Budget cuts are expected to affect almost every student – whether it is paying for tests, having crowded classrooms or paying for sports. Though the greatest impact seems to be on sports cuts and fees, many academic programs have been greatly affected.
The new budget, proposed by the FCPS Superintendent Jack Dale, consists of $2.3 billion. $104.8 million of this budget will be for larger cuts and $3.4 million will be for new or increased fees. The projected enrollment has grown to 1,760 students, causing the budget to be so costly.
Sports are going to be greatly affected next year with the elimination of freshman sports, winter cheerleading and indoor track. “If they cut winter track I am not going to be able to continue doing indoor track senior year which means I will not be doing any winter sports,” said junior Bobby Pradachith. Along with sports cuts, there also will be a $100 fee for athletic participation. It is expected that sports participation will dwindle because of the new fees.
Sports are not the only major program affected; the proposed budget will also eliminate one foreign language in elementary schools, summer school and 594 positions(positions of what?). Funds for behind-the-wheel, the elementary focus and extended learning program will also be eliminated.
There also will be a $75 fee for students taking Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) tests, expenses that have been previously funded by the school.
“I do not get why you have to pay for tests that are mandatory,” said junior Alyssa Suchar about the new exam fees.
With the abundant number of jobs lost, students can expect classrooms to be overcrowded. Students will not get the attention they need with so many of them in one class. “I think it is dangerous especially in a science classroom where you’re running labs, it’s impossible to safely monitor 35 students at once,” said science teacher Kim Becraf
The elimination of summer programs to help students who did not meet requirements during the regular school year will also greatly impact students. If students fail to meet the requirements to pass a class during the school year they had a chance to go to summer school to make it up. With the proposed summer school cuts students will either have to retake the class the following year or get no credit for that course.
“It’s going to be harder on students because if you do not do well during the school year you can not make it up in the summer,” said sophomore Fatima Ahmed about the elimination of summer school.
“Student achievement remains our main focus, and while we have directed our diminishing resources to support students and staff members working directly with our students, there is no doubt that many programs which parents and students have come to expect will be gone,” says Dale.
The proposed cuts will definitely impact students whether it is academics, sports or extracurricular activities.
