Education Spending Is Major Sticking Point in Stimulus Talks

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Isn't that just like the Republicans to demand strict accounting for pubic schools while giving trillions to financial institutions with no strings attached. Why don't they stop picking on poor little kids and the teachers who are working hard to educate them - and pick on the people who made this mess in the first place ? Where is the strict accounting for the bail-out money already given ? If they want teachers who are perceived as poor performers fired - why aren't they firing the losers who ran this country in to the ground ? The financial institutions leveraged themselves 30 times over (what a profound understanding of good fiscal management !) and yet, not only are they being allowed to keep their jobs but ta da they get bonuses, too. Whats wrong with this picture ?

Disbelief of NY 11:27PM February 12, 2009

Where I come from, when a school needs repair, the city must shoulder the burden! A new school levy is put on the next ballot and the community takes care of their own needs! Why should we the people pay for districts who obviously dont give a dang about their own childrens' education? We need to stop making it okay for some Americans to be irresponsible and unaffected while the rest of us pay increasing amounts of tax for their apathy!

Concerned taxpayer of OH 9:03AM February 12, 2009

This is not the time to go bashing President Obama about promises. He's only been in office for a month. What is everyone expecting, a miricle overnight? Let's be real here. The whole world is going through a storm right now. And no one has a "quick fix" for tomorrow. If you were in His shoes, you wouldn't be able to do anything more than what the Lawmakers allow until it's time to vote. Even if Educator's get the "financial" break we're all in need of, it will be a minute before we feel the effects. So, sit back and think of some solutions, instead of complaining and adding to the problem. The blessing is on the way.
One solution maybe; the Federal Government & State Department(s)of Education/ Commissioner should meet with the NFL and NBA, to propose a bill that would allow ? millions of dollars to each state for education funding and target critical areas first. They have the money to pay the athletes, why not the Educator's who've played a significant part in their lives.
And last, our children are just not interested in school these days. We have to create programs of interest, such as work studies, fine arts, welding, auto mechanics, technology or something hands on to meet this generation where they are. Lectures are not the answer. We need state of the art education facilities with equipment/ manipulative and programs that will prepare this generation for the future. Let's work together as Educator's to find more solutions.

SH of TX 9:18PM February 11, 2009

Well if you are concerned about education, talk to the Rublications who negotiated to get funds out of the stimulus and voted against it. Well, guess thats why they have driven up the nation debt and now want to talk about spending. Ironic huh? I to like McCain, at least you know where he stands and he takes responsiblity for his mistakes. Wish more Rep would follow his lead. But they won't, they'll just keep getting behind outlaws like Karl Rowe who doesn't even respect our legal system. What a laugh, These are the Patriots, the ones who would vote for who they want and support who we get! Please take down your flags you hipocrites!

Tammy In Texas of TX 5:18PM February 11, 2009

I find it interesting that the comments seem to hold Obama directly accountable for the strengths and weaknesses of the stimulus bill. In fact, I think this has been a largely legislative effort, and I've been disappointed that obama hasn't had a BIGGER influence on the stimulus package. Obama certainly HAS come out against education cuts (Hopefully your friends, Cheryl, are better informed that you).
Re: comments that education has nothing to do with anticyclical stimulus -- construction does! school construction is no different than other kinds of construction except it has the ADDITIONAL benefit of also creating an environment conducive to learning. Which has lots to do with economic growth. So school construction spending helps in the long and short term.

mimi of DC 3:43PM February 11, 2009

I am a special educator in California who is struggling to get the necessary resources for my students. I know we need funding from the government to support the staff, supplies, and necessary facilities. I don't understand why our government (Calfiornia's state government) thinks that cutting school funding will solve our economic problem. I don't necessarily think teachers should get paid more money in order to recruit qualified educators. You don't want people coming into education simply for the money. I do think that we need to learn how to alocate our money more appropriately. I work in a school where 95% of our student population recieves free and reduced breakfast/lunch. At the end of the day there is a ton of left over food that they have to throw away. There has to be a better system of ordering food so that our children are being fed AND we're not wasting so much food.

Tanya of CA 3:34PM February 11, 2009

I've heard so many different sides in regards to school district's receiving funds. I know that the teachers who go above and beyond deserve the very best, but the ones who are really missing out are OUR CHILDREN! The way I see it we are always at the bottom of the professional world. In actuality, we are producing the future and should be compensated as such. How sad that this is what our country has come to.

LBD of FL 2:51PM February 11, 2009

Unofrtunately, we have Maine's 2 senators to thank for cutting the Education portion of the stimulus bill. The two of them claim to be so bipartisan and all they do is push through their Republican agenda. Schools need the funding. As President Obama says: Why wouldn't we want top of the line facilities for our children? It will only help them compete for careers in the future. What a joke those two senators are. We need this money...especially in Maine where our education system is falling apart literally and figuratively! Call your senators and get them to work to put the money back in to the stimulus package to help our children and help the future of our country.

Tony of ME 2:19PM February 11, 2009

ProPublica, an independent newsroom for investigative journalism, has created a tool that lets you see "how much funding has been cut from your local school district (and every district in the country) for school construction in the Senate stimulus bill." Check out the link below.
http://www.propublica.org/article/school-construction-funding

Eddy Ramirez of DC 11:31AM February 11, 2009

I just finished reading an article stating that high paying jobs that do not require a Bachelor's degree are going unfilled because of a lack of skilled workers. These workers are trained at the community college level.
Community colleges are also able, at a lower cost and with better results, to provide the first two years of a Baccalaureate education. Community Colleges, typically grant more high school diplomas than the largest high school in the same area.
Community Colleges are the answer, this time the question is, "How will we prepare workers to take their places in this rapidly changing economy?'
I work in a community college whose enrollment is up by 15% and funding down by 10%. Community colleges all over the country have a proven record of being able to do the most with their funding. It costs less to keep a student in a community college for a year than it does to place a student in kindergarten.
Please encourage your legislators to fully fund any and all community college spending. Legislators at both the state and national level need to look at the formulas for funding public schools, community colleges and universities and make them more equitable.
In order to help this economy recover quickly, community colleges need funding.

Penny Prichard of NC 10:08AM February 11, 2009