What Can You Expect From Proration?

Alabama Mobile Mobile County's school superintendent talks about the impact.

by Steve Alexander

Published: Mon, December 15, 2008 - 10:20 pm CST Last Updated: Mon, December 15, 2008 - 10:37 pm CST

How will your children in Mobile County Public Schools be affected by proration?
Mobile County School Superintendent Dr. Roy Nichols joined other school leaders Monday watching Governor Bob Riley's announcement by satellite that he was declaring proration, or across the board spending cuts, of 12.5 percent of the state education budget.
Nichols said, "This is, of course, a surprise."
The superintendent said he was expecting cuts of around 10 percent.
Now, he says the system will have to try to save another $10 Million.
Nichols said, "We'll do that through freezing personnel, hiring, freezing overtime, and trying to be as efficient as we can in terms of our operational costs."
Nichols said since the school system has contracts with teachers and most of its employees "we don't see people being laid off, but we do see people as they retire or resign, not filling their position."
But teacher union officials in Mobile County said that doesn't mean business as usual in schools.
When asked how proration will affect "Johnny" in the classroom, Danny Goodwin with the Mobile County Education Association said, "There's not going to be as much there for 'Johnny.' "
Goodwin said proration could mean student supplies being reduced.
Goodwin said, "All of the things that go right into the classroom, the money that's spent on providing technology, providing library books, providing classroom supplies, all of that can be cut."
And Goodwin said teacher jobs and other personnel jobs may be safe for this year, but not for next year.

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framkly Says:

Wed, Dec 17, 2008 at 11:43 am

Get rid of the ABC Board enforcement agency. They are a big waste of funds, and for public safety, these agents dangerous. Hitler would of been proud of them. Also, our state should consider getting out of alcohol sales. It’s socialism. They would realize more revenue if they sold off to the private sector. I hope you agree with this post, if so, relay it to your legislature.

DEW26M Says:

Tue, Dec 16, 2008 at 7:02 pm

Here’s a great idea too. Quit having so many “teacher work days” and “teacher inservices”. I remember when I was in middle and high school, we used to have to pray for a hurricane or other act of GOD to get a day out of school. Now it seems every 3 weeks, my son and daughter get out of school, for the teacher to catch up with her books, or whatever it is they do during these “teacher work days” and “teacher inservices”! Don’t get me wrong, I know that teaching is a hard job, and I give praise to all of those that pursue that line of work. However, I remember my teacher grading papers, and “catching up with her grade book” while we (the students) were taking test, or doing other classroom activities.

cmb1 Says:

Tue, Dec 16, 2008 at 9:48 am

Teachers just go to MS they are hiring and paying more money!!!! I agree they also need to cut some salaries at Barton starting with the top!!!!!!!!!!

kaykay Says:

Tue, Dec 16, 2008 at 9:26 am

i agree with u alister fiend start with cutting nichols salary who does not care about mobile county public schools anyway. they get all these high paid people from other states who dont care or know any thing about alabama schools. because alabama schools are different than schools in other states. so whats good for california or maine might not be be good for alabama.

slavepupy Says:

Tue, Dec 16, 2008 at 4:51 am

they can afford to put “smart boards” in the classroom to make it easier for teachers (of second grade) but they cant afford to make payroll.. go figure why..