Get your Baltimore school budget documents here
The school system has posted several budget documents on its Web site.
In response to the confusion yesterday about the savings from each of the 179 jobs: The system has a $55 million shortfall, $40 million of which would be closed by cutting the central office. It's not just job cuts; there are operational trims as well.
A few of the cost-saving measures that stuck out as interesting to me: 1) The system would discontinue the use of the TerraNova for eighth-grade admissions to citywide high schools, using seventh-grade MSA scores instead. 2) Because the system did not need to hire nearly as many teachers as expected this year and ended up with a number of people in co-teaching positions, it would cut its contract with Baltimore City Teaching Residency and recruit fewer foreign teachers (except in special ed).
I'm still plowing through the reorganization chart, but as you'll see in my story today, Dr. Alonso is proposing a new structure to support principals. Each school would belong to a "network" with four administrators: two providing instructional support, one specializing in special education, and one to help with budget and facilities. There would also be a new accountability office.
If you didn't already see our map of the proposed school moves yesterday, make sure to check it out.
Baltimoresun.com's 
Comments
Sarah,
The reorganization chart link in the blog goes to the school closings map, not the chart.
The chart link from BC schools website is:
http://www.bcps.k12.md.us/news/pdf/030909VisioCitySchoolsPROPOSEDFY2010Org%20Chart_REVISED_08Mar2009.pdf
Thanks for posting all this.
Posted by: Bebe Verdery | March 12, 2009 10:29 AM
Hi Bebe. Thanks for the note. I actually did mean to link to our map at the end of the post (since our graphics folks worked so hard on it, figured I'd try to give it more mileage), but I've changed the wording to make that more clear. You can get to the system's reorg chart from the first link I posted -- or directly through your link.
Posted by: Sara Neufeld | March 12, 2009 10:35 AM
Where's the social studies office?
the science office?
the math office?
If those were eliminated, what will the folks in the current positions do now, and why were other content area offices retained, such as humanities, enrichment, and literacy?
Posted by: Reorg Chart Confusion | March 12, 2009 11:55 AM
Is the Fine Arts Coordinator position being eliminated?
Posted by: Momof2 | March 12, 2009 2:47 PM
You can't get answers from anyone at Central Office now. What the heck will happen when other people are gone? Oh, well!
Posted by: vetern teacher | March 12, 2009 9:52 PM
@Veteran teacher: I take offense! I don't know which office you are calling at central but I'll have you know that not everyone there is a slacker.
As a matter of fact the reponse rates for many offices at North Ave to calls made to the command center are in the 98% bracket. If you are calling the office & no one is there to take the call, that's probably because they are in your school.
"What will happen when other people are gone" is you will have to do the work that they used to do! You will bear the full brunt of any blame! And you will realize the limits of your own abilities very quickly! The schools will struggle and the learning curve will be at a generous steep so I hope you-and everyone else at your school- is ready. Now, YOUR job depends on it.
It's this kind of "oh well" attitude from our school partners that I will not miss. As a North Ave employee I worked very hard and extremely long hours all year long (especially during the summer while teachers are off) to provide support to needy schools in dire straints. Though there were instances when teachers and school staff expressed delight and doled out praise, my work was frequently overlooked, underplayed, unappreaciated or begrudgingly accepted with no thanks. I know I was not alone because I worked with many smart and dedicated individuals. Many times the attitude of people like yourself made me-in anger and bitter frustration- want to yell "FINE!! Just try to do it all yourself!!!" But I resisted the urge to act like a petulant child. I will try to maintain composure even now.
No one in their right mind could fault Dr. A for putting the money$$$ where the kids are. I'm losing my job but I still think he's awesomely innovative and thoughtful about what he does.
Posted by: Alrighty Then... | March 13, 2009 7:11 AM
I attended the BCPSS (aka) City Schools FY 2010 Budget Forum on Thur, March 12th @ central office held from 6-8PM in the first floor board room. I am interested in all those who attended comments/remarks about their chance to hear, participate and/or speak up during public comments.
I did participate any enjoyed it!
Posted by: Interested & Engaged Parent of City Schools | March 13, 2009 10:36 AM