State of education in the state of Indiana

With Governor Mitch Daniels calling for a $300 million statewide cut to education, school districts are running scared. He's made it clear, though, that this is the way things are going to be. I feel that if state higher-ups would actually set foot inside of a school that they would pour MORE money into it, instead of giving less in the middle of the year!

That said, anyone graduating with a teaching degree this year in the state of Indiana is basically sorry-out-of-luck. The school district I left last year is SO out of money that they let their faculties know that anyone with seven or less years of experience is at risk of being cut. SEVEN YEARS!

And Steven and I are sitting over here with three years each, but only two years for Steven in his district, and one year for me in mine. His district seems pretty well set at this point because they count their pennies. I've heard many varying things from mine, but if the scale had to tip one way or the other, I think I might have a job next year. (But even then...who knows about the NEXT year when even MORE cuts are made??)

It's just a really sad state of education when we have so many challenges and uphill battles to fight already, without the constant fear of being cut and not being able to get hired anywhere else (because no one will be hiring)....along with a slew of hundreds of other concerns that come from the budget cuts. I understand that cuts need to be made somewhere, but how can someone "cut" the quality of education that the future of America receives? How can teachers be cut?? Schools need teachers! It's quite the paradox, but somehow we're living in the middle of it.

That's my mini rant. I know that it is what it is, and we have to accept it. Please keep us and all teachers in your thoughts and prayers!