The Journey Inward

My heart is rejoicing tonight!
After seven long months of a budget crisis 
in our district,
after 65 teachers have been let go,
after 2 supervisors have been released,
after we've lost our 6 Class III Officers,
our reading and writing support staff,
and our STEM teachers,
after we've worried and fretted,
after we've felt angry, despondent and demoralized,
after months of upheaval that has left us fatigued,
the news is wonderful!

Tonight, our Board passed a budget proposal
that will bring back 15 people,
bring back some programs,
bring back some stability,
bring back some financial security,
bring back some of what our students stood to lose next year.

It was not an easy win. 
Taxpayers are angry. 
They feel burdened and double crossed. 
The Board is angry at the state formula. 
They feel they’ve been slighted. 
Speakers were impassioned and heated. 
On both sides. 
I spoke for a third time,
desperate for a new angle. 
There was no clear win. 
But there stood to be one big loser,
our students. 


Will our class sizes decrease again?
Will our specialists return to their areas?
How will this money be dispersed and applied?
Will I be spared the loss of yet another position,
or return to the classroom?

So much is unclear at this point.
Much needs to be ironed out.
And in the weeks to come, it will be.
But for now,
we have had a HUGE victory for our children,
and I couldn't feel any happier!

Our voices were heard...
teachers, parents, community members,
the students themselves!
Tonight, our Board voted
FOR OUR KIDS!!!

Photo:  Hillsborough, NJ.  Me with a former student, April 1993.