By Jon Tatting
jon.tatting@ecm-inc.com

The Cambridge-Isanti School Board on Feb. 24 discussed several budget reductions, proposed to bite into a $2 million shortfall, for 2010-11.

First, the board approved a public meeting to meet with parents and the district community who are encouraged to hear and provide input on the cuts and reductions from 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, March 9 in the Community Room at the District Office, 625A Main St. N.

The board must listen to the public and take their questions and input under advisement to see how the community wants the district to move forward, urged Superintendent Bruce Novak, noting the public meeting will be the first of many throughout the year.

Here’s a look at the preliminary cuts, totalling $2,075,707, which building adminstrators/principals began to identify after the latest levy referendum request—intended to generate $3 million a year for 10 years—failed at the polls last November:

Kindergarten through 12th-grade class sizes are set to grow by two to three students per class.

Athletic, activity, parking and other fees will likely increase throughout the district, where program elimination has been identified in 2011-12. Administrative cuts will impact student services at Cambridge-Isanti High School.

High school students, under a restructured schedule, are losing industrial technology, family consumer science and medical terminology classes.

Also proposed for elimination are K-5 art specialists and middle school media specialists throughout the district. Gifted and Talented, too, is facing staff and program cuts.

Administrative reduction and K-12 technology restructuring are further planned.

Board reaction

Addressing the proposed reductions in art and other hands-on opportunities for students, Board Member and long-time teacher Gary Hawkins said, “That really upsets me.”

Susan Burris, director of Teaching and Learning, noted “that was a difficult decision” when explaining the rationale behind those cuts.

“Every single decision hurts, but I think we put our best product out there,” she added of the overall reduction proposal that involved a lot of and difficult discussion.

Board Member Anne Nelson also voiced frustration over how the reductions directly affect students. Acknowledging the hard work that went into the proposals, she asked if all options have been considered.

“Our goal (despite the cuts) is to still raise student achievement,” said Superintendent Novak in response to Nelson’s concern. “Everything we’re doing is impacting students, yet we’re trying to reduce the impact on student achievement.”

“As we take things away, they never seem to come back,” continued Hawkins, referring to past reductions that have totalled around $5 million over the last five years.

He noted he works with students who are trying to get their GED. “Kids leave school because they can’t work with their hands. With cuts to art and technology...what’s next?”

Hawkins further explained he doesn’t see many kids who get excited over going to English or social studies classes, but they do get excited over art or gym class. In fact, he recalled one student who openly admitted he only comes to school because of recess.

“When are we going to stop taking away things from kids?” he asked.

In response, Novak said he empathizes with the “anger and pain” associated with the proposed impacts on students, an issue that has been the exact dialogue among district workers since November. “How do we fulfill student needs in order to get them ready for the world?” he said.

He referred back to his 2009 editorial that stressed programs would be gone without support of the levy referendum. And there’s been no help from the federal and state government, he added, leaving the burden on the backs of our local communities.

“We’re being pushed toward reading, writing and arithmetic,” said Novak, crediting administrators for doing their jobs while attempting to keep their schools on track with adequate yearly progress (AYP) and No Child Left Behind standards.

He also pointed blame on the state’s recent decision to delay its aid worth $4.2 million to the school district, which fortunately has the cash on hand to deal with the shortfall over the next few months.

Novak further cited a telling experience at a recent legislative forum, an event that included a panel of local lawmakers. With many special interest groups requesting money, he recalled urging one legislator, “Please remember our children are not a special interest group.”

What came next? “The legislator just walked away from me,” said Novak in disbelief.

Burris, too, voiced frustration over the lack of funding put “into our future,” especially when there’s so much expectation on the future.

Board Member Dan Fosse, addressing the district’s financial picture, said he’d like to see an attitude shift among the district employees who feel they need more instead of saying “we can’t shortchange our students.”

Fosse added, “What are we going to do to protect the values we have here? We’re being asked to make poor choices (based) on poor choices...that will impact students” and the opportunities in school that would otherwise aid in their journey toward pursuing college or entering the workforce.

Concluded Novak on the big picture, “There wasn’t one person alone who got us into this issue, and it won’t take one person to get us out. It will be a collective effort from everybody...”

The break down

Finance Director Robyn Vosberg-Torgerson provided an overview, outlining the overall savings to the district, of the proposed budget reductions.

Under the goal of reducing $2 million, money from the unreserved fund balance ($500,000), capital fund balance ($300,000) and a bus savings ($200,000) equal half of the amount needed to be cut.

Media reductions at Isanti Middle School total $57,000, while $51,235 can be saved in activities/athletics and $35,000 in a food service charge-back.

