Contributed by Jamieson Mackay
Gulf Coast Educators Federal Credit Union
Vice President/Project Development
We’ve seen a lot of rhetoric about how the business community has had to tighten its belt and make cuts and education needs to do the same. Many districts have been very proactive when it comes to evaluating where cuts can be made. The news is full of stories of school districts already making cuts and evaluating each and every staff position.
The problem is that education isn’t like a business at all. In most cases, a business has to make cuts due to lower demand. Lower demand = Less sales = Less revenue= Need for cuts. The demand for education in our region and Texas in general is growing, not slacking. If education were like a business, we would expect that in order to meet increased demand, we would actually need to invest greater amounts in staffing and capital.
The current budget crisis has serious implications for education in the State of Texas. Cuts will need to be made but we must urge our legislators to minimize the effects of the budget cuts on education. After all, the demand is increasing and we must look at education as an important investment we can make for our future.
As news of cuts and possible layoffs increase in our local school districts, we encourage everyone to contact their state representatives and let them know that in education, it’s raining. Let them know that you expect them to make education a priority and take the appropriate steps to maintain a bright future for our kids.
If you don’t know who represents you in the Texas Legislature, please visit http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/
State Senator:
Mike Jackson
State Representatives:
Ken Legler
Wayne Smith
Larry Taylor
John Davis
Remember, if you don't contact your representatives to make your voice heard, they will assume that you agree with their actions.
Jamieson Mackay
Gulf Coast Educators Federal Credit Union
Vice President/Project Development