As a Kentucky teacher, parent, and citizen, I am appalled that this budget passed our state legislature. It appears that our representatives neither respect nor appreciate the job I do every day to try to get our students to succeed.
Extended school services have been cut by more than 18 million dollars a year. ESS helps students pass classes they had failed, and helps decrease the drop-out rate.
While visiting Kentucky last month, U.S. Secretary of Education, Margaret Spellings challenged the state to "keep working to increase the number of students who receive supplemental education services." This won't happen when our state government reduces funding for the programs that fall under this category.
In regards to the insulting one percent raise in teacher and state worker salaries --this does not even come close to the increased cost of living. However, a ten million-dollar increase in the legislative budget was approved.
I am ashamed of citizens who think that teachers are overpaid. You have no idea what teachers do every day to help your child succeed. My job does not stop at "quitting time." I live within five minutes of the school where I teach, and so do many of my students, whom I see and help frequently. I am always a teacher -- not just from 9 to 5, or from August to May.
I'm Dani Malone, and that's my...Point of View.
