It’s estimated that property tax rates could rise by 25 percent — up 22 cents — by 2013. When education spending grows faster than the underlying economy, a budget crisis is inevitable.
We cannot sustain our spending levels without working together to make dramatic changes.
Consolidating school districts where it makes sense, bulk-purchasing, and similar measures can help. We must optimize the talents of our educators, and implement a strong program for professional development. They deserve clear and attainable standards of accountability for student performance.
Our educators account for 70 percent of a school’s costs, but 100 percent of its success.
The $47.1 million in federal funding just awarded to our state for internet expansion will bring untold opportunity and a new level of equality to classrooms across our state, with distance- learning, technical training, virtual classrooms and more, by linking every school to high-capacity, high-speed, and affordable broadband. We also need comprehensive data systems to track achievement, so we know what works and what doesn’t.Education is about children. Quality must come first. We need to empower parents, and look to them to make the best decisions about their own children’s future. The only way we can meet our education challenge is through partnership and trust, and by growing jobs and paychecks.
For the rest of the article, go to Gubernatorial candidates talk about public education
