A Mom's Point Of View On School Budget Woes

This is my first blog for Westlake Patch and I thought I would give you a little background information about me. I am married and my family and I have lived in Westlake for 7 years. I have a 7-year-old daughter who is in first grade at Hilliard Elementary and a 5-year-old son who is getting ready to enter kindergarten this coming school year.

First off, I have to give Dr. Keenan and three of the school board members - Tom Mays, Carol Winter and Andrea Rocco, kudos for taking what the state is handing out and trying to do what is best for our children and the district.

Now with that being said, here comes the inspiration for this blog. When full-day kindergarten was first being suggested for all children, I was excited for this opportunity for my son to benefit from a full-day setting. But that changed when Governor Kasich put forth his budget and Westlake was facing a 70% cut in funding. So Dr. Keenan went over every possible plan to save the district, and one of the things that had to go was the full day kindergarten option.

They are thinking of providing a full day program but it will be tuition-based and that tuition amount will be $2,300.00. While I am sure a lot of families can pay this and afford this option, my thoughts are with families such as mine that cannot afford this for their child. If you qualify for free or reduced lunches, your tuition will be waived or reduced but if you are in the unlucky spot of making a living, but not below the accepted level, you are out of luck.

I feel that they should table the full-day kindergarten program until all children can benefit from it. I believe that children in a half-day program are not going to get the same education as those whose parents pay for full-day, and I think that is a disservice to the children who through no fault of their own, but due to the economy, have to attend half-day classes.

While I am sure that a lot of parents like the half-day option, I feel my son would be better served if he had the same level playing field. I would like to hear from other families that are having these struggles, as well as I invite the school board to come and post to help ease the minds of these parents.

I will be blogging on a number of things that effect our children, our school district and the city of Westlake I look forward to your comments and suggestions as well.