by Serwan Zangana
In every budget cut either from federal level or local, the middle and lower class people are the one who take the big hit and feel the impact of such a cut. Sadly, President Trump during his election campaign approached the American people with promises for a better economy. After his victory, President Trump’s promises evaporated as he took a different path completely opposite from his promises. As a result, people are carrying the burden of President Trump’s policy as they are still struggling financially with no sign of relief under his presidency.
However, public schools have become President Trump’s target as under his administration, according to Education Week, more than 760 in-progress grants worth $2 billion, for more than 30 Department of Education programs, were discontinued.
Obviously, Roanoke City is not on the right path also as the budget deficit has been a significant problem, which only impacts the average people of the City as they are under the financial burden and in need for every penny that the Council can provide to support the City’s services and schools
As the Roanoke City Council approved its 2027 fiscal year, it definitely targeted the Roanoke City Public Schools with a major budget cut. Such a budget cut will result in ending or reducing various programs classes, such as gifted student learning programs (PLATO), pre-school classes. And also reducing activity buses for the City’s students as an important way of transportation for many students. Furthermore, the budget cut from the schools will halt training and maintenance for schools.
Seemingly, the public schools are the easiest target of the failed elected officials in the U.S. Supporting the public schools and providing the American teachers and educators with the funds and tools to advance the students is the most significant responsibility of the elected officials and the lawmakers.
In addition to the current burden from the ongoing nation’s economic problem, the budget cut from the Roanoke City Schools will add another financial burden on the Roanoke families. The parents will be required to take responsibility to arrange transportations during their children’s activities as the schools transpiration will be reduced to specific seasons. Such a matter will be a challenge for families financially and disrupt their work schedules.
Moreover, cutting educational programs will have a negative impact on students’ advancement, but indeed, it will not affect students from affluent families. The City Council members, including Mayor Joe Cobb, were improvident, which resulted in the City’s financial crisis. The poor decision-making and simply disregarding people’s concern is definitely disappointing for the voters.
Roanoke City Council members can be a clear example of how elected officials can create a crisis without taking the responsibility or facing any consequences. Realizing the mismanagement of the City’s finances and causing a deficit is impacting the lower and middle class students as they are relying on the public schools.
With the budget cut, the members of Roanoke City School Board had to make the toughest decision, which was similar to a strike on the City’s students, and hence, cutting and reducing some of the important programs and services. “This is one of the hardest decisions we had to make as board members and we don’t take it lightly.” Joyce Watkins, the Roanoke City School Board Member said.
However, the budget cut will also have a further impact, which is ending approximately 170 positions from the schools.
Apparently, the only two members of the Roanoke Council who voted no to the City’s budget were Vice Mayor Terry McGuire and Councilman Nick Hagen as they also voted no to the City Council and manager pay raises.
All in all, either federal budget cuts to the Department of Education or Roanoke City budget cuts to the Public Schools, the major impact will be on the minority students.
