It’s Official: Our Budget Failed to Pass
Yesterday was voting day in our state for the local school budgets. As you can see by my title, our school budget failed to pass.
Our school district has always had the reputation as being one of the best in our county. Prior to the recession we had an influx of new residents who were flocking to our area specifically for the schools’ reputation. But with that reputation came severe overspending and, I believe, mismanagement of funds.
I’m not throwing accusations that there were illegal doings; but why exactly is our central office staff renting office space to the tune of $300,000 per year? Did they ever look around at other places to rent? How many people are on staff? How much space do they really need? I don’t know the answers.
The result of this failed budget vote is to close an elementary school, eliminate music lessons to 4th graders, and to cut back on music lessons in the middle school. I’m sure there’s more on the list but these are the ones that will affect my kids most quickly.
Our school is one of 3 on the chopping block. Supposedly our school would either be turned into the central office (eliminating the $300K rent) OR it will be used for transportation offices or bus garage since we already have a bus garage on the property.
So now I’m sure the teachers and aides are in even more of a frenzy, wondering who’s getting laid off and hoping at the same time that it isn’t them. I can’t blame them because it’s not a fun place to be in. Twice in the past 12 years my husband has been laid off and it’s scary, most definitely. I have compassion and empathy for each one of those teachers who are facing uncertainty.
But my question to the teachers and their union is: why can’t you pay for your own healthcare benefits? Why can’t you fund your own retirement accounts, just like the rest of us in the US? No one I know will be able to retire and collect a pension equaling 75% of their salary.
The voters have obviously spoken, although it was a close vote, something like 200 votes. We have a very outspoken community of senior citizens living on fixed incomes who just cannot afford to live here any more but we also have lots of people who are struggling themselves, working year round and even working two jobs to make ends meet.
The saddest thing of all is that the number of voters yesterday is less than the number of students in our district. That to me is a sign of apathy; if you don’t vote then don’t complain about the outcome.
As a mother, I don’t want my kids to get short changed with program cuts. My oldest is 13 and just loves her flute lessons and being in the band. She’s not looking forward to an extra study hall; she’d rather be playing music.
And my second grader is anxious at the idea of her school closing. Chances are good that she’d go to the newest of our elementary schools with many of her current friends, but a lot of her friends will most definitely get redistricted to schools west of us, making the friendships more difficult to maintain.
It’s really a difficult and sad position to be in. You want what’s best for your children but you also have to tell the elected officials that enough is enough with the spending. This summer will sure be interesting waiting for the redistricting results.
School Lunch Reform
