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November 20, 2008 5:44 PM

Katie Couric's Notebook: School Budgets

Posted by Katie Couric
The economic crisis is taking its toll on every corner of the nation, sometimes in unbelievable ways. One suburban Detroit school district is going to start charging teachers for electricity: 32 bucks to plug in a personal coffee pot – $182 for a mini-fridge.

Their schools, like so many others in America, are low on cash, and have already resorted to layoffs and hiring freezes. The reason: State budgets are strapped. Higher unemployment means lower income tax revenue, and empty stores mean less cash from sales tax.

Three-quarters of the states are facing deficits next year: six billion dollars here in New York, five billion in Florida, $26 billion in California.

This serious crisis calls for creative solutions, no doubt. I'd just hate to be that teacher paying $182 to chill the brown bag lunch I brought to work … in order to save money.
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katie couric ,
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Katie Couric's Notebook
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by goinbeck November 22, 2008 12:57 PM EST
Teachers have lots to worry about, now their basic maintenance is also a problem. Take a thermos, eat a lunch in the cafeteria, etc, etc. Most teachers use their own $$ for supplies the school doesn''t supply. Ugh! Their salaries are the lowest of any profession in the US. Reform of THAT is what''s needed to attract highly successful teachers.
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by petersemkiw November 21, 2008 7:26 PM EST
"A nickel ain''t worth a dime anymore" Yogi Berra
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by kenhamlett November 21, 2008 2:54 PM EST
I am writing from South Carolina, the obvious enemy of human advancement. While you may find it newsworthy that someone might have to pay to use their coffee pot, they and their students should be happy they are not in SC. Even with cutbacks it is almost certain they are still better off than anyone in South Carolina.
Let''s keep it all in perspective.
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by loganmj November 21, 2008 1:26 AM EST
Really--you have got to be kidding! I am 37 and cannot believe how much everyone expects the world to take care of them. Really think about this...not only was the employee lazy enough to purchase their own mini-fridge so they did not need to walk to the break room, they apparently had the money to make that "I want" purchase. The schools are not saying they cannot have a mini fridge(like my employer). They are asking that if you are unwilling to use the community refrigerator (paid for by the school)you must pay the extra power used to run your electrical item. What happened to buying a zero degree lunch bag ($10.00-cheaper than a mini fridge) and keeps your food cold for 6-8 hours)? This is the same with the community coffee...if you don''t want to share, buy a thermos that construction workers have and it will still be warm when you get home.

Why do we all NEED everything we just WANT? The excuse that someone is stealing the lunches is lame. Either use peer pressure to the stop the behavior or if you are too weak to do what is right, keep it in the room or at your desk like children have too.

Let''s all just cut back, save our money, stop wasting, stop making rash purchases and definitely stop blaming the employers who keep the food to our mouth and roof over our head!

Just to clarify, I am not management, I do not believe in upper management taking advantage of salaries that are all ready too high and just want everyone to work for everyone.....not just themselves!
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by jecmcho November 20, 2008 10:18 PM EST
Ms. Couric, I am probably one of your biggest fans. But, my comment is: Would you be interested in doing a report on the budget cuts and how they affect children with special needs? I have a son with Cerebral Palsy, and they are already trying to make changes that will affect every child in district 75, NYC special education program. Would you be interested in doing something like that? I really hope so. Very best wishes. Keep it up, you are the best there is since Walter Cronkite.
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