When our school district began looking at potential budget cuts this past spring, we(the PTO) encouraged parents to become actively involved in the process. There were parents who attended the school board meetings. Some took the lists of potential cuts and made their own suggestions, which they sent to the school board members. Some of us also spoke during the public input times to let the board know what we wanted.
The school board was in a tight spot. They HAD to make cuts and some of the board members beseeched the public to provide input. Believe me, your board doesn't WANT to do this-they have no choice. Thankfully for us, the worst case scenario did not come to be, but cuts were still made.
If your parents are concerned, then they need to attend the school board meetings, gather info and voice their opinions. They probably won't be able to stop the cuts, but they can let the board know what their priorities for their children are.
I know this isn't a PTO problem but it is a parent problem. Our school district is in trouble. They have a 2 million dollar deficit and the state has told them they have to show they are serious about cutting it or they will take over. So, to show they are serious they are laying off staff in Jan. (the 2nd semester)
Parents are upset cause all these changes will affect the children. Some will be getting new teachers and one elementary may even be getting a new principal.
As PTO president parents are coming to me asking what we can and should do to try and stop these layoffs in mid year. I don't know how to "fight" something like this.
What should parents do? I don't know if there is anything we can do to stop this but think we should try.