Activities Director Marl Solberg, echoing what he said in a NEWS story last October, informed the board that activity fees, event passes and rental fees will increase. Yet because of these increases, no sports or activities will be cut this year.

However, he noted, if the financial picture doesn’t improve, sports and activities that have lower participation could be in jeopardy as early as the 2011-12 school year.

Currently there are 16 male offerings and 17 female offerings in sports and activities. Meanwhile, booster and other support groups are doing what they can to raise funds to keep these opportunities available for students, affirmed Solberg.

Vosberg-Torgerson further noted the teacher retirement incentive is saving the district another $600,000, when factoring in retirement non-replaced ($525,000) and replaced ($75,000) savings.

Breaking it down, Cambridge Primary, Isanti Primary, Isanti Intermediate, Cambridge Intermediate and the year-round School For All Seasons each are not replacing a classroom retirement.

Meanwhile, Cambridge Middle is not replacing a media retirement, while a K-5 art reduction means two retirements will not be replaced at the primary and intermediate school levels.

Reductions in Gift and Talented and English as a Second Language equal two amounts of $28,500. Restructuring administration in student services ($85,500) and technology ($90,000) were also presented.

Vosberg-Torgerson further identified reductions impacting a District Office receptionist, $14,000; the SEE (Schools for Energy Efficiency) program, $11,000; transportation for targeted services, $10,000; and advertising/human resources, $1,000.

In addition, high school restructure reflects a savings of $136,872, and a couple of “add backs” total $72,900 concerning a .2 counselor leave and para prep time. 

Audit finds “clean opinion” and one weakness

A representative from the district’s auditing firm affirmed a “clean” audit on basic statements, with a single deficiency, during a review of District 911 audited financial reports for 2008-09.

The board approved the overall report after learning, for instance, that the district’s general fund financial condition reflected an unreserved fund balance of $7.8 million or almost 20 percent of annual expenditures.

Aside from the positive report, the district was found to have one internal control deficiency—considered a material weakness, presented auditor Bill Lauer of Malloy, Montague, Karnowski, Radosevich and Co., P.A., based in Minneapolis.

Specifically, the school district has limited “segregation of duties in processing payroll transactions,” he said, which could subject the district to a higher risk for errors or fraud without being detected.

The district, in response, accepted the firm’s recommendation to implement additional controls to further segregate duties in the payroll area—which can be done by creating a new employee record or changing pay rates to those not involved in processing the bimonthly payroll.

In light of the fund balance picture, the 2008-09 general fund balance (consisting of unreserved, designated and reserved fund balances) totalled $10,748,758, a $2.1 million increase over 2007-08.

At the end of the audit report, Board Member Dan Fosse noted the district’s efforts toward minimizing spending over the past year has “bore fruit.”

In other action, the board...
• Approved another expulsion of a student from Feb. 17, 2010 through Feb. 17, 2011.
• Approved the purchase and financing of an energy efficient generator to be located at Cambridge-Isanti High School. The project, costing $638,000, is estimated to be paid off in 10 years thanks in part to an annual savings of $92,000 via a special commercial rate.
Buildings and Grounds Director Mark Eisenbacher has said the generator would also bring a better sense of emergency preparedness in the event of a power outage at the high school or disaster within the community.

Comments (38)

