The government wants us to believe the economy is on the rebound, but money is tight.
Just look at the crisis facing students, parents and teachers in Webster and Caddo Parishes. Schools in both parts of the Ark-La-Tex are facing closures. Students may be squeezed into smaller classrooms. Some teachers will lose their jobs and it's all because of money.
It appears there just isn't enough cash to go around.
We want our kids to have the best education our public tax dollars can buy, but the cost of education keeps going up; with higher prices for food, school bus fuel, just about everything.
In Webster Parish, parents have launched a petition to oust the school board after they decided to close or consolidate schools.
In Caddo Parish, grassroots efforts are just getting underway for the public to vent their outrage over plans to close many popular schools.
Everyone is expected to make sacrifices in hard times. Our children shouldn't be victims though and in an effort to save our schools; administrators, parents, teacher and students all need to keep a level head and work together to reach common ground.
I'm James Smith.
Viewer Comments:
"I want to say thanks for your recent editorial on the crisis in local school districts. Although everyone may not agree on Caddo's proposed plan, it's important that we all understand the severity of the situation that is facing school districts all over the country. You are the first local media outlet to touch on the fact that this is a much bigger issue than just Caddo. Districts from Seattle to New York are being faced with the same tough decisions. We must change and adapt in order to maintain our financial and academic viability for the future." "Thanks for helping shine light on the bigger picture."
- Tricia Grayson
"Seems simple to me. Cut spending somewhere else or consolidate with fewer schools. It's not a solution to borrow money that the students will have to pay back some day just to have the convenience of neighborhood schools. That is keeping our head."
- John Horton
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