Florida Education Appropriations

At this moment I am watching the Florida legislature debate and supposedly clarify the 2009-2010 state education appropriations budget. Here are my impressions.

A few of these people are actually concerned about adequately funding schools in the state. Some of the legislators are wrapped up in promoting special high cost programs in their individual districts. It is my suspicion that they are trolling for local votes rather than displaying an actual concern for education.

Most of our legislators are playing politics. Interjected between bouts of Obama bashing and praising are deceptive comments about the level of student funding. Representative Flores states that the funding level per pupil will actually be increased during the next fiscal year. She also states that the revenue funding is the same as in 2006. So why is Florida having to receive a special dispensation to receive additional funds? Flores states that the overall funding is less than in 2006 so Florida does not qualify for the special funding according to their criteria.

If we are receiving more money per pupil then why is our school having to cut off some lights each day and to reduce heating and a/c use? Why are field trips and extracurricular activities sharply curtailed? Why are they moving to a radically different school schedule for next year so they can stack more students in the classrooms? Categorical funding is the answer. We have tons of money build schools but this money can't be used for the students or to buy needed supplies and to keep the schools running. The result is that the students will not be receiving an adequate level of education next year. Don't you just love state educational politics? I am so glad that I will not be facing this type of deceptive crap next year but I feel deeply sorry that my fellow teachers will be stuck in the impossible situation of having to instruct students in hot or cold classrooms with few supplies. It just makes me sick. The least our elected officials can do is to be honest (for a change) and say that the students of Florida will be shafted. It's probably because it would show just how uncaring or education many of our state politicians really are.

Random Thoughts At 3 AM

1) Occasionally I am reminded why I am a teacher. Today when looking at a sponge under the microscope one of my students yelled out "Come here! This is just so cool!" Moments like these make me proud of my students and very happy I decided on the teaching profession 29 years ago.

2) On TV now the PBS station is showing speeches of many of our political experts talking about the Iraq war in 2003. Their statements were, in hindsight, about 95 percent wrong. It amazes me just how totally wrong a large group of our (supposedly) most intelligent people in Washington and in the military could be so blatantly wrong. What is more amazing is that they could not only apparently not learn from their mistakes but have spent the intervening years trying to spin their positions to justify their actions and make themselves look reasonably competent. It is eerily similar to the decisions made by the top levels of education. As Yogi Berra said, "It's deja vu all over again".

3) The acupuncture treatments had minimal effect upon my "pinched" nerve. That's why I am up now. I have an appointment Monday afternoon with a chiropractor and will let you all know how it goes over the next few treatments.

4) I finished my 4th song on my new CD "More Cowbell". I think they are my best instrumentals ever and are very proud of my amateur efforts at composing. The songs along with my earlier ones are at http://www.mp3.com/artist/the-unexcused/songs/
I would appreciate those with a few moments to listen to some of my songs and even give a review or rating. It is a neverending source of pleasure to be able to take a computer, some software, an amplifier, microphone, and a few guitars to make compositions like these that could only have been produced in a studio a few years ago.

That's all for now. I'm going to go back to bed in a few minutes, shove the cats aside, and try to get some rest when the feeling in my arm eases up.