At the Budget Workshop meeting this evening the Newburgh School District BOE restored 10 Social Worker positions to the 2010-2011 budget, at a cost 0f $1,008,561. I'll post full notes from the meeting some time tomorrow.
At the Budget Workshop meeting this evening the Newburgh School District BOE restored 10 Social Worker positions to the 2010-2011 budget, at a cost 0f $1,008,561. I'll post full notes from the meeting some time tomorrow.
Social Worker @ $100,000 each?
Since when does it cost $100,000 to hire a social worker? What is it that they do for 6 hours a day for 180 days that is worth $100,000 for each one?
Why does the school taxpayer need to pay for any SW anyway? If Billy or Susie is having socail difficulties that's a family matter. There are all sorts of public and private options outside of school for mom and dad to go to for "social" assistance.
And what does a SW do? - does this talking help raise education levels, raise scores, make students study harder, listen more, follow directions, yadda yadda... Where's the evidence...Where's the measure of effectiveness? Chances are there is none. Onlyl warm, fuzzy stories about how nice it is to have someone to talk to... at a cost of millions of taxpayer $$$ of course.
$1,000,000
I have to also ask what social workers do? No one seems to know and it does not appear there is much accountability. Teachers are given a curriculum and told what to teach, guidance counselors deal with social services, help students with classes and schedules and they also counsel students. What do social workers do exactly and who do they report to? Are they required to meet with admins weekly for updates? Do they look at attendance and follow the patterns of those who do not come to school, no, they depend on teachers to let the attendance officer's know and then they investigate so I sill don't understand what social workers do.
Social workers enable
Social workers enable students to learn. It is hard for a student to learn if they are in pain all the time but can't see a doctor. It is hard for a student to learn when they have such messed up teeth that they can barely speak. It is hard for a student to learn if they can't stay awake because they can't sleep at night in their home due to a lack of heat. It is hard for a student to learn when they're mourning a brother or father who has been murdered. It is hard for a student to learn when they're paranoid of getting beat up once they go home. It is hard for a student to learn when they're caught up with gangs or they're pregnant. These are just some of the issues that these social workers work to resolve in order to help students to learn. It is very unfortunate, but these are the realities of life. If a social worker can help just one or two kids a year on the path to be a productive taxpayer, rather than an inmate or other burder on the state, then, in the long term, you've actually made your money back.
Here is the math....
Here is the math.... $1,000,000 for ten social workers. That is $100,000 per employee (including salary, healthcare, payroll taxes, etc...). If each social worker helps one student each year to become a successful adult rather than a burder on the community, that is $100,000 to save one person. It sounds like a lot, but... as an adult, if that kid then turns out to be a self-sufficient taxpayer helping the community, instead of serving 20 years in prison, being supported by the taxpayers, then that $100,000 spent is almost made up in single year, let alone throughout the course of a lifetime. That is how your money is made back in the long run. Understand?
A BIG IF....
The taxpayer is still paying a lot of MILLION$ based on a BIG IF..... What we do know is that crime is rising, gangs are multiplying and poverty thrives in the city regardless of the MILLIONS of taxpayers dollars spent each year on all sorts of social programs.
In my son's school, a social
In my son's school, a social worker was just added for the first time this year, so what does that have to do with the current situation in Newburgh? As far as I know, a lot of the social worker positions in the school district are relatively new... You can't expect a brand new school social worker to have an impact on adults who are already out of school. It's a long-term investment. All I'm saying is that these social workers definitely serve a significant purpose in the schools and, in the long run, there is a possibility that they may actually save us money. Without a doubt, we do and will continue to receive at least some kind considerable return on the investment. Obviously you just want to reject everything that's put in front of you though without even giving it serious thought though. Besides, the situation may be very troubling in Newburgh, but is it not possible that it could be even worse if not for these investments, especially as we head into the future? On the other hand, would cutting such programs actually improve things, or even make it possible for things to remain as they are? I don't think so.
Parents are for it, The rest of the taxpayers pay for it
As a parent you are understandably looking for the best for your child, but are you willing to pay the bill? Taxpayers are paying an ever rising tax bill for your child's needs beyond the educational requirements mandated. Parents of sports stars are of the same, looking for the taxpayer to foot the bill for the "needs' of their sport talented child. The same is true of parents wanting more programs, more course and more college credits...alll at more cost to the taxpayer.
Yes, parents pay taxes too. but not the whole bill. The majority is paid for by 70-80% of taxpayers who have no children in these programs. You are basically getting all of these extras for next to nothing out of your pocket and sticking the bill to an already struggling public.
I am the parent of one child
I am the parent of one child who is in school. I pay my fair share. My son doesn't need the services of the social worker, but that doesn't mean I don't appreciate what they do in the schools. Even though my child and I are not directly benefitted by the presence of a social worker, I can still appreciate the benefits to the entire community, which may indirectly benefit me in the long run. Also, look at it like this. All of those people that may not have kids in the school, which I would believe would have to be a little less than 70-80%, they all had access to a public education and most of them had kids or will have kids that will go through public education as well so, therefore, they have already benefitted too. Maybe they should have cut programs when you or your kids were in school. Then I bet you would not have been so opposed to everything.
Social Workers can not prove it's all worth $1MILLION $$$$
THE CLAIM _ "If a social worker can help just one or two kids a year on the path to be a productive taxpayer, rather than an inmate or other burder on the state, then, in the long term, you've actually made your money back."
$1,000,000 to help one or two kids...that is no proof that any of this is worth that much in tax dollars. As for the ubiquous claim that "you've actually made your money back" PROVE IT!
As for all of that pain - that is what a family is for on their time and dime. And what about all of those religious ministries that fill up the city - where is a good minister when you need them? There are also state social service programs for that as well - no need to duplicate with more tax dollar$.
Socail Workers
It is not all about the warm, fuzzy stories- it is about helping keep the children in school, helping the families deal with lice, rats, and so much more. If the children are not in school there is no learning taking place.
A poor cold fuzzy reply
I thought that is what nurses do?
By the way, as to your assertion, " If the children are not in school there is no learning taking place." Newburgh has one of LOWEST graduation rates for YEARS - so much for your baseless claim!
Blah, blah, blah AGAIN, you offer a very shallow, unprofessional explanation. There is no clear, specific ratioinale for spending $1,000,000 for 10 social "what do they do" workers???? Just warm fuzzy words, similar to the letter write in a local newspaper. Any professional in private or public practice being paid these sums better have a very specific job description, a set of goals and measurements to be held accountable for.
One suggestion - fire the SWs and hire a few exterminators for a year at $100,000 to deal with the lice and rats.
social workers
Where are the social workers when the young people of newburgh are killing each other?