The schools system is facing a reported $7 million shortfall in its 2012 budget. What’s new? Every year it’s the same old thing: “We don’t have enough money so it’s time to cut, cut, cut.” In past years that’s meant axing teachers, aides, and course offerings. What the heck; it’s just education.
So now, programs, nonprofits, and organizations of all kind will be in search of new homes before the budget is passed next summer. Scout troops are already scrambling to set up new digs for their get-togethers. Fledgling church groups will look elsewhere for meeting places, and hundreds, if not thousands, of kids will be locked out of gyms and other facilities that hosted recreational league activities.
What’s going on with Knox County Schools? It seems that this superintendent was hired for his background in juggling finances for Boston schools. His time in the classroom was limited. Instead, he’s been heavily involved with budgets and money and fitting the two together. That’s wonderful news that he’s so strong in that area, but here in Knoxville, his mantra seems to have been cut, tighten belts, and outsource. As Knoxvillians can tell him, outsourcing was done once before and proved to be a fiasco. Buildings were left dirty, supplies were few and far between, and workers were no longer loyal to the schools in which they worked.
This latest idea of charging for use of the building might not be bad if the charges were reasonable. What makes many folks scratch their heads is the question of costs. If the building is already opened at the end of a school day, exactly what are the outstanding costs incurred by letting groups use classrooms? Sending a scout troop a usage invoice for $1800 would be laughable if it weren’t so ridiculous.
Sure, recreational leagues that require daylong use of gyms or fields should help out with the costs incurred by the system. Lights and scoreboards gobble up energy, and it’s not fair for the system to absorb then entire bill.
Another question is where will kids be gathering if not at schools? Opening the doors to buildings that sit idle much of the time could possibly serve communities and save children who might otherwise find trouble to occupy themselves.
The fact is that school systems, from time to time, need an increase in the money they take in. That means the tax rate needs to go up. Yes, it’s painful for folks in these tough economic times, but if we believe that education is of value, then we have to “pony up.” At the same time, groups have to be willing to contribute a little. If we work together, we’ll find that school buildings can be used without a financial strain on anyone.
From board evaluations, this superintendent is performing well. That means teachers are helping students to raise scores on test and meeting the statistical demands of administrators and others outside the classroom. However, he’s not doing so well in recognizing and understanding the “human element” of schools, communities, and education. I suppose no one taught that in finance courses. Just like businesses for Knox County Schools, it’s all about the bottom line.
3 comments:
Well said! Agree that in these tough times, outside groups should contribute something in proportion to what it costs the school to have them there. It's sad, though, to see many school buildings sitting empty for many hours when they could be in use for things that serve the kids and the community. Bob Kronik at UTK has written a lot about this. You were right-on with this one.
Once again this is a gray matter. Agreed -people or groups using schools should pay a "NOMINAL" fee. Raising taxes to pay for a schools system flawed with a union protecting 'BAD' teachers and spending unwisely is a soar subject. Truth be most people would not mind paying more in taxes if the politicians (Both Sides) would spend the money prudently!!! Instead - What we get is people that pass a bill that is not read or understood they decide to read after it gets passed. Why would we want to pay more taxes for this kind of non-sense. What I find funny is people fight to protect such a bad education model America uses. American education model thinks all 6 year olds learn at the same pace, all 7 year olds need to be in second grade- etc... Even the private schools don't deviate from the old mold to far. They even waste a schools resources and buses on 1/2 days of school? Let's start over -and get a real overhaul on how our tax dollars are used in education. Let the private enterprises in and see competition. After all would you rely more on FED EX or the USPS :-)
I have been a strong proponent of the concept of "Community Education" where all persons have access to a school building 24/7 from the library to computer labs to gyms and for health services and leisure groups. When this concept is followed increases in taxes usually wins out. The problem that various principals have told me is federal grants that provide short term teachers and equipemnt but when the federal grant ends the local school system must generate local funds to pay for teachers salaries and benefits and retirement. School systems MUST stop taking federal funds that have caused this mess with the Knox County School System budget. I have also been told that these federal funds that can ONLY be used for one purpose and one purpose only and can't be used in other areas of need. So if the School Board wants to levy fees on outside groups for use of PUBLIC school facilities then don't come crying for tax increase because you have already alienated the PUBLIC.Cut Supt's salary and expense account and more central office positions to cut budget. They may want to cut all after school events which includes sports programs which would reduce operating expenditures and extra pay. Why did the the School Board give ONLY STEM students Ipads which was a million dollar cost to the operating budget to the Knox County school system budget and this expenditure increases each year? Let each student pay for his own ipad like the private schools do
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