From the article: How Budget Cuts Affect Teachers
Obviously, school districts are hurting across the nation. Cuts are being made that affect teachers and students. Some of these cuts include items such as decreasing the number school days, increasing class sizes, and closing older schools. However, as teachers many of us see waste around us that could help alleviate at least some of the budget problems. From your point of view as a teacher, what budget cuts could be made that would lessen the effect on student learning and educational quality. Share Your Opinion
Furloughs?
- Have administrators take an extra week of unpaid "furloughs," not teachers. To fill in on needed tasks, ask for volunteer help from the community.
- —KevJJ888
Stop Overtesting
- School districts can save millions by doing less state and district tests. Cut down on them, do only truly essential ones, or combine them so there's less.
- —KevJJ888
Trim where needed
- Most school districts can do some trimming at the district offices. We have individuals that are responsible for only one part of a curriculum. Change the number of extra days that all employees now have in their contract. The pre-school year professional development programs are usually a waste of time for many employees. Take care of the little things that add to a budget and you will be surprised at the amount of money that can be saved. Look at being creative in meeting the number of days/hours that must be met to be fully accredited by the state.
- —david61293
rudapt
- The fortune spent on large team sports, such as football--equipment, stadium rental, etc.
- —Guest rudapt
Here's what I would do
- A big percentage of budgets are salaries and benefits, that leaves a small amount of wiggle room for cutting budgets. What I would recommend are shared services with other school districts, and shared ordering of supplies/books, etc. Buying bulk is always cheaper. I would also try to lesson the impact of utilities by insulating the building, getting automatic light switches, etc. I would encourage students to walk to school and eliminate unnecessary bus routes at least for the older students. I would look into administration costs and price out their services. How many administrators are realistically needed? I would see if I could engage a volunteer parent corps (trained by me of course). This corps could do some of the tasks schools pay for, i.e crossing guards, playground aids, lunch ladies, hall monitors. And these suggestions are only a start.
- —d_nas
Reduce, reuse, recycle
- You've heard the subject phrase. Let's take it to heart. The district should use all email--no paper memos! We can do more, too! Time off opens many problems for learning. Make it administration time off or have administrators fill in--without more pay--teaching a lesson the teacher left, or give a test. Paper, paper, paper--to paraphrase Carol Yago's book. We go through tons of paper. --Use the other side of paper! C'mon. Always have students use both sides. --Have students use a journal and copy graphic organizers or notes into it rather than giving each a copy. It's good for their processing and writing skills. Why is there not recycling baskets in every room, especially the photocopy room, where so many paper mistakes are made? This will help the District and the planet. TURN OFF 1/2 the lights during a day class that's bright enough for students to see and turn them off when you leave! Don't use air conditioners as much and turn them off when you leave!
- —KevJJ888
Management
- In our district there are many jobs at the city and county level that duplicate services and support. We are very top heavy and that needs to be examined very closely.
- —Guest Debi Lewis