Hanna: At least the teacher's wages won't get cut...... It is ridiculous in today’s economy that our district is giving teachers raises. Our teachers don’t care about the children in our community they only care about their bottom line. The board should take a long hard look at salaries in our district, start cutting benefits and wages! Stop taking from our kids. Don’t come asking for more money from the community until you start balancing the budget from within. Teachers and administrators are not above the recession! 1 March 04, 2010 Hanna: Are you curious....? Check out the following website for information on current salaries for teachers and administrators of District 911. http://extra.twincities.com/car/schlsalaries/default.aspx They make more than you think!! 2 March 04, 2010 Sara: Learn the facts The teachers in 911 are NOT getting a pay raise for the new contract, which is for 2 years....They took a pay FREEZE! I cannot believe how some people do not support their community. NO, I am not a teacher, either, nor do I work for the district. The biggest employer in Cambridge is the school district, its about time the community realizes everything they do for the city and start supporting them. The teachers earn EVERY dollar they make. Their wages are less than what most people make that have a 4 year degree, and teachers are required to have that degree. The teachers have done NOTHING wrong. If you'd like to make as much as a teacher does, put in the time they do to get the degree, get a teaching job, work after hours and on weekends, take continuing ED classes to keep your degree current, and then let us know if teachers make too much. Its so easy to blame others. I am proud to support the community I live in, and you should think about doing the same. 3 March 04, 2010 Jacque: Teachers who once again are degraded REALLY? Dan Fosse says teachers need an attitude shift. Why are teachers continually degraded in the newspaper? Is that a way to get people to work harder or to make any changes? Maybe if teachers were recognized for the things they do, instead of always being put down, people would stop to realize all that they do instead of just jumping on the "anti" teacher band wagon. How many teachers are involved in the community volunteering their time...I know many that are Sunday School teachers, active in the American Cancer Society and other causes. Most have part time jobs on weekends and during the summer. Teachers spend money in the community to stimulate the local businesses. Maybe it's the School Board who needs an attitude shift...maybe they need to stop breaking the laws and do what's right. Maybe there's enough finger pointing and it's time to all work together???? 4 March 05, 2010 Hanna: Learn the Facts and Get them Straight.... The teachers got a 4% raise for the first year of the contract and took a freeze for the second year of the contract. I don't know too many people who are getting 4% pay raises. Maybe the teachers are not aware that many people in our district have lost their jobs, have had their wages reduces or the hours cut. Those who have experienced these events have had to learn to live with less and now their children's education is being effected due to those who do not want to live on less. I also posted a website that will tell you exactly what teachers and administrators are making is the District. (see previous post) They are well compensated for they degree. I hope the Governor gets his way and teachers have to apply every 5 years for their tenure. Teachers should not be guaranteed a job if they can't produce results. The School Board would be able do provide our children a better education if they did not have be at the mercy of the Teacher's Union. Good employees everywhere continue to build on their skills not just teachers. I know many in our community that volunteer countless hours to make our community better and none of them are teachers. Teachers need to understand that they are not above everyone else in the community. Everyone in our community care about the children in our community, volunteer and work hard. Teachers are not an exception to the rule. I agree they do need an attitude change and quit expecting everyone else to worship them. How many administrators do we really need that make over six figures? 5 March 05, 2010 Jacque: ... Could Hanna explain how the School Board would be better able to provide a better education to our children? I would love to hear her ideas. Also, I would challenge her to show me any teacher in our District that thinks they are "above the rules". I think many feel they need to be "more accountable to the public" than the average person in the community. If she doesn't think teachers are active in the community, she's not looking very hard. QUIT bashing teachers and come up with solutions. All she's doing is creating hard feelings. 6 March 05, 2010 Sara: Hanah, learn the real facts I HAVE the contract, I know the teachers, trust me, the teachers did NOT get 4% raise this year or next year. There is NO raise for the next 2 years. It is so sad to see you passing your judgements to the rest of the community and they are based on FALSE information. Call the school district office, see for yourself, there was no raise. 7 March 05, 2010 Tracy: ... My husband IS a teacher in the district, and trust me, there was no 4% raise. They took a pay freeze for the next 2 years. Hanna, it is so great to see how much you respect the teachers where you live! You obviously have no idea what being a teacher or married to one entails. My husband spent 5 years and $40,0000 to get his degree, coaches several sports, acts as a role model for kids, spends hours every week at home correcting papers, has made house calls to help those in need after school, and you THANK him by spreading false rumors online and say that he needs an attitude adjustment??? WOW! Let me know how far that gets you! Lets all be glad Hanna isn't the one taking care of our children!!! 8 March 05, 2010 Karen: ... What do you do, Hannah? What do you have to do in order to keep your job? Let's stop bashing teachers as they are NOT to blame for the current situation of our school district. We are taking away programs that benefit students due to school funding. This is an issue that has nothing to do with teachers' salaries. This is partly due to people like you who work so diligently to express such uneducated opinions instead of using that energy to work on finding solutions. Like supporting a referendum? I suppose you voted 'no'? When you walk into one of the schools in our district you will find that administrators and teachers and other school staff continue to provide top quality educational experiences to our children with an incredibly positive attitude regardless of what cuts are made and regardless of the attitudes of individuals like you. You don't hear people making these comments regarding other industries who have been forced to make cuts like the school district has. We don't blame the employees when we see a business who has to make drastic changes to survive........why then, do you think the school teachers are the cause? And seriously, I agree with Jacque, you try it for ONE DAY and see what you think. 