Arnold & the disappearing school budget

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-13-2006
Arnold & the disappearing school budget
6
Sat, 02-16-2008 - 7:31pm

We keep reading about Arnold Schwartzeneggar wanting to make huge cuts in the education budget here in CA. Apparently our school district already gets less money per student than anywhere else, and the super-intendant is saying things like, "They aren't cutting fat anymore; they're cutting bone," and that special education will probably suffer.

I'm really worried, because David has a wonderful special ed teacher, who he goes to for part of the day. She's trained in apsperger's/HFA, and having her in his life has made such a difference. The problem is, there aren't many kids like David, and I can imagine that she might be seen as a wasted resource, with one or two kids in her classroom. I really can't imagine who else or what else they would cut.

Funny thing is, Arnold Schwartzeneggar probably owns a car that he could sell for far more than this teacher's salary, and he wouldn't even notice it was missing.

Just thought I'd gripe a bit.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sat, 02-16-2008 - 8:34pm

Right there with ya.

I had to sign a form that was checking my start date the other day. All the local districts are checking on seniority so that when the cuts start coming they know who goes first. Typically special ed is safe but not anymore. That is getting cutbacks too. Being my first year my head is basically on the chopping block.

DH's whole program is at risk for being axed. He wouldn't lose his job but they would be re-formating and cutting down considerably. He runs the autism support program for the district which he put his heart and soul into creating over the last 8 years. It looks like that is one of the programs on the chopping block in his district.

If the district starts to balk about what they spend on sending Mike to a non-public I am really going to hurt Arnie personally.

Dammmm govenator

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iVillage Member
Registered: 11-13-2003
Mon, 02-18-2008 - 10:47am

I'm really upset and worried about this too.

Molly
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-28-2006
Mon, 02-18-2008 - 2:16pm

I am worried also as I am fighting like mad to get chris his much deserved IEP.

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-29-2004
Tue, 02-19-2008 - 2:44pm

Yep we are in the same boat here in N.Cal. Friday, we got a letter stating the cost for gen ed. and spec. ed. and how much is being cut. But the district also mentioned that they have to keep some level of support for spec. ed to meet the National std., so they will be moving fund from gen. ed.


iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 02-19-2008 - 4:02pm

OH MAN I hate those letters. Nothing good has ever come from announcing to the entire district and parents that general is going to be cut to fund special ed.

I can't tell you how many times I have had to listen to parents of general ed students gripe and make nasty remarks about services special ed kids get at the expense of their little Johnny. Everything from the bussing to smaller class sizes, etc.

I have had parents make comments such the SN students shouldn't get anything extra anyway because it, how can I say this, isn't going to help anyway. That was when Cait was in kindie and some moms were making remarks at a PTA meeting when they didn't realize that my child was one of those special ed children.

Somethings I think districts do that to get parents into an uproar. OY. I know I am not the only one who has gotten flack for having bussing for my kids because in Cali bussing isn't provided for general ed students in most districts.

HECK currently I have a teacher in my school who loves to pull me aside and make comments about stuff like this. How these kids shouldn't be in a regular class. She uses the term "crazies" for the kids in the ED room. UGH.

OK, off my soap box now. I hope our district doesn't send out a letter like that. I am waiting for them to try and cut funding for Mike to go to the non-public school.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2003
Tue, 02-19-2008 - 7:01pm

Ca isn't the only