Now that the kids have been in school for a few weeks, I’ve heard reports on the news and from our members about the huge impact budget cuts have had on school systems across the United States.
Just a couple weeks ago, Care.com was featured in a Wall Street Journal article about cuts to after-school programs. We’ve seen a big jump in families looking for afternoon child care this year because many school districts have shrunk their after-school programs, changed admission policies, or shut down organized after-school options entirely. Parents are left instead to find their own after-school sitters or other alternatives.
There are other areas feeling the burden of the recession's budget cutbacks and shortfalls. Local government grants help fund the pre-K child care centers that many families rely on. But as the funding has dried up, these centers have had to reject applicants, lay off staff, or close their doors.
In many school systems, music, arts, and sports programs have been drastically slashed or cut out of the curriculum entirely. Teachers have been laid off and the ones that remain have more students in their classrooms than ever. Some teachers even have to pay for school supplies that their district can’t afford.
Even the big yellow school buses haven’t escaped the recession! The New York Times recently talked about cities getting rid of their bus systems because they can’t afford paying for drivers and maintenance.
Have budget cuts to local school systems impacted your family? Tell us how the cutbacks have affected your life and what you’re doing to replace the programs you’ve relied on in the past!
Like many families, we send our daughter to a private school. Unfortunately, our tax dollars cannot be applied to her tuition. The public school systems are overfunded. They should reign in costs like all private businesses in these tough times rather than eliminating vital services like busing.
Posted by: Amy | September 22, 2009 at 09:52 AM
We simply gave up on government run education systems. Not that we hate the government, we are ACTIVE DUTY ARMY! We simply said that we could do better. We have a family of 5 on an E5 salary (very little $$). I don't work, instead, I cook all meals at home except on Thursday before church-this is our kids meal night and on Sunday after church, we go out with friends.
I homeschool my oldest and when we get to the middle/ high school age then we will use the Abeka video program. I taught preschool/elementary and found that the school systems (even private schools) are full of "busy" work and are not healthy for children who need to move these are kinesthic learners. Many children are diagnosed as ADD/ADHD because they just won't sit still. Therefore, they get put on meds they don't need instead they need the ability to learn their way. This also helps our family because we move every 3-4 years.
At the rate we are moving my oldest will be done with high school at age 16. He's a fast learner and continues to move fast.
It is possible to live on one salary, teach my kids at home, and give them a better chance at life. He was reading at age 3. The myth of "solicationization" (before arguing read up on it at pro-homeschooling sites) is just that a myth. We have homeschool groups, more time for sports and extracurricular activities!
To me, why should the public school dicate what my kids learn and how they should learn? I should mention that I have a "moving" child...he can't stop moving so this is better suited for him!
Posted by: Bridgette | September 22, 2009 at 10:08 AM
My youngest and last child was supposed to start preschool this year. We had bought everything for her, and boy was she ready. Unfortunately, I go to the school on Open House to meet the teacher, only to be told that the funding has been potentially cut and this district is being proactive. Which means they laid off all preschool teachers, and there will not be a preschool unless the state (we live in MI) funds early childhood education again. It is so sad to know that she will not be able to go as we do not qualify for Head Start, yet can not afford to pay tuition to a private preschool. Well, she is home one more year, but I can not help to think about what this will mean next year when she has to be regimented to a full day of kindergarten without any type of preperation before hand.
Posted by: Donna | September 22, 2009 at 10:09 AM
Tell the greedy teachers and their unions to GIVE up 8% pay increases and full benefits! That's a start to the solution. They are clearly NOT in the profession for the kids' sake.
I have NO SYMPATHY here.
Posted by: Barbara Marrone | September 22, 2009 at 10:14 AM
In the past year, the Hilliard Ohio School District has experienced some very damaging and wide ranging cuts. Although our school district has received the highest rating in the state of Ohio, funding issues have forced indiscriminate cuts across the board. Teachers and aides in all areas including our special needs programs and arts programs have suffered lay offs and cuts. Our bus routes have been consolidated forcing children to walk further from their homes to be transported to school. Our levies are becoming more difficult to pass and the community is demanding more accountability from our Board members. I myself am running for school board to try to protect our special needs programs and keep our quality schools sustainable by tightening budgets and eliminating waste. If something is not done soon, we was a community will lose confidence in our school board and refuse to raise our property taxes by opposing needed levies.
Posted by: Don Roberts | September 22, 2009 at 10:17 AM
This is my childs first year in Kindergarden and my first experience with the school system and unfortunately, I see exactly what is happening during this economy and how it is hurting the children and the parents, teachers, etc. I could NOT believe how many kids where in my childs class. 29! for one teacher is totally crazy!!!!!!!! I know the parents were given a whole list of stuff to bring on the first day, stuff the school would normally provide but can not. I know the teacher is using her own money to buy supplies and she has asked for parents to help her out because she is so overloaded. I feel for her. After school programs???? There are none! Yes I had to find my own care for my child till i get off work. It's so sad. It's hard and it effects my child's thinking and behavior. The overload is VERY overwhelming to me and my child. Who can acturally concentrate or learn anything with so many kids in one classroom? Perhaps home schooling might be an option.....that is if I did not have a day job or the fact that I am a single parent.