9 March 06, 2010 Karen: ... You really know a teacher who expects 'everyone else to worship them?' Apparently, you don't know very many if you don't know any that volunteer in the community. I am not a teacher, and I know MANY of them and can't think of one who hasn't. 10 March 06, 2010 Hanna: Step Increase not a raise? "Under the terms of the new contract, teachers eligible for step increases as of July 1, 2009 have received it, and teachers eligible for step increases as of July 1, 2010 will receive it after the 92nd duty day of the contract, to be implemented in the March 1 payroll. The total contract cost is $1,928,016." Hum, seems like a increase in pay. I am not saying that the teachers are not valuable members of the community but they are not superior to other member of the community. I just get the impression that teachers and school administrators feel other members of the community should make sacrafices so they don't have to make any sacrafices financially. 11 March 06, 2010 Linda: ... linda: ... What's really, really sad is the values our society holds most dear: We think nothing, think it is entirely justified to pay a pro athlete millions and millions of dollars a year to "play" and we get to watch these grown men "play" yet we criticize the people who watch and mold our children on a daily basis for making $30,000 - $45,000 per year. Because the budgets the teachers have to work with are so slim, most teachers spend a lot of their own money buying stuff for the classroom. We need the public to attend the meeting this Tuesday at 8:00 at the District Office and make suggestions as to how to balance the budget and what should/shouldn't get cut. March 06, 2010 12 March 06, 2010 Bethany: PEOPLE THAT DON'T SUPPORT THEIR COMMUNITY ARE THE PROBLEM, NOT TEACHERS! Every school district in MN has a teaching contract that includes these "step" increases for each year of service. It's less than 2,000/year and doesn't even come close to pay for the continuing education courses teachers are required to take to keep their contract current. Teachers agreed to no pay increase, which means that that schedule you see is that same as the last two years. The teachers pay is below average when compared to other districts in MN (according to a report published by Education MN). It is INSANE to blame the teachers for anything at all. VOTE NO next year and I can't wait to see everyone complain when the district goes to a 4 day school week, I'm sure that'll be the teacher's fault as well. 13 March 06, 2010 Hanna: What do I do..... I belong to a Union that took a two-year freeze, including step increases. It was disappointing, but I appreciated the fact that I have a job unlike some of my neighbors, friends and family. You ask what do I have to do to keep my job; I have to meet my job expectations that are outlined in my position description which are evaluated yearly. I like the majority that voted no on the levy, understood part of the levy would go to salary increases. You can continue to deny teachers are getting their steps and lanes and that the levy did not include money for those steps and lanes. But these items have been reported on in this very paper. You ask me what I suggest the school board do to better the education of our children. Freeze wages and cut benefits. I am sure there are unemployed teachers who are qualified that are willing to work for less money and be thankful to have a job. Maybe then teachers and administrators in our district would understand what it is like to be thankful you have a job and quit complaining and trying to convince community members they deserve more, more and more so they can adequately teach our children. I also want to clarify the 4% increase, 2% each for a step and lane per year. 14 March 07, 2010 Jacque: Hanna--I don't understand Please help me understand how freezing wages and cutting benefits would help better the education of the children. Also, I have a copy of the teaching contract and cannot figure out where these 2% increases are hiding. Are you sure you are talking about Cambridge-Isanti District #911 because my paycheck actually went down this year... 15 March 07, 2010 Jacque: ... Hanna, why are you so angry at everyone? It feels like no matter how hard anyone in education works, it would not be good enough for you. Feel free to come into the schools and watch--or even participate for a couple of days. Feel free to come and look at my paystubs. We have nothing to hide, Hanna. Or you could even run for School Board next fall if you feel you know how to increase our kids educations! Then, you can give educated comments, when you have been in the trenches. It's easy to criticize, not so easy to come up with ideas...please, give us specific ideas..don't just say "cut wages" because that doesn't tell us anything about how that would increase our abilities to teach the kids. If it was easy, don't you think the school board, administration, and everyone would have already done it? Nobody in our District (from the Board on down) likes what is happening. We all wish things could be better--if we didn't, then we shouldn't be involved in education. Do you realize that most of the teachers here also have students in our schools? Do you think we would sacrifice their educations? I really don't understand the anger and the anti-education comments...please help us understand your underlying issues. Work with us instead of slinging mud all of the time. As a parent, I hope that the rest of the community can also help us get through these tough times. By the way Hanna, at the High School, teachers will all be teaching another section of students, with no extra pay. Plus, all teachers in #911 have sacrificed 2 personal days that are in the contract. Please don't say we aren't trying to help. 16 March 07, 2010 Hanna: Angry? I am not angry I am stating my opinion and you don't like it. That is all. I believe most of our teachers do a great job, but don't understand why they feel their demands on the school board and school district is above reproach. I have not personally attacked any specific teacher but have been attacked, analyzed and criticized. You all are assuming that I am anti-education I am not. I am against throwing more money at a broken system. And please don’t bring up in your next comment how I must be against the children if I believe teachers can make sacrifices, that rhetoric is old. It is pretty simple that if you spend less on salaries and benefits that more money would be available for programs that educate the students. The teacher’s union is more interested in getting every penny they can for their member at cost of programs for the students. Again, I would like to state that teachers and administrators should take a look outside the classroom and see that everyone is being affected by the recession. You are not the only people being asked to do more with less, to take concessions for the good of the company, and may have change affect you financially. You are not unique. 