Letter from Lolly Jar Thief Number 1

TRS07D1353

Date: 28 August 2007

Mr Colin Campbell

clutterbells@gmail.com

Dear Mr Campbell

Thank you for your e-mail dated 17 August 2007 regarding funding for the public education

sector.

The State Government recognises that education is the key to young South Australians

gaining the skills, values and attributes they need to contribute to our community in the 21

st

Century.

The 2006-07 Budget introduced a range of savings measures across all portfolios of

government. These savings measures were introduced to provide additional spending

capacity for high priority areas including education. Recent commitments by the Government

that have demonstrated this include:

Brand new schools as part of a $216 million Education Works investment in better school

buildings and learning environments;

Investment of $28.8 million to develop an additional 10 ‘one stop’ children’s centres

bringing the total number of these centres to 20;

Support of $29.5 million for the provision of 10 new trade schools to foster practical work

skills;

As part of the ‘school to work’ strategy, $54.5 million to implement a new senior

secondary ‘SACE’ qualification; and

Increased investment in literacy and numeracy, and smaller class sizes in the early

years.

The 2007-08 Budget continues our commitment to the education system with increased

spending on education and children’s services of $127.2 million compared to the 2006-07

Budget. The 2007-08 Budget provides, on average, an additional $708 for every government

school student when compared to the previous year, an increase of 6.7%. Since 2001-02,

spending on each student has increase by $3,606. In this context, the savings measures

represent a relatively small rearrangement of funding within a context of very large increases

in spending per student.

I thank you for your interest in our public schools and children’s services.

Yours sincerely

Kevin Foley MP

DEPUTY PREMIER

TREASURER

Marge Mahal Source of that Giant Sucking Sound?

Everywhere we look and read it is a giant sucking sound as money is robbed from current needs by SA Labor, to feed the insatiable budget requirements of the new Marge Mahal.

Hello we don't need White Elephant Memorials to your vanity, we need adequately funded public schools, suitably paid public servants in the front line like nurses, teachers and paramedics. We need regeneration of the existing medical facilities and we need this now.

Who do you think you are kidding Mr Rannter and Mr Foney.

Kevin Foley Arrogant Childish and Cocky??

This is the nice man who is deciding how much money Public Schools should get. Personally I think that he should enter into debate rather than ranting and belittling people. A little humility and politeness would reflect well on Members of Parliament.

From Adelaide Now

Labor has admitted a plan to destroy the credibility of Liberal leader Martin Hamilton-Smith was behind the attack by Treasurer Kevin Foley.

Mr Foley, one of the Government's "attack dogs", this week went close to provoking a parliamentary crisis by accusing Mr Hamilton-Smith of lying on Thursday in a hearing of the Budget Estimates Committee.

Parliament faced the prospect of being recalled to deal with moves to suspend Mr Foley for failing to observe standing orders before he withdrew the accusation.

Mr Foley, however, continued launching verbal missiles at Mr Hamilton-Smith throughout the remainder of the hearing.

Similar tactics were employed the previous day by Transport Minister Patrick Conlon, when he was questioned by the Opposition Leader on infrastructure.

Mr Foley has been at the centre of a series of high profile political rows, including allegations he verbally abused deputy Liberal leader Vickie Chapman and had a confrontation in the parliamentary bar with No Pokies MLC Nick Xenophon.

Earlier this year, he became embroiled in a confrontation with parklands protesters in Rundle Mall over plans for the $55 million redevelopment of Victoria Park racecourse.

He claimed protesters had pushed him and abused his then partner, Emma Forster.

Labor sources said yesterday the Government believed Mr Hamilton-Smith was "all over the shop" with his statements and often appeared to contradict himself.

"All we are trying to do is show Marty has no idea of where he is going and will just make a statement off the top of his head to get a headline," one said.

Another source said Mr Foley's comments were a reflection of the fact "he doesn't suffer fools gladly".

There is growing disquiet on the Labor backbench, however, about the Government's tactics with women MPs, questioning if it presents a good look for Parliament.

Liberal sources said the Foley attack in Parliament was "the biggest leg-up they could ever give us".

Ms Chapman said she was "disappointed that a Treasurer responsible for a $12 billion Budget should have the audacity and cheek to walk out".

"I think his behaviour was childish and unnecessary and I think the fact he came back in demonstrates someone higher up told him he should go back and start answering questions," she said.

