In the wake of a crippling economic downturn, schools across the nation are forced to cut back on costs that will affect schools, students, parents and educators alike. School districts both poor and prosperous are facing hardships and struggling to balance finances that were once considered typical budget expenses.
How will schools keep costs under control? The list is long and bears unfortunate sacrifice on behalf of students, parents and teachers. “Children will walk farther to the bus stop, pay more for lunch, study from old textbooks and wear last years clothes” (Dulth News-Tribune). In many states a shortened school week is part of the solution to save money. Nationwide, districts are switching to a four-day week, skipping Monday classes and lengthening the school day for the rest of the week to cut fuel costs.
Hundreds of districts are consolidating bus routes causing children to walk greater distances each day to the bus stop. Some districts have eliminated bus routes altogether forcing parents to drive their children to school every day and spend their own gas money. Furthermore, students will be expected to pay more for lunch each day as the price of food has significantly increased. In a school district in Jacksonville the average price for school lunch will jump from $1.45 to $2.00. Since following federal guidelines for healthy eating is not cheap, this trend of cutting costs will directly reduce the quality of school lunches.
As the need to cut costs grows larger, so does the list of supplies teachers are forced to ask parents to provide. According to the New York State School Board Association, supplies run an average of $100 for high school students and $60 for middle school students. Supplies that the school was once able to provide, such as band-aids, paper towels and hand sanitizer, are now incorporated into the list of items parents are responsible for. Many teachers in New York have had to extend their lists after the City Council cut the Teachers Choice fund, created to reimburse teachers for personal spending on classroom supplies. While most parents recognize the bind that teachers are in and try to provide the supplies that will support the teacher, they also have to make ends meet at home.
But perhaps the most shocking result of the tough economic conditions our country is dealing with that will affect our schools is the growing number of homeless families. Mortgage foreclosures have thrown hundreds of families out of their homes, causing the number of homeless students to triple in some districts. Schools are dealing with an increasing number of needy students and at the same time are tightening their own purse strings.
Where else are schools pinching pennies to meet a tight budget? Unfortunately the answer in many states across the nation is lay-offs. This will affect Long Island and our futures as new and incoming educators. Long Island’s wealthiest schools are not immune to budget cuts. These budget cuts have occurred due to new state aid proposed by Governor David Paterson. In Nassau County, twenty-two of the fifty-six school districts would receive less money this year than last, while twenty-nine of the sixty-five districts in Suffolk County also face cuts. Nassau County’s funding would be cut about $51.9 million on an almost $836 million budget. On Long Island, the cuts would total $139 million.
There is controversy surrounding the cuts because they are not being made evenly throughout the state, or on Long Island. Laura Anglin, budget director, said wealthier school districts would face larger reductions in funding than poorer ones. Poorer school districts are projected to receive only about three percent reductions while richer districts are facing ten percent dips.
In Nassau County, Long Beach was hit the hardest, with its budget cut a total of 7 percent, or $1.36 million while the East Rockaway School District would receive a 36 percent increase in funding, or $1.9 million more than it received last year. The Roosevelt School District will also see a $5.3 million boost in funding despite a budget increase reduction from 15.8 percent to 13 percent. Fifty one schools on Long Island would face cuts in funding if Paterson’s reductions are implemented.
“The cuts that the Governor is proposing could result in loss of education jobs, increased class sizes, lost elective programs, and diminished resources that benefit our local communities, regardless of whether or not the district is considered poor or rich,” said Jeff Rozran of the Long Island Presidents Council. As new teachers this global credit crunch is frightening and we need our state leaders to acknowledge this new reality and give us the proper government to fit the times.
How should we as incoming educators handle these new economic pressures?
How will this economic crisis affect our schools learning environment?
Will there be jobs open in the upcoming fall school year?
Back to School: Shaky Economic Hits Kids
Aug.18, 2008
SIRS Researcher
Hard Times Hitting Students and Schools in Double Blow
New York Times (New York, NY)
Sept.1, 2008
SIRS Researcher
Get Pad and Pen: The Supply List is Long
New York Times (New York)
Aug.30, 2008
SIRS Researcher
http://libn.com/blog/2008/11/12/paterson-pitches-deep-education-cuts/
http://www.fastpitchnetworking.com/pr/pressrelease.cfm?PRID=28888
30 responses so far ↓
alyssa20 // December 4, 2008 at 9:42 pm |
In this downward spiraling economic crisis our economy is facing, it is upsetting that it is hitting schools as well. I know that in the school district I work in, certain teaching jobs and other various jobs throughout the district are being looked at. The school’s budget is decreasing and unfortunately they need to make job cuts. This is saddening as people are losing their jobs and will not be able to provide for their own families. If teachers lose their jobs, this means that classes will increase in size because there will be a smaller amount of teachers. This is just another factor adding in to the already cutting of funding for textbooks and other supplies and programs that used to be readily available in schools. Students’ learning will be extremely affected by this. School is a place where student’s interests should be placed first although with the economy it is not feasible. There should be no price on education however, there is.
alouchart // December 5, 2008 at 4:16 pm |
budget cuts have already affected our school. We have lost a total of $145k this year so far in funding.
