Takoma Voice: Better Schools, in a Bad Budget

School Scene - Seven Resolutions for the New Decade
by Sue Katz Miller

The end of a decade provides a crucial opportunity to “stop and think,” in the immortal words of one school anti-bullying program. Every year at this time, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Superintendent Jerry Weast asks for half of the county budget for our schools. This year, huge shortfalls are predicted in the wake of the recession, and Weast has, as he does each year, threatened painful cuts designed to stimulate parent demands for full funding of his proposed schools budget.

But some of us have lost patience with what appears to be emotional manipulation in order to fund a budget heavy on central office expenses...

...So as the new decade dawns, I am rolling out my seven suggested resolutions for our school system. Honoring most of these resolutions would not require big bucks. What is required: political will, and the will to truly listen to teachers, parents and students.

Read Ms. Katz's seven suggested resolutions here.

This article has been posted twice to the Parents' Coalition blog, we really want you to read it!