Skip Alston Unmasked at County Commissioners' Budget Session

Last night at the old County Courthouse, several county commissioners met with the public on the upcoming budget process.  I believe that this meeting was designated for Billy Yow and Kirk Perkins to gain input from citizens; although other commissioners were in attendance including Paul Gibson, John Parks, Bill Bencini and Skip Alston.

A fairly large contingent from Conservatives for Guilford County was in attendance and spoke. 

But there was also a large number of other citizens present, most of whom were advocating for funding of a given program.  A couple of them plainly asked the commissioners to raise our taxes if necessary.

But C4GC presented to the commissioners approximately $52,700,000 in potential cuts from the county budget.  This would easily be more than enough to obviate the need for a tax increase. 

After the citizens were through speaking, the commissioners opened it up for questions.  But then a fairly remarkable thing happened.  An interchange took place between commissioners and the people from C4GC. 

I should note that many of the folks within C4GC have ample experience-- financial, managerial, executive and/or professional.  It showed last night.  They came armed with data.  They presented their case respectfully and persuasively.

But toward the end of the meeting, after Jeremy Williams participated in the discussion that was taking place, Skip Alston became unhinged.  He launched a bitter diatribe, telling the people from C4GC that they were only one group among many that deserved a place at the table, including the NAACP and the Simkins PAC; and that most people simply did not agree with the people from C4GC.

Jeremy, who has announced he will be a candidate for an at-large seat on the Board of County Commissioners next year, resolutely told Alston that he did not feel this ugly reaction was justified. 

I do not recall all the exact words used, but it was fascinating to watch.

C4GC is engaged in this activity because they were challenged last year by Democratic commissioner Kirk Perkins to come up with cuts.  (Perkins is one of the beneficiaries of the gerrymandering process that took place on the board during 2001.) 

In any event, over the last couple of years we have been treated to an image of Skip Alston as a born-again fiscal conservative; or alternatively as a board chairman who was engaging in merciless cuts to avert a tax increase.

But last night Skip was unmasked, and revealed his true nature.  He showed the side that many of us knew years ago when he repeatedly engaged in hateful, ugly confrontations on the board before the television cameras.

Skip is back. 

But the reality is that C4GC has identified roughly $53,000,000 in potential cuts, at the very least.  Their work is still being compiled and refined.  If the county commissioners raise taxes this year, it will be in spite of all the professional citizen input they will have received from C4GC.

Comments

[Ken Hill]

We hear about cuts to (things considered) vital. I recall some years ago a resident of my neighborhood who said he did not have the money to pay his rent. He had both Time-Warner cable and Dish Network- but no money for rent. He had not paid his auto insurance and the auto license registration was revoked. But the TV was vital.
Have we really identified the proper priorities on government spending?

[Joe Guarino]

We have not even remotely done that, Ken. And my suspicion is that some of the Democratic county commissioners might not even be interested in trying to do so.

A number of speakers that night dramatized how individuals households and businesses had to cut back severely because of the recent economic realities. They could not understand why government would not do so. But of course, we cannot know whether these folks are going to be heeded.

[bubba]

Not only will we get tax increases from both city and county, we will have the various local cabals and their respective peanut galleries cheer them on.

There will not be spending cuts. There will be spending increases for more unneeded amenities, more "for the chillllllllrun" money for the education bureaucrats, and new and inventive ways for Matt Brown to increase the largess that comprises his Coliseum scams.

[Joe Guarino]

I hope it doesn't turn out that way, Bubba. But we certainly have a critical mass of elected officials at the county level and even in the city of Greensboro who might allow that to happen.

[Tony Wilkins]

Is there any video of the exchange anywhere Joe?

[Jack Hart]

I keep reading that the school system has more non teachers than teachers and just shake my head!
When will 'they', (Politicians) get it? Or should I say, 'hear it'?

[Joe Guarino]

Jack, that fact was repeated over and over again last night by the C4GC team that is working on the school budget. One or two of the commissioners tried to justify it. They are simply clueless.

But there is even a larger issue. The commissioners said they have no control over how the schools spend money. They only can authorize an overall amount of funding. And they stated the concern that, if they reduce funding for the schools, the school system will cut very painful areas, and then blame the county commissioners in a highly public fashion.

[Joe Guarino]

Tony, I know that images of speakers were being projected onto a video monitor last night; but I do not know if the session was actually recorded by the county. And I did not see any C4GC folks recording it, although I may be wrong about that.

[elsalami]

"most people simply did not agree with the people from C4GC."

That is probably quite true. C4GC has shown no aptitude for building consensus or even an interest in reaching out to people with varying perspectives. They and their promoters attack and reject people who do not already agree with them as cabals, immoral, corrupt or deficient only because of disagreement. They have staked out a position as an insulated minority, we should not be surprised when others notice.

