The economy continues to remain in the “poverty” stricken rut which it has been in for the last few years. With the cost of living increasing not only are families clenching to their funds, but now school systems are cutting cost.
Last month the Oregon City School Board voted to close Park Place Elementary school, the oldest elementary school in the area, due to budget cuts and decreased federal funding. The closure will result in students changing schools and staff layoffs.
http://www.nwcn.com/education/stories/NW_042109ORN-school-park-place-closing-LJ.f86212b3.html
The district superintendent, Roger Rada said closing the school “will save the district $600,000 a year” aiding in their increased budget deficit. Three-quarters of the operational budget for Park Place will be salvaged by the staff layoffs alone, Rada added.
Financial concerns extend beyond state boarders as California’s Conejo School Board officials also acknowledge they have approved a $5 million budget cut for the next academic school year, beginning in August.
Approved cuts will eliminate “five full-time management positions, seven full-time classified employees and 26 elementary school teachers,” said Deputy Superintendent Jeffery Baarstad.
http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2009/apr/23/conejo-board-oks-5-million-in-school-cuts/
Universities too are feeling the pressure from the fallen economy. PAC 10 schools are looking to cut programs, cut traveling staff and coaching salaries. UCLA athletic director Dan Guerrero said he knew the pain of the economy was going to imminently effect programs, but that his colleagues did not know “what the actual impacts were going to be on their programs until they started to get into the discussions with their peers.”
“We’ve had cost-cutting efforts the last 10 years,” PAC 10 commissioner Tom Hansen said, “But we’ve never had the challenges.”
http://www.nwcn.com/sports/stories/NW_050609SCB-AP-athletic-departments-JG.2519c56f.html
The media and education boards portray deficits negatively, but seldom offer advice to employees, students and parents on how money can be saved. This bias reporting and lack of information only contributes to the economical crisis. More attention needs to be directed toward improving budgets before they become unmanageable, forcing layoffs and school closures.
Obviously, school boards and superintendents are aware of budget issues, as they are the primary officials informing the public. Moreover, the media leaps to disclose details of educational progress, as education is a priority among many families and individuals. Therefore, the lack of knowledge about the progress and shortcomings in educational funds brings uncertainty to many, as they doubt whether they will have a job or education in the future.
Governmental funds need to be managed better so schools can continue receiving governmental aid. Considering educational employees are oblivious to the repercussions of the current economical status, awareness needs to be raised. I believe if the staff is clueless, then the students and parents are clueless. Therefore, instead of the media continuing to ask questions and report on the financial status, they need to focus on what can be done to improve the current financial situation. Hence, everyone needs to press school officials for action-oriented information because without school systems there is a lack of knowledge, which could be detrimental to our country’s success.
