Fairfax County General :
Fairfax Underground
Welcome to Fairfax Underground, a project site designed to improve communication among residents of Fairfax County, VA. Feel free to post anything Northern Virginia residents would find interesting.
Welcome to Fairfax Underground, a project site designed to improve communication among residents of Fairfax County, VA. Feel free to post anything Northern Virginia residents would find interesting.
FCPS Budget Cuts: A Look From the Inside
Posted by:
22 Year FCPS employee
()
Date: October 05, 2015 10:55AM
It seems we are once again at FCPS cutting. Here's a look from the inside:
On the third and fifth floors of Gatehouse, that's where you cut positions effective immediately. Quite often the school system will cut positions such as custodians, or move physical therapists, occupational therapists, into a number of schools instead of one or two. This still allows them to claim 93% of FCPS employees work out of a school, but its really just a joke.
The third floor of Gatehouse is for former disgraced Principals. There are a lot of Principals that failed at schools, yet they get promoted and make in excess of $100,000. Many make close to $130,000 and of course as the record showed on the FCPS pay scale, these individuals make up a large part of the budget.
The executive team makes a lot of money. While its not a corporation, you don't manage employees for the money, but rather its supposed to be about the children. What a joke that is, as teachers are fleeing to Loudoun and Prince William County, as FCPS isn't the school system it once was. Look at the salaries of the executives, and you'll see they make close and sometimes more than their private counterparts.
No more take home cars. This still does exist and its a perk that costs a lot of money. If you live in another county, where most FCPS live due to the low salaries for most with the exception of Principals who couldn't make it, or the extra abundance of assistant principals for no reason, these positions should be the first to go.
Also there are people who've been retired on duty for years. They need a nudge to go. If you think there's a few in your organization, multiply that by three or four. They've got their retirements, and sitting on their butts adding extra years of service, or have switched retirement systems to get another job in the school system. That is not a good environment, and gut these positions.
On the third and fifth floors of Gatehouse, that's where you cut positions effective immediately. Quite often the school system will cut positions such as custodians, or move physical therapists, occupational therapists, into a number of schools instead of one or two. This still allows them to claim 93% of FCPS employees work out of a school, but its really just a joke.
The third floor of Gatehouse is for former disgraced Principals. There are a lot of Principals that failed at schools, yet they get promoted and make in excess of $100,000. Many make close to $130,000 and of course as the record showed on the FCPS pay scale, these individuals make up a large part of the budget.
The executive team makes a lot of money. While its not a corporation, you don't manage employees for the money, but rather its supposed to be about the children. What a joke that is, as teachers are fleeing to Loudoun and Prince William County, as FCPS isn't the school system it once was. Look at the salaries of the executives, and you'll see they make close and sometimes more than their private counterparts.
No more take home cars. This still does exist and its a perk that costs a lot of money. If you live in another county, where most FCPS live due to the low salaries for most with the exception of Principals who couldn't make it, or the extra abundance of assistant principals for no reason, these positions should be the first to go.
Also there are people who've been retired on duty for years. They need a nudge to go. If you think there's a few in your organization, multiply that by three or four. They've got their retirements, and sitting on their butts adding extra years of service, or have switched retirement systems to get another job in the school system. That is not a good environment, and gut these positions.
Re: FCPS Budget Cuts: A Look From the Inside
Posted by:
Fmr Employee
()
Date: October 05, 2015 11:10AM
You forgot one thing. The directors or heads of departments. They have multiple AA's that make $$$$ and can be cut. There are made up positions in every section of FCPS, and they are not needed too.
Re: FCPS Budget Cuts: A Look From the Inside
Posted by:
careful with that axe, Eugene
()
Date: October 05, 2015 11:42AM
How to do it:
1) Cut ALL management positions by 50% minimum. The OP is right, it is a school system, not one of the Fortune 100.
2) Enforce due diligence on contractors and consultants. If their claimed credentials do not check out, do not hire them and blacklist them. Conduct reviews of the results of the ones that are hired, refer to these if someone wants to hire them again. Take a very close look at sole source contracts.