Long-serving independent MP Bob Such said the latest incident was just one of a series which had added nothing to the esteem of Parliament in public eyes.

"My advice to Mr Foley is to just cool it a bit," he said. "It is not a good look for either him or the Government. There is already a sense in the community that the Government is getting a bit too cocky."

Mr Xenophon said he felt Mr Foley was "full of bluster" and Premier Mike Rann should take his Treasurer aside and tell him he had "overstepped the line".

Public School Funding Still Many Issues

Despite the back down on the ludicrous Work Cover levy, the State Government is still hell bent on pursuing deep cuts in public school funding. Treasurer Kevin Folly has an agenda of efficiency dividend. Quite where these are going to come from with schools having classroom budgets for kids of around $50 a year and money for computer upgrades hard to come by without Commonwealth support.

There is only so much fundraising and fee raising that Public Schools can do.

Despite the fact that Public Education preschools and schools have been subjected to more than two decades of cost cutting and so called ‘efficiency’ drives this State Labor Government seems intent on extracting $54 million from 2008 to 2010 from cash strapped preschools and schools.

The Fight Continues!

Thanks AEU SA

Kevin Foley Arrogant Bully

View from the Australian Education Union

Treasurer Kevin Foley's blunt refusal to discuss public education funding with school communities has provoked an angry reaction and the likelihood of a state wide stop work next week.

AEU State President Andrew Gohl says Mr Foley is callously ignoring the concerns of teachers, principals and parents and appears hell bent on taxing our children and compromising their learning.

"Mr Foley claims his government is spending more on public education. Yet schools and preschools are to have 1% of their budgets cut - that's in the order of $50,000 to $100,000 for most schools," Mr Gohl says.

"Cuts of that magnitude mean one thing - an attack on kids' opportunity to learn. Schools will be forced to cut staff, cut programs or both. Preschools will be forced to choose between employing a teacher or employing an Early Childhood Worker, when the reality is they need both."

"Kevin Foley isn't even prepared to listen to our concerns. He is sacrificing our children's futures to fund a couple of razzle dazzle education projects. It is an outrage!" Mr Gohl says.

"Such is the level of dismay and disgust that we've been contacted by teachers and principals across the state wanting to take action. Accordingly, we've listened to their concerns - unlike the treasurer."

"We're today sending a ballot out to all schools and preschools asking them to vote on stop work action for Thursday June 28. We've asked for the results to be returned by close of business on Monday."

"We are proposing a one hour stop work meeting from 2.30 until 3.30 pm. Our aim is to minimise inconvenience to parents while sending a strong message to the government that we're prepared to defend schools and defend our children's right to quality learning."

"From the strong turnout of more than 4000 people at last week's rally at Parliament House, we know we have the strong backing of most parents. They don't want to see their children's futures jeopardised by a government prepared to put ledger sheets ahead of learning. We're confident they'll support our action and appreciate our efforts to minimise the impact on them" Mr Gohl says.

"This government intends to strip money, insultingly described as an "efficiency dividend" every year until at least 2010. This means a haemorrhaging of funds from programs for our kids and is a direct attack on their ability to learn. It is an absolute disgrace that the treasurer, and indeed the education minister, have flatly refused to meet the AEU or representatives from principal and parent organisations."

At least the South Australian Primary Principals Association has good resources on bullying. Perhaps the Principals can use it to fight off DECS bullies.

Bullying OK at Department of Education

So bullying is OK in Public Schools? As long as it is teachers and principals being bullied by Department of Education Supervisors.

From Adelaide Now

School principals who have spoken out against education budget cuts are being "chastised" by their superiors, effectively gagging them from making public statements.

The Advertiser yesterday telephoned 10 principals across the state about the budget cuts. Only two were willing to comment.

Seven principals did not wish to comment while one in the Mid North referred The Advertiser to the Education Department's regional district office.

SA Primary Principals Association president Glyn O'Brien said the State Government had pushed "very strongly" for principals not to comment in public on the issue.

"The people who have made comments have been somewhat chastised and been reminded in no uncertain terms that they are public servants," she said.

Ms O'Brien said there was an element of "fear" among principals about speaking out.

It was revealed this week nurses had been gagged from speaking to the media about their dispute with the State Government over pay and conditions.

Black Forest Primary School principal Phil Greaves said he had not officially been told to avoid speaking to the media about the Budget cuts but was aware some principals would be reluctant.

"I think you'll find a lot of principals would be outspoken about this topic because of the enormity of the issue," he said.

