Parents’ input is integral to finding school budget solutions

By René Hill

Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009 | 2:47 p.m.

It was a sad week last week when the governor announced his planned budget cuts. Many of us were shocked to find that Jim Gibbons planned to gut education so drastically. The state is definitely seeing a budget shortfall and there are no clear-cut or simple answers, but can we afford to decimate our children's future in such a drastic manner?

Both parents and educators have to unite to let our legislators know that we don't find this acceptable. Children are not mere numbers on a budget sheet. They are individuals who deserve better than underpaid teachers, out-of-date textbooks and no classroom supplies.

While it is true that the state has a budget in need of balancing, and the economic downturn has shortchanged funds, there are other alternatives to the governor's solution. It is interesting to note that Gibbons is opposed to a state income tax, yet he has asked every state employee to pay a 6 percent income tax in the form of a pay cut. Is this a fair proposition? Cutting workers pay and benefits is not a great morale builder.

In the Clark County School District, Superintendent Walt Rulffes has pledged to do everything in his power to prevent the pay cut from happening to teachers. I applaud his resolution.

In a letter to teachers, he stated that the School District has worked too long and hard to raise salaries that will attract the best and brightest teachers. He is not interested in taking a giant step backward. With that said, the district has to look to other avenues of drastic cuts to make up for its shortfall of state funds. Again, students will suffer due to the lack of state funding.

I urge parents to help in the battle to reclaim education in Nevada. It will be a slow recovery but one that can happen. Just stay in touch with your legislators and read the news for any bills on which the legislators are voting. We can come back a strong state educationally, but it will take time and effort on everyone's part.

Rene Hill is an English teacher in the Clark County School District. She can be reached c/o The News, 2360 Corporate Circle, Third Floor, Henderson, NV 89074 or [email protected].