers with proven curriculums and inservices/workshops to support/improve teacher training. Too often our inservices are a waste of time. Ask teachers what they need and listen to them. We do care about and want what is best for the children.By Future Teacher and laid off DPS Aide
June 20, 2007 10:51 AM | Link to this
I have a lot of anger that I wasn’t told until after school let out. I loved the children I worked with and didn’t get the chance to say goodbye. I want to teach in the urban school system but what is the incentive? Why should I when nothing is being done to recruit and retain the teachers? I hate to say it but Dayton and its schools are headed for serious trouble.By andrea
June 20, 2007 10:43 AM | Link to this
I feel that they shouldnt have spent all that money on building new schools they should have just remodeled the schools instead of spending all their funds.By Miss Tee
June 20, 2007 10:36 AM | Link to this
Are the administrators who have retired will they come back double dipping as some of those who are already there doing? Why wasn’t Dr. Mack’s secretary not listed since she has only been working in the DPS system for one year and teachers that had one year were laid off?By tinye
June 20, 2007 10:24 AM | Link to this
I work in another state and another public school system. I have one of the non-administrative, non-teaching (although former teacher) positions. I classify myself as a ‘worker bee’. I know some of the people cut from DPS fit that category. These people take little or no sick leave and work many non-paid hours to keep things (buses) running for students/parents and to make the “higher-ups” look good. Too bad their positions were cut. Ultimately this will really cause DPS pain because NO ONE will be as dedicated or even know how to do the jobs they do. I agree that there needed to be cuts, but it is a shame that some of those cut or �encouraged� into early retirement are the very people who really run the system. I am afraid DPS will continue to decline due to these losses and the loss of many of the enrichment classes for students.By West Dayton Homeowner
June 20, 2007 10:22 AM | Link to this
The cuts occuring in the Dayton Public School System is unfortunate but a predictable outcome in Dayton’s declining economy. Why should taxpayers feeling the financial pinch from a declining job market be asked to pay higher taxes with non existent money? This should be unconstitutional! It is time for the Federal government and the State of Ohio to change how Urban school districts are funded because all of society loses when Urban school districts fail. We are in a global economy in need of productive and educated competitors(workers). Urban cities have experienced a decline in prosperity (e.g. shrinking tax base). The U.S. will also see a decline in prosperity (e.g. offshoring of jobs) if we maintain the status quo regarding how we educate our children and how we fund education for our children.By null
June 20, 2007 10:21 AM | Link to this
I think that it is terribly unfortunate for the students in the Dayton Public Schools that this many teachers/aides are being let go. Without appropriate student to teacher ratios, the classrooms WILL suffer. For all of the people who do not support education funding…shame on you. Most teachers work hard every day to make sure your child is the best they can be. The biggest problem is that many new, young teachers will be let go and the teachers who are old and burnt-out will still be there because they have tenure!By tshaman
June 20, 2007 10:21 AM | Link to this
A democracy fails when its citizenry is not enlightened. The combination of an unresponsive city government, an overpaid and underproductive school board and a lack of accountability in performance would not, however, justify what has happened. Only racism and plain ignorance explain the destruction of the school system. Any child can learn anything. All he or she needs is good teaching and caring parents-not bloated administration, ignorant or non-existent family structures and nearly insane learning conditions inside the hallways. New school buildings, old school habits= failure and despair. It is really a kind of simple, tragic math, and all of us will pay for what we did not do as well as what we did. DECCA was the model-unfortunately, too late for the rest of the system. It is difficult to watch the dying convulsions of a once fine and dynamic city.By philip
June 20, 2007 10:20 AM | Link to this
new schools they don’t need new school for this and hi paying jobs like percy mack get him out of there and save some more money…By Beth
June 20, 2007 10:19 AM | Link to this
I think it’s very sad that the school levy was not passed. Our children need the support, and deserve a good education! And it’s also bad for home owner’s resale value on their homes. No one with kids is going to want to move into Dayton now. I guess it’s a cycle. If the school levies passed, not so many people would want to move out of the area, and the rate homes are for sale would be shortened, and resale value would increase for those who still need to move.. It’s just a sad situation for Dayton. My heart goes out to all the the teachers and admisistators who lost their jobs.By dee
June 20, 2007 9:58 AM | Link to this
I think that’s a shame that the children of our city have to suffer from the overspending and administration salaries. Dayton has to come to their senses and find an alternate funding soluction other than funding from property owner’s. Why not a school tax such as the Columbus district?By Designer
