School update: The latest...My Boy (warning: political post of sorts!)

I'll try to keep this from getting too wordy - I'll use bullet points to keep your interest - and explanation when necessary...

Override election - EPIC FAIL - school board lost an override election - every school district gets "x" dollars for their district - overrides allow the district to do extra - get more teachers, (lower student/teacher ratios), get more school equipment, allow for more extra curricular activities like SPORTS (and plenty others)...I'll stop there...cause this is the basis of my post...SPORTS being cut.

Our voters voted against the last TWO override elections for our high school district. The most recent "loss" was only by 157 points. So a very close vote.

I think part of the reason it didn't pass is people are SICK of giving more money to those who can't spend wisely (whether the voters know this for a fact, or just assume is unknown) one can only guess the reason it was shot down is because we're afraid that the Obamarama spending spree is going to raise our taxes so much, that when we have an opportunity to squelch any extra tax money - we do...or maybe because the voters are just hateful people who don't want teachers to get paid more, who don't want kids in sports, who would rather the kids try their art on the neighborhood fences - or spend their time loitering, playing video games or pestering their siblings. I don't know - stopping the assumptions here...

SO - the two last override parades being rained on, coupled with the directive from the recent legislative effort to balance the budget (40% of the state budget going to schools) of course schools were effected, leaving the District Governing Board to decide with what dish the cuts would best be served.

So...sports, among other areas were cut in our district. A few teachers and administrators lost their jobs, most school employees got pay cuts, classroom sizes are expected to rise, and sports (specifically tennis, golf and SWIM). (Although they threatened taking away all freshman sports, the didn't, in the long run because they were afraid attrition would soar and they would lose even more money!)

NOW, at this meeting where they finally "agreed" to make the cuts (really was a formality, the decision was made) several children and teachers showed up begging not to cut their sports. Sadly, it was too little, too late. The voters had spoken loud and clear and they said "cut sports" (among other things).

My oldest, I call him Rossi (to differentiate from the father figure, Ross) went to the meeting, too, but instead of whining about "please don't cut my sport!" he offered a suggestion. "Let me raise the funds privately to support my school's swim team. Tell me how much I need and if this is legally possible." Of course, we're not allowed to start dialog with the board, we just suggest it - and sit down.

The board responded that night saying that they would look into the legalities and would let us know.

Update after next meeting!