School Budget

So our school district is facing drastic cuts, closing 3 schools and eliminating 295 positions, because they don't want to raise taxes. I don't want the taxes to be raised, but I also do not want my children's education to suffer. They are cutting a huge number of math teachers positions, but yet the students struggle with math. The logic of all these cuts do not make sense. They say they have lost 500 students so this averages 1 position for every 1.7 students. Was there really that great excess? Obviously this is going to increase class sizes. The increase class sizes is going to hurt those students in the middle. The top students will continue to get the services they need because they stand out. The bottom students will get attention because they stand out and the school is required to provide the services to them. Those students in the middle will stay right where they are, maintaining the status of average.
As the wife of a teacher, and a frequent volunteer in the school I am tired of people saying that teachers are over paid. If it is so easy to teacher and the salary is so great why aren't more people trying to be teachers? If you have ever been worked as a teacher or with a teacher you know that it is not a 7-3 job with summers off. A teacher need to be always thinking, planning, working, learning and doing. You hear the TV ads about teachers buying their own supplies, and this is not a joke. Teachers become more and more creative to ensure they do not over steep their budget limits. Teachers need to have continuing education classes and need to re-invent their lessons to deal with the class they have in front of them. Teachers need to teach to all there students, adapting lessons to help all students succeed. Teachers are responsible for shaping our future.
Sure there are teachers who do not know how to engage a class, or who are just plan bad and should not be in the classroom. This can be said about an field. There are bad cops, doctors, athletes, but we don't condemn the whole group. We do need a way to support teachers, to ensure all teachers are able to be engaging and encourage students success.

There are those who say, "when I was going up the class size was 30-40 and we are fine". I believe maybe you are, but the times are different. Most of your classmates were probably living in a two parent home, with one parent at home with them at least until they were older. You and most of your classmates has support at home with your homework, behavior and you were made to go to school unless you were sick. I would gather you and your classmates never wanted to get in trouble in school because you knew you would be in more trouble at home. You would never think that your parent would want to sue the teacher because you failed a test. Your parent would never come to the school to start a fight with another student or their parent because the kids something rude to you. Your parents would not think of suing the school because you were disciplined. Your school was not used as a babysitter, therapist, support center, it was a place you went to learn and you did. Have you been in a school lately?

People will point to private schools who can do more with less. Yes, I agree that is great. So lets look at these private schools and see why. Well we can start with mandates. Most of these schools do not have to deal with the numerous mandates put on the school by the state and federal government. These mandates prevent teachers from doing what they do best, teach. Kids in school do not read books, they read from a textbook. The teacher provides the lesson in the book. They must follow the mandate. These mandates are only a small part of the reason, the bigger issue is who they must educate. They can select the students/families that they want to be part of their school. The public school must educate everyone in the least restrictive environment. Gone are the days when you could send a student to another school/class just because they were not a good fit. The public school must deal with all types of parents, great ones, good ones, and those that say "why is my kid failing, I don't work with them at home that is your job, no they can not miss any recess or specials class, just fix my kid or I am going to sue."

The other argument I see a lot is "I don't have kids in the school." I am sorry about that, but you are going to want these children to grow up and continue to provide services to you, like doctors, law enforcement.. With that logic why not make all schools private, no need to educate the masses. You know when America was first founded it was like that, maybe we should go back to that. Oh wait reading was all based on the bible, do you think that would be okay? Wait, can't use the bible someone would certainly sue.

Yes, there needs to be a budget, but not on the backs of the students or the teachers who work very hard to make sure that each child gets the best education. The budget needs to be honest, and real. We need a budget that addresses the needs of our future generation. No money does not solve all the problems, but we do need something to work with.