State must support public education
I teach in the small school district of La Center and am alarmed at the proposed changes in levy equalization for balancing the state’s budget. This would devastate our district — and every other small district is this state. Small schools will lose at least 10 percent of teachers leading to larger class sizes, which evidence shows has one of the most detrimental effects on education.
There’s also talk of cutting the school year five days. We already have 20 fewer class days than when I attended school. I’ve heard talk that “kids just check out the last five days of school anyway.” I would argue that statement. Some students do, certainly, but most don’t. High school students are scared to death as to what future they have in this state and in this nation. They are trying hard. Even if one did agree with this theory, they will just “check out” five days earlier which is no solution at all.
Our state constitution lists education as the paramount duty of the state, yet we rank 45th out of 50 states in money spent on our students. Tell our representatives it’s never the wrong time to do the right thing. Stand for our children’s future.
Kathy Bounds
Vancouver
