Budget

I had my first experience with budgeting and spending money. Of course, I had no idea on what color forms my school wanted me to use. My department head told me "oh by the way I need the list of what you want to order for your subject area by Monday" Which of course was only a week away. Then she told me I also needed my big ticket item to be ordered by Perkin's money. Once again - did I know what Perkin's money was- of course the answer is no.

My fellow health occupations teacher helped walk me through the process. I already knew that my list had to be ordered by approved vendors only - so that was not a problem. The problem was that what I wanted for my big ticket item could only be ordered from one vendor. My co-worker advised me to get them to write a letter stated that they were the sole vendor of my item.

Overall the process was not as painful nor as difficult as I thought it would be. I had been advised by my wife and fellow co-workers to have my "wish list" ready so that when they decided to tell us it was time to place our orders that I would be ready.

For once I actually was!!!! Plus I was able to spend more money than my wife would have ever allowed me to in 10 years !!!!!!!!!!


Steven Vinsant

Thanks

I just want to thank you all for the feedback. It is so ironic Jessie, that you discuss nurture. This week we started discussing theories of why people commit crimes and nature vs nurture was part of the topic today. I will definitely try to locate the film and review it.

Now to more drama, did you guys see us on the news again? Now parents are complaining about their children not receiving books. No one knows where they are. Not to mention that their kids leave them in the halls, outside on the ground or in the classroom. Then when they get the fine, they don't pay for them. Did you guys see how surprised the board was that there were no books. Don't they approve the budget for these things? Well, I can say that I don't have book for my students, no one has tried to locate books for me and honestly if I don't complain, no one will bother to check. This is really frustrating and then they complain about how many copies we make. What am I suppose to do? No books, no printing from your copier, no secretary to make copies, you can't use the copier yourself, but you want me to teach. What??? Okay that's my vent for today. Hope everyone is having a great week. I am sure I will have more tomorrow after our monthly staff meeting.

Spending my money

Spending my own money for school supplies or equipment seems to be a weekly occurrence for me. That does not include the cost of gas to pick up the supplies. In my opinion, teachers do not get paid enough as it is. Purchasing additional supplies puts you deeper in the hole. Thank goodness for the federal tax break, but more needs to be done to address this situation.

Students come to class too often unprepared, not having paper or pencil; it gets old quick telling them to bring their supplies, so I provide them. Is coming to class without supplies an intentional act? Intentional or not, they end up with supplies to complete their work. Relief for this situation really needs to be addressed on a national level.