Our school doesn’t supply our students with any basic supples. No paper, pencils, pens, erasers, notebooks, folders, crayons, kleenex, ….
but then we just purchsed for the entire 6th through 8th grade the updated edition of the Impact Math text, which is almost identical to the books we had (which we didn’t use). so we replaced about 250 textbooks that we had just purchased 3 years ago and none of use used. That makes sense.
Maybe with the tighter budget, the city and schools will start thinking about their spending habits and make some cutbacks. Maybe they might start installing some energy saving devices, like light switches that automatically turn off. Oh and maybe I might be able to turn down the heat, instead of opening my windows to cool my room in the winter.
There is a lot we can do to trim our budgets, but I do agree that schools should be our first priority.
blogginonem // December 5, 2008 at 8:01 pm |
This is a truly frightening article to read about. I knew that the nation was facing some economic struggles, but to read that it is directly impacting the schools on Long Island is nuts. When it comes down to it, we should ask ourselves as a nation what is more important in this economic crisis: funding for our children’s schooling, or big businesses? Unfortunately, not everyone in high places are as intelligent as they should be. Considering the difficulty of the job, teachers should already be getting more pay and more funding to help create some ease in their workplace, but this is foreshadowing the complete opposite.
brosenfeld // December 5, 2008 at 9:05 pm |
Recently in Newsday there have been articles about consolidation and cutbacks. In the economic standpoint teaching and health care are supposed to be the safeties. Apparently during this recession everything is affected. It is mind-boggling how one can look at education as a business. Education is the means and foundation for children, a necessary part of life and reality. It is necessary for schools and teachers to keep children motivated and interested in school. If we place hardships and burdens on them by changing their bus routes, or programs, or even the location of their school they will be discouraged. The priority is to keep students attending school and bettering their education, not lessening their attendance. It is sad that the world has come to this and we must hope that change will occur soon, if not matters will get worse.
mona50max // December 6, 2008 at 1:49 am |
This article do address great concern, because this economic crisis , does not just affect one area but many.It is dominion affect and it will continue down the line.I feel that many students will be more careful in what career they go into , due to all these cuts.It may make teachers leave the field and think of other field to go too. I think it will affect poor area and the funded will not didvided evenly.This has been going on for year.There always a division between the rich and poor.But I think that all the new ideas, we want to introduce to make the school better, that we may have to go back to the old ways, such as larger classes, shorter school day, to save energy and the type of school lunch that we can afford. Eatting healthy require much more money, to buy the goods.This article does make you unsure what kind of future you will have as teacher and where this career going to lead you. The reason we went to school is so we do not have to struggle but with this economic crisis , it may end up we still may anyway. Our children have to suffer, and the education system can be total affect by all these changes and learning may not be as strong as it once was.
cgoldstein03 // December 6, 2008 at 11:37 pm |
Governor Paterson’s plans have been a huge topic at my house. My sister has been teaching in her school district for 8 years and is afraid of her school budget being cut. I am very afraid because if Paterson’s plan is implemented they may cut Spanish programs all together and I will have spent so much effort and time trying to attain a goal of becoming a Spanish teacher, to no avail.
When I was in school the budget did not pass twice. During these two years there were no buses and we had to pay to join sports teams. It was hard; however our country was not having the financial difficulties that it has today. If buses and sports were cut back then, what will be cut now? An education is so important to have; however if money is being cut that will affect students’ education. How can our society thrive with a decrease in our educational level?
sh829 // December 7, 2008 at 1:17 pm |
It is so sad that to hear that our nations recession is having an impact on our schools. I know that in the school that I work in, most school trips have been taken away from due to the cutback.