"In our budget, we'll have to make provisions for about $50,000 less, which translates to about $80 per child meaning we'll have to make cuts in key areas."

Dover Gardens Primary School principal John Grant said the "savings initiatives" listed by the Government in the 2006-07 State Budget were "going to have a significant effect".

"We're a small school with close to 80 students and if they take 1 per cent of our salaries for the WorkCover levy along with the other changes, it's going to have a big impact," he said.

Treasurer Kevin Foley defended the changes as the result of devolution policy instigated by the former Liberal government.

A spokeswoman for Education Minister Jane Lomax-Smith said "no directive about speaking to the media has been given by the Minister or her office to any principal or staff member."

Personally I think what Foley is saying is bollocks. Although there was some devolution of power in theory, in reality, the Department of Education is involved in every last decision at the school. Fine to devolve power, but you also need to give schools adequate resources to run schools effectively. This is just a ruse for a cut.

As for Mrs Lomax Smith, again bollocks and polly speak. The directives seem to be coming from operational people. Our principal has been very careful about what he has said and done. Obviously a culture of fear and bullying in place at DECS.

More Background

From Adelaide Now

Public schools will soon forcibly cut funding for major resources - ultimately disadvantaging students - in response to new taxes outlined in the 2006-07 State Budget.

Principals have warned the new taxes, which include a 1 per cent WorkCover levy on total staff salaries, mean they have the tough choice of either slashing funds for learning resources or increasing school fees.

The warning came as Premier Mike Rann denied Labor MPs were concerned about losing their seats because of the cuts.

One school has detailed to The Advertiser the direct impact of the cuts on their resources, which they estimate would total $50,000 from discretionary funds out of their annual budget.

The resource cuts - five lots of $10,000 in this school's case - would hit:

IT which would result in its network and hardware becoming outdated over time.

SPECIAL Education support program, disadvantaging those most in need.

STAFF training, reducing the knowledge and skills of its staff.

LIBRARY resourcing - which is most of its budget - resulting in out of date resources "very quickly" and $10,000 more, which "gives them nowhere else to cut from without impacting on staffing and class sizes".

The school's principal said: "We can either charge parents an extra $100 per child . . . or we can reduce resourcing."

SA Primary Principals Association president Glyn O'Brien said the cuts were "something Treasurer Kevin Foley doesn't understand".

"We want the opportunity to sit down and put in front of him the facts and figures but we've had no response at all to our pleas or letters asking for that," she said.

Mr Rann told Parliament yesterday that no Labor backbenchers, including former teacher Chloe Fox, had indicated to him they held concerns about their jobs.

His denial was met with howls of protest from the Liberals after speculation Ms Fox raised the issue in Caucus. Ms Fox yesterday refused to comment.

Next Thursday, teachers are expected to strike for one-hour to protest against the new taxes.

A spokeswoman for the Education Department said "all savings measures announced in last year's Budget will be redirected back into public education".

Louise Quinn, who has two children attending Reynella Primary School, is concerned about the impact of the new taxes.

"It will impact severely on an already limited school budget and there will be the financial impact on parents if the extra costs are passed on," she said.

Some Background

We went to this rally and the numbers present were impressive.

This is from Adelaide Now

Thousands of parents and teachers will rally across the state today in protest at cuts to public education funding.

They say the cuts from next year "will impact on every classroom in South Australia". Rallies will take place from 4.30pm on the steps of Parliament House in the city and in Mount Gambier, Berri, Port Pirie, Port Augusta, Port Lincoln and Whyalla.

They are responding to "savings initiatives" listed in the 2006-07 State Budget for the Department of Education and Children's Services. In total, an estimated $84 million in savings over four years will be borne by schools. That equates to nearly $500 for each of the state's 171,200 public education students.

Schools say the cost-shifting will result in them not being able to afford school support officers, computer upgrades and replacement, library books, special programs and key classroom resources.

Schools could be up to $100,000 out of pocket each year. A key concern is the proposal for schools to pay 1 per cent of their total staff salaries towards a WorkCover levy.

SA Primary Principals Association president Glyn O'Brien said the rally was an "unprecedented" move by schools to campaign against Budget cuts.

"When you talk about a figure such as $25 million it doesn't mean much to parents but when you narrow it down to what impact that is going to have on the school their children attend, it really hits home," she said. "We have only really found out in the past two months how these initiatives will be carried out and we were never consulted by the department. It was just a briefing with their options."

