Scary Times

Well, it just got real. Yesterday, I mentioned that our superintendent would be coming to speak with the school to discuss what the ramifications would be if the operating levy on the ballot doesn't pass. We were told that they need to find $7 million to cut. This would mean the following:

• Approximately 70 positions cut throughout the district, including specials, art, music (13 at the high school). 
• No busing for the high school and a 2-mile radius for other schools (if you live within 2 miles of the school you attend, no bus for you).
• Pay-to-play at the junior high and high school (sorry low income kids); $600 per student per sport
• Increased special ed caseloads. Currently, the caps are as follows (mandated by law) 8 for MD classrooms, 16 for elementary-8th grade;  24 for HS. They have kept a cushion for us because of move-ins so currently I have 18 and could take 6 more. I would assume they'd get rid of the new Sped teacher at the high school, for example and that would mean we'd all get an increase by about 3 or 4. Scary. 
• Class size will increase and they are already huge. In the elementary buildings, they have approximately 26 to a classroom; 30 in the JH and HS for core classes.
• AP classes would be cut significantly which means the loss for students to graduate with honors in many cases because those classes wouldn't be available. Considering we have over 1,100 kids considered "gifted" in the district, that's pretty huge. How do you compete with other districts that already out-perform us!? 

Obviously, my job is secure because of the special ed staff at the high school I and another teacher are the OGs...this is our 23rd year. So scary for the staff and I'm not sure there is really a chance of this thing passing. I hope so but looking ahead, this is just going to keep happening. It gets said every year, I think: The way we fund schools in this country is so fucked up. 

My IEP yesterday was fine...I'll be so happy when this kid graduates. He and his dad and his mom and everything about them is exhausting. 

Okay well, time to get a move on. Dinner tonight: French bread pizza in the air fryer and a salad. 

Happy Tuesday! I think I can get through the rest of the week but we'll see. Wish me luck. Later!