3) Look for alternative sources of textbooks.
4) Close/sell Gatehouse and Fairfax Ridge, move what remains of management into the highly underused Graham Road facility.
5) Make ALL sports completely self-supporting. They should not be subsidized.
6) Assess a 10% fee on all booster money.
7) Do not move forward with building transgender bathrooms and locker rooms. Do not hire the transgender consultant.
Do these things, then let's see where we are. And, no way, no new taxes.
1) Cut ALL management positions by 50% minimum. The OP is right, it is a school system, not one of the Fortune 100.
2) Enforce due diligence on contractors and consultants. If their claimed credentials do not check out, do not hire them and blacklist them. Conduct reviews of the results of the ones that are hired, refer to these if someone wants to hire them again. Take a very close look at sole source contracts.
3) Look for alternative sources of textbooks.
4) Close/sell Gatehouse and Fairfax Ridge, move what remains of management into the highly underused Graham Road facility.
5) Make ALL sports completely self-supporting. They should not be subsidized.
6) Assess a 10% fee on all booster money.
7) Do not move forward with building transgender bathrooms and locker rooms. Do not hire the transgender consultant.
Do these things, then let's see where we are. And, no way, no new taxes.
Re: FCPS Budget Cuts: A Look From the Inside
Posted by:
Ms Garza's evil twin
()
Date: October 05, 2015 02:22PM
shhhhh!!!!
Re: FCPS Budget Cuts: A Look From the Inside
Posted by:
Ms Garza's evil twin
()
Date: October 05, 2015 02:23PM
Must have our perks.
Re: FCPS Budget Cuts: A Look From the Inside
Posted by:
Bill.N.
()
Date: October 05, 2015 03:10PM
Some of the changes you suggest careful with that axe do make sense. Some are simplistic feel good measures. For example even if we right sized FCPS management they still would not be able to fit in a facility the size of Graham Road. For the most part though the savings these changes would produce would not be as large as you might imagine.
Re: FCPS Budget Cuts: A Look From the Inside
Posted by:
Rightsizing Done Right
()
Date: October 05, 2015 04:10PM
Bill.N. Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Some of the changes you suggest careful with that
> axe do make sense. Some are simplistic feel good
> measures. For example even if we right sized FCPS
> management they still would not be able to fit in
> a facility the size of Graham Road. For the most
> part though the savings these changes would
> produce would not be as large as you might
> imagine.
Don't what Eugene had in mind for admin staff cuts.
Here's what I'd do:
Elementary schools: 1 administrator
Middle schools: 1 administrator
High schools: 1 administrators
these 3 share the same administrative assistant
Superintendent: 1 (Garza), 1 deputy, 1 administrative assistant
**
Contracts: 2 contract administrators (1 senior)
Audits: 2 full time auditors
Budget: 1 budget analyst
Communications: 1 analyst, use an intern to update the web site
These people share one, maybe 2 administrative assistants
School board: since it is a part time position, they have an open/shared workspace. Then can do their own administrative work.
No private offices. All cubicles, one or two conference rooms.
People would scream, especially all of the failed principals but that's too damned bad. These are tough times. If so much money had not been wasted, maybe administration could be bigger.
At the same, each school gets AT MOST 1 principal and one assistant. No more educational coaches.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Some of the changes you suggest careful with that
> axe do make sense. Some are simplistic feel good
> measures. For example even if we right sized FCPS
> management they still would not be able to fit in
> a facility the size of Graham Road. For the most
> part though the savings these changes would
> produce would not be as large as you might
> imagine.
Don't what Eugene had in mind for admin staff cuts.
Here's what I'd do:
Elementary schools: 1 administrator
Middle schools: 1 administrator
High schools: 1 administrators
these 3 share the same administrative assistant
Superintendent: 1 (Garza), 1 deputy, 1 administrative assistant
**
Contracts: 2 contract administrators (1 senior)
Audits: 2 full time auditors
Budget: 1 budget analyst
Communications: 1 analyst, use an intern to update the web site
These people share one, maybe 2 administrative assistants
School board: since it is a part time position, they have an open/shared workspace. Then can do their own administrative work.
