Contributed By: Greg Smith
Superintendent Clear Creek ISD
The controversy that’s brewing in the smallest of towns, the largest of cities and in the Texas Capitol could in fact be ‘the perfect storm.’ When it comes to funding public education (or not), much is being said that is not true. Much is being said that is difficult to understand. Not enough is being said about who will suffer most.
The children of Texas deserve a quality education, one that will allow them to compete at a global level. No longer can we be satisfied with, “Well, if it was good enough for me, it’s good enough for kids today.” The world is not the same. Expectations have changed. The competition is no longer the business next door or in the next town or even across the country. The competition is every business, in every town, in every country in the world. Jobs can be shipped around the globe with the click of a computer mouse.
If Clear Creek ISD is to produce a successful, sought after workforce for the 21st century, our teachers must be able to teach them the skills necessary to do jobs that don’t even exist today. Public education must remain laser focused on teaching students not only reading, writing and math, but how to collaborate, innovate and create.
The budget crisis in Texas can be blamed on lower property values, less revenue, a failed franchise tax or a bad economy. The solution could be dipping into the rainy day fund, raising taxes, eliminating programs, laying off 1,000 employees, increasing classroom sizes or fixing the funding formula. One thing is certain, if something doesn’t change, the children of Clear Creek ISD and every other school district in Texas will at some point feel the impact of dwindling dollars and increased expectations.
To learn more about the funding crisis:
50 Facts About The House’s Proposed State Budget
http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/firstreading/entries/2011/04/01/house_is_in_at_830.html
TEX-OPOLY, the fast-dealing, budget-slashing, horse-trading game
http://blogs.chron.com/nickanderson/archives/0327TEX-OPOLY2.html
Of Course We Can Cut The Budget
http://www.texastribune.org/texas-taxes/2011-budget-shortfall/guest-column-of-course-we-can-cut-the-budget/