Health & Fitness
Another Proposed School Budget Cut! How Will this Affect You?
Seeing how past budget cuts have affected my children both elementary and middle school makes me think this latest budget cut proposal might not be any better.
Once again we are faced with another Plainfield School District 202 budget cut. Years ago when I heard this it didn't feel like it affected me but, now I realize with children in the school district it does!
WHAT HAS THE BUDGET CUT AFFECTED SO FAR?
We used to have elementary school band for fifth graders. My son took part in it and learned to play the saxophone. It was wonderful and it led him to now take the same instrument in middle school. Now my younger daughter's approaching fifth grade and does not have the same opportunity as he did. I fear she will not be interested in band when she enters into middle school. Budget cuts eliminated this program.
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When my daughter was in first grade, she had difficulty with reading. We did all that we could at home and still found it was a struggle for her. A reading specialist was assigned to her and within a few months we saw a significant difference in her reading ability. The reading specialist’s knowledge was invaluable to my daughter. She is now reading beyond her grade level and enjoys reading as a hobby.
But, sadly, the district has since cut reading specialists in various schools and again this year they will cut two more reading specialists if the proposed budget cut passes. How is this even justified?
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I don’t have all the answers but I do have an idea or two. Take a look at the salaries that are posted for the public to see: http://www.psd202.org/Departments/AP/index.php?p=salary
I think you will understand why I am so puzzled. A few questions come to mind when I look at the salaries paid this past year. Why do we have two assistant principals in the upper grade levels, a dean, plus a principal? This seems excessive, especially in the middle schools.
If we eliminated one assistant principal in each school, put back band in elementary schools, re-hire reading specialists in all areas needed and any other pertinent teacher role, I think there would be a better balance in our children’s education. Just a thought!
Here’s to keeping the budget balanced but also keeping our children’s education balanced as well!
