The Voice - Student Newspaper

Forgetting our future

With Arizona's already poor education standards in the public eye, elementary school's face another wave of complications to deal with.

Gov. Jan Brewer and the rest of the Arizona Legislature finalized a budget plan that has received a multitude of protests from supporters of many factions that are being affected by this budget, this year.

Education taking the front lines in the communities detest with the plan. With a projected $141 million cut for state universities in plain view many have forgotten the other areas of the education system that are also being plagued by this, said by some, "necessary evil."

With a $1.6 billion budget deficit, state money for K-12 schools will be cut by $133 million.

The Deer Valley Unified School District, in North Phoenix, as well as the Glendale Elementary School District is planning to cut $4 million from its current fiscal year budget and possibly cut as much as $25 million from next year's $194 million budget, resulting in 13 percent of the school system's funds gone.

In West Phoenix's communities it would be 12 percent loss. The Dysart Unified School District is preparing to cut $3 million from its current budget.

Also, possibly eliminating another $23 million from its $190 million budget for the next fiscal year is generating much concern among teachers and parents anxious to see what the future has in store for their kids.

Pattie Smith a 6th grade teacher for the Pendergast Elementary School District gave a little insight to the atmosphere felt on most elementary school campuses.

Many teachers are dealing with their students sensing the pending struggle.

"Teachers jobs are safe and the enrollment population is the same." Is the response Smith gave when told of the rumors in the neighboring Peoria school district; class sizes expanding to unfathomable numbers.

Thirty kids max is the desired number for a classroom, but to see that grow would stretch the teachers and students to the limits. Ms. Smith's opinion on the class sizes is that "everyone is going to just negative, and overwhelmed."

Already considered a thankless job, teachers are staying resilient in their efforts to educate the seeds of tomorrow.

Please send comments to rmacias@gccvoice.com