Blogginonem made a comment that I must comment on. The comment was, “when it comes down to it, we should ask ourselves as a nation what is more important in this economic crisis: funding for our children’s schooling, or big businesses?” That is so true, if we do not give our students the proper education they need how will they ever learn to change the economy which we destroyed.
jgooden // December 7, 2008 at 11:51 pm |
This is a great topic because I know for myself I did noy think how the economic crisis is affecting our schools. It makes me think if there will be jobs for the Fall 2009 school year for upcoming teachers like myself. The students are also suffering from the schools cutbacks. Soon they will cut some of the extra curricular activities that students participate in.
zera25 // December 8, 2008 at 4:58 pm |
This is a hot topic because we all know the financial crisis. Will school districts face harsh budget cuts in this economic crisis? The answer is abosolutely. In the wake of a crippling economic downturn, schools across the nation are forced to cut back on costs that will affect schools, students, parents and educators alike. School districts both poor and prosperous are facing hardships and struggling to balance finances that were once considered typical budget expenses. It means that students wil pay more money for the tuition, or the meal plan. The parents will dirve the children to the school, because the school want to save the gas oil. I even heard that in our school we must pay more money for the same credits in the next semster. Worst of all, in this situation, many teachers will lose jobs, as students, when we graduate it is difficult for us to look for a good job. Therefore, just as the article said, state leaders to acknowledge this new reality and give us the proper government to fit the times. Also, we must prepare and don’t afraid the challege of this situation
nufan107 // December 9, 2008 at 3:00 pm |
This is a really unfortunate reality. In a tine when the economy is struggling, the worst thing to happen is to expect parents to provide more for the schools. Millions of families are struggling to get by. They should not be expected to drive their children to school, buy band aids and hand sanitizers and other supplies which should be provided, and pay more for lunches for their children. Something has to change. If this continues many children won’t be attending school, and that is what I fear.
shrekgrl27 // December 11, 2008 at 7:47 pm |
Budget cuts should definitely be expected…if they have not yet occurred. Schools have already been forced to reduce spending, cut after-school programs as well as non-conventional classes. Students are already feeling the economic crisis and unfortunately, it is taking away from their education. What we as future teachers should be worried about, if we don’t already have a job, is getting one. You can be sure that most schools will not be hiring unless absolutely necessary because of all the new restraints that will be placed on them.
kdaly01 // December 12, 2008 at 12:15 am |
In this current economic crisis and in a time that is so critical for Americans to become more educated, the one thing that we should not cut down or cutback on is education. Students need a full day and full week of educational studies. I am astounded to find that schools would even think of reducing the school week to 4 days and make the day longer to make up for the hours. This is not the way that schools should be run and I totally disagree with this. To think that they will really save that much money if they eliminate 1 day of school is crazy. The government should know that education should be at the top of the list in regards to vital issues at hand.
As a teacher-to-be, I would rather see the school day longer. I know that sounds crazy, but I feel that students don’t get enough time to even complete their basic academic needs and the rest that follows (arts, sports, extra help, etc). If we don’t push for the school week to remain a full 5 days, we will risk even losing more time with our students at a critical point. We clearly know that when our students return from a weekend, their attention and their memory is not as sharp as it is during the middle of the week and therefore if we cut back on the school week, we will ultimately be creating a three day weekend. I really hope that this issue is resolved for the benefit of the schools and the student’s education.
mmorrissey86 // December 15, 2008 at 4:28 pm |
The economic crisis is only getting worse. I knew that budgets were being cut but after reading this article i was truly stunned. I find it crazy that bus routes are actually being cut altogether. What about parents who leave for work before their children? Are they supposed to go to work late everyday just so they can drive their kids to school?
The article also mentioned that the week day is being cut to four days. I must say i have not heard of this until i read this article. Again, i am amazed. I agree with what was stated ” when students return from the weekend their attention is sharp and by the middle of the week they tend to lose it”. If we go through with four day school weeks i do not think our children will be getting the education they deserve.
aromanoff708 // December 15, 2008 at 6:58 pm |
Your article is very depressing. However, that is not to say that it is unbelievable. My brother is an accountant for the biggest firm in the world(PriceWaterhouse) and he always tells me how people do not realize how bad the economy actually is. It is very sad but he says that it seems like people think that just because they did not lose much money in the stock market that they are not in danger. This is not the case, the economy effects us all and our loved ones indirectly and directly.
vdreye1 // December 16, 2008 at 8:39 pm |
This article was an eye opener. When watching the news and hearing about America’s economic crisis I never thought that it would be bad enough to influence schools.
