Funding Schools

There was an interesting article in USA Today on September 2. It addressed how some schools are grappling with how to pay for extracurricular activities. It profiled a school in Ohio that had shut down its athletic and other extracurricular programs. It says in the article that one hour after the final bell the school is shut down for the day. The district spokesperson said the move saved 2.5 million dollars.

In Michigan, we are headed toward a funding crisis. There are projections that next year - 2010/2011 - funding will be reduced by $500 dollars a student. In Grand Ledge that would mean a reduction in funding a 2.5 million dollars.

How will districts throughout our state manage if that actually happens?

The Ohio district decided to eliminate athletics and extracurricular activities. That seems like a bad idea to me. Students need opportunities. While these activities are not directly related to math or science, they do help students learn skills and attitudes that are invaluable as they grow. Skills like teamwork, discipline, and perseverance can be learned in a variety of places, but they can truly be learned on an athletic team or a marching band.

In addition, extracurricular activities can connect students to schools in meaningful ways. Students who are connected to school through an extracurricular activity are often connected academically as well. Without these opportunities we may find it harder to engage students in the learning that should be the centerpiece of our schools.

I don't know what the answer is in Michigan. We need to have a better funding system. Many of us are working hard to find ideas that would help Michigan find a better way to fund education. Can we change the system before the 2010-2011 school year? I hope so but it truly does take time to develop a new way to fund schools.

My hope is as we try to work through what school funding looks like in the years to come we won't sacrifice opportunities for students in the short term.