Schools brace for budget cuts

All I can say is that I am glad my children are out of school. Increasing class size while cutting teachers is such a shame. As to cutting adminstration jobs it has been my experience that most state offices are top heavy. But I truely wonder how many more of our children will, and they will fall, through the cracks. So much for the testing scores that have become an Idaho education obsession.

CJW, I totally agree, and laughed thinking about it... Its about time we got this train wreck of a school distric stopped. Lunas plan is forward thinking and will only improve Idahos education system, it will better prepare the children for college. Since, its being rammed down our throats, that a college degree is required for every single job in the world now. I find that sad, because we all know a janitor or fry cook doesnt need one. And making it a requirement for darn near all jobs now, makes those who have one just another person in the crowd. Oh well, Im happy Idaho has taken the lean forward approach and is willing to fix the problem, now lets get the other issues, like infra-structure and pay/allowances for elected officials, because we all know they arent doing their job in Washington.

I do agree that education needs reforming but until you get parents and their children to be responsible for their actions and stop blaming the teachers because the kids are not turning in their work. I see it every day. Kids don't turn in their homework either because it is not done or "they forgot it". If you forget to do your work on the job you will get fired. Fortunately for these kids they can't be fired and it doesn't seem like they can be held back either.

Who says the kids can't be held back?

I expect the school administration to paint as bleak a picture as possible. Tom Luna and his plan have not mandated teacher cuts except through attrition. If McMurtrey is planning on cutting teachers, it is either as a result of attrition or a decision he and the school board are instituting on their own. Luna's plan called for cutting a total of 700 teachers through attrition. Please read the bill and understand what is involved here. This is a great plan for the schools and the students. The next thing the board will attempt is another levy on the taxpayers. Not 1 penny! Not 1 penny more until there is a full accounting of where the money given to Mountain Home School District is already used. I suggest hiring an independent audit company with no ties to education to render the accounting. That will be money well spent and I will support that effort.

Cutting through attrition sounds GREAT.

Until you realize that NORMALLY those jobs would be filled with new teachers.