"This is definitely the worst economic situation that school districts have faced since the Depression," The consequences are upon us. Three years ago, six librarians served West Bend's six elementary schools; this year, one librarian remains.
Next year, there likely will be none.
In Wisconsin alone...An unprecedented three of every four school districts cut teachers this year, with an estimated 1,000 educators terminated and at least as many phased out through attrition or reduced to part time, according to the Wisconsin Education Association Council.
But nowhere is the squeeze more evident than in West Bend, home to the state's 20th-largest school district as well as one of its highest unemployment rates and a fervent anti-tax sentiment that makes budget-cutting the only apparent option.
"Parents ask, 'What should we do with our children as the West Bend School District continues to cut and cut and cut programs,' " said Egan, a 20-year veteran who is likely to be reassigned to teach the regular curriculum.
For the first time since the Depression, virtually every strata of American government is caught in the same viselike squeeze: Cities, counties and states find themselves deep in debt and lacking rainy day reserves to tide them over in hard times. Even with federal stimulus funds, local governments are laying off police officers and teachers, closing firehouses and selling public assets. During the past two years, state and local governments nationwide have cut 242,000 jobs, and public schools have shed an additional 200,700, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
"These kids are going to inherit our debt while we're cutting their programming," Herdrich said. "Meanwhile, overseas, Singapore, China and India are prioritizing education as their economic driver."
"In the past we just borrowed more and went on our merry way,"
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