The true debate about the opt-out hinges on the fact that some of us see the schools as an investment into our future and our community, while others are focused on increased taxes and fiscal issues. Let's heed the warnings of the opposition and entertain a school system without additional local funding. Let’s go there…
We all have a vision of what we want our schools to look like in 5 years. Imagine we continue to cut funding, we do not pass the opt-out, and the state makes no changes to its funding formula. (This is more than a potential scenario; this is something that is currently happening.) It’s time to paint a picture of those kinds of schools. This picture is one that is supported by a small amount of tax money, a small amount of citizen participation or parent volunteers, little state control, and a growing population. This is what we want; low taxes and autonomy. If we got what we wanted, what would that look like? We can paint this picture somewhat accurately because it is happening in inner cities all over this nation.
Elementary classroom sizes skyrocket because we did not have the funding to hire more teachers. There are approximately 35-40 students in each classroom. These students are not all perfectly well-behaved and functioning at grade level. These students have ADHD, Dyslexia, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, and are on the Autism spectrum, just to name a few. There are a myriad of other problems or situations these students are dealing with every day. They may be homeless or suffering the effects of poverty or abuse. Of course, there will be a handful that are above grade level, who find school easy and will be bored out of their minds. (Actually, all of this is currently true except for the number of students.)
The teachers of this diverse class of 35-40 students have no support because there was no money to pay for it. (Again, currently happening) There are no programs to support advanced learners so they are just told to sit quietly and read while teachers work with students who are struggling. There is no funding to support those who do not qualify for special education so they slip through the cracks even further. There is no PE, music classes, or computer classes. The library is closed and is only open if someone volunteers to check out books to our students. There is no busing so attendance rates plummet. Those who need school the most are not there because they have no means of getting to school.
At the middle school level, class size has also risen to well above 45 students. There are no sports teams or anything in the category of the arts. Everything is “pay to play” so only those who are in a financially stable environment can afford extra-curricular activities. There are no vocational education programs. There is nothing to enrich or challenge the mind. There is really no reason to stay in school even at this level because we have been cut “back to basics”. (Remember, this is what we want, a focus on the rudiments of education. We have too many “extras” that distract from real learning.) There is also no busing and truancy is at an all-time high. But no worries, our students, our future community leaders are getting the basics!
At the high school level we have no classes to help form functioning, contributing citizens. Most students are being pushed through the system. There is no debate, no civics, no AP classes, no foreign language, no technology classes, and no vocational education. (Some of these cuts have happened this school year.) Only students who can afford dual enrollment at WDT or SDSM&T have access to anything outside basic Science, History, Math, and English. We have lost our expert teachers in specialized areas like Physics and Western Civilization to other districts who pay more and still actually have those programs. There are only a handful of educators to help those who have learning disabilities because other districts pay better and offer professional development. There is no funding or staffing to make the latest research in best practices available. The drop-out rate sky rockets as well because there is really no reason to stay in school. We have now perpetuated a cycle that includes our children turning to activities outside of the school system that are less then reputable. We will see increased drug abuse, teen pregnancy, and crime. There are no challenges for them to rise to the occasion and there is no help to keep them there. There are no classes to offer an alternative to the basic Math, Reading, and Writing curriculum.
We are not concerned about being competitive in the global economy or even the local one. There are now very few opportunities, due to lack of education, to escape this cycle of poverty. We have taught our students the basics and trust they will find their way in this complicated, technologically advanced society. Those who achieve this goal will leave Rapid City and never come back. They will take their basic skills and use them as an example of childhood that was lacking. Maybe they will take their basic skills and rely on the government for support. Maybe they will do nothing with their basic skills and not become a contributing member of society. What impact will this have on Rapid City? Should we “go there” next? If we think waiting 3 months for a doctor’s appointment is bad, wait until the supply of other professionals dwindle because they are not interested in educating their children with "just the basics". Interesting picture and future we have painted ourselves….
These are not scare tactics. This is the road we are on. Ask someone in the school district and they will tell story after story of great teachers leaving. They will tell you stories of students who are in desperate need of intervention but the staff is just not there to help. They will tell you of brilliant students who fail because they have given up because there is nothing for them anymore. They will tell you of classes being held in the hallway due to overflow. This alarmist picture we have painted is already happening and yet we continue down this path. I urge you, talk to a teacher and get a clear understanding of what it is like for them to teach under the current conditions. Then ask them what it would be like if things got worse. Ask them about individual kids and their struggles, engage them to tell you a story of what they handle every day, you might be shocked at what you hear.