Comments on Our Loudoun Schools: Baking Loudoun's Budget Cake

Anonymous: Out of any 58 people who go into prison...

2010-03-16T16:06:00.911-04:00

Anonymous: Out of any 58 people who go into prison for drug crimes, how many are out within 4 years: CLEAN AND SOBER? I'm guessing 13's a pretty good number given that question.

However, this is Chairman Stevens's blog...we can discuss drug court further over at my blog if you wish.

To measure effectiveness of a given program, it mu...

2010-03-15T01:09:49.367-04:00

To measure effectiveness of a given program, it must be monitored over time. Given the changes to budgets, etc, and other external factors, any results would be flawed. There are too many variables to control for to run the schools "as a business".

Another point, a business can pick and choose its customers and markets. It can choose not to serve unprofitable markets or

so what are they cutting-- classes that are benefi...

2010-03-13T23:20:02.551-05:00

so what are they cutting-- classes that are beneficial for our students. Statistics is not being offered at SB this year! yet we continue with that stupid fles and sams program. What idiots. Bet no one in administration is taking a pay cut. Bet no one in that big admin building is losing their job. But my kids are stuck with over-crowed classes and no choice of electives. Guess that there will be

What I don't understand is why there isn't...

2010-03-11T16:25:55.682-05:00

What I don't understand is why there isn't any critical analysis of the effectiveness of each and every program. Let's run this like a business. Set the mission of the school to provide excellent education, determine what is effective and necessary, cut what isnt necessary, partner with parents, and put money where it will accomplish the mission.
However, the mind set of

Liz, the article didn't say 58 people graduate...

2010-03-11T15:04:53.711-05:00

Liz, the article didn't say 58 people graduated-only 13 graduated from Drug Court. The ones who don't make it through the program go, where else, to jail. So the program, in 4.5 years, "rehabilitated" 13 people...

How about a cartoon about supervisors (some past, ...

2010-03-11T13:19:38.060-05:00

How about a cartoon about supervisors (some past, some present) who lined their pockets with campaign contributions from developers and then seemed shocked -- shocked! -- that actual people bought all those new homes they approved to be built. Actual people with actual kids who expected to send those kids to Loudoun County schools and have police and fire protection in their new neighborhoods,

The trouble with the Loudoun County budget is the ...

2010-03-11T10:58:14.276-05:00

The trouble with the Loudoun County budget is the school budget. We spend more money on our schools here in Loudoun than any of the surrounding county's as a percentage of the budget, and on a per pupil basis. 70+% of the budget goes to the schools. Elsewhere ijn the country the average is 50%-60%. Our neighbors spend 60% of their county tax dollars on the schools.

The crazy

I heard several speakers at the BOS budget input s...

2010-03-11T07:35:53.590-05:00

I heard several speakers at the BOS budget input session demanding budget cuts period - no caveats. I also heard several people highlighting the bloated LCPS budget, and considering it is 70% of the budget - it makes sense that cuts need to start here.

There's a vocal minority that comes to these budget input sessions, they are also very mobilized with their emails and calls.

Again, during those four years, we haven't had...

2010-03-10T22:10:26.940-05:00

Again, during those four years, we haven't had to feed, house, or clothe 58 people in prison. We've had 58 people adding to the tax stream, and for those in the drug court with families, we haven't had to add their children to our foster care rolls.

Out of 58 people in prison for drug crimes, how many are out, clean and sober after only 4 years?

Drug court COULD be a money saver, if done properl...

2010-03-10T18:56:13.399-05:00

Drug court COULD be a money saver, if done properly. The last numbers I saw (in 1/09) showed that, from 6/04 through 1/09, 58 people had been accepted into the program and 13 had graduated. In 4.5 years... At an ever increasing cost to the county (the federal grant money that started it goes away over a period of years). So, 13 graduates in 4.5 years. At a cost of several hundred thousands

Same here, anon, but I have given up on this Schoo...

2010-03-10T18:39:07.045-05:00

Same here, anon, but I have given up on this School Board or especially Herr Hatrick ever making real cuts where they could be tolerated with little impact on teachers and instruction. They'll always go first for the real meat to make everyone scream. They really should be ashamced of themselves, but no luck there either.

I agree that drug court is a long term money saver, Liz.

Drug Court cost the county relatively little, and ...

2010-03-10T11:45:30.521-05:00

Drug Court cost the county relatively little, and actually is revenue POSITIVE, since the participants in drug court are required to work while participating. Therefore, their taxes contribute to the State and Federal coffers. Meanwhile, they are not residing in our over-crowded prison. So the county is not feeding, clothing, or housing them.

This would be funny if it weren't untrue on so...

2010-03-10T11:14:51.512-05:00

This would be funny if it weren't untrue on so many levels. There are plenty of us that are wanting, begging to cut unnecessary programs (programs costing the county a lot of money that only serve a small portion of the populations, things like Smart Boards, hybrid buses, Chinese class, Drug Court) and services to pay lower taxes. Problem is, our elected officials don't have any