Edu-speak is nothing if not a chameleon language that takes on definitions that aim to obfuscate rather than clarify.
The argument that this BoE budget should be supported because it is Ms. Baldwin's first makes sense only if we are now throwing Deborah Lowe under the bus after praising her repeatedly. It begs credulity.
The Board of Finance volunteers worked hours to arrive at a financial formula that they believe is fair and equitable.
But I believe we are throwing millions at a school system without solving structural issues.
The bulk of the problems surround the Special Needs community, a current mix of in-house programs, lavish outside contracts, settled lawsuits and exorbitant legal fees under no central authority that I can discern. Why are taxpayers just hearing about this via a doubled increase for 'education'.
I question why our technology is lacking, why we buy student laptops instead of having each child use their own. Why can't students plug in whatever tool they want to use to learn, be it laptop, tablet or phone?
I question why $93k is set aside for text books, not because we need them but because some teachers don't know how to access educational materials via the internet. We plan to pay for these teachers to learn to do that so I also question the $900k set aside for teaching teachers. Shouldn't teachers bear some responsibility here? Are principals doing their jobs? Are we hiring the right teachers?
I am concerned that state shared education funds may be reduced $900k if the legislature has its way.
Despite the many hours put in by the Board of Finance, I question whether the upcoming budget passes muster.
Written by a proponent for strong education.
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