January 25, 2011

Why I Am Wearing Red on Wednesday, January 26, 2011

This isn't about the bombing in Moscow, but it easily could be, and another 911 in America. Today I learned that the school systems here in North Carolina are in jeopardy.  This is not the all of it, because in most states, your legislature is in the throes of voting. Budget cuts - everywhere and the biggest target is in statewide school systems.

I was privy to my own school systems pending cuts, a locality where there is just slightly under 10% unemployment and God (as well as Social Services) knows, the growing illegal aliens who drain the available funds.

So I sent a message to my states representatives,--- Please, please do not cut our school systems' budget. Yes, the unemployment rate rises, you've taxed us to the breaking point, gas prices are rising, as are food prices and necessities of life - heat- water- medicine. So, do we have less students now then a year ago - I think not. TODAY MY DISABLED DAUGHTER'S  Vice Principal called because my daughter saw her name cut from a list of students who would be eligible for work/study. Only students who were graduating could be on his program. Because my daughter has the right to attend school until she is 21, she has been canceled, the why - the budget and other "normal" students who need this requirement. I didn't mention that this school gets additional funding, which should include each child who attends the school, to have the funding available.


NOT.

Just because parents lose jobs due to job cuts, does not mean, NC kids are disappearing. Nor are kids falling out of other school systems. The population is growing - NOT deteriorating. So - why are school systems on the edge that is being cut?     

Where did the kids go and where are the teachers and why don't you take a pay cut --- instead of throwing away our future - our children.

Not to mention ignorant legislature morons and the epidemic unemployment - if you ignore the rising gas prices - how can people who lost jobs, get anywhere to find a job?

Oh, never mind - I already heard your answer - cut school jobs.

Who cares? After all - it's not your child is it? And of course you are a paid public servant. 

Please - stop the madness.

Sorry for this rant - but it was coming.

This morning I received the following email:

 Thank you for emailing Senator Brunstetter with your thoughts about this year’s budget. 

This year, the General Assembly faces an estimated budget shortfall of about $3.7 billion, meaning that the challenge before the Legislature is to write a budget that is about 18% lower than past budgets.  Senator Brunstetter recognizes and appreciates your concerns about budget cuts to education, and he also recognizes that education as a whole accounts for about 60% of the current budget.  Unfortunately, for this reason, it does not seem likely that spending can be reduced without impacting education.  I will be sure to bring your thoughts to his attention as the budget process begins, because no final decisions have been made yet.

Thank you again for your note.

Best,
Sarah Hardin
Research Assistant
Office of Senator Peter S. Brunstetter
2020 Legislative Building
16 W. Jones St.
Raleigh, NC 27601
919.733.7850

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