you never really understand till it hits home

**Dancing Lotus** · 02-20-2009, 03:10 PM

Before I was broke I never understood "cheap" people. I didn't understand the choices they would make. But as they say," until you walk a mile in somebodies shoes".

Now to my point. Just last night I was ranting to my Dh about the budget cuts for next school year. There was a woman on the news whining about not cutting the JV sports because of how important they are. Of course I had my opinion and went on and on about people not understanding what it means to make a sacrifice.
Well guess what? It came back to slap me in the face today.
While picking up my dd from school I was handed a letter from the PTA to go to a town meeting. They have our school on the list to be closed next year. What??!?! OMG, I am so outraged. Our school is the number one school in the area. I send my child there by choice. If they close it she will have to go to the very school that I do NOT want her to go to. Her current school is an A+ school and she is doing so much better here then the one I had her in last year. If they close it she will have to be bused to the worst school in the county. It's just awful.

They want to cut hers because it cost more to operate. They can't close the other one because her school is too small to handle all the new students.
See every time I open my mouth and think I have an opinion I find that I know nothing about what I am saying.

**perSue** · 02-20-2009, 03:26 PM

wow i'm really sorry to hear this.
i've heard the same kinda thing going on in my area...
no more bus'ing for kids, programs cut, teachers losing jobs, even one school will be closing - but it's not the greatest school, so not too many seem upset by it...

but this is upsetting. especially since it's such a good school your kids are enrolled in. i hope there's something that can be done.
good luck w/the meeting - let us know how it comes out.

we're keeping our fingers crossed for ya.

**nancycg56** · 02-20-2009, 03:38 PM

I'm sorry to hear that

**Lady_V** · 02-20-2009, 04:03 PM

Ann -- sorry to hear about the school.

The school DD would have to go to here is a working condemened school... the building has failed inspections, but they don't have an alternate location for them yet, I won't even start to tell you how disappointed I am with the education level there.

We chose private schooling, and I understand that is not an option for everyone. If it was not available to us, you bet your last penny I would be homeschooling.

Go to the meetings, find out what is happening. Talk to other parents who would be affected. You never know, maybe you all can form a homeschooling group. I vote you the arts teacher!!!

**Debbie-cat** · 02-20-2009, 04:11 PM

So sorry to hear about that! It is horrible that they keep closing the 'good' schools. More students in a school all cramped = disaster and lower learning. Go to the meetings and see if there is anything that can be done. I wish you luck!

**rainbowgc** · 02-20-2009, 04:17 PM

Why when states have problems they have to cut schools, police, fire, etc instead of do nothing agencies is beyond me.

**MoonMommy** · 02-20-2009, 04:30 PM

Last year, we had a vote go up for a new project for our district. We are a "city" of about 15,000 people. For that number of people, we have 4 elementary schools. Well, part of the project would have closed one of the schools, the oldest that needed the most work. Well, the project got voted down. If it would have passed, all the other schools would have gotten MUCH needed improvements. Now, that school isn't the best or worst in the district, just the oldest. The state would have paid for something like 95% of the project. It got voted down because there was a huge organized movement from the school that they would have closed. All the parents there voted down the capital project. Parents from the other schools either didn't vote, or didn't vote for the project.

I was a bit bothered by it because I don't think our "city" needs to have 4 elementary schools. In fact, if there was money for it, I would love for them to consolidate them all to one centrally located school.

I guess my point is, that if you really don't want the school to close, go to the meetings and either make your voice heard, or do what you can to support the continued running of your school.

**ncarr** · 02-20-2009, 05:12 PM

i'm really sorry. by any chance are you in pinellas county? I teach in a private school, but have heard a lot about the planned closings in pinellas and it is really unfortunate.

**Dancing Lotus** · 02-20-2009, 06:05 PM

Oh believe me I intend to be a squeaky wheel! I'm formulating my battle plan for the meeting on Monday.

ncarr - I am in Brevard county

**tbs727** · 02-20-2009, 06:26 PM

Oh my gosh, Ann. I'm so sorry. I hope things work out.

**LuvMyHubby** · 02-20-2009, 06:45 PM

I hope everything works out for you and also the other families that will be negatively impacted by the closing of a good school.

**Laura2** · 02-21-2009, 12:20 AM

I'm sorry you are going through this. Do you know why your daughter's school was chosen to be closed and not the other?

**Thevail** · 02-21-2009, 02:20 AM

I'm sorry to hear that, a lot of states are making a lot of painful cuts..
rainbowgc
What do nothing agency were you thinking of?

**LynnLC** · 02-21-2009, 10:31 AM

Originally Posted by rainbowgc

Why when states have problems they have to cut schools, police, fire, etc instead of do nothing agencies is beyond me.

I agree Rainbow. Cut the things that are vital??? Unreal.

**mombottoo** · 02-21-2009, 10:41 AM

Sorry to hear your dd's school is getting the ax. Since you appear to school of choice your dd is there another school within reasonable distance that you could opt to put her in?

I know it's hard when cuts are made, but when states don't have the funds schools get less money. That being said, I know your governor is very excited about the funds FL will receive from the stimulus plan...maybe some of that money will trickle into your school district...