[elsalami]

"I keep reading that the school system has more non teachers than teachers"

Where do you keep reading that? It is only true (barely) if you do not include teacher assistants, of which there are already far too few. It is even less true if you include instructional specialists.

Perhaps you will tell us, if it is not 1 to 1, what in your learned opinion is the proper ratio of teachers to the remaining other staff of teaching assistants, reading specialists, librarians, guidance counselors, curriculum coordinators, janitors, maintenance workers, assistant principals, principals, secretaries, cafeteria workers, bus drivers and central office staff?

[Joe Guarino]

elsalami, it tends to be liberals like Alston who try to marginalize the efforts of C4GC's work group.

These are citizens who are giving generously of their own time, engaging in research to help their fellow citizens avoid a tax increase. Some citizens will be hurt very badly if taxes increase; and it will be generally those on fixed incomes, or those who otherwise have least.

There are lots of liberal interest groups that regularly waltz before the county commissioners looking for money. I have never seen Alston treat any of them the way he treated the people from C4GC last night. He has never said to them what he said to us-- at least not publicly, as far as I can remember.

[Joe Guarino]

elsalami, C4GC has demonstrated that just over one-third of the employees in the Guilford County Schools system are classroom teachers:

http://fixgcs.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/fixgcs-handbill-sample.pdf

I don't know what the proper number should be; but I personally would like to see classroom teachers be, at the very least, more than half of the employees. I am not sure we even need teacher assistants. We need to cut back on the administrative costs in the school system, and on certain types of personnel costs.

[Madmax]

I am surprised that folks were surprised when Skip removed the mask. You do not change someone like Skip, ever. Skip knows how to play the game, just remember it will ALWAYS be the NAACP & Simkins PAC first and foremost. The NAACP & Simkins PAC put Alston and others in office and can remove them if they so desire. Also Skip is the king of the money pit downtown and has used a lot of tax payers money in the past... Until the NAACP & Simkins PAC get tired of him we the conservative tax paying citizens of Guilford County will have to put up with him, that is just a fact of life. No matter how you cut it Alston is a racist and always will be!

[Joe Guarino]

Madmax, I think there is a saying about leopards and their spots; zebras and their stripes; or something like that.

[Jack Hart]

I used to know a KKK Grand Dragon. He pulled up in his car...I was 13 or 14 years old...and asked me to come over. I have never felt evil like that...just walking up to the car...it was a horrible feeling. The racist crap he spewed out was unlike anything I have ever wittnessed.
He and Skippy would make good friends...if both could get past the others skin color!

Elsalami: You've hit the nail squarely on the head with your comment. C4GC seem to believe that the often internally conflicting interrelationships among people in a society should only be resolved they way they promote...anything less and well, you said it best.

"most people simply did not agree with the people from C4GC."

That is probably quite true. C4GC has shown no aptitude for building consensus or even an interest in reaching out to people with varying perspectives. They and their promoters attack and reject people who do not already agree with them as cabals, immoral, corrupt or deficient only because of disagreement. They have staked out a position as an insulated minority, we should not be surprised when others notice.

Joe: I agree, 1:1 teacher to support staff is a good ratio. Hire more teachers!

[Mick]

Joe,

Have you ever asked any teachers if "we" need teachers assistants? Might be a good idea before you start axing employees willy nilly. What is your basis for your opinion that more than 1/2 the employees should be teachers? Sounds reasonable and good to me too but I have no idea, no research, no data, no facts.

For the record, I find it hard to believe there isnt room for trimming something somewhere. Most of us have had to over the last few years.

[Joe Guarino]

Mick, I don't see why a single teacher cannot be expected to instruct and manage his or her classroom on his or her own. (Yes, more help is needed with special education classes than with standard classes.)

There is all kinds of evidence that raising per-pupil educational funding does not enhance outcomes.

But I think the C4GC work group on the education budget might have more data with respect to the details than I do.

[Roch101]

"C4GC has demonstrated that just over one-third of the employees in the Guilford County Schools system are classroom teachers" -- Dr. Joe

Joe, Can you help me substantiate that? I see that the claim is made in the C4GC brochure to which you link, but the web page they cite as a source is not valid. I do however find this page (below) on the Guilford County Schools website and it contradicts the information in the C4FC brochure. It says that about half, not the third claimed in the C4GC brochure, of GCS staff are classroom teachers.

http://www.gcsnc.com/education/components/scrapbook/default.php?sectiondetailid=269859&

[Joe Guarino]

Roch, the clear implication in the brochure is that some of the teachers are not categorized as being in the classroom. You might be making the assumption from the web page to which you link that all of the teachers you cite are categorized as being in the classroom. Perhaps they are not. To understand this further, you might have to get with the C4GC group, because I do not have further details.

