PA education budgets...

Mick the Mic, my friend and Bund Buddy, is on the local school board, and he is the chairman of the finance committee for the board. He is talking to Liz right now about the latest school board budget that came down from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania... and it is really, really low.

It would seem that Mick is now facing the prospect of massive program cuts, or increasing cost to the students and parents. What is very obvious, though, is that if this is going to be the "future norm" for the districts around here (upwards of $1 million less than previous budgets), is that cost-creating programs like No Child Left Behind will rapidly become a thing of the past here in PA.

For example, if the board decides to return the district to half-day kindergarten classes (its been full day for the last five years), then it is probably unreasonable to expect future 2nd Graders to take the same NCLB-based tests as those that were taking full day classes. If the board decides to offer early retirement to as many as 25 teachers, then almost none of those teachers will be replaced, meaning larger classes and less time per student to ensure NCLB focus on test results.

Knowing the community I live in, I can assure anyone wondering that programs like the music department, football, softball, basketball, robotics, and drama will have real support from the parents and community in general... even if it means NCLB policies are sacrificed or ignored completely. I know one possible plan is to ask parents to contribute a once-a-year fee for students that are in each of these programs, thus offsetting the cost to the district (even though it is the equivalent of another school tax). Programs will probably have to raise more money through magazine/candy/fruit sales... as much as I (as a parent) detest these things.

This is going to be a painful process for the district, I'm sure, but I am also very confident that the majority of parents and taxpayers understand the value these kids are getting at this school. It is a good district, and I really think we can recognize what works and what doesn't... even though some will simply expect others to pay for their kid's particpation.