Say It Ain't So!

I just read an article in our local newspaper, discussing the dire need for my kids' school district to save money.

With budget cuts coming from the state, the district is facing a potential deficit of $10 million in its 2010-2011 school year budget. Furthermore, if voters turn down a 1-percent sales tax increase in an upcoming election, then the shortfall will increase by $11 million more.

Thus, according to the district's assistant superintendent for business services, who was quoted in the paper, the following proposals, among others, have been suggested:

• Laying off "at least 112 teachers, which would increase class sizes by three students in every grade level."
• "Eliminating all elementary-school music, art, physical education, band and strings and laying off those teachers."
• "Replacing school nurses with health aides."

Further cuts have been proposed, but the three above are the ones that bother me the most. I don't really care, for example, if they're considering "shutting down the elementary- and middle-school buildings from June 15 to July 15." Big whoop!

But, more students in each class, really? Already, there are 26 kids per class, and there are no teacher aides at my kids' school. Isn't 26 six- and seven-year-old kids enough for one teacher?

No music, art, phys. ed, band or strings? Would Mr. Superintendant want his kid's education to lack those classes?

I feel for the teachers, too. They must be worried. Last year, so many local school districts, including ours, suffered reductions in force. So even now, before the potential lay-offs, this state has more than its fair share of out-of-work teachers.

And no school nurse? A health aide? Seriously? The thought of losing our nurse makes me sick to my stomach. Our nurse is amazing. She takes such good care of Jack. I rely on her. She brings me peace of mind. I realize there are good health aides out there, too. I also realize that many schools have neither a nurse nor an aide. But, that's just wrong. I believe ALL schools should have nurses on staff, and I don't want ours to be taken away.

Plus, if I understand state laws correctly, ONLY registered nurses can administer routine insulin injections. We ran into problems last year at summer camp, when there was no RN on staff. No camp staff--even if we trained and trusted them--could give Jack his insulin shots, because the camp would have risked losing its license.

Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe that law pertains only to private institutions. Maybe because it's a public school they would have to administer routine insulin injections? Maybe somehow section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 would come into play? I need to investigate this.

But what if I'm right and what if there's no RN? Who's going administer or oversee Jack's insulin injections? Granted, he may be on a pump by then, but still, should he be solely responsible for the pump? What about any T1 kindergarteners? Should five-year-olds be held responsible for their shots and pumps? Am I expected to be at school every day at lunch time? And what about the days on which he's running high? And the days when kids celebrate birthdays and he needs an extra shot to cover a cupcake or a doughnut? Is he supposed to be excluded? Or am I supposed to make two trips to the school?

Okay, yes, he's my son and I would do anything for him, but is that really fair? I'm lucky to be a stay-at-home mom. What about those parents who work full-time and can't break away from their jobs to cover their child's insulin needs? What if I need or want to return to the workplace?

I don't think it's fair for young kids to be forced to take on that daily responsibility. They should be allowed to be kids. They shouldn't have to worry whether they've measured and administered their insulin correctly or properly programmed their pumps. We parents shouldn't have to worry.

I realize that money is either there or it isn't, and if it isn't, something's gotta give. I realize there are no easy answers. The budget will need to be cut somehow...but ugh! I don't want my kids' education to suffer! I don't want Jack's health and well-being to suffer!

Our state already ranks 49th in the nation in per-pupil spending. I thought it couldn't get much worse than that. Apparently, it can.

I'm trying not to get too worked up over here. These proposed budget cuts may never materialize. I'm hoping the state legislators come to their senses and don't under-fund education. I'm hoping the voters approve the 1-percent hike in our sales tax.  And, I'm hoping the school board finds other ways to reduce spending. I'm also going to write the governor, my legislators and the school board, voice my opinions and encourage friends to do the same.

Sigh...

No nurse, no art, no phys. ed., no music, no band, no strings and at least 29 kids in each elementary school class--please, oh please, oh please, say it ain't so, Mr. Superintendent!