Equal doesn’t always mean fair

Last spring I agreed to take over the Leadership/Student Government program at Colony High School. This group of students and I are responsible for planning and implementing all student spirit activities, including all assemblies, helping with dances, and increasing student involvement. We also raise money for a local charity. We actually raise a lot of money, about $10,000.

We also require a lot of supplies: paper, paint, tulle…the list goes on. Because of this need, each student is required to pay a one-time activity fee. Many elective classes require a fee to help cover supplies and activities. Makes sense. The fees must be used that year to benefit the students in the class.

This year the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District decided to pay the activity fee for all students. The intent is to level the playing field; making sure all the great opportunities our schools offer are available to every student. I like the idea. In fact, I believe public education should be “free”.

With that said, now that I’m running a program that really needs the funds, did I mention the amount of paint we use, I find myself at the short end of the stick. This district’s funding seems front-loaded, for lack of a better term. Because of the budget, programs will only receive about 70 percent of the fee. The fee for my class is $20. So, now I have more students, which is fabulous, but less money to meet the same needs.

The other problem with the new system is continuity. Will the district have the same funds next year? Every Alaskan is familiar with the continual talk of deficit, oil money disappearing, and cuts to education. Is the district starting a program it cannot maintain? How do we offer money one year and not the next? I anticipate serious backlash if there isn’t money. Then I wonder if money will be pulled from other programs in order to fund this program. Are we stealing from Peter to pay Paul?

The other downside of the funding is that some high schools are receiving more funds. Colony High School did a great job the last few years collecting student fees, about 80 percent. Because of this diligence, it appears we don’t need as much money. Other schools are receiving a bit more because they are further in the hole. Over time schools may find themselves in the red, as the needs of elective classes exceed the allotted fees.

I support any program, initiative, funding plan that allows more students access to explore elective classes: art, dance, technical, leadership, etc. The hope is that these classes may connect the student to school or offer a creative outlet. It’s a shame that because schools already run on a shoestring budget, they are now carrying one more financial burden. Its true: equal doesn’t always mean fair.

Brandy J. Bishop teaches English, Leadership and Student Government at Colony High School.