Posted by: Laura | September 22, 2009 at 10:36 AM
I have interviewed over 20 people who are demanding money money money and are not that impressive as child care providers. Its really sad, everyone is hurting from the hard times, but we are not getting any where by demanding $15 per hour for child care. A reasonable amount is between $8 and $10 per hour and even that comes out to be $150 a week for the parents who need a part time sitter. 15 hours a week for $150 is a lot! I dont know that its worth going back to work for part time...?
Just a though. who else is in the same boat
"It really takes a village to raise a child"
Posted by: Naomi | September 22, 2009 at 10:40 AM
Budget cuts in our school district have definitely had an impact. The biggest problem is that the school buses have been cut, leaving lots of kids with no way to get home if their house is too far from the school to walk and their parents can't pick them up. We live over a mile from the school, which is a long way for the kids to walk with the heavy backpacks and musical instruments they have to carry. Luckily, through Care.com we found a great after school nanny/tutor who picks them up from school, helps with homework and takes them to after school sports. The kids really like her, and I don't have to worry about my kids wandering the streets alone or being in the house by themselves in the afternoons.
Posted by: Claire | September 22, 2009 at 10:47 AM
My daughter was too start preschool on the 2nd through pre-k counts. Well it is know September 22 and she is still at home. I have since had to pay for childcare on the days I work & postpone my going back to school. She was sooo excited to go and everyday we have to tell her..maybe tommorow. I am dissapointed that grown men and women cannot agree on a budget, I know this has affected soo many other people as well. Maybe we should cut thier pay until they man up and do their job????
Posted by: Sarah Russo | September 22, 2009 at 10:49 AM
I had my daughter in private school last yr but this year I have gone to homeschooling due to the high cost of private school. They raised the monthly tuition by $50.00 a month and added a registration fee of $50.00 per semester when it was $35.00 for all yr last yr. My second daughter starts kinder next yr and I am going to see how this yr goes and probably try homeschool again next yr.
Posted by: Wydalis Elliott | September 22, 2009 at 10:52 AM
As a HS student myself, it's been an incredible loss to us. Our teacher was more of a father in many regards, and losing him has been disinheartening. Those of us who are continuing to pursue (music) in college are losing the most valuable window of opportunity we have this year.
We're having a rally to save the arts at Desert Breeze Park tonight (Tuesday) at around 5PM to hopefully have our voices heard and make our point known. The arts are what keep us IN school. Losing these programs would be losing students themselves.
Posted by: Jacqueline Matuszak | September 22, 2009 at 11:01 AM
I have a special needs child, he has a learning disablity with a severe speech delay. It seems that every time there is a budget cut special needs really feels the impact. We lost one of are LD teachers this year we had 2, went down to 1 which means class size is larger. My son was receiving speech 4 times a week, now he is only getting it once a week. They only have a speech therapist part time at are school. Were is lottery money going to cause I don't see where we are seeing anything from it.
Posted by: Rhoda Wilson | September 22, 2009 at 12:06 PM
Sheila,
Schools have been cutting back for at least the last 3 years in our schools. It seems they get it rid of more & more each year. I'm not sure what is left to take away. I think it is terrible and the kids are the ones who have to suffer. I am hoping that things will eventually come back but I won't hold my breath.
Posted by: Amy | September 22, 2009 at 01:30 PM
Well as you all know the school supply lists get longer every year ad as a parent I send what they need ans then some. Well this year my 8 year old daughter has an after school teacher and also not completely credited yet (still in school)to teach filling in as a teacher till the school can hire a third grade teacher. They had more 3rd graders than expected. Bare in mind they just laid off a few teachers from last year, Well here we are still waiting for a teacher. They say their waiting for the school board to find a teacher with the most senority before they can hire a 3rd grade teacher. ???? There are hundreds of teachers that are uneployed right now how hard can it be ???!!!! Every week it's a different excuse. Do you have any suggestions?
Posted by: Mercy Zimmermann | September 22, 2009 at 06:50 PM
Dear Sheila & Other Families,
Fortunatly Our family has not been affected By the budget cuts. How ever for the family's that have been affected I believe the parents should most diffentely take as much action neccesary for their voice to be heard. It is just obsurd that all of the money in our country that is being spent for raises for people that don't need a raise and different spending sprees that our economy has our children's eduacation should be the #1 focus.
Posted by: Joedi | September 23, 2009 at 07:04 PM