A few years ago, Decatur floated a school bond referendum, which would increase the sales tax for all of Macon County. I became more than a bit irritated with folks who told me they were voting against the proposal because, "My kids are out of school." I told a few who embraced such logic that they were narrow-minded and selfish. They appeared dumbfounded when I asked, "Who paid for your kids' public school education?"
Fact: Funding for America's public schools' classrooms continues to shrink at an alarming rate. Several 'Red-States' where Republicans have delivered on tax cutting promises have seen those 'cuts' take hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue away from childrens' educational opportunities. So much for the wonders of smaller government!
One State facing public education funding woes is Oklahoma. By golly never let it be said that 'Sooners' can't skin the cat. Ninety-six Oklahoma school districts have reduced school attendance requirements from five days to four days a week as a cost saving measure. That number (96) is growing. Hot damn, those districts can now reduce cost for the already the lowest paying profession (teaching) even more...and just think how the teacher shortage will escalate. Oklahoma's four-day school districts can lay off some bus drivers, custodians, maintenance and secretaries. Trickle down economics at its best, folks. America's priorities ranking: (1) Money (2) Tailgating (3) education.
I suppose if this four-day measure falls short of the envisioned 'bottomline' figure the Okies could chop off another day and go three days a week. Just make sure Friday is one of the days 'in school' because that's football pep-rally day.
(Touch)What a Wonderful World
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