Everyone likes money.
Schools aren't any different.
Well, maybe they're a little different.
Schools don't just like money, they love money.
Love, love, love it (my point here is they love it).
They have an insatiable appetite for cash. And more cash. And even more cash.
It's not unlike when I eat ice cream while watching The Biggest Loser.
I can't get enough. Of ice cream, not the show.
You would think my judgment would be better, but no.
You would think I would have some self-discipline, but no.
You might think my big behind might even end up on the show if I don't back off the ice cream trough. That would be a yes.
Before you judge me, realize I've simply combined my two great loves: ice cream and watching other people exercise.
It's an added thrill to watch them getting screamed at by trainers who weigh 98 pounds.
Schools are much the same.
They also have two great loves (although one of theirs doesn't involve chocolate syrup... and I may or may not be talking about ice cream).
First and foremost, schools like and need money. Secondly, they like complaining about not having enough money (actually, this may be their first love).
A bad economy has allowed schools all over America to combine their two great loves.
You would like to believe schools have good financial judgment and self-discipline, but I hate to tell you... not so much.
At least not always.
There are well run schools.
There are also people who do sit-ups while watching The Biggest Loser (I have no idea who these freaks are, but I know I'm not one of them).
The fact is there are schools that don't do a good job managing the money given to them by taxpayers and the government.
The idea education would be better if schools had more money is hogwash (Yes!... I can mark hogwash off the list of words I want to use in a blog... now if I can just find a place for lollygag... oh, I just did!).
To continue throwing money at schools is foolish.
It's like throwing rocks into the ocean and expecting them to make an island (my point... it's not going to work).
An example of this is the federal government sending school districts $26 billion dollars in aid during September. This was done for the sole purpose of rehiring staff. Much to their (the feds') surprise schools didn't rehire teachers with the money.
Who knew?
All of the schools, that's who.
This is just another example of government thinking money will solve a problem.
More money doesn't mean students will receive a better education.
It's much more complicated than that.
It has to be the right money used in the correct way.