Does anyone now what percentage of student body are currently involved with the music program?

Imagine the uproar if the Sports program and staff were cut to PT or some sports simply eliminated?

qdog, though you aren't the first not to research the subject first, these are clearly on the table as proposed cuts as well... elimination of stipends (i.e., payments to teachers to coach school teams) and the possibility of instituting player participation fees to offset equipment and operating costs.

People are talking about forming booster clubs like we used to many years ago so those costs are absorbed by those benefiting. I had a visitor the other day from someone seeking my opinion on it and I'd help support it even though I don't have kids in the program.

The district should keep varsity and JV but cut 9th grade sports, institute a $50-100 player fee (just like parents pay for club sports), and require players to pay for their own uniforms and equipment. Booster clubs can help pick up the additional expense for qualifying players who cannot afford it along with fees for security, maintenance and utilities.

Now where's all that uproar you suggested would happen? Sounds like people talking about ways to help instead of whining for more handouts.

Don M, i am well versed in this issue..my point is the athletic program costs significantly more to operate then the music program.If both programs were cut by equal percentages, i thhink it could be expected the uproar would be significant from sports side of equation...I think instituting player fees is a start, as is forming booster clubs.. However to think a booster club can raise the monies necessary for maintenance,utilities,et al is a mistaken belief...

These cuts are nothing compared to what is coming. This board is hiding the fact that the deficit will be even bigger next year. Look at this year’s budget, $2.7 million is being covered by the fund balance which is run to $8,000 by the end of the year. So next year that money will need to get made up. They have already told us that Teacher retirement payments will go up next year, tax appeals which we know are significant will come due and further cuts are expected from the State. Pladus is just hiding everything waiting to dump in into the next Superintendents’ lap. We should be making much bigger cuts or we will be talking about the same thing next year.
As for Booster fund raising, forget about it. As a parent you cannot raise money and give it to a specific sport, say football for example. That would be a Title IX violation, just ask Wissahickon. If boosters raise money it has to go into a general pot to be shared by all. That makes specific booster fundraising impossible to get parents behind. Before you say it, I know different teams fund raise today, but they are violating Title IX. The past UD AD just kept her head in the sand.

All the complaining (real and justified in many instances) will do little good as the District (and many others) are facing similar financial constraints. While there are some things the Board has had direct control over, that is the Teacher's contract, the size and cost of the High School, many of the issues they cannot affect. The Teacher's Pension plan is in disarray after over 20 years of theft by both R's and D's.
There are long term solutions to this problem, but require political courage, and an implemetation of Defined contribution plans. Holding tight on the next teacher's contract, even some reduced benefits. Perhaps an increase in the EIT. Until propery values rise, self provided income will remain stagnant, There is a proposal to radically alter how we pay for schools, but seems to be going newhere in the Legislature. The Govenor has actually increase the education budget the last two years, unfortunately much $$ has gone into shoring up PSERS. Another solution which the Board will propose in 2014 after school board elections, will be a referecdum to raise taxes. HOLD ONTO YOU HATS THEN!!!!!!!! Of course the Teachers' Union want to tax Marecellus Shale so the can retain their rising salaries. Don't be fooled, they are not looking out for your children.

I wish we could somehow raise the extra cash without taxing our residents. Year after year of tax increases have quickly turned a supportive caring community into bitter and angry citizens.

Here's what I would like to hear from this discussion: solutions, not gripes. Reductions are INEVITABLE and EVERY program should be prepared to take a hit.

Times like this require leadership, not complaining, and though cuts will be felt deep within many families' hearts, they will find more traction proposing savings alongside their proposal to keep key programs and personnel. Assuming ANY program will be left fully intact and cuts deferred to another program should be laughable and immediately disregarded so I encourage this group to recognize ways to be part of the long-term solution.

Similarly I'd like to see the same from the athletics program, drama and fine arts program, language program and each student club. Furthermore I suggest the Board and Administration establish a culture of cooperation and solicit proposals from food service, maintenance, student services and other departments on ways they can participate as well.

I think this would go a long way toward winning back the support Andi Lyn accurately describes.

I believe the present and past township manager, present and past school board members and the Superintendent didn't do the their jobs and knew this was coming.
I believe the Teachers, Union represented and protected and darn well compensated, including generous benefits and a very generous pension, particularly for a nine month job, should make concessions and save the full time status of their colleagues. Non-core academics are damn well important and we all know. I work at 50+ hour week with no where near the pay, benefits, or pension,
at a comparable experience level paying for teachers to work in this district and resent what the lucky will be getting in increases with other cut to .8 and programs
cut. Grow up, give back, be grateful, remember all your colleagues and soldier on,
thinking about why you should be teaching, rather than what it gives to you.

Jim, my kids have had great teachers in the 9 years we've lived in the district. The vast majority of them are sincere, hardworking people who deal with incredible challenges from all directions. My experience has been they handle it with professionalism and care. This budget isn't an easy situation for anyone in the community but your begrudging them a living is pretty disappointing. Your resentment toward them speaks far more of you than it does of them.