There is a sign at the entrance of Tiffin that says, "Welcome to the Education Community." However, I wonder if we can afford to take that sign down. I was very disappointed by the failure of the school levy this past November, and it will be interesting to see the future of Tiffin City Schools. We are now preparing for major changes in education, as we must consider funding alternatives. In a bright nation where education is extremely important, it is amazing to see its attrition.
Employment obviously will be reduced, as well as possible cuts in transportation. How many students without a ride will fail to make it to school with parents at work? If we must cut something necessary for many students, we truly are at our last resort.
A larger issue will be sports. There is conversation and contemplation of making sports pay-to-participate or eliminating spring sports for the year entirely. I know many of my peers maintain their grade-point average to keep their athletic legitimacy, but where will they be without that motivation? The greater issue is for students unable to pay for being in a sport. Even students and families who make sacrifices to "play" are not guaranteed to play, but rather to participate, therefore, this is "play-to-participate" not "pay-to-play." What will all of these changes mean? Why can we all not make a sacrifice? What about trading a smart phone for a book?
As Robert Redford says in "The Candidate," "We sink or swim together."
Savannah Stark, Tiffin