June 20, 2007 9:33 AM | Link to this
I’m saddened by those of you who think these cuts will improve the school system in Dayton. Do you not understand the benefits of art, music and physical education? For those of you who did not go out and vote for/against the levy, shame on you! For those of you who voted against the levy, I hope your children are receiving the education at home that they will now be missing out on at school. Considering you voted against it though, I hardly believe this will be the case.By scwisme
June 20, 2007 9:31 AM | Link to this
Sounds like a bunch of mess to me. I will be taking my kids out of DPS.By No name
June 20, 2007 9:30 AM | Link to this
WOW!~ I didn’t realize they got paid that much! Kinda makes ya wonder!By GD
June 20, 2007 9:23 AM | Link to this
We will pay for the cuts in the end , we either pay now or pay later but we will pay.By Mom of 3 DPS students
June 20, 2007 8:51 AM | Link to this
I may remove my “Proficient” children from DPS. Until now, I have been able to brag about the wonderful opportunities my children have had at Horace Mann Montessori, Franklin Montessori, and Stivers School for the Arts. If the wonderful opportunities cease to exist, we are gone. It sounds like my children won’t even get the basic Art, Music, and PE that the kids in Oakwood, Kettering, and Centerville get. Their education will no longer be well rounded. Also, I have an issue with larger class sizes. There are enough distracting behaviors that occur in a class of 25. What is the class going to look like when you add 5 more behavior problems to the mix? The district is going to have a plan for the severely disruptive students who cause problems in the way too large classes.By TB
June 20, 2007 8:50 AM | Link to this
Everyone understands that the cost of everything is rapidly rising. With these cuts and the number of extra curricular activities falling by the way side, you can guarantee one more cost that will rise….the dollar amount spent per prisioner. When are we going to realize that when it comes to educating children it should be by any means necessary!! To all of those who are gloating on voting down the levy purely because of the lack of trust in the administration, my advice to you is to go to these schools in the fall and witness first hand what your hatred has caused. While you’re there, pick up a book and tutor a few students!By Skeptic
June 20, 2007 8:41 AM | Link to this
I think both sides are right to a degree - some of these jobs might be “fat” that needed a trim but other losses will truly hurt the students. Frankly, I thought administrators made more than that. I wonder what the admin-haters think a manager with a Master’s degree or Ph.D deserves to make? If you think DPS can retain talented and competent administrators for $30k a year, you’re wrong. How can we expect change if they can’t hire the best people?By David
June 20, 2007 8:10 AM | Link to this
In the administrative retirements… Mims $76,500—not being replaced, duhhhhh. I wonder how many other fluff jobs are in the administration like that. Bet there were lots of expenses also for travel to Columbus? How’s that related to education in the classroom. I wonder how many other jobs through the past years could have been saving money for education in the classroom? That position could have funded 1.5 or 2 teachers in classrooms.By Ivory Kennedy
June 20, 2007 8:06 AM | Link to this
No one saw the impact of the DMHA tenant tranfers. They shut down quite a few neighborhoods and relocated those tenants outside of the city limits! There went a good number of students to Trotwood,Vandalia,Fairborn,Northridge and other surrounding districts. Thanks to all of those GENIUSES!!!!By Heather
June 20, 2007 7:53 AM | Link to this
It unfortunate that we do not see the one name on there that should be - Percy Mack !By Dave
June 20, 2007 7:51 AM | Link to this
I am very pleased to see this happening. I would of been angry if the levy passed, they spend way too much per student and waste entirely too much money. More cuts to come soon I hope!By boogie
June 20, 2007 7:20 AM | Link to this
Mrs. H Are you reading this. No money to support these people. Dayton is Crap.By mwm
June 20, 2007 6:18 AM | Link to this
When homeowners have their finances stretched by the water rates going up, natural gas rates going up, property tax levy’s that continually go up, repair costs and upkeep of a home goes up, medical insurance premiums go up, food prices, transportations costs and other items. The funding of a school district becomes a low priority item. I have no sympathy for the Dayton public school situation.By david
June 20, 2007 4:04 AM | Link to this
This is just another nail in Dayton’s coffin. Why would any sane parent want to enroll their children in a non-supported Dayton school system. Just too much.By null
June 20, 2007 1:32 AM | Link to this
As a newly laid off Aide-12 jun-06.It would have been nice to have been a lil bit honest with US employees who worked hard to Turn it around!Allow us some dignity with the students we did not tell Goodbye!By Chris
June 20, 2007 12:27 AM | Link to this
DPS is a perfect example of why public schools do not work. The school system is not responsive to the problems in the city and is failing at their goal of educating and graduating students. Shut the whole system down and let parents choose where to send their kids.By Jess
June 19, 2007 11:47 PM | Link to this