No private offices. All cubicles, one or two conference rooms.
People would scream, especially all of the failed principals but that's too damned bad. These are tough times. If so much money had not been wasted, maybe administration could be bigger.
At the same, each school gets AT MOST 1 principal and one assistant. No more educational coaches.
Re: FCPS Budget Cuts: A Look From the Inside
Posted by:
dinner meeting Thursday 10-8
()
Date: October 05, 2015 07:56PM
There will be a dinner meeting at Maggiano's/Tyson's Thursday evening at 7pm to discuss The Mole. All admins are expected to attend. RSVP 571-423-1010 by Thursday at noon. Use of county charge cards is authorized for this special function.
Re: FCPS Budget Cuts: A Look From the Inside
Posted by:
you are getting screwed bigtime
()
Date: October 05, 2015 08:16PM
All these posts ring of truth, compare your real estate tax bill from the past couple of years to this year. All the reasons listed above are the reasons why it increased so much and that money isn't going towards students. Sit back and do nothing and wait till you see next years bill.
Re: FCPS Budget Cuts: A Look From the Inside
Posted by:
22 Year FCPS employee
()
Date: October 06, 2015 10:46AM
Excellent point about educational coaches. If you can't teach without a coach, that should tell you to consider something else. The salaries of these coaches are excessive as well, they could take a 20% pay cut or better yet eliminate these and the old failed principal club at Gatehouse.
These people make over $100k a year. Made up positions to hide those who cant, they should be given a exit via the budget.
These people make over $100k a year. Made up positions to hide those who cant, they should be given a exit via the budget.
Re: FCPS Budget Cuts: A Look From the Inside
Posted by:
The Loller
()
Date: October 06, 2015 01:42PM
22 Year FCPS employee Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> the old failed principal club at Gatehouse.
LOL!
-------------------------------------------------------
> the old failed principal club at Gatehouse.
LOL!
Re: FCPS Budget Cuts: A Look From the Inside
Posted by:
22 Year FCPS employee
()
Date: October 06, 2015 03:28PM
The Loller Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> 22 Year FCPS employee Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > the old failed principal club at Gatehouse.
>
> LOL!
Yes at about I believe 20 in number minimum. Cut those there's $2,000,000 and then some right there. Depending on the other "executive principals" at various schools, it seems FCPS forgot it's about the kids. Its obvious as the school board and others have in my opinion, pricey retreats, consultants, and other unnecessary perks that can easily be gut.
Gut these costs, and make it a school system. It once was a jewel. Now it's not. Sad but it's due to a lot of people at the top or incompetents earning $100000 a year plus with benefits.
-------------------------------------------------------
> 22 Year FCPS employee Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > the old failed principal club at Gatehouse.
>
> LOL!
Yes at about I believe 20 in number minimum. Cut those there's $2,000,000 and then some right there. Depending on the other "executive principals" at various schools, it seems FCPS forgot it's about the kids. Its obvious as the school board and others have in my opinion, pricey retreats, consultants, and other unnecessary perks that can easily be gut.
Gut these costs, and make it a school system. It once was a jewel. Now it's not. Sad but it's due to a lot of people at the top or incompetents earning $100000 a year plus with benefits.
Re: FCPS Budget Cuts: A Look From the Inside
Posted by:
Fairfax Felix
()
Date: October 06, 2015 04:03PM
Indeed, there appears to be a good deal of places to implement some streamlining to reduce costs. But the bigger question to ask is with all the taxable commercial properties and businesses why is Fairfax County always crying the "no money" blues? Other municipalities would die to have Fairfax County's tax base.
Clearly there is mismanagement and waste in many areas even beyond the schools.
Clearly there is mismanagement and waste in many areas even beyond the schools.
Re: FCPS Budget Cuts: A Look From the Inside
Posted by:
take a closer look
()
Date: October 06, 2015 04:50PM
Fairfax Felix Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Indeed, there appears to be a good deal of places
> to implement some streamlining to reduce costs.
