Comments on: San Carlos School Board Shifts Focus Back to Budget Woes. http://www.whiteoaksblog.com/2010/01/31/san-carlos-school-board-shifts-focus-back-to-budget-woes/ If it happens in San Carlos, it's in here... Thu, 29 Jul 2010 16:23:17 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc By: Joanne http://www.whiteoaksblog.com/2010/01/31/san-carlos-school-board-shifts-focus-back-to-budget-woes/#comment-12113 Joanne Wed, 03 Feb 2010 05:47:10 +0000 http://whiteoaksblog.com/?p=6068#comment-12113 That's because as a nurse and also having an undergraduate degree in the sciences, I can "teach" my kids what they won't get in school. I'm not the only SC parent able to do that. It's a short term solution unlike the safety services issue. That’s because as a nurse and also having an undergraduate degree in the sciences, I can “teach” my kids what they won’t get in school. I’m not the only SC parent able to do that. It’s a short term solution unlike the safety services issue.

]]> By: Joanne http://www.whiteoaksblog.com/2010/01/31/san-carlos-school-board-shifts-focus-back-to-budget-woes/#comment-12112 Joanne Wed, 03 Feb 2010 05:37:46 +0000 http://whiteoaksblog.com/?p=6068#comment-12112 Need I guess which gadfly was the sole nay vote? Need I guess which gadfly was the sole nay vote?

]]> By: Jonquil http://www.whiteoaksblog.com/2010/01/31/san-carlos-school-board-shifts-focus-back-to-budget-woes/#comment-12109 Jonquil Wed, 03 Feb 2010 03:21:52 +0000 http://whiteoaksblog.com/?p=6068#comment-12109 " I can deal with schools suffering a bit, but I can’t deal with reduction of safety services." I've heard this a lot. Where do you think your nurses will come from? Your doctors? Your physical therapists? Your pharmacists? They're all in school *right now*. And if they don't get a good education, you'll be suffering. Similarly, if you want California's tax base to be high enough to support safety services, you want Californians to have good educations, so that they can get the high-paying jobs that let them stay in state. I won't even bother with the moral argument --people who were retired helped pay for your education, after all. ” I can deal with schools suffering a bit, but I can’t deal with reduction of safety services.”

I’ve heard this a lot. Where do you think your nurses will come from? Your doctors? Your physical therapists? Your pharmacists?

They’re all in school *right now*. And if they don’t get a good education, you’ll be suffering.

Similarly, if you want California’s tax base to be high enough to support safety services, you want Californians to have good educations, so that they can get the high-paying jobs that let them stay in state.

I won’t even bother with the moral argument –people who were retired helped pay for your education, after all.

]]> By: Jonquil http://www.whiteoaksblog.com/2010/01/31/san-carlos-school-board-shifts-focus-back-to-budget-woes/#comment-12108 Jonquil Wed, 03 Feb 2010 03:15:39 +0000 http://whiteoaksblog.com/?p=6068#comment-12108 About your fundraising idea -- the yearbooks already contain plenty of ads, including ads from local businesses. *They're used to pay for the yearbook*. I should know -- my kid was a yearbook editor a few years back. I'm afraid that orange is squeezed dry. About your fundraising idea — the yearbooks already contain plenty of ads, including ads from local businesses. *They’re used to pay for the yearbook*. I should know — my kid was a yearbook editor a few years back. I’m afraid that orange is squeezed dry.

]]> By: Andy Klein http://www.whiteoaksblog.com/2010/01/31/san-carlos-school-board-shifts-focus-back-to-budget-woes/#comment-12107 Andy Klein Wed, 03 Feb 2010 02:44:59 +0000 http://whiteoaksblog.com/?p=6068#comment-12107 JJ- In 2008 the city hired a consultant to study the possibility of declaring a fiscal emergency. During this process the city and the consultants made all the required findings to declare a fiscal emergency, and noticed that of most of the cities that had declared a fiscal emergency San Carlos was worse off. Things have only gotten worse since 2008. To declare a fiscal emergency this year, the Council would have to put the item on the agenda, make the findings required by law, then vote unanimously to place a revenue measure on the ballot. The reason the emergency failed in 2008 was the Council voted 4-1. I doubt very highly that we would see a different result if we tried again. JJ-
In 2008 the city hired a consultant to study the possibility of declaring a fiscal emergency. During this process the city and the consultants made all the required findings to declare a fiscal emergency, and noticed that of most of the cities that had declared a fiscal emergency San Carlos was worse off. Things have only gotten worse since 2008. To declare a fiscal emergency this year, the Council would have to put the item on the agenda, make the findings required by law, then vote unanimously to place a revenue measure on the ballot. The reason the emergency failed in 2008 was the Council voted 4-1. I doubt very highly that we would see a different result if we tried again.

]]> By: Joanne http://www.whiteoaksblog.com/2010/01/31/san-carlos-school-board-shifts-focus-back-to-budget-woes/#comment-12093 Joanne Tue, 02 Feb 2010 18:34:34 +0000 http://whiteoaksblog.com/?p=6068#comment-12093 Let's expand this topic a bit further. I'm all for enhancing revenue wherever possible, but installing parking meters along Laurel takes away the specialness of San Carlos. I'd rather pay a parcel tax of some amount than feed meters. I'd like the luxury of window shopping or eating in a 2 hour time limit than fishing out coins or a credit card. Or how about the last storm a few weeks ago. Raw sewage overflowing out of the overflow pipes. I was glad when Public Works showed up in less than an hour. That's the kind of city service that makes me appreciate living in San Carlos. The problem is that there aren't enough voters showing up at the voting booth. Putting up signs just doesn't do it. Young San Carlos families, it's your town! The other problem is that there's been a lack of transparency along with a lack of judgement in City Hall admininstration. Awarding generous pay raises while fully aware of an impending budget crisis was just stupid. Along came Measure U, and the fiscal conservatives won the day and the rest of us have to suffer the ideologues. For heavens sake, just resign so that we can find better managers and get this city back upright. Let’s expand this topic a bit further. I’m all for enhancing revenue wherever possible, but installing parking meters along Laurel takes away the specialness of San Carlos. I’d rather pay a parcel tax of some amount than feed meters. I’d like the luxury of window shopping or eating in a 2 hour time limit than fishing out coins or a credit card. Or how about the last storm a few weeks ago. Raw sewage overflowing out of the overflow pipes. I was glad when Public Works showed up in less than an hour. That’s the kind of city service that makes me appreciate living in San Carlos. The problem is that there aren’t enough voters showing up at the voting booth. Putting up signs just doesn’t do it. Young San Carlos families, it’s your town! The other problem is that there’s been a lack of transparency along with a lack of judgement in City Hall admininstration. Awarding generous pay raises while fully aware of an impending budget crisis was just stupid. Along came Measure U, and the fiscal conservatives won the day and the rest of us have to suffer the ideologues. For heavens sake, just resign so that we can find better managers and get this city back upright.

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