Idea for funding education

Dear Editor:

I am deeply saddened by the recent headlines regarding school closings and the loss of teachers due to cutbacks. It's not that I don't understand the issues schools are facing, but I truly believe that we will be suffering in the end due to this crisis in our education system. Time and time again, we've dealt with kids dropping out and other school issues regarding lack of funding and such, but we've yet to find the answers we need.

The priority for not only parents and schools needs to be education and educators; we need to band together as whole communities and do whatever it takes to maintain that teacher in the classroom. They are not just educators, but mentors and motivators. Sometimes they are one of the few positive adult role models a child might see on a regular basis. As a community, I think that it is important to look at the issue as a whole -- not just district by district, but together, collectively, finding solutions for each and every facility that is experiencing the crunch.

One option that I think deserves a closer look is something that would take a little bit of a risk, but one that I feel would pay off and pay off big! Businesses that are always trying to entice a community to shop locally and to support them locally should band together, or stand alone if they choose, to sponsor a teacher. It might not be feasible for small businesses to take on alone, but grouping together would make it work. School runs from August till May; sponsor one teacher and pay their wages (just base wages -- nothing more, nothing less) and allow them to stand where they will make the most difference, and that is in the classroom. This will allow that difference to be felt, not only to those students, but to the school and to the community. This allows you, the businesses, to help that domino effect get started. The difference would begin with you!

How would this reflect positively on you? How would this be more than just money out of pocket for the business? I know as a parent of six children in this community I would definitely be easily enticed and have a greater interest in spending my hard-earned dollars in a local business that I knew to be a teacher sponsor. I know that I would look for advertising, print or signage, that highlighted a business that was sponsoring a teacher, and I think that many parents would do the same.

This is just some food for thought. Change is always slow to happen, but in a time as we are experiencing today, our educators and children are facing issues that we as a community need to help address the best way we can. Look at your business, look at what you can do, and look at your friends in the business community and band together to make a difference. It's a sign of true dedication to the future of our community!

Misty Bell

[Posted April 28, 2010]