News log #26

Article: Schools in New Jersey Plan Heavy Cuts After Voters Reject Most Budgets

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/22/education/22schools.html?hpw

Summary: After 58% of districts' budgets were rejected by voters this past Tuesday (the most in 35 years), school officials need to look at the future and see what happens now. They will most likely have to lay of hundreds of teachers, increase class sizes, eliminate sports teams and AP classes. As a result of the lack of financial aide the schools are receiving because of Governor Christie's new plan to reduce state aide by about 5% because of the 11 million deficit he needs to make up, the schools need to make up the difference by increasing property taxes of residents. The voters became angry and felt that "enough is enough". The rejection of the budgets results in school officials trying to prepare another plan to present to their town councils immediately. At Teaneck High School, students marched around their football field for one hour protesting the budget's defeat. Many other schools and superintendents feel apprehensive about what's to come in the future.

Response: In my opinion, the Pascack Valley District is very fortunate that the budget passed. While it may seem that budget rejections aren't near our area, the town of Hillsdale rejected their school budget. On the other hand, while we may be very lucky that we won't be sitting in 30-student classes next year, I see why some towns may have rejected their school budgets. Their property taxes are already high enough and with another raise, people may not be able to afford them. Also, Governor Christie may seem like an evil man for taking away state aid, but the state of New Jersey has an $11 million dollar deficit to close. How are we supposed to get out of debt (and prevent from going deeper in it) while spending more? This is a very complicated issue and I, myself, don't understand everything about it. It is unfortunate for some schools that will need to make severe teacher cuts because class sizes will grow and even some sports teams may be eliminated. I think people should just realize that money doesn't grow on trees and we have to get out of debt before we can spend more.

News log #25

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/11/world/europe/11poland.html?scp=1&sq=polish%20president&st=cse

Article: Polish President Dies in Jet Crash

Summary: Lech Kaczynski, Poland's president, and dozen's of the country's top political and military leaders were killed on April 10. The group was traveling to the site of a Soviet massacre of Polish officers during World War II in West Russia. The pilot tried to land in a thick fog, missing the runway, and getting caught in some treetops about half a mile from the airport. Besides that fact that the accident killed a large portion of Poland's government, the crash also happened at the moment when Poland was finally forgiving Russia for the massacre of their elite officer corps at that same exact place 70 years ago. The Russian crew at the airport warned the pilot of the plane not to land because conditions were dangerous, but unfortunately the plane continued to descent anyways. The mourning period of the Poles was similar to the one when Pope John Paul II passed away five years ago. Candles and flowers covered the outside of the Presidential Palace.

Response: Since I was born in Poland and my family follows Polish traditions and customs, this issue really hit home for me. Such a tragedy was unexpected and it caused turmoil to the entire country. Not many people hear about Poland in the news, but as a result of the tough times in their past they overcame, when Communism affected all lives, the country should not only be honored now during just a tragic moment, but all the time. Hopefully, this catastrophe won't knock the Polish people off their feet for too long and the country will be standing proud again soon, but never forgetting the day when so many people were killed.