I am sincerely sorry to hear of the cuts at DPS. I have several friends who barely made the cut that teach for the district. They all work so hard to try to better the lives of the kids within their district. I know what it is like to work for a district that makes cuts each year, and what it is like to be the teacher cut, and what it is like to explain to parents and students why you won’t be returning the following year. While you gloat about these cuts, think of the kids and what they are suffering through because DPS can’t afford to give them the education they deserve.By Proficient Dayton Teacher
June 19, 2007 11:14 PM | Link to this
Dayton Teacher, I am appalled by your lack of literacy/grammatical skills. This is a complete humiliation for those of us DPS teachers who have the proper education and writing skills. I can only hope that you are not being placed in one of the new literacy jobs. Wouldn’t that be too ironic?! Oh, do you know what “irony” is??? Please stop writing under the DPS Teacher name, as you are humiliating far too many COMPETENT and LITERATEteachers!By Bengal
June 19, 2007 9:57 PM | Link to this
We’re cutting sports, music, and art. Yet, we are expected to recruit and retain students??? Society (perspective colleges) want well-rounded students with diverse backgrounds. The board is taking these opportunities away from the students. How much are we saving by cutting some of the minor sports? They don’t cost as much to have and there are plenty of coaches/volunteers who would be willing to do whatever it takes to make sure these students are given the opportunity to participate in sports they WANT to play (baseball, softball, wrestling, golf, soccer). What are we supposed to say to the players who have worked very hard for three years and now their senior year their favorite sport has been eliminated? Don’t tell me that basketball and football games generate all the money. They also cost the most to operate. They have more coaches, more players, and require more funds for travel and referees. It’s easier to just say we have “eliminated” fill in the blank so that’s what happened with no thought or foresight.By Rick
June 19, 2007 9:54 PM | Link to this
Mr. Montgomery, maybe the voters don’t have a clue what it takes to run an urban school district. They do, however, understand their own economic situation. They do understand that the DPS spends a very large amount per student, and they do understand that there was a LOT of fat in the administration. Let’s face it, a lot of urban school districts, including Dayton were first a foremost a jobs program. We had a lot of dead wood in the school system. The Kids First team came in and got rid of 50% of the principles in four years. For too long, promotion had been based upon whose turn it was and internal politics. That period is largely over, thank goodness. But do not disparage the voters, they do understand a great deal.By Caroline
June 19, 2007 9:53 PM | Link to this
A lot of fat was cut, but not enough! Imagine how many high paying administrators are left! It’d be great to see a list of all administrators and how much they make.By Scott Elliott
June 19, 2007 8:40 PM | Link to this
Indeed, Janet Ringer was incorrect. It is Janet Riner. I’ve corrected the blog entry. Thanks for the sharp-eyed catch.By John Montgomery
June 19, 2007 8:40 PM | Link to this
There will be those who gloat over this list of personnel cut and say “I told you so,” but they will be those who don’t have a clue about what it takes to operate an urban school district in times of unbelievable challenges. However, intelligent folks will understand the tragic consequences of the scope of these moves. The boys and girls of the school district are the losers in all of this, and they don’t seem to count enough when the voters head to the polls. Out go the babies with the bath water.By Dayton Teacher
June 19, 2007 8:05 PM | Link to this
It seems DPS has pulled the wool over your eyes again, The administrative layoffs listed by name are the same jobs listed in the administrative jobs. Plus some jobs being eliminated are only because they are being transfered somewhere else. Assistant Principal Wogaman became Principal at Kiser. What happened to the assistant principal at Kiser? It looks like they kept that position even though we were told all assistant principals on the elementary level would be cut except PK. It still doesn’t smell right. The truth will come out. Remember Saundra Kidd being taken out of Kiser and placed Downtown, the job they made up for her Assistant Director, Student Assignment is being “cut” She’s retired. It seems the cuts are of course teachers and aids, the ones who do most of the work!!!By Howard
June 19, 2007 7:23 PM | Link to this
Looks like the FAT is finally being removed from the City School district and a LOT of it. I cannot belive some of the positions they have in schools, and you have got to wonder if these people really do an honest days work!By ????
June 19, 2007 6:46 PM | Link to this
I am wondering if the “Janet Ringer” is really Jacqueline (Jackie) Ringer. That would make sense, as they have worked hard to create jobs for her for the past few years. Last year, her salary was listed at $81,994. Or perhaps the employee is Janet Riner, who has been the Gifted Coordinator. With no extra programs, DPS will not need this position.By no wonder
June 19, 2007 6:05 PM | Link to this
No wonder the DPS spends about$14k per student, unbelievable! Brookville schools also about duped the taxpayers, was is conicendence that the shoe company (paying thousands to the school) was not announced until after the levy?