Howdy all, and Happy Birthday to Eric Tallman! Thanks for the donuts!
I know that we are all very well aware of State budget issues, and many of us have directly felt the impact of the recession / depression that our nation is currently in. Our lovely school district is now having to deal with similar budget shortfalls and has been asked to cut 17 million dollars from its operating budget for the 2009 - 2010 school year. Our governing Board of Trustees has put for suggestions for cuts that will directly impact classrooms and the students who inhabit them. On the proposed block for cuts are school nurses, janitors, librarians, asst. principals, all sporting programs, students services such as counseling, transportation and classroom size. The district has posted a web survey that I have provided a link to in the upper right hand corner of the page. I would encourage every family member to take the quick survey, but to spend a greater deal of time letting the district know that cuts that affect student instruction and general well-being are UNACCEPTABLE. Just for starters, when these cuts take effect, we will lose the student to teacher ratio that we currently enjoy. Kindergarten to third grade will now have upwards of 30 students per classroom, while upper grades will have the potential for 35 students per classroom. Our school will lose all health / nursing support. Our school will close its library, as contracts preclude parents, teachers or volunteers from staffing a library. Janitors will be cut to half time, making the likelihood for sickness and waste more present on campus. Bus lines will be cut and services will be reduced all around. The district's proposal is a mess. Let them know.
Beside the survey, I would encourage you to contact our superintendent, Dorma Baker (our old principal) or Kim Turley, the Board member that represents our North Zone schools. Feel free to contact state representatives or local media. We will not be able to stop these cuts unless we speak out as a united front, both loudly and often. Do not rest and think that this shall pass. It will effect us all, and negatively at that. The kids are easy to cut from, simply because they do not have the voices that we do as adults. Use those voices soon.
The kids are responsible for the following tonight:
-math 75
-reading log (due tomorrow)
-reading practice book page 260
Respectfully, Mr. Bryant
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