As all the excitement of Back to School starts taking over parents around Long Island I remember reading a Newsday article on July 17th, "LI children age 9 or younger decrease by 10 percent" by Olivia Winslow (Link).
The US Census data shows a 10 percent drop or 40,500 fewer residents 9 and younger on Long Island since the turn of the century. Overall school enrollment has decreased across Long Island since 2005. So, why then are school budgets still escalating?
Maybe the school officials need to take some math classes because it seems so logical, less students mean less resources needed which equals in lower budgets. I know, I can hear some people already saying "won't someone think of the children?" I know it's not politically correct to challenge the school board after all they are only caring for our children and they are our precious future. Hogwash! The school boards are thinking only of their pockets and precious jobs. In my opinion this just a case of spend all your budget so you can ask for more next year. My local school board was so good with their budget that they were able to afford a neat electronic LED message board to announce their school board meetings on. Gee, thinking of the cost to purchase and install the sign, not to mention the monthly electric bill, do you think they could have used that money for something better? Oh, like buying a couple of extra books, hiring another teacher or maybe paying for some extra-curricular activity that they keep telling us is so important?
Speaking of extra-curricular activities, I find it highly offensive that the community should pay for these this. I'm not opposed to school tax entirely. I think that it is each resident's responsibility to help fund education. I just think it should be reasonable, fair and centered around education. That means paying for teachers, books, administration and maintenance of school property. But, when it comes to activities like sports or after school clubs, I draw the line. These activities are selective and the cost of these should be funded by the students who partake in them and their parents. The school can provide the venue and supervision, but should not foot the bill for supplies or anything else. Let them do a bake sale or car wash to raise money.
It also seems like there is a belief that smaller classes mean a better education. Frankly, I think that is just the Teacher's Unions looking to get more teachers hired. I can't say I blame them as teachers are very under appreciated in our society. However, when I was a kid, growing up in the late 60's, 35-40 children in a classroom was the average. I think the increased pressure drove us to work harder for recognition. During my elementary school career was when the change from the old school (1950's) style of strict education was giving way to the newer, softer, new age education. Even at a young age I noticed the difference when my textbooks were changed and found the newer ones fluffier and easier to get through. I think back on that today and wonder of that was better. Would I have developed different in a more competitive environment?
I have to think yes. In Asia class sizes are huge and yet they consistently produce students that beat our students in academics. I have to think that it is the competition that drives them to do better.
In my opinion our current classroom structure and concepts about budgets were created in the 1950's during a time of prosperity and population explosion. We need to rethink our education system and how we fund it. In truth, I stopped voting on my school budget because I believe it is a farce especially in New York State. This became apparent a few years ago when the school budget was voted down, twice and the school board overrode the vote because there was money that needed to be paid. How can they do that? I felt cheated and I still do. There is only one line of candidates to vote for and if anyone tries to challenge that line, they are ostracized by the current school board members. If you vote against the budget, they pull out the kids with puppy dog eyes crying to save their school.
Then if it gets voted down again, New York State grants them a contingency increase. In all fairness, this was the first year in my recollection that the contingency budget was a 0% increase. However, in past years the contingency was 3% or 4% even more. In my opinion, if the budget is voted down, the school budget should be the same as the previous year. Afterall, that was the last approved budget. I mean, imagine walking into your boss's office and asking for a 7% raise. Then you're turned down and you say, "Well since taxes went up and the kids need to pay for tuition, so I'll just take a 4% raise instead, Thanks." Do you think you'd be successful? Of course not! You continue receiving your current salary and have to make do (assuming your boss didn't fire you for acting so crazy).
My main point is that the school budgets need to get back in line with reality. They need to start thinking of the community as a whole not just the children but, the parents as well. Especially during hard times, and declining enrollment. That is the whole point of the free market system. During these times, families are moving to areas with lower costs and lower taxes. As a result, other areas have a declining population and require less services. So, reduce the cost of our schools, lower our school taxes then our community becomes attractive to families again. They move back, they start paying into the system, generating more revenue so that you can regrow the school system again. Only, with a larger population, the additional costs are more easily shared. It seems like basic economics, and I learned that in school with 35 kids in my class.
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