Furlough? How About Fur-NO

Cut-backs, and lay-offs, and furloughs? Oh, my! Early last month, protests regarding the recent cutbacks in our district took place. The bright side? It may have actually worked. The bad news? It probably means taking out a couple of days from the school year (some people may think this is a glorious thing, but once you think about it, it really isn’t).

THE PRO’S OF FURLOUGH

It was said that one of the things included in the long list of cut-backs were counselors. Due to the state’s ongoing economic crisis, $60.5 million will be required to be cut from the district’s budget for the 2010-11 school year. It just so happened that counselors were one of the things deemed unnecessary for a school to function. Luckily, after the math was done, the 29 counseling positions that were set to be cut will be saved for another school year if two days are cut from the present school year at each of the Elk Grove Unified schools, both primary and secondary education schools. So, we get to keep the counselors, and even get a couple of days off to celebrate it. Win-win? I think not (though I will admit that the two days off will be pretty sweet).

THE CON’S OF FURLOUGH

Though the two furlough days this school year will indeed help keep our counselors for another year, it will still require the district to cut $60.5 million from the budget. So say goodbye to sports, several of your favorite teachers, librarians, and fun electives (as if you didn’t already know). Teachers will also be forced to shorten lesson plans, or remove lessons completely from their carefully planned schooldays. If you ask me, this won’t be helping the decline in education (but we’ll save that for another article).

So what is left to do during this downward spiraling economy? For now, all we can do is hope and pray that the budget comes together and will eventually get to keep our favorite things at school. Make the best out of the rest of the school year while we still have everything we’ve got. While you’re at it, enjoy a movie or a cup of coffee at the local Starbucks (because they’re oh so hard to find) on April 30 and May 14 as you mark off the final days of the school year. We dodged a bullet this time. Just barely.

Budget Cuts Taking a Toll on CRC

Already thirty classes have been cut from Cosumnes River College’s 2009-2010 academic year.  Although no full time instructors have been cut, some part-time instructors, along with their classes, have not been so lucky.  Student Services is facing the largest cuts, including their Counseling and Admissions departments.  Physical Education must also deal with significant cuts in classes such as mountaineering, lifeguard training, backpacking, and bowling.

So what is CRC doing about their problem?

“We are always striving to conserve in any way we can without jeopardizing our students education.” says KirstieWest, CRC’s Public Information Officer. The CRC campus has already gone “green” by recycling and communicating via email.  Although they have been cutting down on hiring, they are not on a “hiring freeze” and will fill any needed positions. As it can be seen, not only are Ivy League schools are being slashed – the local colleges, many of which are popular to our high school students, are also impacted by our nation’s economic state.

Budget Cuts May Cause Libraries to Close

“I love MTHS” says Mrs. Klein, the head librarian at Monterey Trail High School, as Voices from the Trail discussed with her the budget cuts that soon could be affecting the library. It has been proposed by the board of education that the libraries of our district, including that of Monterey Trail High School, be shut down to save money. These budget cuts, she claimed, would have a devastating effect on the student population of Monterey Trail High School. Ms. Klein expressed her fears on the issue – those students who don’t have access to computers and other materials at home would be negatively impacted if the libraries were to close.  She says that she is trying to put out good information on school libraries importance and how they are essential to a school success, in hopes that the libraries will not be closed.  Numerous parents, students, and teachers spoke out on the importance of our library and the benefits in brings to the students of MTHS at a board meeting that was held to bring to light this important issue and discuss future plans for the library. Although the
final decision will soon be made by the district and it will be dependant on the amount of money available.

The decision to close the library at MTHS will not only affect the librarians, but the students, teachers, counselors, and administrators as well. School libraries are designed specifically to help students with their school work, and therefore removing them could impact the quality of work produced by students. These students, contrary to popular belief, actually care about their education. Numerous amounts of feedback have been received by the librarians, from the students who claim that they desperately need our library. Therefore, we must take advantage of the library while it is still possible – you might not be aware of it, but the library is, and has always been, an enormous contribution to the personal success of the students at Monterey Trail High School.

Studies have shown that good libraries are vital for student success and test scores, “I feel that libraries are extremely
important to literacy and information for research and
school projects”, says Mrs. Klein.

Possible Pink Slips For Counselors

How would you feel if the very foundation of your life was being taken away? This frightening situation is exactly what is currently happening here at Monterey Trail High School. It is no surprise that schools all over the state have had cut back; for California schools especially this is inevitable. Unfortunately, these budget cuts are now targeting our school counselors – it has been projected that there will be no counselors on site after the budget cuts are put into effect. Obviously, the question arises: how will the students’ needs be addressed? To put it in laymen’s terms, they won’t. Of course other options are being discussed, such as cutting down to as few as two counselors. Still, the outlook does not look good.

“Despite the circumstances, I have faith that our students are resilient and will find a way.”

Voices from the Trail discussed this with Monterey Trail High School’s head counselor, Mr. Tracie Dotson, a man who is currently experiencing the problems aforementioned. Undoubtedly, he too was upset about these changes and how they were to affect our students in the following years.

The Cause of Cuts

Due to the state budget cuts, the district will be forced to make a decision by the end of year – one that will affect students in the 2010 -2011 school year. Counselors such as Mr. Dotson, determined to stop this from happening, have formed the union EGEA: Elk Grove Education Association. According to Mr. Dotson, this union has formed in order to educate parents and students in the surrounding community on what will happen if there is no future access to counselors. “We have to think smarter,” says Mr. Dotson. The choices we make now will impact these students’ futures. Countless students come to their counselors daily to discuss personal or academic problems. Without the guidance of our counselors, the lack of direction the students will have access to will be utterly astonishing. Mr. Dotson agreed with Voices from the Trail that a future at Monterey Trail High School or any other high school, without counselors, will hold chaos and disorganization. Students as well are disappointed about the possibilities of this decision. The final outcome will be decided in a compromise between the union and the district.

A Day Without A Counselor Means…

…at least one student contemplating suicide will have no professional counselor to meet with them to assess and connect them to helping resources

…at least one student will not receive personal counseling to diffuse an emotional crisis and may seek destructive means to cope

…at least one economically disadvantaged student will not know that there are options for paying college

…at least one student will be improperly placed in an academic class that will prevent them from applying to a 4 year college

…at least one student using drugs/alcohol will not have a counselor to turn for help

…at least one student in need of support and guidance will feel overwhelmed and discouraged

…at least one student will not be referred to CPS and will go home to an abusive situation

…at least one student will not be able to graduate because they are in the wrong class

…at least one student will have no where to go when they are feeling depressed and isolated

…at least one student will drop out of school because they have made no meaningful connection at their school

“We have all developed a fondness for our students. It feels good to see students get what they deserve. Of course I’m upset. I’m losing my passion, to help the community. I see my goals being swept away from me.”

– Mr. Dotson