Slashing

Well, at the language arts committee meeting last night we learned, from our superintendent himself, that our original curriculum proposal budget of $272,834 must be slashed almost in half. We will most likely have $150,000 to work with. Maybe $180,000 if we're fortunate.

So that means that, basically, all of our technology needs are gone. Poof. So much for projectors, student workstations, smart boards, and sound systems. So much for moving into the 21st century.

I'm happy to get new textbooks. But when you read about all of the emphasis placed on technology at the universities and the workforce, and then when you try to devise a plan to incorporate just basic technology into your curriculum, and then when you get it taken away without a moments hesitation, it makes you (well, me anyway) really wonder what in the hell we're even doing here.

The superintendent was quite honest and polite. He said that all of the things we asked for across the district were worthy and great. He said you could bring students before him to justify the technology and services that have helped them in the past and that will help them in the future. But that still doesn't earn the district any more money.

He did suggest getting a group together to write grants, possibly to Bill Gates, for funding. But what sucks about that is why should we have to beg and rely on charity to get basic technology?

Such is the reality of public schools.