School administrators have failed to prepare for this current crisis. They have done a very poor job in most areas. They have failed to prepare our children for a changing world and they have not spent our money wisely. $43 million dollars is not a small amount of money considering what we are getting for it from the current administration. Cut about $10 million from the administration budget and buy books, pencils, paper, and chalk with it. I am tired of hearing all of the rhetoric. How many of the schools built within the last fifteen years were built as low energy consumption facilities? How many of the schools built within the last fifteen years were built using the same set of engineered plans? Our forefathers put a lot more thought into designing and building schools. I had the great privilege of spending my Jr. High School years in the building that is now used to house the administrative offices of the Volusia County School system. Prior to it being turned into the ivory tower for overpaid administrators, the building was void of any air conditioning systems. As with most schools of the time, it was built with high ceilings and a passive ventilation system. Very little thought has gone into building schools in Volusia County since. It is hard for me to jump on board in support of the current administration with what I have seen and what I am seeing. They have failed to plan ahead and they have failed to provide an adequate education for our children. They spend our money with very little forethought. I recently emailed my thoughts to all of the members of the School Board. Board Member Judy Conte replied telling me “Suffice it to say that you suffer from many misconceptions” and Board Member Stan Schmidt advised me that he did not respond to anonymous emails. Ms. Conte and Mr. Schmidt both appeared annoyed to receive anonymous emails from a taxpayer. I guess I was under a misconception. I did not know that we were unable to voice our opinion without providing our name. Ms. Conte and Mr. Schmidt were voted into office anonymously and they can be voted out of office anonymously. Board Member Diane J. Smith was very kind in her response to my email.

I do not agree with raising taxes in any form or throwing more money at the problem if the educational system is not changed. We are living in a global economy. Our children will be competing for jobs with others from around the world. Engineering and science will become the backbone of our financial recovery. If we fail to prepare our children now we may never see a recovery and we may indeed end up becoming a third world society. I for one enjoy the arts and enjoy sports. However, I realize that sports and art programs need to all be cut out of our educational system. Engineering, science, and appropriate vocational programs need to be enhanced and added. The world is changing and the educational system must change with it. We must direct our children in a path that will allow them to become successful. Instead of having drama clubs they need science clubs. Instead of learning how to play football they need to learn how to design a solar energy system. Instead of learning how to become a cheerleader they need to learn how to build an electric car. Instead of High Schools competing in football games they need to be competing in design and engineering competitions. Star mathematicians should be honored before star baseball players. This will not set well with many who have children in the school system. Go ahead and keep all of those non-essential programs in place and keep things status quo. Perhaps Mc Donald’s will start hiring cheerleading cashiers or Wal-Mart will start hiring ex-High School football players to help unload their trucks. Maybe if your kid learns to sing, act, or play a musical instrument in High School they will have the opportunity to become a street performer in down town Deland. Leaders from Volusia County and the School Board need to come together and figure out how they can work together to fix the problem. There are many services that can be consolidated that will help save our tax dollars while still providing essential services. All non-essential projects and programs need to be cut and all non-essential special taxing programs need to be repealed. Education is the key to our recovery, most all of us out here realize it. However, we too are strapped and we cannot afford to have our taxes raised in any form. If County taxes are cut then School taxes could be raised without causing any additional burden on those of us who are footing the bill. However, we do not want our money wasted on fancy school buildings, vehicles, or over the top salaries. We want our children to receive that best education possible. Parents and children also need to be held accountable. Store Front schools need to be eliminated. We are making it to easy on this next generation. The legal dropout age needs to be changed to 18 and if a child fails to complete high school he/she should be required to join the service. I am sure that many will disagree with me, if so please let me know what the alternatives are.