This really makes a point that everything is dependent on the economy and when that suffers we all do as well as the children.
jennifermassaro // December 17, 2008 at 12:43 am |
As a future educators this is frightening. I understand that we are in a very difficult economic time. The problem is school districts do not evaluate the entire picture. As one person commented earlier new versions of textbooks were bought, when the old versions were never used. This is a waste of money and the amount of money spent could have employed another teacher for the year. Our children need good schools. Overcrowding in the classroom will lead to future problems and students getting lost in the herd. School districts obviously need to make cuts but they need to evaluate closely were these cuts should be made. There is so much wasted money that can be cut that would easily make up for a great deal of the budget. the students and teachers should not suffer. By laying off teachers we are just adding to the economic crises by adding new people to the list of unemployed. Also I think that it is unfair to cut so dramatcally from richer schools and giving more money to other districts. People buy houses in certain areas specifically for the school districts. They also typically pay a higher percentage of taxes to keep their children in good school districts, for politicians to just change the quality of the schools is not right.
pbeone // December 17, 2008 at 5:25 am |
These questions are very interesting but they may be unanswerable. Incoming teachers are faced with challenges of finding jobs, first year teaching and loans. We have to love what we do and do it well so that the learning environment won’t be negatively affected.
ccassese // December 17, 2008 at 4:19 pm |
I just read an article on the job market in Yahoo News stating that education is the way to go as far as finding a job and keeping a job. It said that with many people losing thier jobs, they will take the opportunity to further thier education. Therefore, we need more teachers. Reading that article made me feel better about my decision to become a teacher. The second profession the article mentioned was health care professionals, they are still and will continue to be in high demand.
iaminnewyorkcity // December 17, 2008 at 7:52 pm |
This is really hard to balance the relationship between the recent economic crisis and educational issues. This is due to every school district needs financial support from the government, otherwise, schools will be forced to reduce some curricula, terminate transportation service or pay more for lunch. There is no denying an economic crisis would influence, directly or indirectly, our schools and families. From my point of view, I believe that this current flow of a nationwide economic crisis might be temporary, but educational services are permanent. If we sacrifice students’ rights for education, due to the present economic crisis, I believe that we will pay more social costs to reimburse this mistake in the future. For example, if school districts switch a class from a general five-day week to four-day week; students will have more time to play video game and fail to pass tests. Importantly, students’ educational rights should be priority more than other circumstances.
st85 // December 18, 2008 at 8:57 pm |
This is article is obviously the one that hits closest to home that I have read throughout this whole semester. How did we allow our economy to get this bad where our students and children are now suffering? It is sad to hear that students are losing after school activities, when those may be the only things they have to look foward to after school, if they go home to an empty house. Students need to be stimulated in the classroom, but teachers cannot do that because the school cannot afford to provide the students with the necessary tools. They students are never going to want to learn or be engaged in their learning. The point about cutting out certain bus stops all together is a scary one because of child abductions. What if students are latch-key children and they are walking maybe a mile to their homes, by themselves? Anything could happen. Somehow, teachers, parents and local governments need to find a way to keep money going into the school districts, or we will not be raising productive citizens as they become adults. Another reason is new teachers, with progressive teaching and learning styles, that would really get the students active and engaged in school are not going to be able to get jobs because they are not going to be affordable and the older, tenored teachers will be there no matter what.
bunger02 // December 18, 2008 at 9:09 pm |
As someone who intends to pursue a career in education, this article was scary to read. It is amazing how today’s economy is directly effectving Long Island. I believe as a result of teachers being layed off it can only result in students doing worse in the classroom. With less teachers that means mroe students per class. When there are many students in each classroom they tend to fool around more and do worse because the teacher has less time to focus on each individual child.
Another thing that really disturbed me while reading this article was how schools are going to cut extracurricular activities. As a former high school students, sports and extracurricular activities helped myself, and many others do better in the classroom. Many students focus more on their grades so they can play the particular sports they love. If they fail numerous classrooms theses extracurricular activities are taken away. WIthout these extracurricular activities, I believe many students grades will drop because they will have nothing to work for.
saberstar // December 19, 2008 at 4:25 am |
It is hard as incoming educators to handle these new economic pressures? I cant speak for the rest if the students but being in grad school alone causes me great economic pressure with many sleepless nights kept up by the worrying of whether or not i will be able to pay all my bills but with the economy the way it is, i now have new worries on top of my old ones, including worrying whether or not I be able to get a job after I graduate in order to pay for all these student loans I am incurring. I think that future educators should never have to worry about finding work in a society such as ours because it is now more than ever that students need more well educated teachers to help them. This economic crisis will only negatively affect our schools learning environment. Fewer teachers and supplies equals larger class sizes filled with inadequate materials for learning and with the lunch cuts, well you try excelling at work without eating and see how far you get.
