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Alternative education, budget cuts in education, education, Private school, public education, public school, School district, Special education, State school, United States
Our school district announced that they will be cutting 40 million dollars from next years school budget…
It is going to be ugly. Even more horrific than years past and this year will probably mark the turning point for all of our kids in the public education system.
As a parent, what am I supposed to do?
Should I go back to work full-time to be able to afford to put my kids in private school? Should I pull them out of school and home school them (even though I really don’t want to do that…)? Do I not go back to work so that I can be at the school everyday volunteering so that I can keep my finger on the pulse of what’s going on?
My mind is spinning…
There could be 40 kids in Brayden’s first grade class next year.
I think the thing that scares me most is that my kid is one of those kids that could easily slip through the cracks. He is attentive, follows directions, and could probably get by academically. Unless someone was really paying attention, he could absolutely fly under the radar.
I guess that is where I come in.
I am hard to miss. I can’t really keep my mouth shut. So I guess if I am around, you know who my kid is… He belongs to ” that mom “. I hope that is not a bad thing when it comes to me 
Poor kid.
I am just not sure about what the best decision is given the circumstances. I really don’t want to add “school teacher” to my list of hats ( I already do a lot of that at home anyways to supplement…) and on the flip I can’t imagine what it will be like to have upwards of 40 kids in a first grade class. I don’t want to take the social school environment away from Brayden ( he loves it), and we can’t afford private education without going back to work…
What is a mom to do?
Related articles
- The half-decade dilemna (amominspired.com)
All valid questions. We all want the best for our kids…
and this is made harder when others are in control of our childrens access to education.
Your boys already have an advantage… a mother who loves and cares for them.
Thank you
Our county is also going to take a big hit when it comes to the school budget. They are increasing all class sizes by 1 student… which is 25 at Kindergarten to 28 in 5th grade. Some middle school and high school classes are up to 35 kids. This is all very scary… so when I read 40 kids in your sons class I almost fell out of my chair.
It is sad really that as parents we are forced to make the decision to send to private school… just so our kids will not get lost in a sea of little faces.
When I left teaching last year, I knew there would not be a position for me next year if I wanted to go back. Of course, even if I went back a good private education would still be out of reach… so there is a part of me that is thankful that it is not an option. I volunteer in my 2nd grader’s classroom 2x a week and it has given me the opportunity to see how vital the volunteer parent is now. I am amazed at how the teachers in my daughter’s school have been able to make it work with the use of regular parent volunteers.
There is still a small (very small) part of me that is intrigued with unschooling… but I know it would not really work with mine or my kids personalities.
Good luck with your decision… It is definitely a hard one!
Thank you!!
our school district is faced with something similar. In fact, it’s a big part of what prompted us to give homeschooling a try. We’re just playing by ear to see how it goes. If it doesn’t work for him, or for me, then we’ll find another option. It’s so hard when it feels like so much is at stake! I’m certain you will make the right decision for you and your kids!