- Thread starter
- #101
I replied to a post saying removing religion from schools has lead to school decline. I said that religion and the "under God" is allowed in school. What is not allowed is government sponsored religion in the form of teachers leading classrooms in prayer, religious documents being on display in the schools or the teaching of religion in public schools. It is the parents' job and choice how or what religion children are raised and exposed to; the government has no place in dictating this, through the schools or otherwise. I see kids and teachers at school showing outward signs of their faith everyday: head scarves, crosses, WWJD T-shirts, kippas, Fellowship of Christian Athletes T-shirts, and even saying grace at meals. All of this is allowed.
I'm now longer going to address the issues of ancient texts, as opinion seems to hold greater weight than historical accuracy. There are texts that predate the Bible, both old and new Testaments. The Hebrew religion had contemporary and predating religion, and laws. Biblical and other scholars know this; so I'm done with this aspect of the argument.
About school funding....my district has less than 5% of its budget going to administrative costs. This seems like a fairly low percentage to me. My kid's elementary school has 850 kids, and was built for about 600. It is overcrowded and aging. Services for children on the autism spectrum are grouped, so that perhaps 1 in 4 elementary schools provide services. My school has the structured teach program but no early childhood programs, those are at another school. So far, at this school, we've lost 5 regular teachers, 3 out of 4 crossing guards, one TAG teacher, half a librarian, at least 1/2 an office person, one reading specialist, the lunch room monitor (200 children per lunch period), at least 4 support people and I don't know how many others. The school cleaning schedule will be changed to save money, fees for using the building after hours will rise and other changes will happen. None of these people were extras, none of them were deadwood that needed cutting; all of them performed necessary jobs.
My school is fortunate in one respect, we have huge numbers of parent volunteers. I think that the percentage of families that volunteer is around 75% with about 25% volunteering regularly and excessively. These volunteers will be helping in the library (we already have daily volunteers there), helping in classrooms and probably doing lunch and crossing guard duties. What volunteers cannot do is teach or do administrative work.
In theory, laying off all these people will make the school more efficient and better functioning. It won't!!!! Services for both gifted and struggling students have been cut, safe routes to schools have been sacrificed, the school will be dirtier and noisier without the custodial staff and lunchroom monitors, loosing structured teach staff means that fewer adults will be teaching children that are often difficult and disruptive through no fault of their own, and classrooms will be even more crowded. Fifth grade next year will have 26 kids per teacher, in portable classrooms that are overcrowded with 22.
My job was trivial to me, but vital to the kids who must cross 4 lanes of traffic. I understand that choices must be made, but I'm angry with my state, and limits they put on school funding, and the mandates they place on schools. I'm angry with my governor, who claims that over-inflated school administration is causing the need for layoffs, not state policies on budget and school funding. I'm annoyed with municipalities that give tax breaks for companies that bring in "new jobs", when the projected job creation is less than 100 jobs per year in a 10 year period, with no penalties if the companies don't come through with the jobs. I'm annoyed that much of government funding is tied to unreliable sources: hotel taxes, lottery sales, sales taxes, etc.
I'm now longer going to address the issues of ancient texts, as opinion seems to hold greater weight than historical accuracy. There are texts that predate the Bible, both old and new Testaments. The Hebrew religion had contemporary and predating religion, and laws. Biblical and other scholars know this; so I'm done with this aspect of the argument.
About school funding....my district has less than 5% of its budget going to administrative costs. This seems like a fairly low percentage to me. My kid's elementary school has 850 kids, and was built for about 600. It is overcrowded and aging. Services for children on the autism spectrum are grouped, so that perhaps 1 in 4 elementary schools provide services. My school has the structured teach program but no early childhood programs, those are at another school. So far, at this school, we've lost 5 regular teachers, 3 out of 4 crossing guards, one TAG teacher, half a librarian, at least 1/2 an office person, one reading specialist, the lunch room monitor (200 children per lunch period), at least 4 support people and I don't know how many others. The school cleaning schedule will be changed to save money, fees for using the building after hours will rise and other changes will happen. None of these people were extras, none of them were deadwood that needed cutting; all of them performed necessary jobs.
My school is fortunate in one respect, we have huge numbers of parent volunteers. I think that the percentage of families that volunteer is around 75% with about 25% volunteering regularly and excessively. These volunteers will be helping in the library (we already have daily volunteers there), helping in classrooms and probably doing lunch and crossing guard duties. What volunteers cannot do is teach or do administrative work.
In theory, laying off all these people will make the school more efficient and better functioning. It won't!!!! Services for both gifted and struggling students have been cut, safe routes to schools have been sacrificed, the school will be dirtier and noisier without the custodial staff and lunchroom monitors, loosing structured teach staff means that fewer adults will be teaching children that are often difficult and disruptive through no fault of their own, and classrooms will be even more crowded. Fifth grade next year will have 26 kids per teacher, in portable classrooms that are overcrowded with 22.
My job was trivial to me, but vital to the kids who must cross 4 lanes of traffic. I understand that choices must be made, but I'm angry with my state, and limits they put on school funding, and the mandates they place on schools. I'm angry with my governor, who claims that over-inflated school administration is causing the need for layoffs, not state policies on budget and school funding. I'm annoyed with municipalities that give tax breaks for companies that bring in "new jobs", when the projected job creation is less than 100 jobs per year in a 10 year period, with no penalties if the companies don't come through with the jobs. I'm annoyed that much of government funding is tied to unreliable sources: hotel taxes, lottery sales, sales taxes, etc.
