Fees, overcrowding is budget's burden passed on to students

Richmond County schools face more budget cuts as the year 2010 approaches. According to the Board of Education web site, in late July, the state of Georgia announced an estimated $900 million deficit for the 2010 budget year.

This means there will be a cut in education to the students and they will have to learn with less this year.

The Richmond County School board, its employees, the students, parents and the community suffer because of this loss.

To cope with the budget cuts and to try to gain additional revenue, teachers are being furloughed and their work hours decreased by 15 minutes. Classes are becoming more crowded and oversized; schools don't have as many supplies, such as extra paper and pencils, and many school programs are being taken away. Fees have also risen on lunch, lockers and parking decals for students who drive to school.

"Students feel that the fees are unfair and too expensive," said Shanice Brewster, 17, a senior at A.R. Johnson Health Science and Engineering Magnet School. "Oversize classes hinder students from being able to learn and get the required individual needs and because of the overload of students, many materials have been cut."

Ca'Lecia Fleming, 17, a senior at A.R. Johnson, says she's also seen an effect.

"The extra fees in school are affecting my other activities," she said. "Also, I have had to go to the other family members to help assist with fees. Oversized classes cause more distractions for the students and the many attitudes will not mix well."

La'Darian Smith, 17, says he disliked the increase in fees because it restricts finances.

"The oversized classes aren't that much of problem. I still learn fine," the A.R. Johnson senior said. "I get asked for pens all the time and I know some students that didn't even get lockers."

For now, all the employees, the students, parents of students, and community can do is be patient and hope for the best for Richmond County.