There it is, on live TV, the "Budget Reduction Summary". The superintendent presented his proposed budget to the school community. It is, in one word, ugly!!
There are two rounds of cuts. The first includes a 3% pay cut (6 less days of instruction), and hundreds of job cuts, including teachers, instructional assistants, and secretaries. Programs involving the special education population will become almost nonexistent.
If the necessary revenue does not appear, then the following will also occur: an additional 1% pay cut, more teachers gone, 10 integrators and 8 MCAs (the wonderful people who maintain the hardware and software) gone, electives (such as music, drama, and advance courses) gone, athletics, gone.
Now the school board gets to play hardball with the county board of supervisors. It seems that last year, the school system gave money back to the county; money that was not used. Now they want (need) the money back. Let's see if the supervisors will play fair and return the money to fund the schools.
It appears that the supervisors have a long lasting love affair with builders in this county. A love affair that continues even under these circumstances. It almost seems like Tiger Woods trying to pick up women even after being caught. The county just loves approving subdivision after subdivision, even though the only things they contribute to the county are traffic, overcrowded schools, and maybe a trickle in real estate taxes. I don't see them going after the big business and green energy folks to get what Chesterfield really needs: lots of jobs and lots of tax revenue.
This is the beginning of what will be a long four month period. Lots will happen: jobs lost, salaries cut, programs gone, children deprived. I pray that a miracle will happen, the games will stop, and the education of our kids be put to the top of the priority list. Schools, NOT subdivisions!!
Until next time...pray away!!!
1 comment:
So sorry. Been there, done that, will probably be there again.
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