Money for schools

By Meg Miller
Posted Monday, February 4, 2008

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Pittsboro, NC - Our school system is badly broken. We are creating test takers and not creators and learners. By "our", I mean the country. Search for things locally to expand your own children's learning experience because that time is fleeting.

The ARTS program at Northwood is one of the places kids can break that cycle and express themselves. I'm happy, thrilled that the Board of Commissioners has found the funds to help this school, at long last. Folks are meeting now to discuss plans and start this ball rolling. Please no more committees. Let's just get it done. Thank you, members of the Board of Education and the Board of Commssioners that made this happen. You know who you are.

It's not the kids or teachers fault this country has allowed the influx of illegal immigrants to go unchecked. Why should they pay the price? I found out 17 years ago that the county not only expected my taxes, they wanted my spare change and time too; to buy equipment, books, tissue, uniforms, you name it, for the schools. To volunteer to proctor and assist in understaffed classrooms. At first I balked. "That's what I pay taxes for". Reality is, if we didn't do it, it wouldn't get done, and the schools would go without. So you do it and find out it's pretty enjoyable after all.

I'll pay the higher taxes, even though I wish it was the land transfer taxes that funded this. I'll pay because it is an investment in the future, not because my kids will benefit. The community will benefit.

Until there is a drastic change in the way we look at education, until we come out of the dark ages and approach learning as a life long process, our schools will fail certain populations. Our southern schools are now more that 50% "poor". By 2017, that is the prediction for the entire nation. Folks who can afford to will continue to leave public education more and more. "Afford" doesn't just mean money, it means time and ability to transport and be involved.

If we don't support our public schools now they won't be anything but test taking warehouses. in the future. You won't be able to pay a teacher enough. Pay now or pay later. I'll pay now. And for the record, I'm not a northeast macmansionite. I make less than $35,000. Stop the complaining and finger pointing and look at the big picture.

Our kids, their futures, our future.