17 March 07, 2010 Dean: A different view point This is directed to Hanna. I am not going to attack you personally but I will say this if you go back and re-read a large majority of your posts on this thread and other education based articles from the past year, they are very negative towards the teaching profession and especially the teachers in the Cambridge-Isanti district. So you are right, you have not attack a specific teacher but you have attacked them all throughout the past year in very general comments. But that is not my main point. My main point is that maybe there is a disconnect between the point of view that you possess and that of others. I understand where you are coming from and it does make sense on a lot of levels. You want the district is run like any other business. When there is a recession or economic downturn, people reduce spending. Makes sense, except that public education is not a business. It is an infrastructure investment like water plants, roads, hospital, and such. Would you make the same argument is the issue was the police force or the local hospital? Just food for thought. Also, if you do want it to be run like a business with a reduction in cost, then you better is prepared to reimburse many teachers for their educational expenses, like many companies do, because the district cannot currently. You also better be prepared to hire more people to do the proper review of the teachers and administration because with additional responsibilities that each will have to take on, the overtime you will have to pay will drive up cost. Also, on a pure economic level, if everyone cuts spending, how is the economy supposed to start to grow again? As one poster pointed out, the district is the largest employer in the community. If the teachers took that cut and then cut their individual spending, wouldn't the whole community take the hit economically over time? Now, I'm not saying drive up the debt. But be responsible and use not only short term but long term plans in action. My point is that a business model has as many flaws as the current one does. Neither is perfect. The teachers work very hard in the district to provide quality education for the children. I am sure that you work just as hard in your job to do the best you can. Should everyone be more efficient regardless of their profession? Yes. But the fault, in my opinion, is neither the teachers nor the board themselves but it is a funding system at the state level that has yet to be addressed. But, until that is addressed, there should be a healthy and respectful dialogue with an infrastructure choice that should be based in the following: 1. What is best for the children of the community? 2. What is best for the greater good of the community? 3. What is sensible and responsible for the community? If that happens then all active parties would find common ground. Hanna, I understand what you are saying and to some degree agree with you but I hope you are able to understand why some people are upset. I also hope that my two cents has added to a healthy discussion and given more food for thought. 18 March 07, 2010 Karen: Hanna........ What teachers are you talking about when you say the are complaining? They worked hard to come to an agreement through their contract negotiations, as you would, too. Do not say that the teacher's union is more interested in getting every penny they can for their members 'at the cost of programs for students.' You are throwing out accusations. You really think that teachers and administrators aren't affected by the recession? You really think that they don't know what's going on in the community as far as loss of jobs and increased expenses. They work very hard to keep costs down for families where they can. If you have SO much to say, say it to your congressman.......that's where action needs to be taken. The position of this school district is not unlike that of others in Minnesota due to the process of school funding. Instead of spouting off such accusations against teachers and administration within our district, do something that will actually have a positive effect. You want to stick to your platform that teachers' demands are the problem here and you clearly have NO idea! Go meet some teachers and actually ask them how they feel and what they are demanding. Then make your judgments. 19 March 07, 2010 Shawn: Teacher's Union Any one read about a school district in Rhode Island? The school board wanted the teachers to work a longer day (7 hours), one hour of tutoring outside of the school day and two weeks during the summer of PAID professional developement. The teacher's union said the pay was not sufficient. The school board FIRED all the teachers, asst. principals and the principal. The time is coming when more and more districts will be following suit. The Minnesota Teacher's Union only has their best interest in mind, not the kids. 20 March 08, 2010 Hanna: Facts and accusations I want to clarify some facts: The teachers are getting a step increase in 2010 as stated in the Cambridge Star dated 01/26/2010. The total contract cost is $1,928,016. People who have posted comments keep stating I am lying. If this is not true then take it up with the paper. I interpreted this information to mean the teacher’s union understood that buy requiring step increases and suing for salary increases that programs would have to be cut. Teachers are members of the teacher’s union and vote to determine how the union will proceed. So yes, in my opinion teacher’s put their bottom line before the programs that would educate our children. Accusations are defined by Webster as to accuse of wrongdoing. I guess I am guilty of making accusations. Please feel free to clarify this point if I have misinterpreted. The