[Jack Hart]

Elsalami, you said, "C4GC has shown no aptitude for building consensus or even an interest in reaching out to people with varying perspectives. They and their promoters attack and reject people who do not already agree with them as cabals, immoral, corrupt or deficient only because of disagreement. They have staked out a position as an insulated minority, we should not be surprised when others notice."
Is that not EXACTLY what folks like skippy and his ilk do?
And I do not agree with your assesment. Folks like those in C4CG are much more proffesional than how you deplict them!
Jack

[Roch101]

Elementary Teachers – 2,512
Secondary Teachers – 1,120
Other Classroom Teachers – 1,265
Total Classroom Teachers: 4,897

Total GCS employees: 10,393

Percentage who are classroom teachers: 47%

http://www.gcsnc.com/education/components/scrapbook/default.php?sectiondetailid=269859&

[Joe Guarino]

The document does not say that all of the teachers cited are in the classroom; and I don't think it even says that they are all full time teachers. But as I said, to resolve this issue, you probably will need to get with the C4GC education work group.

[Brandon Burgess]

I know the C4GC crowd reads here.

Maybe they can provide their alternative numbers along with a source.

[Joe Guarino]

Jim Lewis of C4GC submitted the following comment in response:

I was one of the speakers at the School Board and County Budget meeting last Thursday night.
This is what I said:
County 10 year spending trend, FY 2000/2001 to FY 2011/2012
Guilford County's population has grown +16% in the past 10 years
Guilford County's spending has increased +46% in the past 10 years
Guilford County's allocation to Guilford County Schools increased +65% in the past 10 years
Guilford County's Human Services (social services) increased +162% in the past 10 years
Guilford County's Public Safety increased +150% in the past 10 years

Guilford County Schools employ over 10,000 people
Less then half, 4980 people are titled "Teacher"
Only 3665 of those "Teachers" are full-time regular class room teachers
That leaves 6335 or 63% involved in non-teacher activities
The top 65 administrators earned combined compensation, including benefits, of $11.7 million
The School organization chart reflects a significantly bloated administrative staff
Increasing School spending 65% in 10 years has produced what measurable results??
Spending more is not the answer
Increasing more administrative structure is not the answer
Cut the administrative staff a minimum of 50%
Leave the classroom Teachers alone
The current student Teacher ratio is 19 to 1, that sounds reasonable
Why are Charter Schools in demand? (I heard there is a 3 year waiting list)
Why are concerned parents running away from the Public School system?
What can the Public School system learn from Charter Schools?
There is zero justification to request more County funding
Prudent budget planning is imperative
The citizens of Guilford County are taped out
Guilford Counties property taxes are higher then Mecklenburg/Charlotte, Wake/Raleigh, Forsyth/Winston, New Hanover/Wilmington-Wrightsville Beach
Weak economy, we must consider this sobering reality
Recession/Depression, high unemployment, lower State funding, Inflation, Static median household income
All resulting in significantly fewer resources

The people I have met with at C4GC are just normal everyday citizens. I find them to be very approachable, generous and thoughtful.
They work tirelessly donating their time to draw attention to how the County and School Board are spending our hard earned tax dollars.
As a former business executive, now retired, who ran large multi complex enterprises; what I have found from research data indicates we have serious problems with both the County and School boards.
It is shocking, the lack of skills our officials exhibit.
Please consider C4GC's hard work which has resulted in surfacing fiscal irresponsibility, reckless spending with zero accountability. From my 40 years of business experience, I can say with great conviction, spending more is a recipe for disaster. One needs to take a few steps back away from the current process and say to themselves; what do we have to show for the County's 46% increase in spending? What do we have to show for the Schools 65% increase in County funding?
Strategically, the current process is flawed and requires a fundamental overhaul. If it’s not working, stop spending and change the strategy----measure the results and change it again if necessary.
The County Commissioners and School Board are hoping the citizens of Guilford are asleep at the switch. They will raise property taxes at the first sign of weakness. The heavy lifting associated with cutting spending is not easy work. The County has expanded spending beyond State mandated programs and essential services. The current spend platform is un-sustainable.
Below, please find a few sources to support the data listed:


http://fixgcs.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/fixgcs-handbill-sample.pdf

http://www.gcsnc.com

http://www.gcsnc.com/pdfs/gcsorgchart.pdf

http://greensboro.rhinotimes.com/Articles-c-2011-04-13-208002.112113-County-Budget-Nearly-Doubles-In-15-Years.html

http://www.dornc.com/publications/2010-11_taxrates_preliml.xls

[Roch101]

"Only 3665 of those "Teachers" are full-time regular class room teachers
That leaves 6335 or 63% involved in non-teacher activities." -- Jim Lewis

Again, that is at odds with the available sources. Repeating an unsubstantiated claim does not qualify as substantiation.