I need to get on my soapbox for a moment...and I might just have to use my teacher's voice as well. My school district is one of many being affected by our state's budget cuts. We have a $13.4 million deficit that needs to be figured out. There have been many things that have been thrown on the bargaining table including cutting sports programs, counselors, extracurricular programs at the middle and high schools, taking away yearly raises for teachers, etc.
But, two things on the proverbial table really make me angry. First, they are proposing getting rid of 3rd grade class size reduction and possibly continuing that on down to 2nd and 1st grades as well. For those of you who don't know, at this time K-3 has a class size ratio of 20 to 1. With the removal of this, we would be allowed to have 35 students in each classroom, which is currently the limit in the 4th and 5th grades. They wonder why we struggle with raising CST test scores each year, and then they think that adding another 15 students into our classes will be a good solution to their budget issue...doesn't take a brain surgeon to realize that that is completely ludacris. Second, an even more disheartening option, is the release of potentially 118 teachers, because they are "not tenured" in the district. Meaning they haven't worked for 2 complete school years. I know many teachers and friends that fall in this category. It sickens me to think that some 70 year old teacher is keeping their job, even though they certainly don't have the heart for it anymore, and someone who just so happens to be "fresh meat" is being shoved out the door. Yet, there has been no mention of the fact that administration at the district level all make 6-figure salaries that certianly could be cut. Yet, we should consider compromising our student's education because they can't find other places to cut their "budget".
I read a quote tonight from a retired teacher that really hit home. She said "To run a school it takes two elements, students and teachers. If you do away with the student or the teacher, you no longer have a school.". She is very right. Yes, I realize that we will still have teachers, but can we really do our jobs if we are outnumbered by 35 to 1? Can we do our jobs if the student's are so crammed in classrooms that they don't have room to think? Can we really do our jobs if we are continued to be looked at as the first "logical" cut in a budget? Sure makes me feel appreciated.
Lots of love,
The Grady's
2 comments:
Amen sister! Why do you think I left teaching. It's so sad. They should get rid of mostly everyone at the distric office!
pathetic and frustrating I know...thanks for doing what you do. I've always been aware of these things (thanks to you and Tiff) but now that Mason is approaching Kinder and enrolled in the public school system, it's hitting closer to home...so sad. Keep us updated and let us know how we can help especially during election time.
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