The school is the last expenditure upon which America should be willing to economize. ~Franklin D. Roosevelt
President Roosevelt made this comment in 1936 during the Great Depression. Today, America suffers from one of the greatest recessions since that time. States are faced with giant budget gaps and governments are forced to increase taxes and decrease spending. Unfortunately, public education, along with many other service sectors, suffer from these painful budget cuts.
I highly doubt that state governments get satisfaction from cutting public spending; however, cuts are necessary to avoid driving our state into an unrecoverable debt. The choice of how much to cut and from which sectors must be an agonizing decision. Education seems to continually be at the controversial forefront. But when is enough enough? School leaders from around North Carolina have recently gathered to tell lawmakers that they have had enough! "School leaders said they've had to increase class sizes, eliminate programs and cut positions. They fear things will get even worse with funding cuts being discussed at the state level."
If budget cuts continually slice into education, the quality of the education of our youth in this state will slide down a slippery slope that may be difficult to recover from. I agree with President Roosevelt, education is the last expenditure which America should be willing to economize. We need to give children the education they deserve and we need the funding to do it. Enough with the budget cuts already!
President Roosevelt made this comment in 1936 during the Great Depression. Today, America suffers from one of the greatest recessions since that time. States are faced with giant budget gaps and governments are forced to increase taxes and decrease spending. Unfortunately, public education, along with many other service sectors, suffer from these painful budget cuts.
I highly doubt that state governments get satisfaction from cutting public spending; however, cuts are necessary to avoid driving our state into an unrecoverable debt. The choice of how much to cut and from which sectors must be an agonizing decision. Education seems to continually be at the controversial forefront. But when is enough enough? School leaders from around North Carolina have recently gathered to tell lawmakers that they have had enough! "School leaders said they've had to increase class sizes, eliminate programs and cut positions. They fear things will get even worse with funding cuts being discussed at the state level."
If budget cuts continually slice into education, the quality of the education of our youth in this state will slide down a slippery slope that may be difficult to recover from. I agree with President Roosevelt, education is the last expenditure which America should be willing to economize. We need to give children the education they deserve and we need the funding to do it. Enough with the budget cuts already!
The Florida Today published this cartoon below, but I think all states, including North Carolina can relate.
" An investment in knowledge pays the best interest."
ReplyDelete"The only thing more expensive than education is ignorance"
Both of these quotes are from Benjamin Franklin, who I am sure is more than just rolling over in his grave right now.
Thanks for sharing this, Melinda. I am always shocked and appalled at cuts to education. What could be more important than educating our future leaders?!
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