More cuts to education because of lack of revenue, leadership.

by Jessica Hays — last modified August-07-2008 02:02 AM

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A recent article in the Herald-Leader asks, "Is college no longer affordable?"

For more and more students, the answer is no, it isn't.

Without financial aid, Jonathan Curry describes his chance of attending the University of Kentucky in a single word. ”Impossible,“ said the senior from Henderson. ”I wouldn't be here at all.“

With the help of federal, state and UK scholarships, Curry is on schedule to graduate next spring.

Still, college has hardly been free from struggle. He works 15 to 20 hours a week taking tickets at Comedy Off Broadway, and donates blood plasma as often as twice a week.

”Sometimes I need groceries, and I have $5,“ he said.

His mother, Cynthia Curry, works two jobs and they still don't have enough to cover college bills. So on top of the $10,000 he has already borrowed, he expects to take out $16,000 more in loans this year.

”It's more and more debt,“ he said. ”There's something wrong somewhere.“

What's wrong is that the cost of a college education has mushroomed in Kentucky over the past decade.

And there's another blow to education. We posted earlier about JCTC's GED testing center closing, the only testing site in Jefferson County. Now, KET is cutting their televised and online college credit courses. Here's an excerpt from the short Herald Leader article:

The reason is state budget cuts, according to a news release from KET. The program was funded by a grant from the Council on Postsecondary Education.
More than 140,000 students have earned college credits through the program over a span of nearly 30 years, according to KET.

And finally, according to a survey by the Kentucky School Boards Association, the budget cuts have caused 975 lost jobs in Kentucky's public school systems--a sweeping loss both for education, and of jobs. In Perry County, 48 teachers' aides have lost their jobs. Almost half of the 975 cut positions are cuts from teacher positions, which also means larger class sizes. The average class size in Somerset Independent, for example, moved up from 20 to 28. You can read about it this Courier-Journal article or this Herald-Leader article

When adjusted for inflation, the state's funding of K-12 education will decline by $172 million this fiscal year and $171 million next year, according to an analysis by the Council for Better Education.

Specifically, the state budget cut about $43 million from education programs, including a $14.7 million reduction in the main funding formula for school districts. Also hard hit were professional development and after-school tutoring programs.

Many school districts were forced to reduce staff because salaries make up the bulk of their budgets, said Jody Maggard, finance officer for Perry County schools in Eastern Kentucky. The district, which has 13 schools and about 4,000 students, did not rehire 48 teachers' aides.
“We regret that we had to do it but just like other districts, it was a ‘have to' situation,” Maggard said.

Too many "have-to" situations are affecting our ability to educate our children and ourselves and to protect our families and communities. If Governor Beshear come to your area soon on his listening tour, tell him what you think about our investments in education. Tell us what you think, too!

Education Cuts

Posted by Daniel B. at August-06-2008 10:59 PM

Steve's gotta get his act together in his second year. Otherwise he'll get primaried. Not good to have progressives battling one another!

education

Posted by Maryanne at August-06-2008 11:04 PM

It's sad that educating ourselves and our children seems expedable while things like war are a priority.

Cutting education is NOT the answer

Posted by Shelley at August-06-2008 11:05 PM

Cutting funding for education is never the answer to a budget crisis. It's a temporary solution that leaves the state in need of more services for those who have not completed their education while reducing the earning power (and thus the tax base) of the citizenry at the same time. It feeds into a statewide cycle of poverty and debt.

As an educator, I find this appalling on an ideological basis. As a taxpayer, I find this horribly short-sighted.

Part of the blame lies with Universities too

Posted by Amanda at August-07-2008 08:38 AM

While I agree that cutting education should never be a solution, it's going to happen, and when it does, the schools, particularly Universities should put their students' educations first. Instead of cutting things like athletic coach salaries, frivolous positions and yearly presidential bonuses, they tend to cut professorships and classes. That's ridiculous. Though they shouldn't be put in the position in the first place, you'd think they would prioritize education no matter what.

I don't remember whether it was the Herald Leader or the Courier Journal who published something recently about U of L's President giving most if not all of his yearly bonus back to his campus, but when I read that article, I thought "Now this is someone who at least seems to have their priorities straight under such taxing circumstances." If only every Kentucky University would follow suit...

What about President Todd?

Posted by Trevor at August-07-2008 09:45 AM

Has anyone heard whether or not President Todd is willing to give up his bonus? He should; the man makes SO much money. Indeed, it's ridiculous when you consider how much burden is now being placed on students, faculty, and staff. They've been tightening their belts for long enough; it's time for those in charge to do the same.

another problem paying for school

Posted by Jen Flinchum at August-07-2008 02:27 PM

As a recent UK graduate, I know the difficulties in paying for college very well. Tuition at UK almost doubled in the 4 years I attended. I am starting a master's program in few weeks and have run into another funding issue: loans. I'm going to an out-of-state institution, so there isn't any funding available from the state, and the Stafford loan I received from the federal government covers less than half the costs of the program. Because the financial industry is burning while the federal government fiddles, finding additional loans from private institutions has been extremely difficult. What I have received has an extremely high interest rate. It's been a very frustrating process, especially because many of the financial institutions that have refused to loan me money for grad school are the same ones who, a few years ago, wasted huge amounts of money to send me preapproved credit card applications.

and what's more...

Posted by Rick at August-07-2008 02:47 PM

Another thing to think about is the fact that those Kentuckians whom take the risk of accruing such debt for an education are also likely to have problems paying them back with jobs they get in KY. Knowing this, many college graduates are likely to leave the state in pursuit of careers that will better suit their needs. Now I know this isn't new to KY, but I think this trend will only increase unless we make education more affordable...especially for KY natives.

Any thoughts?

Kentuckians for the Commonwealth

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