I came across a website today as I was surfing the internet. It was as follows: www.stopschoollevies.org
Now before I get to my anger regarding those who can’t pay a dime more for their community’s schools, I’ll talk about what I think is probably the most important issue in our country: education.
Education is the foundation for almost any other major issue that this country faces. In the global community, the
In order for our communities and our country to succeed we need our educational system to succeed as well. Hundreds and thousands of teachers and students depend on school levies and millions of communities across this country depend on them as well – not just those working or studying inside those schools but the businesses and homeowners who live near them.
Levies support instruction, smaller class sizes, school transportation, health and safety, and technology for student learning. They also cover the state's shortfall for special education, highly capable learners, English language learners, advanced placement and honors courses, extra-curricular activities such as arts and athletics, and much more.
Sure, voters can choose to kick the can further down the road and just wait until it’s on the next ballot or the next or the next. But some districts just can’t wait for help. Voters need to vote for their communities and their schools – and they need to do it in the next election.
Take for example
This year they are, again, trying to pass what is called the “Earned Income Tax” levy to help the district just have the ability to operate the basic functions necessary to keep it afloat. Those who don’t earn a paycheck won’t pay it, those who are retired won’t pay it, those without a job won’t pay it, farmers won’t pay it, and folks who lose their job don’t have to pay it. Only those living in the district’s area and earning an income have to pay an extra 1% in income taxes. And even if this does pass, there is still a long way to go to bringing back the district.
The point is that this is the situation all across
These are vital to communities all across
So to the folks over at www.stopschoollevies.org: Talk to the kid having trouble making good decisions wanting to play football instead of getting into trouble who depends on his school levy passing. Talk to the teacher wondering if she’s still going to teach next year who depends on her district’s levy passing. Talk to the surrounding businesses that need a community with a strong school district in order for them to thrive. Talk to the millions and millions across this country who are counting on voters to go to the polls and save a system that is in desperate need of repair. Talk to them and see if you’ll have the courage to spew your anti-tax, anti-government rhetoric to their faces.
Because in the long run, the future of
We can’t turn our backs on our schools, because if we turn our backs on our schools, we’re turning our backs on a prosperous future for our communities and our country.
And that’s something that we can’t afford to do.
So,
Sources: http://www.northwest.sparcc.org/community.cfm?subpage=229736
http://www.cleveland.com/opinion/index.ssf/2010/04/the_plain_dealer_endorses_the_3.html
I can't speak about the schools in Northeast Ohio, but I can tell you that I have seen all the new schools here in the Midlands of South Carolina, and these schools are impressive. Sprawling buildings, impressive campuses and the newest of technology inside them and these are just the middle schools. I know because when I vote, I see it. I have no issue with these "palaces". However, I do have an issue with the product they are producing. Our schools here rank almost dead last in the country. Drop out rates are staggering. Sorry, throwing money at it isn't the only answer. I think giving teachers authority and respect in the classroom is a great place to start. Another area to address is a good Christian curriculum. Even I can remember when there was prayer in the school, public school that is. It did a world of good for everyone. This Political correctness is just exhausting.
ReplyDeleteGood luck getting any teachers when you don't pass measures to fund schools. In order to do anything you spoke of - whether I agree with it or not - you're going to need the district to be funded, especially if you want good teachers.
ReplyDeleteThe point is Sean that the money that is currently used for education is not used wisely, that is why teachers aren't being funded as you mentioned. So throwing good money after bad is not the answer. Public officials need to be more cost conscious when funding anything not just education. Families are being taxed to death and cannot sustain any more of it. That is where the focus needs to be not just passing levies.
ReplyDeleteBut you'd agree that levies do need to be passed, correct? I wasn't promoting money being thrown at a problem and nothing else. Obviously more needs to be done. But there does, at the end of the day, need to be a financial foundation for schools to work with or nothing else could follow.
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