The Economy is Going Into the Ditch Even Further

A couple of cases to note:

Sony is going to cut 10,000 jobs.

New York has approved a new "austerity" budget, which translated means the little guys will get the shaft so the "big fish" can have more.

I can forget about applying at Portland School District because it faces huge cuts:

The proposals by Superintendent Carole Smith, most of which require school board approval, would eliminate 110 teaching positions (seven percent of all teachers), 38 central office positions, close two schools, delay purchase of new textbooks, cut teacher training, and eliminate the popular Outdoor School program. In the central office 23 employees have already been notified of their dismissal. Fifteen other positions that are or will become vacant will not be filled.

The wiping out of 110 teachers’ jobs is estimated to save $10 million while $9.5 million is to be saved with the cuts to central expenditures.

Alluding to the draconian nature of the cuts Superintendent Smith said, “Given the fact that we have been reducing service levels for a number of years, this budget proposal will sound familiar. However, it is precisely because of the successive years of reduction, that the impact of this budget will feel dramatically different.” Over the last decade 12 schools have been closed, on top of greater student to teacher ratios and reduced support staff.

Same is true almost statewide. I am going to get on the sub lists of all of the districts within driving distance next year.