Rural schools, communities suffer in the face of Texas' budget cuts

$10 billion proposed reduction in direct school aid could drive small, rural school districts out of business. This Statesman article by Kate Alexander, discusses how
lawmakers are now considering a two-year budget proposal that is without the ten billion dollars owed to school districts under our current law, this would amount to a fourteen percent reduction in total state and local education spending. The schools across Texas will be struggling at best, without money to operate and continued funding to teach the future leaders and residents of the state.

This news article addresses the state of emergency that the schools of Texas are in at this time, as well as small communities, specifically one that is in a path of decimation and obliteration in the face of Texas budget cuts by state lawmakers. These are same lawmakers tossing around these proposals, who were voted into office by the trusting citizens and voters of the state, elected to enhance and preserve the quality of life, not cause it to suffer.

The article I feel is important in a very ambiguous way, but I feel a major point I want to air out is that this is what happens when the people and citizens, fail to exercise their democratic power to vote, or do so properly over they're state and local governments. It's what designates the jobs of these lawmakers. They need to be held accountable. It is also important because as a resident of Texas, this is affecting everyone directly or indirectly. Oddly enough, it still remains that the same incumbents and political regimes continue to rule the politics of this state.

Miles is the small town and target in the spot light here, built in 1904 it is home to a traditional vintage opera house along the red-brick main street once showcased "The Mikado' by Gilbert Sullivan and the oratory Mark Twain. There is clearly a lot of history, heritage and pride for the towns people there. They now pack the school auditorium a few blocks away for every student play and band performance, "it's the only show in town" they proclaim. For residents of this tiny West Texas farming community, the school district is central to their identity, history and way of life.

Miles now faces a serious threat to it's survival from the school budget cuts taking place in the Texas Capitol. The possibility of reduction and loss of state aid has superintendents across Texas fretting about school closures, layoffs and fewer programs for students. For Robert Gibson, the superintendent of Miles says the worst case scenario could mean the end of his town. Under the proposals floating around the Capitol, the district could be out as much as 15 percent of its total budget.

Another issue of point to consider is the drawing of districts. Texas' population has grown twenty percent over the past decade, according to estimates from the Texas State Data Center. At the same time, rural communities have held steady in sheer numbers but fallen from sixteen percent to thirteen percent of the total state population.
The more residents in urban and suburban communities mean more representation in the Capitol, a gap that will widen with the decennial redrawing of legislators' districts this year.
The result is that rural school districts that are struggling in West Texas and elsewhere could have their voices drowned out.

Consolidating with another district and closing the schoolhouse doors wouldn't really save much money. Yet it would be even more devastating to Miles than the great drought of the 1950s. "If the school wasn't here," Gibson said, "the community would blow away."

The article is insightful and simply keeping us informed on what is happening within our Government and society right now and the changes taking place. It also hints at the idea of consequences of the legislators gerrymandered districts and non accountability of the same politicians in power. People need to understand that unless they exercise their right to vote, their lives are directly affected and to some degree dictated by someone who is paid a lot of money to do just that. Like a carrot and a stick. Representation for personal way of life is of the up most importance when dealing with government. The vote is our power.