Time for a gut check!

Well, 2009 is off to an inauspicious start! It seems every time I turn on the radio or TV there’s another report of budget cuts in Education!

Now, I am fully aware that it’s not just Education that is facing budget cuts, but let’s do a refresher course for those of you who don’t recall how we got in this situation.

Two years ago, our esteemed legislature in Columbia saw fit to change the way local school districts are funded. They went away from property tax based funding to sales tax based funding.

With the down turn in the economy, people are obviously shopping and spending less resulting in less revenue coming into the states coffers.

When the change was first proposed I don’t recall a single member of the state school districts that supported the idea since they knew that they were not going to have a steady stream of funding.

Fast-forward two years; Abbeville County had to vote to close Calhoun Falls High School, which has since been reopened as a charter school.

Laurens 55 and 56 districts have had to cut, and cut, and freeze spending and hiring of new employees.

Anderson District 5, which houses Westside and T.L. Hanna High Schools, has had to go to furloughing employees.

I would also think that there is no measure of satisfaction for educators to be able to tell the state legislature and Governor Sanford “I told you so.”

At the same time that the legislature voted to go to sales tax based funding they also voted to do away with the sales tax on groceries. Say what you will, but when you cut, and cut, and cut taxes that funding HAS to come from somewhere or, well, you see how the state ends up!

This year is very crucial for our state It’s time to be innovative in our leadership.

We certainly don’t need any of the SCRG apologists doing the “locked in failing schools” rhetoric!

So, do all of us a favor, call, write, go see your local state senators and representatives and tell them it’s time to reevaluate school funding.

For those of you who want to give me the argument that it’s not your problem because all your kids are grown and out of school, let me remind you that one day, you yourself will need medical care, homes repaired, the list could go on and on. If we don’t do the job of educating our children CORRECTLY who’s going to be there to help YOU…PROPERLY?????

That’s my rant! What’s yours?