Las Vegas School Budget Cuts

If your children are in public school you cannot assume that they are getting the best possible education, just because their school met adequate yearly progress, which does not mean your children are getting the education, they need and deserve. Notice the word, adequate, not outstanding, not stellar, but adequate. I don't know about you but adequate is not good enough for my children. My daughter currently has 31 children in her 4th grade classroom; she is currently getting adequate grades. As a child who gets along well with others, completes her work on time and does not have any outstanding learning disabilities or outstanding exceptionalities, I believe she falls between the cracks of the public school system. With 31 students and extensive budget cuts, how can teachers give each student the individualized attention that they need? We as parents have to take responsibility to take an active part in our children's education if they are not getting what they need in school it is our job to supplement their education. Let's get to the root of the problem in the Clark County School District.

The Clark County School District began this year with $93.7 million less than the original projected figure, which includes a 50% cut in its textbook and instructional hardware budget. This year's budgets cuts added up to a staggering $133 million with an extra $100 million expected to be cut next summer! This may explain large supply list on children brought home this year. Does my child really need two packages of dry erase markers? Or does the school need them? Don't get me wrong, I don't mind donating supplies to the school but don't tell me it's for my child. But the more important questions are how are these budget cuts going to affect our children's education, how will it affect the teachers ability to do their job? How will it affect their morale? Bottom line, if the teachers are unhappy they will not do a good job.

This year at Cimarron High School it was "suggested" to the teachers that they use their $200 gift cards, which are usually allotted for extra necessities, for basic supplies such as copy paper. 50% of their budget was cut this year and enrollment is at an all time high. A Cimarron teacher said, "The classrooms are overcrowded and there are not enough books for our students, I honestly don't know what is going to happen next year" A Clark County School district office employee shared her experience with me. She agrees that the classrooms are overcrowded and the students are not getting the one-on-one attention they need. She feels that parents should provide supplies for their children and fears that schools may have to go back to writing out their problems instead of making copies for worksheets.

I had to explain to my kids why there will be no after school program this year because the school's 21st Century Grant was cancelled along with all grants nationwide for this year. My question is what will be cut next? As an art teacher I am concerned for the future of art and music programs in the Clark County School District and all school districts across the nation for that matter. People often fail to recognize the importance of the arts in education. Due to lack of funding and overcrowding in the public school system many school art programs are not able to help children reach their true potential as artists. Art plays an integral part in a child's development and is often the first thing to go. Hands on art lessons can aid in math skills, hand eye coordination, self-expression and build confidence. The skills learned in art can help a child succeed in all other aspects in life. Studies have shown that cutting art programs actually cost schools more money in the long run. Test scores, morale and attendance go down and there is an increase in vandalism and disruptions. School must add extra disciplinary staff to compensate for problems created when students are not offered a diverse range of experiences. I doubt the Board of Education takes this into account.

We are not the only state affected with major budget cuts. Although there are rising college costs and increasing academic requirements under the No Child Left Behind Act, this year President Bush proposed $56 billon for the Department of Education, $1.5 billion less than the 2007 joint funding resolution pending in Congress. President Bush also eliminated 44 key educational programs, reducing the federal investment in education by over $2.2 billion. By drastically cutting funding for schools in need, the president's budget leaves 3.2 million children behind. The No Child Left Behind Act is failing miserably. The budget allots funding for title 1 grants to schools in high schools but does not allow enough for lower schools. Bush also drastically cut funding for special education grants, providing only 16.5% of the average per-student spending for meeting the excess costs of education for students with disabilities. The total budget for special education is 10.5 billion when $19.2 billion is required to meet the needs of the Individuals with Disabilities Act for the 2008 fiscal year. $100 million, shortening program hours, decreasing classroom instruction, and eliminating transportation services cut the Head Start Budget

President Bush closed 43 crucial educational programs that help disadvantaged children prepare for college and aid schools meet requirements of The No Child Left Behind Act.

Some key program that were terminated:

Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants - (-$771 million) provides an additional source of aid for exceptionally needy students.

Even Start-(-$99 million) provides funding to support family literacy programs to

improve the literacy skills for children and their parents.

Technology State Grants - (-$272 million) provides critical funding for technology-based resources that improve academic achievement in our schools.

Tech Prep Education State Grants - (-$105 million) are designed to enhance and expand

traditional career technical education by requiring a linkage between secondary and postsecondary programs.

Smaller Learning Communities - (-$94 million) provides resources to reduce school size, especially in high schools.

State Grants for Innovative Programs - (-$99 million) supports education reform efforts and provides an additional source of funding for education improvement.

What does the future hold for our children's education? What is the solution? Some feel that too much money is being spent on administration and too many good teachers are being promoted. I used to think the casinos could provide funding but they are struggling as well. This year MGM Mirage's second quarter profit dropped 69% and net revenue on the strip dropped 2.1%. Now, more than ever families need to make an effort to be involved in their children's education. Communities need to help support the local schools in any way they can. If there is no funding for extracurricular activities, community sponsored programs may be the only answer. I'm open to suggestions.... Something's got to give...