Secondary Principals Association Jim Daves said the Budget cuts would "impact on every classroom in the state".

"It will put the profession of teaching in a very difficult position over the forthcoming years," he said.

"Next year we'll survive with the computers we've got, the following year some will break down and we're not going to have the money to replace them.

"Our existing text books will survive another year, the year after we'll put sticky tape on them but there comes a time where we need to replace them with new ones. An Education Department spokeswoman said: "We want to assure families and staff that all efficiencies, as outlined in the 2006-07 State Budget, will be redirected back into public education in SA to deliver quality education for children".

What You Can Do to Oppose Public School Education Cuts

This is from the Australian Education Union Web Page. I used it to write a bunch of emails and talk to people from these offices. Be persistent and demand a response. Unless sufficient pressure is put on politicians, these cuts will just happen. This will translate directly into a significant reduction in classroom resources, including support staff and other high value programmes. Don't let this happen to your children. Some of this stuff is a bit technical, but I got a good response when I talked to people in the politicians office. The time is now in terms of making a difference. Let politicians know that you are not happy.

Background Information - Cost Cutting and efficiency Dividend Proposals

Workcover - $7m cut
# All sites are levied 1% of total salary starting costs, with a monthly deduction from the site's budget.
# Costs will be met by the site in which the injury occurs.
# Sites to pay the first $100 of any medical treatment.
# Sites to pay the first 4 weeks of lost time from any new Workcover claim; e.g. TRT cover
# $200 late notification fee if exceeding the 2 day period for notification
# A 60% rebate will be provided to sites that make no claims
# A levy/rebate panel will be established to view cases of hardship
# Governing Councils will be wholly responsible for their employees and will be required to register separately and be responsible for compliance

Staffing

DECS acknowledges that there can be no change to staffing arrangements unless by agreement with the AEU because these are secured by industrial agreements.

Their wishlist includes, 45km rule increased to 70km, unlimited tenure for all teaching staff, unlimited right of return.

It should be noted that however some items may not be covered by industrial agreements:
# DECS strategy focuses upon TPT and top ups
# Costs of all surplus teachers transferred to sites
# Introduction of a cost to sites for surplus ancillary staff
# 30 TRT days will be cut each term per 1.0 surplus teaching staff

SASIF accounts
# Applies to all funds in SASIF accounts
# Exempted funds include building, library, OSHC and vacation care, canteen, farm accounts, trusts and scholarships, P&F accounts
# Exempted funds will subject to stricter annual auditing
# DECS examining 5 options.

1) School type
# Specific Limit according to school type
# Preschools $50 000
# Primary $80 000
# Secondary/Area $100 000

2) Enrolment Numbers
# $50 000 up to 100 students
# $80 000 between 101 and 300 students
# $100 000 between 301 and 500 students
# $ 120 000 for 501 and above.

3) Combined enrolment and school type
# Preschools $40 000 - $60 000
# Primary $ 60 000 - $90 000
# Secondary/ Area $90 000 - $120 000

4) Based on 5% RES (2006)

A range between $20 000 and $ 490 000 depending on school size

5) 5% of RES with upper and lower limits
# $40 000 lower to $120 000 upper.

Option 5 favoured by DECS

Energy efficiencies
# 50 sites have met targets
# 550 yet to reach target
# Sustainable Development Grants to be targeted to the 50 biggest energy consumers
# Reduction tied to State Development plan to reduce 2001 consumption rates by 25% - equivalent of $1.8m reduction
# Site redevelopment will include latest energy efficient technology

Water Saving
# Saving of 10% of usage - or $0.7m
# 315 sites have reached target
# ESD funds targeted to top 50 users

Small Programmes/grants

Email links, suggestions and background information to help you get the message through to the state government.

Send an email today telling South Australia's leaders that our schools can't afford their cuts.

The Premier Mike Rann

The Treasurer Kevin Foley

The Minister for Education Jane Lomax Smith


Suggested message

Dear ........

I am appalled that DECS and your Government are making children pay for your government's so called efficiency dividends. Why should public education and student learning again suffer at the hands of politicians and bureaucrats?

Indeed, why shouldn't our kids share in the prosperity of a booming economy after the years of denial brought about by the financial stringencies that followed the ALP's state bank disaster?

Make Public Education exempt from your budget cuts and 'efficiency dividends'.

Shame on this State Labor Government.