VantagePoint: ‘Drive carefully, school’s open’—and it’s a miracle
By:
CSBA President Jill Wynns
Published: September 28, 2012
I was driving down the street on the last day of the first week of school in San Francisco, and I saw the electronic sign above the street had the words, “Drive carefully, school’s open.” I smiled, glad to reflect for a moment on our success in getting school open again and stu-dents back into their routine. I remembered what it was like when my own children were in school: difficult to get back in the habit of go-ing to bed early, waking up at an early hour, remembering all the homework and forms to return and the likes and dislikes for lunch. Yes, I was wistful about my little ones being all grown up, and one a parent himself, but I remember the children going into the schools I have been visiting. I’m happy and proud that they have clean, remodeled schools, caring teachers and all that we can give them.
These are the best moments for school board members, the ones that make real the impact of what we do. Most students, parents and certainly the members of the public do not know how the decisions you make affect the schools and the children. But we know, and we have the sweet satisfaction of sensing the excitement of the whole town when school starts again.
“Drive carefully, school’s open.” These words used to appear on bumper stickers; they would not disappear the next day, when an Amber Alert or an accident on the freeway pushed them off the sign and out of our minds. But the electronic text can be changed a lot more easily. And this year the sign should probably have read, “Drive carefully, school’s open, and it’s a miracle.” In recent years, we have had to redefine “all that we can give them.” School districts have laid off teachers, counselors and custodians, administrators. After-school programs, art, music, libraries, athletics, professional development—anything else you can think of—have been cut. Teachers and other school personnel have not had a raise in years. In fact, we are now cutting the most basic school services. We are reducing instructional days, which means less education for our children. And how does that save money? It is paid for by our teachers and staff. Fewer school days translates into less pay for school employees.
Astoundingly, the Legislature and the governor tell us that they are providing us with the “tools” to manage potential additional huge cuts to schools if the tax initiatives on the November ballot do not pass. The “tool” of which they speak is the ability to cut the school year by 20 days. Imagine a month less of instruction, and still trying to teach to our high standards. And imagine the chaos in our communities if families need to find a way to supervise their children for four more weeks of the year.
So, yes, school is open! Hurray! And it is still school, but maybe just barely. We’re here to make sure it stays open, and it stays school.
Stand Up For Education!