2004-04-14 Budget Cuts

The nice gentleman that answered the phone explained that the town had yet to aprove the budget, thus, no information as of yet.

He went on to explain that this year's programs will be "drastically reduced" as compared to previous years.

This of course came as no shock. Why I ask do budget cuts always have to affect the children? I know that there are many, many other less important things that could be cut. How about rethinking the Big Dig(little late now I realize since it is practically complete but still)? Or the Romney proposed removal of the rotary at the Sagamore Bridge? Yeah, the rotary is a pain in the ass and traffic is horrendous, I don't deny that. Really though, how significant are those(and many other money-wasting projects) when it means that the children suffer?

The children are our future. Why should they be denied the right to a nice, well-rounded education? Or a fun and yes, educational summer at the park?

It just isn't right. Politicians piss me off in general but I was thinking...all of them(Democrats and Republicans alike) talk about how important the children are, and how they will do this that and the other thing to improve the schools etc. Apparently, they haven't been able to figure out how to re-work the money in a way in which education and children's servies are the last and not the first things to be cut using whatever resources they have available to them. How about they take a pay cut...or just plain and simple donate their own money to the cause? Governor Romney is a millionaire for God's sake.

I know I am living in a dream world...they are after all politicians, but shouldn't they stick to their word...at least where the children are concerned?

I leave you with a few depressing facts obtained here...

K-12 Schools

-- Public education was cut by more than $400 million in the fiscal year 2004.

-- The class size reduction program was eliminated.

-- Early literacy program was cut by 79 percent.

--The state was to have provided reimbursement to school districts for special education at a 75% level, but that amount has suddenly been cut to

27.6%.

-- More than 3000 teachers and other school staff will be lost statewide and 920 teachers are being laid off in Boston.

-- Regional school transportation support was cut 36.7%.

-- Support for MCAS tutoring for low-scoring students was cut 80%.

-- Winthrop's four school libraries were "padlocked" because the librarians were let go as part of 22 layoffs and $1.5 million in cuts,

-- Electives, sports, after-school programs, and library services are being cut and curtailed on a broad front.