According to the district website, Rockwood’s mission is “We do whatever it takes to ensure all students realize their potential.” However, Rockwood’s new list of proposed budget reduction options for the 2012-2013 school year fails this mission.
We understand the weak economy and reduced tax revenue means Rockwood is facing some tough decisions on how to compensate for a smaller budget. Cuts are going to be made, and the cuts should be made. But exactly which cuts are made, and to what degree, make all the difference in a student’s experience.
After a meeting with stakeholders at Crestview Middle School, the Design Team, a group of district employees, revised the list of proposed budget reduction options. And yet, even after discussion, the priorities of the list–which can be accessed on the “FY13 Budget Planning Guiding Change” portion of Rockwood’s website–do not provide for the least negative impact on students.
Take the proposed option of eliminating bus transportation for students living within 3.5 miles of the school, for example. The fact that this is even on the list is ridiculous. Keep in mind this is a 3.5 mile area, not road distance. Many of Rockwood elementary students live wholly within the 3.5 mile radius. Is the district asking parents to provide private transportation every morning and afternoon even if they work? The situation for MHS is less problematic, as many students carpool with older friends or siblings. However, a good portion of the MHS population still needs bus transportation on a regular basis.
In addition, safety is one of the top priorities of Rockwood, but students can’t be safe if they’re walking home on roads without sidewalks, as will inevitably happen if students can’t use the bus or get a ride home. With this option, Rockwood is essentially forcing students who live even remotely close to the school to find their own transportation, which in many cases, is impossible.
If the Design Team really feels that transportation costs need to be addressed, Rockwood should consider charging a “school bus fee” to parents wanting students to ride the bus. The fee could be a flat rate or proportional to the family’s income. The district would be able to more efficiently map bus routes based on students who actually plan to ride the bus. And the fee is not unheard of; it has precedents in public school districts in Indiana, Colorado and Massachusetts, among other states.
Another proposed option is reducing the number of college counselors at MHS (and LHS) to only one. College counselors Chad Sisk and Joan Lodes are already overworked, having to write several hundreds of college recommendations every year for seniors. They also meet with juniors and seniors daily. Having only one college counselor do all this work is, quite frankly, preposterous and unattainable.
Finally, the proposal of cuts to extra-curricular and co-curricular budgets is a practical option to consider. However, it is important to keep in mind the significance extra-curricular activities hold in students’ lives. Not only do these activities provide social opportunities for emotional growth, but many students also strive to keep good grades and solid attendance records so they can participate in such activities. Extra-curricular and co-curricular activities are vital in maintaining academic achievement and progress. The word “sports” is only mentioned once in the list (under the extra-curricular budget cut option). While we understand athletics are critical to school spirit and the students who play sports, athletics should at least be a major consideration. The culture of each high school is unique. Whichever activities garner the most interest, involvement and popularity should receive the most funding. By allocating funds to activities proportional to student participation, we can save money and ensure students still have the activities they love, even if this means cutting sports.
As the Decision Makers (the team finalizing options for the Board of Education) and MHS administrators consider the list of proposed budget reduction options, we as students ask that no decision be made lightly, without full consideration and extensive input from those affected, the students.