Our kids did not create this budget crisis. Our kids should not have to pay for it.
After Governor Schwarzenegger’s embarrassing announcement to enact a $4.8 billion budget cut to education, the LAUSD will be voting on its new budget on June 10.
It is absolutely appalling to think of the possible consequences our schools will be dealt. Our state already ranks 46th out of 50 in per pupil spending and ranks dead last in providing librarians, counselors, and other support staff in our school.
One of the board’s suggestions is to increase class size. Being a fourth grade teacher, having 34 students in a class is outrageous – we are trying to create thinkers, leaders, and problem solvers. It is difficult to mold these young minds, but potentially adding to our class size will make it virtually impossible to create a successful place for our kids to take risks and explore their interests. Meanwhile, we would be denying them equal access to special needs services, gifted programs, English Language Learners, and intervention programs for struggling students – to name a few.
Another remedy the LAUSD is considering? – Cutting teachers’ salaries and health benefits. This is unacceptable. With the rest of California’s cost of living increases, teachers’ need their salaries and benefits to support these necessities. With rent and gas alone being as high as they are, putting a freeze on opportunities to increase salary is offensive.
A third “remedy†the LAUSD is considering is laying off new, passionate, and motivated teachers in order to allow displaced district staff to take over these teaching positions. Are we trying to win the last place race with our children’s education? There is not one person in our government, in position of power, or on our school board that got where he or she is today without a TEACHER!
S. Ross
Fourth Grade Teacher, LAUSD