> But the bigger question to ask is with all the
> taxable commercial properties and businesses why
> is Fairfax County always crying the "no money"
> blues? Other municipalities would die to have
> Fairfax County's tax base.
> Clearly there is mismanagement and waste in many
> areas even beyond the schools.
yes but those all tallied together do not come even close to the school's waste
-------------------------------------------------------
> Indeed, there appears to be a good deal of places
> to implement some streamlining to reduce costs.
> But the bigger question to ask is with all the
> taxable commercial properties and businesses why
> is Fairfax County always crying the "no money"
> blues? Other municipalities would die to have
> Fairfax County's tax base.
> Clearly there is mismanagement and waste in many
> areas even beyond the schools.
yes but those all tallied together do not come even close to the school's waste
Re: FCPS Budget Cuts: A Look From the Inside
Posted by:
Ouch------
()
Date: October 06, 2015 06:10PM
take a closer look Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Fairfax Felix Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Indeed, there appears to be a good deal of
> places
> > to implement some streamlining to reduce costs.
>
> > But the bigger question to ask is with all the
> > taxable commercial properties and businesses
> why
> > is Fairfax County always crying the "no money"
> > blues? Other municipalities would die to have
> > Fairfax County's tax base.
> > Clearly there is mismanagement and waste in
> many
> > areas even beyond the schools.
>
>
> yes but those all tallied together do not come
> even close to the school's waste
We know! We k-n-o-w!!!!
-------------------------------------------------------
> Fairfax Felix Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Indeed, there appears to be a good deal of
> places
> > to implement some streamlining to reduce costs.
>
> > But the bigger question to ask is with all the
> > taxable commercial properties and businesses
> why
> > is Fairfax County always crying the "no money"
> > blues? Other municipalities would die to have
> > Fairfax County's tax base.
> > Clearly there is mismanagement and waste in
> many
> > areas even beyond the schools.
>
>
> yes but those all tallied together do not come
> even close to the school's waste
We know! We k-n-o-w!!!!
Re: FCPS Budget Cuts: A Look From the Inside
Posted by:
A million here, a million there…
()
Date: October 06, 2015 07:34PM
My God, we're spending almost a million dollars a year on travel. This would be fine, if most went to hell, where they belong.
Germany? South Korea? Orlando?
Wow, nice work if you can get it.
Email to Garza, my school board member, all 3 at large members. Let's see who answers.
Germany? South Korea? Orlando?
Wow, nice work if you can get it.
Email to Garza, my school board member, all 3 at large members. Let's see who answers.
Re: FCPS Budget Cuts: A Look From the Inside
Posted by:
TheTruthMustBeTold
()
Date: October 07, 2015 01:19AM
"My God, we're spending almost a million dollars a year on travel. This would be fine, if most went to hell, where they belong".
+1000
+1000
Re: FCPS Budget Cuts: A Look From the Inside
Posted by:
Politico65
()
Date: October 07, 2015 09:07AM
Executive Principals over actual Principals?
Excuse me but all high schools need a Principal, and 1 to 2 AP's. That's it.
FCPS apparently doesn't know math. In years past they have always laid off hard working low paid employees. Or switched contract days. 187 instead of 190 for bus drivers or security.
These positions don't amount to squat. The ones that do keep their high paying jobs. The dinosaurs and Screwed up former principals, keep the budget messed up.
Get rid of the ESOL program as much as possible. It's too expensive, and why Prince William and Loudon are doing well. Instead FCPS, or we are paying for illegals to learn English at school. The diversity of Culmore and other illegal immigrant areas, have bankrupted the school system.
Excuse me but all high schools need a Principal, and 1 to 2 AP's. That's it.
FCPS apparently doesn't know math. In years past they have always laid off hard working low paid employees. Or switched contract days. 187 instead of 190 for bus drivers or security.
These positions don't amount to squat. The ones that do keep their high paying jobs. The dinosaurs and Screwed up former principals, keep the budget messed up.
