An article was posted earlier today by the Kitsap Sun Staff concerning tomorrow’s Central Kitsap School Board meeting where district officials and board members will discuss and act upon a resolution to make serious and significant teacher staffing cuts/layoffs.

The board will hold a study session on the matter beginning at 5 p.m., then act on a resolution to make the cuts during the regular board meeting, which starts at 6:30 p.m. The board meets at the district administrative offices in the Jenny Wright Building, 9210 Silverdale Way.

District officials have effectively avoided laying off teachers in recent years by being financially prudent and proactive. But despite this year’s especially big budget cuts, it’s clear that the district won’t be able to delay the inevitable. The district has to cut $3.4 million from its $115 million operating budget.

A number of people commented on the article, offering some of the typical ‘blame-shifting’ broad brush stroke criticisms, but offering little, if any, constructive ideas or actions for improving the situation.

It caused me to stop in the midst of my day and ponder,

“What can I do to make a difference?”

We look at these huge bureaucratic problems like budget shortfalls and think they’re just to big and massive for us to make any positive contribution/change.

I think of all the teachers who will soon be without a job – people who have dedicated themselves to one of the most time-honored professions – no longer using their passion and training to help educate our kids. Where will they go, what will they do?

And I think of our kids, forced into larger classroom sizes. Remaining teachers having to do more with less.

Maybe now would be a good time for those of us who are able, to volunteer in a classroom. We don’t have to be a rocket scientist, just a willing helper. Read a book, help a student with their homework, grade some papers.

And for those who can’t volunteer, a few letters or emails to our elected representatives with some choice words about Olympia’s need to reform the way it currently funds public education wouldn’t hurt.

One person may not be able to solve our budget woes, but we just might be able to make a positive impact in the life of a student or make a teacher’s job easier to manage!