Everyday schools across the nation battle budgetary constraints and balance the seemingly impossible task of providing students with a quality education while also abiding by the funding allotted to them. Such is the case for one Brooklyn school, which recently had to paper towels to its endless list of budget cuts. Understanding how and why this Brooklyn school is dealing with such deep cuts can help to inform other schools around the country managing similar struggles.
Brooklyn School’s Budget Cuts: The Facts
The Brooklyn school in question is facing budget cuts totaling $2 million for the 2019-2020 academic year, which is about 10% of its total budget. This includes a range of programs and services, including the elimination of electives, cuts to sports and after-school activities, and staff and teacher layoffs. Furthermore, these cuts have impacted the school’s operations and the students’ education, as the school is unable to provide the same amount of resources on a quality level as it once did.
Impacts on Student Learning and Education
Budget cuts have had an immense impact on student learning and education at the Brooklyn school. Cuts to courses, programs, and staff have not only limited the learning opportunities available to students, but have also taken away the variety and resources needed to properly educate them. This has presented a unique challenge as the number of students attending the school had not previously declined and the educational standards remain the same.
Considering the Negatives and Making the Best of the Situation
The Brooklyn school is addressing the problem of budget cuts in a positive manner. Despite the limits on available resources, the school’s principal and staff are taking precautionary actions to ensure that students still have the opportunity to receive a quality education. They have reached out to local education organizations and businesses to seek donations and funds, as well as utilizing local and state grants to help supplement the losses that have come with the cuts.
Creative Thinking and Problem Solving
The staff at the school have also taken a creative, holistic approach to accommodating the budget cuts. They have put a strong focus on efficiency, reworking programs and resources or analyzing how often certain supplies are used in order to cut costs. For example, the school has cut down on paper towel usage by implementing a “one pour one use” system. This means that all students are required to use one paper towel for one purpose, like wiping up messes, and then discard of that towel.
Raising Awareness About Budget Cuts
In addition to utilizing grant money and utilizing efficiency tactics, the Brooklyn school is raising awareness about the budget cuts and their effects on the students. The school has organized events, such as fundraisers and school wide assemblies, in order to keep the students informed and to make them realize the importance of their education and the need to respect the resources they have. This is an important tactic to ensure that the students learn how to utilize and appreciate the resources they have while understanding the severity of the budget cuts.
Budget cuts are a harsh reality facing schools all across the nation, especially in urban areas. The Brooklyn school discussed has implemented numerous tactics in order to cope with the financial burden, which outlines the lengths one school is willing to go in order to provide students with a quality education. Other schools facing budget constraints can draw from this example and consider instructions on how to handle the situation in a mindful and effective manner.
