I am a junior at Southern Cayuga High; one of many upset with the SCCS community for failing the budget on May 20. Although we understand that the budget would raise taxes should it be passed the opposite, failing the budget, is more detrimental to those within the school.
This budget failure has ensured the loss of two of our most loved teachers. One, a music teacher, has affected the music department positively. Doubling the people participating in music classes and the high school chorus, she is also a varsity cheerleading coach who has brought our squad to new heights. Her position would be cut to half-time, greatly affecting students planning to take music classes.
Next is an art teacher and a friend to every student. Earlier this year Southern Cayuga suffered a tragedy when one beloved volunteer and teacher died. She was an advisor to our National Honor Society, the AV tech, and drama department lighting director. After her death this art teacher took the job of lighting for the drama department, continuing with that of costumes, and kept our show going. An AP art, photography/graphic arts, sculpture, and studio art teacher, his position would be terminated. Loved by every student, I know I speak for the entire high school when I say he would be greatly missed.
Students are disappointed that the community did not think of the repercussions of their actions in failing the budget. The school family is affected by this decision and we feel our needs were not considered during the vote.
A budget re-vote is planned for the weeks to come and I beseech you, go vote. Everyone over 18 in the district has that obligation. Please remember students and teachers are affected by your decision also.
Elizabeth Tyrrell
Genoa
Next is an art teacher and a friend to every student. Earlier this year Southern Cayuga suffered a tragedy when one beloved volunteer and teacher died. She was an advisor to our National Honor Society, the AV tech, and drama department lighting director. After her death this art teacher took the job of lighting for the drama department, continuing with that of costumes, and kept our show going. An AP art, photography/graphic arts, sculpture, and studio art teacher, his position would be terminated. Loved by every student, I know I speak for the entire high school when I say he would be greatly missed.
Students are disappointed that the community did not think of the repercussions of their actions in failing the budget. The school family is affected by this decision and we feel our needs were not considered during the vote.
A budget re-vote is planned for the weeks to come and I beseech you, go vote. Everyone over 18 in the district has that obligation. Please remember students and teachers are affected by your decision also.
Elizabeth Tyrrell
Genoa
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thinksensibly wrote on Jun 4, 2008 11:11 PM:
This is a wonderful and heartwarming letter, and on many levels I do agree with you.
However, you do have to see it from a parent, a taxpayer and voter's point of view.
Education should be the first priority.. before electives, before sports, before extra positions. Unfortunately, I am in the position to see that many of our future generation are graduating beneath the standards that Southern Cayuga once required. High honor students at Southern Cayuga are graduating to find they can't pass entrance exams to community colleges and have great difficulty at the college's they do attend. In short, they are not as prepared -- as EDUCATED -- as they should have been.
I don't disagree with you that it would be a loss to the students to cut the two people you spoke of. That is certainly not the first choice I would make either, as I see many other blatantly obvious choices that come long before the two you mention.
Elizabeth, sadly we live in an economy that forces each of us to make sacrifices... whether individually or in a business. That said, and assuming you can agree with that, what cuts would you suggest as an alternative to the positions you'd like to see kept? As you ponder that.. try to be as objective as you possibly can. While the music and art teachers are important to you, is it fair to cut a sports program or other position that your peers might support?
In short, what I am saying is that everyone will have an argument (myself included) for what cuts they believe should be made. What sacrifices would YOU be willing to make to keep these positions?
What would benefit the you -- the student body -- in promoting your EDUCATION, first and foremost.. THEN, the electives? As a parent and taxpayer, once I see the education standards are the priority and are being restored.. the I too would be willing to fight to keep elective positions. "
a.mom wrote on May 31, 2008 9:49 AM:
The BOE of Southern Cayuga has repeatedly refused to address and/or act on such issues as multiple bus runs with half empty buses, multiple nurses in a single school building, the sharing of non-teaching positions like an SRO, social workers, and psychologist with area districts. It is imperative that the district act responsible on issues that do not directly affect CLASSROOM academics.
If the BOE is holding hostage classroom teachers to get their budget passed, then I suggest that we all reject the next budget to let them know where our priorities lie. Keep the arts, get rid of the waste. "
karl wrote on May 30, 2008 8:06 PM:
Andy B wrote on May 30, 2008 5:58 PM:
karl wrote on May 30, 2008 4:58 PM: