South Pointe School Improvement Council Urges Parental Involvement in State Budgetary Matters

January 23, 2009

 

South Pointe High School

School Improvement Council

Lori McDermott, Chairperson 2008-09

                                                                                                                                        January 23, 2009

Dear South Pointe Parents,

            The South Pointe School Improvement Council (SIC) is an organization composed of parents, students, and school faculty representatives that is charged with numerous responsibilities.  One of the primary responsibilities of the SIC is to work closely with the administration to ensure that goals and objectives developed in the School Improvement Plan are monitored and addressed.

            Through discussions at our monthly meetings, the SIC has become concerned about the impact of the national and state economic crisis upon our school district and its individual schools.  Due to budget cuts at the state level earlier this year, our school district asked school principals to decrease expenditures and, as a result, funding typically provided to support teachers and student programs has been reduced.  More recently, there are indications that there will be additional and more substantial cuts at the state level that threaten to have an even more significant impact on the district’s finances.  These budget cuts will again trickle down to the school level.

            Unlike many districts around the state, Rock Hill School District Three is fortunate to have emergency reserve funds that will allow it to better absorb these unanticipated budget cuts this school term; however, our major concern is that there are currently discussions at the state level that indicate that the cuts will continue into next year.  If this were to happen, it could result in increased class sizes, reduced funding for busses and textbooks, cutting of programs, etc.  In addition, in order to offset costs, there is a possibility that students may be charged a fee for participating in extracurricular activities.  Each of these possibilities will negatively impact our students. 

            While we understand that our state is experiencing an economic decline, we are concerned that public education will continue to receive significant reductions in funds that will counteract many of the positive strides that have been made in our schools.  At some point in the near future, the South Pointe SIC will sponsor a forum at which we will give you an opportunity to learn more about the situation.  In the meantime, we encourage you to contact your state representatives and encourage them to avoid decisions that will negatively impact our students.  To identify and communicate with your state representatives, visit click here.  A link is available through the school’s website.  Now is the time to take action before these important decisions are made.

                                                                                    Sincerely,

                                                                                    The South Pointe SIC