kellywen // December 19, 2008 at 5:57 am |
The economic crisis is the current issue all over the world. Not only in U.S, I read the news from Taiwan that there are more than 400 elementary schools closed this year. It is sad but it is reality. It definitely affect school learning environment. For example, I interviewed a special education teacher who works at Flushing high school. She said that the first impact of economic crisis is the special education. She addressed that school cut down a lot classes like cooking classes and field trips, even cut down the resource room. Students have less options and lack of assistance. Parents are complaining but there is no other way that school can do. Teachers may also have to encounter unemployment or lay-off problem. At this point, we really need a lot of help form government.
brando815 // December 20, 2008 at 7:53 pm |
This is a huge topic that effects a lot of people in the world. I can’t believe that they are cutting back so much in schools. I feel that the schools should be the last place that there is a cutback. What happens when I need to apply for a teaching job? Is there going to be one for me? I hope that this all changes around sooner than later.
jallyn614 // December 21, 2008 at 3:08 pm |
It’s very unfortunate that so many budgets are being cut, and how many people are being affected by it. Where I live, it seems like a huge chunk of the extra curricular programs are being shut down due to lack of funds. I find it very sad because these are the very programs that keep the students in the schools and out of mischief. Instead of being on the street involved in productive activites, the students are able to express themselves and their interests in the various afterschool activities. Unfortunately if there is no money to fund them, then there is no afterschool for these students.
irish44cb // February 2, 2009 at 10:16 pm |
It’s quite a sobering thought to realize the educational environment is not immune to the economic crisis that is gripping the nation and that many schools will suffer as a result. Not having the supplies and resources needed to adequately teach is a problem so many schools face on a daily basis and because of this economic downfall the challenges are only going to become worse. Despite all of the progress that’s been made over the years in teaching techniques and technology, it saddens me to know that much of the “good” can be overshadowed by the simple but vital need for financial support. If there are no means to pay for these breakthroughs and ideals, then they are useless.
grlsofn1 // February 7, 2009 at 2:23 am |
Reading this article was difficult for me in many aspects. Being that I am in the process of getting my certification it frightens me to think that there might be positions available to obtain. Another thing thats scary is that these budget cuts will effect the quality of learning for the students. Because of the terrible economic situation that has come about, students will suffer the end of it. It’s as if they are being punished for a crime they did not commit. The classrooms will be bigger, so their will be less attention given to the individual. All that was once available to these students will no longer be there. It’s sad and very scary at the same time. Teachers will always have to fear for their jobs. Also teaching will become more uniform, leaving teachers less freedom to be creative due to the large number of classrooms. Students are our future and without proper education, how can we have proper leaders to protect us?
1986p // February 14, 2009 at 1:58 am |
This article was extremely depressing for me to read. Currently, I’m in graduate school in the process of obtaining a Masters Degree in education. Some of my classmates are currently teaching in public schools and have informed me of the massive budget cuts taking place. Many teachers are losing their jobs, especially the newer ones with the least seniority. When economic conditions improve, these fired teachers will most likely be rehired into their previous positions. Where does this leave recent graduates who yearn to become teachers?
What I find really upsetting is that innocent children are being negatively effected by the economic crises. They had no part in this tragedy but are being punished. Why should children have to suffer while numerous CEO’s drive around in Bentleys and hire additional butlers. There are still plenty of billionaires out there. In addition, I find the automobile bailout appalling. That money should have gone toward the schools.
On the news, I’ve heard various times that teachers are still in high demand. After reading this article and conversing with my fellow classmates, I find this information hard to believe.
pbssteno // March 5, 2009 at 1:53 am |
As a parent and soon to be teacher, I know firsthand how devastating the recession can be. On the homefront, I have made some changes to my family’s lifestyle. For example, I no longer employ a housekeeper and we plan on mowing our own lawn this year to avoid paying high landscaping bills. We have stopped eating out as often.
Yet, I watch with dismay the wastefulness of my school district. They have cut back on transportation by eliminating bus matrons, yet they feel that EVERY student is entitled to bus transportation, even the ones that live a few yards away from the school. This, along with keeping windows open in the winter at the school, seems very wasteful to me.
Just like I have to make some adjustments to my personal living situation, difficult economic times call for school districts to tighten their belts and look for savings where possible. When I look at my family’s budget, there is some necessary spending intermingled with some waste. Its time for school districts to look for ways to manage the resources they have as thriftily as possible to allow them to weather the economic storm.
toni9254 // March 27, 2009 at 12:50 am |
School Districts Where Do They Stand in an Economic Struggle for survival of our schools and of our student lives. As a veteran teacher I am very scared for the out-look of the present day crisiss. How are the schools suppose to survive educationally and promote better education and to hire more advanced teachers for the final outcome will be sucess for the children with the mayor and chancellor only worrying about tests scores and not about teachers and children makes me most angy and depressing.
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