District, like every other entity that provides services has a budget. If something in the budget cost more, salaries, then something has to be cut, programs. No matter what you call it, a business or community infrastructure, the principles are the same. I was asked, “Would you make the same argument is the issue was the police force or local hospital?” The last time I check teachers are not risking their lives every time they go to work or in the business of saving lives. Teachers help in educating our children. This question reinforces my impression that teacher’s perceptions of their value are skewed. I don’t know what the starting salary of a peace officer in Isanti County is but it would be interesting to compare to the starting wage of a teacher in District 911. The second statement that reinforces this impression is that “If the teachers took that cut and then cut their individual spending, wouldn’t the whole community take the hit economically over time?” This statement baffles me. It is okay for everyone else to cut their spending but not the teachers? At least 11% of community members have been forces to cut their spending due to layoffs. A greater percentage had their wages frozen or reduced and others have had their hours cut. I am sure these members of the community feel their spending would be good for the community too. Believe me we all feel that we are entitled to a salary increase every year, but it is not reality. 21 March 08, 2010 Dean: A question What does what is happening in Rhode Island have anything to do with the cuts that are happening in the district? Nothing. Why bring it up unless you want to smear the education profession? How does that add to a healthy discussion of what is best for our kids in the district? 22 March 08, 2010 Dean : Fair point and a clarifcation Hanna, I will clarify the comment about the community hit. If the largest employer of any community reduced spending, the resulting action would make sense that individuals much like yourself would also reduce spending. That would effect other buisnesses and force them to cut back thus hurting the entire community. I did not mean that anyone was or is entitled to anything. But, you have to be careful about actions because as the saying goes, what happens in my neighbor's house does affect the neighborhood. I guess I am saying that we should be very careful to have unlateral action on anything because it will affect many aspects of the community. As for the budget comment, you are right to a point. Entities have budgets and on a very basic level, people need to be responsible and wise with their budgets. But teachers, like police, provide a public service unlike Wal-Mart which provides private goods thus to simplify the arguement would be an invalid comparison. We invest in those entities for the greater good of the community because it makes society better. It would be interesting to see starting salaries of police and others in comparison to beginning teachers. But to gain a full picture you would also have to list personal debt ratios for each as well. Hanna, I hope you do not feel like I am attacking you. I am adding my two cents to further discussion. I respect your prespective and do understand where you are coming from. As a community member, I am very aware of pain that is going on the commmunity. What I am saying is that we need to be very careful about the precedents that we set from this point forward to avoid the mistakes we have made again. 23 March 09, 2010 Dean: A question for Hanna Hanna, you state that teachers are getting a lane increase. Is that for the current contract or the new contract which take effect next school year. If it is under the 09-10 school year that was dealt with the previous session under a different economic marketplace. Where if it under the 10-11 year, then you have the right to ask questons. 24 March 09, 2010 Hanna: Personal Debt Ratios? I don’t know anyone whose wage has been determined by their debt ratio. I understand your thought process but debt is a personal choice there are not guarantees that you will acquire a job that meets specific wage criteria. I agree that we invest in public service for the greater good of the community but there has to be limits on how much the entity is allowed to spend. If there are not limits then the amount spent will soon out weigh the greater good of the community. I also believe Wal-mart serves a greater purpose in the community than providing goods. Employees of Wal-mart also support our community by contributing financially to local economy and socially through volunteerism. 25 March 09, 2010 Hanna: Dean: a response to your question The article that I previously referred to states "The agreement, reached on Thursday, Jan. 7, outlined wage and benefit increases for the 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 contract period." 26 March 09, 2010 Dean: Thank you for the clarification You are correct that no income is determined by debt but it woud help understand the full economic picture. Most college grads carry debt which fuels te desire for higher wage jobs. I personally do not know how much individual a police officer for example has verses a teacher and compare it to the starting salary for each. Then I would think we could have a more complete picture. I would agree with you that people need to be responsible and not out spend themselves in trouble areas. That thought process has gotten us into alot of trouble as a community and as a society as a whole. What I am trying to say is that we should really think about the impacts of what we are doing before making any decisions that has short-term and long-term effects on our local economy. There should be an open and healthy dialogue much like we are having here where people become informed and make decision based on what is best for the kids and the community. The Wal-Mart point was to look at a private buisness verses a public institution. You are correct that Wal-Mart provides those services, much like other buisnesses and institutions, but it's primary job is to provide a market place for goods. Last thank you for the contract clarification. I would assume there is more. Could you provide a link to that article? 