Budget Cuts

I have to admit that since Anna isn't in school yet I haven't completely followed the drama surrounding ISD 279 - Osseo budget crisis. When I saw it on the news this morning I decided to go to the web to find out more. Two school closing, 16 million dollars cut along with 166 full time teachers and all 7th and 8th grade sports, 2 mile walking distances for JR and SR (they even considered it for elementary! Can you imagine Anna walking two miles to school at age 5.5!) Boy, times have changed.

I probably have a scewed idea of what school funding is like. When I was in school I don't remember hearing much about referendums or budget concerns. We also have a nuclear power plant in Monticello which I always heard was a major funder of the City and School District tax budget. What has happened since then?

When the levy questions were on the ballot last fall, I did a little research and felt it was important enough to support the levy questions. I was a little turned off by what I called at the time, "scare tactics" but with family, friends and acquaintances in the education field I was better educated on the issues faced by the school districts. And then last night those "scare tactics" were turned into reality.

What I still don't understand though is how the school district's end up needing to cut 16 million dollars? How did the schools get to that point? Is is a state funding problem? I just found online that 40% of our state budget goes to K-12 education. Is that not enough? That is 13.8 BILLION dollars. Believe me, I understand the importance of education and with Anna quickly approaching school age I want the best for her education. But how much do the schools need and why?

Actually the pie graph that I found on a state website is very eye opening. I am so conflicted on the need to raise taxes (we are one of the highest taxed states!) versus work within the budget and money that we have. So, if we gave more money to schools what would lose out? Transportation, health and human services or an area near and dear to my heart, the Environment and Natural Resources! Aren't all of these areas important?

This blog was a way for me to sort out some of my thoughts on the issue but I think it has left me more confused and conflicted. How do we reconcile what we are doing to our education system and the other needs of the state? What impact will this have on Anna as she prepares to go to school? What opportunities will she lose out on because of this crisis? What responsibility do we as citizens (whether you have kids or not in the school system) have to ensure our children are well educated? One thing I do know is that the rose colored glasses I wear in remembrance of my school days need to go as reality sets in!

Tina