Prognosis Negative
Whenever a situation seems really bad, this movie title from an episode of “Seinfeld” always comes to mind. Unfortunately, I received news this week that leads me to believe that the prognosis for my career is very negative, indeed. I don't know if any of you have heard about the budget crisis in California, but it's affecting public schools in a big way. The budget cuts that just went through dropped our state to 46th in the nation for funding per student. If the proposed additional cuts go through (which looks quite likely given California's current economic woes), we'll drop to 50th in the nation. That's right. Our state, which is something like the 6th largest economy in the world, will rank 50th in the country for per-student funding. I think the problem is that all the people with money in this state send their kids to private school. They think that cuts to public schools don't affect them. However, what is being created is a greater class divide, where the "haves" get the good educations, and the "have-nots" get the shaft.
Can you tell I'm a little disgusted by this whole situation? Here are some highlights we received this week from the list of proposed cuts:
Needless to say, the future for public education in California looks pretty bleak. This concerns me on so many levels, first of all because I may not have a job after March of this year. My bigger concern though is for my kids and my students. I don’t like the idea of them receiving their education in a public school system that is not funded or valued. It seems that it is more important for our governor to avoid raising taxes than it is to ensure a good education to ALL children in our state, not just the ones whose families can afford private school.
It’s a disturbing situation all around, and I’m scrambling right now to find a Plan B and a Plan C. Hopefully it won’t be long before the pendulum swings the other way and education once again becomes more of a priority for our lawmakers.
Can you tell I'm a little disgusted by this whole situation? Here are some highlights we received this week from the list of proposed cuts:
- Laying off temporary teachers, maybe as early as mid-year (that means me. In our district all teachers are "temporary" until they've worked full-time for 2 years. At that point, they become "probationary.")
- Getting rid of class-size reduction in K-3rd grade and 9th grade. This means the classes would all be 30 kids to 1 teacher, unlike the current 20-1.
- Eliminating kindergarten altogether. Kindergarten is not mandatory, so the state could save some money by cutting it from the public school system and making it something parents have to pay for privately.
- Loss of librarians, music, drama, art, and technology classes. Also on the chopping block are school counselors and nurses (although we currently only have our nurse for an hour or two a week, so this may not make much of a difference).
- Cutting all athletic programs and electives in high school. This has already happened in a San Jose school district, where all high school athletic programs were cut this week. I feel bad for all those kids who may have received college scholarships based upon athletic ability.
- A 4-8% salary decrease for all district employees.
- Loss of prep classes. This means that teachers would lose their preparation time during the day, and that the kids would lose their P.E., Science Lab, and Computer classes.
Needless to say, the future for public education in California looks pretty bleak. This concerns me on so many levels, first of all because I may not have a job after March of this year. My bigger concern though is for my kids and my students. I don’t like the idea of them receiving their education in a public school system that is not funded or valued. It seems that it is more important for our governor to avoid raising taxes than it is to ensure a good education to ALL children in our state, not just the ones whose families can afford private school.
It’s a disturbing situation all around, and I’m scrambling right now to find a Plan B and a Plan C. Hopefully it won’t be long before the pendulum swings the other way and education once again becomes more of a priority for our lawmakers.
It's very sad the low value this state (and some others) put on education. Obesity is one of the biggest health issues for kids in America - good, let's cut out sports programs. Many kids need help and incentive to deal with family issues and to work towards going to college - good, let's get rid of counselors.
While thinking of new plans for your future, it can be scary. But it can also be very freeing and exciting. You have many talents - you'll come out on top.
Sorry to hear about your job situation. Like Sandi said, you have some great talents and skills. If you do end up getting laid off, you'll find something quickly.
"it is more important for our governor to avoid raising taxes than it is to ensure a good education to ALL children"
That right there is why I was so annoyed with people who were afraid of taxes being raised in the last election. It's all but necessary to raise taxes right now. Obviously, adjusting government spending would be advisable, too.
In any case, I'm sorry to hear of this happening in CA. It's sad.
Jenni, that sounds very bleak indeed. Not just for your job, but for the kids too!
how do you get away with just a part time nurse? isnt that against the law. it will only take one incident to change that. sorry things arent going your way. you can always privately tutor or sub. or move out here. lol
This low priority on education always makes my blood boil. How short-sighted is it to divert funding to temporary fixes in other areas, while creating a generation of un-enriched, under-educated, under-motivated people to take over these responsibilities? Or to become the "problem" that the privately educated folks will need to "fix"?? Uggggh...
Sorry to hear about your job uncertainty, too - that's gotta be nerve-wracking. But I totally agree with everyone who's pretty darned sure you're gonna do fine, whatever happens. (It seems like you already keep your eyes and mind open, and just think transferable skills!)
Wow - I had no idea the situation was so bleak! Those proposed cuts are horrible. We've tried so hard nationally to spread headstart programs - and now people are seriously talking about eliminating kindergarten?! I can hardly imagine what schools will look like after this. I am also so sorry to hear that your job is in jeopardy. The last thing any of our kids need is to have fewer outstanding teachers!
You know I'm there rooting for ya! I wish I could give you some happy thoughts, but know what's going on as well and feel just as pissed! I'll see you soon!
It truly infruriates me the low priority important areas like education and healthcare get. I guess as long as the "haves" are in good shape, not much else matters?
There has to be plenty other non necessary programs or budgets in the state that can be cut to increase funding for the schools?
So sorry you are going through this! I do hope your job survives and the politicians figure out how to do this right!
Maybe if your state cared more about education than paying for sex-change operations for employees, you would stand a chance. And let's not forget.. a huge portion of the Calif. budget is dedicated solely to covering the tab for people who are in your state illegally. Democratic adherence to the dictates of political correctness prevents any meaningful attention to this problem.
California pays for sex-change operations? Never heard that before. Even if this is so, I seriously doubt that the number of government employees seeing state-funded sex-change operations is significant enough to cut the education budget by hundreds of millions of dollars. I think that the resistance to tax increases, and Prop 13 in particular, are much more likely culprits.
You did help me make up my mind about one thing though, Anonymous. I'm going to block anonymous comments from my blog. If people have something they want to say, they can darn well attach their name to their words! Maybe that will encourage them to think twice before spewing ignorance and hate.
It's absolutely ABSURD!
We have openings in grades 1 and 5 next year...and could probably use an esl teacher....
Act now!
And THEN we'll fix California.