Bad Economy Leads to Financial Trouble for Schools
In the town I live in the economic downfall has caused businesses, including the lumber mills to shut down, resulting in the loss of hundreds of jobs.
Sadly, our schools are also letting their employees go. There is also talk of reducing the schools hours from five day school weeks to four day school weeks and increasing the hours per day. The lack of funding for our schools has caused some schools to omit various elective classes, such as art programs.
Our district recently had a vote for a levy which would add a tax for home owners. In turn the levy would raise money for the schools to have the extra programs and allow them to keep their five day school week. The levy will tax property owners about 25 cents for every $1,000 dollars of property value, after the home owner's exemption.
These problems with funding are partially caused by loss of students. Every year the amount of attending students drops. Towns people in the area are either moving to where they can find jobs or pulling their students out of public school to home school them. Home school is becoming all the rage, considering the alternative of the dwindling public schools.
As a parent, the choice between home school and public school is a difficult decision. Most parents want their children to have good educations and that requires good schools. In a small town, schools struggle financially already and the problems with the economy are only adding to these struggles.
While I have never considered home school an option before, it is an option now. I want my children to have the best education possible and they are not getting one in the public schools. It seems the financial crisis which the economy has caused is forcing people to home school their children.
Home school seems to me to be a last hope for a good education for my children.
I will vote yes on the levy whether or not my children go to the public schools next year. However, our school is not the only one in a financial bind. Public schools all over the country are having these same issues. Seems to me, there should be more ways that the government can help fund the schools.
More information on the levy and the financial issues can be found at http://www.sd83.k12.id.us/
Published by Jennifer Wright
Jennifer is a freelance writer, being a freelance writer allows her to stay home with her five children. Having been a military wife for ten years she has a special interest in supporting the troops. View profile
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5 Comments
Post a CommentGreat article, Jenn. Education should always be a foremost concern and yet teachers are underpaid and schools underfunded.
In California it's the lottery that raises money for education. Yet, we still have a budget crisis and lack of funds.
When will our Nation's leaders realize that education should be first and foremost their priority. Who will be our Nation's future leaders if our youth are not offered a good education with enrichment programs to insure they are well rounded individuals? Just a thought... I enjoyed your article.
This astounds me... education always seems to have a serious budget problem.
The Levy passed, by the way. It was on June 2nd. So the five day school week will continue
I hadn't heard schools were considering going to 4 days a week. I hope things get better for them.