27 March 09, 2010 Marie: ... Hanna, Just to clarify the pay comparison that you spoke about between policmen and teachers: To qualify for a entry level teaching position a teacher must have accomplished a Bachelor's degree which is earned by attending a minimum of 4 years of college. Most of our teachers in this district have a Master's degree (minimum of six years of college). It is not necessary to have any degree to become a police officer; most have attended a police academy for two years. Figuring even a public college at $15,000/year, teachers have invested quite a lot of money when compared to police officers. Additionally, for a teacher to maintain their teaching license, they are required to earn an additional 5-8 college credits every five years. They can't take just any college credits as might be offered at the community college either. Because they already have a degree, they must earn college credits offered through a graduate program of a four year college at a price of approx. $600/credit. (If they were employed in the private sector, a company would be paying for this additional education). Isn't it interesting to note that of the seven school board members we have, at least three have no college degree!! They run what would, by comparison in the private sector, be a multimillion dollar corporation and yet they have (collectively) very little education or experience. 28 March 09, 2010 Hanna: Your arrogance is showing. Please stop comparing teachers to police officers. If you think going to college for 4 years and having to continue your education is even comparable to what our local law enforcement have to do to earn a pay check you are ridiculous. FYI, law enforcement officer also need degrees and must pass a licensing test. Second, no wonder the teacher’s union can’t work with the school board with an attitude that the board is incompetent, undereducated and inexperienced. Again, your posting shows your inflated perception of value. You are valued members of our community, but stop with this attitude and crying poor me. Let’s get back to the real issue, why are programs being cut and not trying to justify why teachers deserve the money and the kids don’t. 29 March 09, 2010 Hanna: Dean I don't think you need college debt to fuel your desire to have a higher paying job. We all want a good life. I, like everyone else who voted no on the levy, am not willing to sacrifice anymore of my piece of the pie for higher wages for teachers. 30 March 09, 2010 Dean: Hanna I am sorry if you misunderstood me but I was talking about general personal debt not specifically college debt. I believe that the majority of Americans and people within our community would want a higher paying job to ease the debt that they carry and gain the higher quality of life that you correctly noted. Also I believe there was a general misperception because of a poor job of informating the public about the levy. From what I understand, the levy was to mantain the status quo for the schools on the first question and to restore classes and options for the kids on the second. No where did I see anything about the levy being directed towards salaries. As a matter of fact, I would question the legality of any action that did. Since I am the one that made the comparison of teachers to police officers, I want you to know that each has its benefits and goods that they give to society. I do not think the previous poster was not trying to be disrespectful to police officers, they were just trying to clarify the situation. 31 March 09, 2010 Kristina: ... Wow Hannah! Teachers spend more hours each week day with OUR children then we do and I sure appreciate everything they do, I am not a teacher but it sure makes me tear up a little bit reading how you seem to be putting them down. My children have 2 great teachers especially this year and it just breaks my heart reading your comments. These teachers REALLY CARE!! I know everyday when my children go off to school that they will be just fine in their hands. I have a 8 year old daughter that cares SO much about her teacher that when it rains outside after school she says how worried she is about her teacher because he is outside coaching afterschool sports in the rain and he'll be cold. Hearing your child saying caring comments like that really lets you know how much they really look up to and care about their teachers....Teachers don't make enough. Period. I think Tracy above is right, THANK GOD Hannah is not my child' teacher. 32 March 09, 2010 karen: No danger? Although I do not think that it is right to compare the danger between being a police officer and that of a teacher, to say that a teacher sits safely in their room is pretty naive in this day and age. Does the word "Columbine" bring back any memories? Even in the communities of Cambridge and Princeton in the last year there have been lockdowns where teachers might be fearful for their own lives and the lives of 25 children in their classrooms. In addition, they need to be like parents, doctors, psychologists, entertainers, and a whole lot of other roles, all while trying to teach kids of a wide range of learning styles and abilities. To think that they are doing this solely for the money is very one sided. 33 March 10, 2010 Concerned Citizen: STOP....This is what our community has become? Everyone needs to STOP! I was born and raised in this area and I attended Cambridge-Isanti schools from Kindergarten to graduation. This area used to be a community and that isn't so anymore. Between the school district and the City of Cambridge's ridiculous ordinances, it has managed to place neighbor against neighbor. How very sad that is! As far as the NO vote for the levy. Let's really look at it. There are many reasons why this was voted down. But the main one would have to be having to face reality. I voted no to the levy, I did not vote no to the children in the community or vote no to an education. I voted no to the fact that I don't want to be threatened any more by "scare tactics" of cuts of teachers and important programs. BE HONEST!!! I voted no to asking me for more money each time there is a shortfall (this 2 million is the school districts fault, you need to fix it not me). I wanted everyone to come together and come to solutions not finger pointing and bashing of your neighbors. The issues at hand are NOT the result of a NO levy vote, it's a result of years of free for all spending that citizens expect their federal government, state government, county government, city government and their school districts to STOP. What makes a teachers'/administrators family any more important that mine? (my husband lost his job, no wanted required a levy to help his company keep the doors open, we had to manage very tightly but we survived) What makes a teachers'/administrators mortgage any more important than mine? What makes a teachers'/administrators local spending any more important than mine? What makes a teachers'/administrators college degree and resulting college debt any more important than mine? (oh and for the person that thinks ALL corporations reimburse employees for