Our Choice

A couple months ago amidst the economic turmoil there was a proposed stimulus package from President Barak Obama and in this package Education would be receiving a substantial amount of money. Unfortunately when this money is broken down the actual amount that the schools get will have little impact on the current proposed budget cuts.
It should also be noted that this plan has an extension of up to five years. With that said, Mrs. Lauzon mentioned she and the JUSD Board, are preparing their budgets for the economic atmosphere to remain dismal (Mrs. Lauzon), and she states in the Meeting Agenda (p. 5) there will be a “$14.4 billion dollar temporary revenue, $11 billion of borrowing along with several constitutional amendments (aka the stimulus package). The total cuts to education are approximately the same level as originally proposed, but instead of the entire amount coming from the revenue limit funding, it has been split between categorical funding and revenue limit.” (JUSD Board of Education Meeting Agenda) So in essence, the stimulus package will really only ease the minds
The bottom line is that though at first glance the stimulus package may seem like an answer, the reality is that our schools need considerable more support than what they are receiving. This may not come in the form of more money given to them by the Federal Government, but instead I believe we should recycle the resources we already have, and cut wasteful spending.
When education’s financial security is on the cusp of ruin, it would be wise for all states to carefully make sure they are not simply leaping out of the frying pan into the fire. And instead have a clear, thought out plan of execution, in order to insure their institutions do receive the monetary backing, they were promised. So instead of burying our head in the sand hoping the budget crisis will vanish if we pretend it is not there, we need to claim back our children’s futures knowing we are setting a standard of excellence for years to come. The choice is ours.