Why Teachers MUST Vote!! Enough is Enough!
Apr 18th, 2010 by Cathy Jo Nelson
Reading up on SC School woes–some articles I read over the weekend, with one jarring quote pulled from each:
School funding cuts are bleeding away S.C.’s future
BY RON BRINSON
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Every dollar cut by the state must be supplanted at the local district level or something has to give, another trick bag for school districts. Four years ago, school taxes were largely related to real property assessments. That system was essentially replaced with a sales tax share in a property tax reform package. In retrospect, the public policy rationality of that move seems suspect. It was certainly ill-timed, becoming fully effective just in time for the great recession to suck the life out of sales tax production.
S.C. is failing students
Independent Mail
Posted April 18, 2010 at midnight
And therein lies one of the most serious problems in public education in South Carolina: Lawmakers seemingly more concerned about their own futures in office than the future of our state’s children. That’s why they passed Act 388 in the first place, to appease tax foes, and it’s why we suspect that just a few weeks ago the Senate Finance Committee voted to kill a provision that would have let a state tax commission revisit Act 388.
Paul Krohne: Enough is enough when it comes to cutting education funding
By Paul Krohne
April 17, 2010
Under the proposed budget, districts will operate with the same state funding the General Assembly provided when gas cost $1 a gallon and groceries half as much as they cost today (even without the removal of sales taxes on groceries), with few local revenue options to fill the gap. Teacher salaries will be supported at 1995 levels, when average pay was $30,279 compared with $47,421 this year, and not to mention the ever increasing cost of employee health and other insurance benefits.
Um, yeah, we in SC have big problems too regarding our education system, and for those who educate for a living, our own livelihoods are at risk. Reading about impending cuts–we’ve already suffered cuts to the bone, and now I’m reading the next cuts are to the marrow–I fear for my job.
Take some times to read the above articles. Are you a registered voter? Let’s educate ourselves about the congress we put in office. Our only recourse is to vote in education friendly candidates. We can write letters or emails, rally on the statehouse lawns, and face to face tell those in congress what we need, but let’s face it. They are already in office, and some are only giving us face value and nothing more. Prime example–a friend of mine attended the rally last week sponsored by the SC School Boards Association “Enough is Enough” on the steps of our statehouse. She then went in to observe our Senate in action. Her comments on what she observed just rocked my soul:
We went into the Senate after the rally… Most were either on FB or Google Earth and paying no attention to anything. Never heard so much rhetoric and meaningless talk.
These are the ones who are there to represent us, to look out for consituents’ best interests. How can they do that on Facebook or Google Earth. Sounds like Congress needs a filter much like k12 schools have, and some rules for online activities while in session. Hmph. knowing this makes me worry about the next round of cuts too. Egads.
Picture Attributions: "Enough is Enough." South Carolina School Boards Association. "proptaxprob." Act 388 still cropping up, still causing problems. Wolfe Reports
Cathy,
Thanks for bringing these issues to our attention. I learned so much about what works in terms of advocacy listening to the Spokane Moms at TLA last week.
They feel like you have to find out the interests of your legislators, not en masse, but the concerns of each part of the state, and what their constituents are concerned about, relating to education.
The urban areas may be more concerned about global competitiveness and jobs, and rural areas may have different concerns, for example.
They also felt like the message has to be very focused. You have to know exactly what you are asking for.
They also recommended getting a coalition together, of those who are interested in education in your state. Corporations who have a big presence there are a good place to start, universities, etc.
They had some great suggestions. I think TLA actually sells cds of the sessions, and that’d be a great one to listen to for ideas.
In any case, sounds like your state is in a tough spot.
Hope people wake up soon!