Get rid of the ESOL program as much as possible. It's too expensive, and why Prince William and Loudon are doing well. Instead FCPS, or we are paying for illegals to learn English at school. The diversity of Culmore and other illegal immigrant areas, have bankrupted the school system.
Re: FCPS Budget Cuts: A Look From the Inside
Posted by:
Earthing ton
()
Date: October 07, 2015 12:49PM
Who watches FCPS television channel? I bet that costs a lot.
Re: FCPS Budget Cuts: A Look From the Inside
Posted by:
Fact checker!
()
Date: October 07, 2015 05:37PM
Politico65 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Executive Principals over actual Principals?
>
> Excuse me but all high schools need a Principal,
> and 1 to 2 AP's. That's it.
>
> FCPS apparently doesn't know math. In years past
> they have always laid off hard working low paid
> employees. Or switched contract days. 187 instead
> of 190 for bus drivers or security.
>
> These positions don't amount to squat. The ones
> that do keep their high paying jobs. The dinosaurs
> and Screwed up former principals, keep the budget
> messed up.
>
> Get rid of the ESOL program as much as possible.
> It's too expensive, and why Prince William and
> Loudon are doing well. Instead FCPS, or we are
> paying for illegals to learn English at school.
> The diversity of Culmore and other illegal
> immigrant areas, have bankrupted the school
> system.
First of all, it is compulsory that children under the age of 18 are required by law to attend school, so no matter their language skills if they live in a neighborhood they have to attend school.
Second, Title III of the ESEA funds ESL programs above regular education costs - that's federal funding, not VA or Fairfax County.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Executive Principals over actual Principals?
>
> Excuse me but all high schools need a Principal,
> and 1 to 2 AP's. That's it.
>
> FCPS apparently doesn't know math. In years past
> they have always laid off hard working low paid
> employees. Or switched contract days. 187 instead
> of 190 for bus drivers or security.
>
> These positions don't amount to squat. The ones
> that do keep their high paying jobs. The dinosaurs
> and Screwed up former principals, keep the budget
> messed up.
>
> Get rid of the ESOL program as much as possible.
> It's too expensive, and why Prince William and
> Loudon are doing well. Instead FCPS, or we are
> paying for illegals to learn English at school.
> The diversity of Culmore and other illegal
> immigrant areas, have bankrupted the school
> system.
First of all, it is compulsory that children under the age of 18 are required by law to attend school, so no matter their language skills if they live in a neighborhood they have to attend school.
Second, Title III of the ESEA funds ESL programs above regular education costs - that's federal funding, not VA or Fairfax County.
Re: FCPS Budget Cuts: A Look From the Inside
Posted by:
not doing it
()
Date: October 07, 2015 05:44PM
"Second, Title III of the ESEA funds ESL programs above regular education costs - that's federal funding, not VA or Fairfax County."
Are Title III funds covering the full cost? Don't think so. If you look at the budget, it's not even coming close. Just saying.
Are Title III funds covering the full cost? Don't think so. If you look at the budget, it's not even coming close. Just saying.
Re: FCPS Budget Cuts: A Look From the Inside
Posted by:
Derpers gonna derp
()
Date: October 07, 2015 05:48PM
I'm just posting to LOL at that cheesy Powerpoint thing above!
LOL!
LOL!
Re: FCPS Budget Cuts: A Look From the Inside
Posted by:
Gurrrrl...
()
Date: October 07, 2015 06:05PM
not doing it Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> "Second, Title III of the ESEA funds ESL programs
> above regular education costs - that's federal
> funding, not VA or Fairfax County."
>
>
> Are Title III funds covering the full cost? Don't
> think so. If you look at the budget, it's not
> even coming close. Just saying.
What did I just say?
It funds ABOVE the regular education costs. Read, honey.
-------------------------------------------------------
> "Second, Title III of the ESEA funds ESL programs
> above regular education costs - that's federal
> funding, not VA or Fairfax County."
>
>
> Are Title III funds covering the full cost? Don't
> think so. If you look at the budget, it's not
> even coming close. Just saying.
What did I just say?
It funds ABOVE the regular education costs. Read, honey.