But here we go again, heading into yet another budget year with school systems on the brink of financial collapse.
They have emptied their savings accounts and even borrowed money to keep their schools open after back-to-back years of proration, and they face a 2010-11 school year that promises more of the same unless something drastic happens.
Think school systems are just crying wolf? Think again. Alabama schools spent $222 million more than they took in to operate in the last fiscal year.
Only 13 out of 132 school systems in the state received more revenue than they spent. Sylacauga was the only system in the coverage area able to do so.
And more than a third of the systems in the state do not have cash on hand to meet expenses for a single month.
They have been hit with budget cuts after hiring, salaries and benefits were already obligated on top of a significant downfall of tax collections that go to support schools.
And now the state school board is asking the Legislature for $3.8 billion for the public school budget, an increase from $3.5 billion in the last fiscal year, to help slow the financial hemorrhaging.
Officials are anticipating a fight in Montgomery, vying for the same dollars two and four-year colleges want, but the need is more than evident.
Increasing class sizes and cutting needed programs are the alternatives Alabama schools can ill afford to choose.
This state must have a more stable source for funding its schools. Property taxes, that don’t fall with an economic downturn, is a good place to start.
Alabama can brag all it wants about having the lowest taxes in the nation, but what that means is a shortchanging of its most precious resource — its children.
When the Legislature convenes in January, put more on the table than a tug-of-war over the same pot of dollars. Take more than a cursory look at the state’s tax system and fix it so schools can open their doors each year without fear of having to close them.
That’s what Alabama’s children are owed. It’s time to pay up.
As for the Teacher's Union, All of my roommates at school are going to be teachers and they tell me that it is technically not required to join the union, but, they have to have liablility insurance in order to teach, and the AEA offers the cheapest. They probably coerce people into joining though by making it hard for non-union members to get jobs, that's how most unions work. And from seeing my mother's experiences in teaching, the AEA does very little for the regular class room teacher, they do a good job of keeping bad teachers in the classroom and they do a lot for the administrators, but they care little about the good teacher or the student.
As for your efforts to get people to stop Reef, Political inactivity isn't just a Sylacauga thing. A lot of people especially here in the south feel that they can't do anything. Then there are a lot of people all over America, Especially my generation, that are extremely apathetic and a lot of the people who are active don't know what they are actually being active for (example: all these people my age that came out and voted for Obama aint gonna be so liberal when they start working for a living). the working people in small town American surely need to get organized and can be organized, they are just slower to become politically active because they have work and family responsibilities, they also have a negative view of protests and marches because usually that's what the ultra-liberals, who can be very obnoxious, usually do. But small town America is getting the short end of the stick when it comes to politics, the current congress and President are always trying to please their big city, big government allies. However, the tea party movement has had some success in getting small town America activated and I expect they will gain more momentum. I have been following the situation while I was at school and I have talked to some of my friends who are home for christmas and their pretty upset about it and they have talked to a lot of other people that are upset about it. I think we can get people to be active on this, we just got to keep the message out there. I would suggest that we get those directions you put up about contacting the EPA and get them published in the paper copy of the daily home and I believe we can reach more people than just putting it up online. If they don't publish it, you could distribute flyers, the majority of the people probably aren't going to follow through, but, we could get a more people to be aware of the subject and get some people active. But, I encourage all of those who have been working to get rid of the stink to keep trucking and don't get frustrated. Trying to get people politically active is sometime feel like herding cats, I know from experience.
Regarding unions, I agree with you; I am not a fan of unions. Unfortunately, unless I am mistaken, teachers are required to be a part of such. Given that, the unions should be taking a stand on behalf of those whose money they are taking. That, also, doesn't seem to be the case.
I think the biggest concern I have, in meeting many people from Sylacauga, is that most of them simply do not care. There are quite a few of us on the forums raising cain but my guess is that the average person 1) has no clue what the problems are, 2) doesn't care and 3) does not feel they could do anything about it if they wanted to!
Of course you're too young to remember the Berkely riots of the 1960's. People took a stand; unfortunately that doesn't happen in small town America.
BG - I went to a very small school and, while I know nothing about football, I do love the spirit shown when everyone gets behind the Alabama team. It's unfortunate that the same energy could not be expended in improving Sylacauga.
Sincerely,
Bosley Alderman
Mr. Barton, I have witnessed what you are talking about. At SHS, French Fries, Pizza, ice cream, and debbie cakes were on the lunch line every day and were relatively cheap. The hot meal line didn't provide much better options and they usually gave you kindergarten portions, so, you had to get something else to go along with it. It would be a lot cheaper and healthier for a parent to pack their child's lunch, but, our society has become so dependent on the government it is sickening.
I can see your point regarding unions but I would also argue that local teacher unions are completely ineffective and serve to do nothing more than drain teachers' pockets of much needed money.
I have lived in states, New Jersey for example, where the unions would simply not put up with the horrific situation in Sylacauga Schools. One thing is old and nasty, another is full of mold; the latter will sicken teachers and children. I believe pictures attesting to the fact that the building is mold filled were posted here some months back.
Given that, in short, I would ask that the unions call for a teacher "sick out" / strike until the problems are addressed. Unfortunately the attitude of "that's just the way it is" seems prevalent in Sylacauga. For example, how many people complained to the EPA regarding REEF after I provided all information last week?
There are a few of us who are very vocal on the forums; we need for the citizens of Sylacauga and other communities to finally say, "enough is enough". They need to hold the mayor, council and school board accountable or run those rascals out of office!
Sincerely,
Bosley Alderman
You're not looking at this logically; there appears to be a method to the madness.
In recent national rankings, Alabama's children have the 7th highest obesity rate of the 50 states.
In similar rankings, our educational system ranks 45th!
Does that seem to say, "The fatter you are, the dumber you are"?
If we want to maintain that distinction, then we need to continue building cafeterias instead of classrooms!
After all, if we do not have dumb, fat people; who is going to take advantage of the new health care reforms?
Sincerely,
Bosley Alderman