Read it and weep

Granted this is a tough time for everyone's budgets, but I can't help feeling like RCF is strapped to the front bumper in Dr. Weast's game of chicken with County Executive Leggett. Rather than reiterate all the cuts proposed, should Dr. Weast not get his wish list, please go to: http://montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/budget/FY2011/pdf/BudgetPossibleReductions_Recommended.pdf

It is not pretty reading on the block are:

1. academic support teachers (the people who work with the neediest kids)
2. special program teachers, including immersion
3. increase class sizes by 1 per class (144% over capacity anyone?)
4. school counselors
5. mainenence and building service workers
6. busing for optional programs outside your normal home school area (immersion)
7. fewer texbooks and instructional materials
8. focus teachers at schools with above average poverty (not sure we have one, but sure we wouldn't want to lose one if we do)
9. Reading initiative teachers -- we have this and we need it!
10. staff development and reading teachers - this document correctly recognizes that the smaller schools (us) have already taken a cut this current year and then says, we should expect another cut.
11. regular education paraeducators

There are other cuts as well, but they are less critical to us directly and involve phasing out older buses at a slower rate, use of biofuels, etc. See also yesterday's B-1 article by Nelson Hernandez in the Washington Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/08/AR2009120804445.html

So, what next?

We need to organize. We need a chair to focus on advocacy around this budget and we need someone who will network with the other special schools to make sure our efforts are coordinated.

The goal is not to fight over scraps, but to ensure that we all get a fair shake.

Any takers?