I mowed my yard yesterday morning. As I came around the front of the house and into the side yard I saw my oldest daughter, Meghan, standing at the fence in the back yard just watching me mow away. On occasion she would stick her tongue out at me or wave; it’s moments like this, as silly as they may seem, that I think I will cherish together. Meghan and I have that silly relationship and I absolutely love it. In fact, I seem to have that relationship with my youngest daughter, my nieces, and my nephew. It’s who I am and very little is likely to change it. A child’s happiness is endless and the brightness it can bring to your day is irreplaceable.
With all of that said … our schools are in trouble.
Yesterday more than two million dollars in cuts were approved by the Board of Education including the elimination of Student Support Coordinators at the elementary schools.
I personally know of many students at that age who have greatly benefited from the presence of these professionals and their absence will certainly be noticed at the elementary level will certainly be noticed. I am ashamed that I was unable to attend the meeting last night, however, I doubt my words would have made any difference in the eventual decision.
I hope that everyone associated with the schools will continue to find ways to save funds without damaging the level of education our children receive. We must find ways to maintain adequate class sizes, keep as many teachers in the classrooms as possible, and keep our buildings open. That may mean some very difficult decisions have to be made, as we’ve seen in many other industries and public sectors, but with difficult times come difficult decisions.
I encourage everyone to continue voicing your opinions to the Board of Education and the administration in order to achieve the best solutions for our children, our schools, and our community.
Well Keith, I twice wanted to call you today, as I was not happy about what happened last night at the meeting, yeah schools are in serious trouble, and nothing was cut from the buses end of it. So the buses are more important than music or band for the 5th graders? more important that the teacher that we might need? Those buses should have been cut for the Junior and Senior High except for Title I students. I heard of the mention that a few BUS aides have been eliminated, well that is way smart as they are on the Title I buses for a reason! To prevent distraction from the driver, and to help those board that need additional help. So with no aide on a Title I bus that means the driver is going to have to deal with it ALL!
I am ashamed cause I once went to Bedford and I enjoyed all the things about it, and now it has become worst than whitmer! ACK!!
Once again, the pay to pay sports fees at the high school are going to be raised. When I was a freshman it was $125 to play one sport. Now for the 2009-2010 school year, the cost has gone up to $145. It’s getting ridiculous because players still have to pay for uniforms and other costs involved. I’m on the golf team and we don’t even get transportation to our matches, so the coaches and parents have to provide that themselves. The school system shouldn’t be raising costs like these; they should be looking elsewhere to cut. Things like these should not be affecting the students, but they are.
Tegan,
I hate to disagree with you but I do. The point of the school system is to educate the children. While I do agree that extracurricular activities are vital to a strong school system these activities, in my opinion, are not the most vital to the success of the schools.
The current emphasis right now should be focused on determining the means to achieve and maintain the most funding for educational purposes. I know that this places an undue burden on families and students who participate in sports, however, that is the way I feel the cookie should crumble in times of financial constraint. I know it’s difficult and I even know that maybe it’s not fair but my guess is that the education you receive is going to take you further in life than how well you hit the ball down the fairway.
I know that sports and things should not be the focus to a school system, but there are other places that could be cut. I believe our school system should look into extending the length of the school day to save money. This would only cut costs like utilities and things like that and would also shorten the total school year. Options like these would let the school save money without cutting teachers, jobs, etc.