District Budget Cuts Cause Teacher Layoffs COMMENTARY BY SARAH LOPES

On our last day of school, students may just have to leave CHS wondering why 42 teachers are not coming back next year. 42. That is unless we can get the Town Council members to do something to help at their next meeting on June 12th. Keep your ears open for ways to help.

District Budget Cuts Cause Teacher Layoffs  COMMENTARY 

BY SARAH LOPES

On Wednesday, May 16th, the Coventry School Committee, by a 3-2 vote, approved layoffs of 42 Coventry teachers. Whether they were from our CHS or another school in Coventry, the slips affect the whole community. The layoffs are the result of the budget cuts that have happened to schools when the town did not approve the most recent school budget for 2018-19.  

Many at CHS worry that the budget cuts will mean a decline for our school. Our school alone will have to lose at least twelve teachers, cut morning gym, and face larger class sizes. Many are upset to learn that they are also cutting some tech programs or sections.

The budget cuts could very well make our school lose NEASC accreditation, making it harder for all of us to get into colleges, which is obviously worrying for people who don’t get the best grades and can’t rely on sports scholarships.

All departments are being affected by these cuts.  Some have asked why no cuts have been made to the administration or to extracurricular clubs or even sports. The budget gap is being solved only by cutting teachers.

42 teachers are not going to be able to keep doing what they love. 42 teachers won’t be able to provide for themselves or their families as well as they could. 42 teachers are going to struggle to find another job.

All CHS students will feel the change in class sizes since we won’t have as many teachers to provide instruction for all of our students. This will make it harder for our teachers to connect as well with their students, making it harder to connect their world to ours.  Some students are really close to their teachers and, with larger class sizes, students won’t be able to confide in their teachers as easily.

Some CHS students are already saying they may try to transfer to other schools.   The fact that students are thinking about leaving their friends just so they can get away from our declining school should not be overlooked.

Also, the fact that students who are outspoken and barely talk are speaking out to save their teachers should not be overlooked. The fact that students seem to care more about our education then our parents or the School Committee should not be overlooked.  Our concerns should not be overlooked.

On our last day of school, students may just have to leave CHS wondering why 42 teachers are not coming back next year. 42.  That is unless we can get the Town Council members to do something to help at their next meeting on June 12th. Keep your ears open for ways to help.

 

Budget Proposal Posted on CPS Website