further education.....very few companies do that anymore...along with raising health insurance premiums, lower wages, that benefit was cut by most) You see what EVERYONE has forgotten is that this is NOT the only place that is asking for more money. Our property taxes have increased, our homeowners insurance has greatly increased along with car insurance. Our health insurance premiums have increased and our out of pocket amounts have been raised. Food costs have increased, gas has increased, heat, electricity, water bills, have ALL increased but most peoples pay has NOT. At some point, people need to realize you can't squeeze blood out of a turnip. Sometimes there is just NO MORE TO GIVE. There are solutions, but they will not please everyone. There are answers but not everyone will listen. What everyone needs to do is GET INVOLVED. Go the school board meetings, City council meetings, county board meetings. You don't have to sit idly by and let others make decisions for you, go out and get your voice heard. Be part of the solution instead of continuing the problem. 34 March 10, 2010 Aaron: Concerned Citizen--thoughtful post I just wanted to say that I truly appreciate Concerned Citizen's thought response to this long list of comments--not all of which are thoughtful. I am a teacher in our district. I've been frustrated by things over the years and worried about my job security, as many in our community have. In the end, I still have a choice. I could go look for a higher paying job or accept all the perks that I get as a teacher. I'm not talking about financial perks, but simply working with and teacher some amazing students each and every day. I love my job, and I'm not asking for more. I hold open and honest discourse as the only solution to these issues. Mean spirited and condescending dialogues accomplish nothing--on either side of the arguments. Let's move forward together. 35 March 10, 2010 Dean: ... The pain that you wrote about has been acknowledged by many. I don't think there is anyone that hasn't been damaged by the current state of the economy. I agree with you on many points especially actions of the government. But to answer your questions, to a large degree they are not. However, my point is that when a large group reduces spending there are effects that are felt by everyone. You can't just cut spending without any plan to further economic growth. When that happened in the 19th century, the American economy was wildly out of control and most of the economic depressions occured then. We should really think about what we do with education and its spending because our actions with have ripple effects on our community. I personally would like to hear from our government officials about their position on education spending. As for the levy issue, everyone has their reasons and I hope they are justified. I believe that your reason is the main reason why so many did not vote for it. And yes, there are many areas that are asking for more but this is an education article so the focus is education and its spending. I would have to disagree with you a bit on the motive for the cuts. The spending may have some reason to it but the rate of inflation and standard of living increase would also have some effect on the status of education. But, as I have said before, I believe it is a problem with education funding overall. Our government leaders should be looking to solve this problem and not let it linger. I also agree with you that people should be active. I want the best for the Cambridge-Isanti area and its school district. I hope to hear good ideas and further understanding. 36 March 10, 2010 son of hanna: solutions First off, Hanna knows about hard economic times. She was a single parent of 3 children who attended Cambridge-Isanti schools. She also put herself through college during those time so she could support her family and help her children grow. She supported her children through school and athletics and attended most of all her childrens events. She spent endless hours on the road being involved with the community. She volunteered countless hours to the school while we were involved in many different activities. After all this, she helped put me and my brother through college so we could have more opportunities to enhance our own education. I myself work in a small business in the community and when times got tough the owner called all employees together and discussed situations of employment (lack there of) and had to let people go. The owner and employees worked together to keep the business going. Solution for the district.. it has to be done within. Employees and administrators need to work together to come up with solutions to help the short-fall of money without taking away from the programs for the children. The community as a whole supports the district but the funding is not available anymore. Money can not be taken from savings and programs do not have to be cut like the teachers rep says to adjust the budget for a pay increase. What happens when the savings is spent for pay hikes and a boiler breaks down? I understand that teachers spend hours after the school day is over correcting papers, looking over their lesson plans, and getting things ready for the next school day, but that is why its only 9 months a year. Teachers have every opportunity to commit time the other 3 months of the year to support their incomes just like other professionals that can not make do with what they earn. I have seen the books from the district office which shows that teachers make more in benefits (not salary) than many of my friends who also spent five years in college. If you really think we need to pass a levy to bump up teachers salaries and benefits you got it wrong. Governor Pawlenty and the state government has been talking about pay freezes for the last year and its about time the community starts listening otherwise the district will drive itself into the ground. Who looks after our children then? 37 March 12, 2010 Unknown: Hanna!! Hanna: You have way too much time on your hands to worry so much about the teacher's salaries! And to tell others to be "lucky" they have a job is simply crude to me!! And furthermore, who are you to state that teacher's don't care about our children and only their "bottom line?!" This my dear show's true ignorance!! Perhaps you should use your time and energy towards something more positive and stop worrying about other's financial status. The real "bottom line" is that it's really none of your business what other people make for a living or what their personal lives may entail. 38 March 21, 2010

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