Times are tough economically. We all agree.
Schools play an important role in economic recovery. We all agree.
So, how is it that schools, have had to take more than their fair share of cuts in state funding? How can we move forward, when much of the past three years have been spent dismantling much of what was designed to help our students achieve at increasing higher rates?
Many of the cuts in state support to schools have been temporarily filled with federal support funds known as Stimulus Funds, Stabilization Funds and Ed Jobs Funds. All have provided protection against mass lay-offs of teachers, administrators and support staff.
This year, we hope and pray (legal prayers only) that our Governor and General Assembly will make it a priority to guard the public education budget and even restore many of the previously eliminated forms of support.
All districts have been affected in much the same way. Each has managed to save what it can by drawing from reserve funds: Reserves that might be used to pay for major emergency expenses. Reserves that might be used to reduce the impact or even the need for local referendum and tax increase. Reserves that might be used to support a new, experimental initiative. We are spending some of our savings to reduce major impact on classrooms.
The following specialized programs have been wiped out of the state budget. The dollar amount represents the dollars no longer available annually for spending on the students of Lake Forest.
Reading and Math Specialists $289,837
Limited English Proficiency Grant $26,665
Technology Block Grant $45,425
School Climate $160,000
Tax Relief Allocation $412,230
Academic Excellence Grant $106,995
Extra Time Programs $312,703
Teacher Tuition Reimbursement $33,890
Teacher Cadre & Mentoring $19,600
Other parts of the state support formula have been significantly reduced.
Delaware public schools rely on significant support from the state. That is why in 2009-2010 state support for public schools represented 33.33 percent of the state budget. But this year, state spending for public schools represents just 31.63%.
Lake Forest students now get $400 less per pupil in annual state support than they did in 2008.
We hope that will be restored.
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4 comments:
There is a problem at the high school with library access, but I have an answer. The librarian is out of the library during lunch. I need her to help with work on the computer during lunch, but she is in a class. The other librarian can’t do it. She is not there after school, but she said she could stay and help. I’m not the only one. Other kids need more access to the library.
Mr. Filicicchia advises me that they are working to establish a more efficient schedule for access to the library, including some after school hours. Hopefully they will announce some solutions soon. Thanks for pointing out your needs.
I think Mrs. Farley should be in the library during lunch so that she can help the students.
I wanted to express my opinion during National Library Week but I forgot. I think the district has 2 wonderful librarians, mrs. Adams at Chipman and Mrs. Farley at the high school. Mrs. Adams tries to encourage our young students to read by spending time with them and helping them find a book that interests them. And mrs. Farley is amazing. She is a computer wiz, specially for someone her age. She also helps the students with all their subjects, from math to ag to health, not only Eng. I don't think it is a good idea to take her out of the library when she is willing and able to help our children. i also don't think it is a good policy to leave the library unsupervised while she is teaching the english class.
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