It is no secret that most Texas school districts, if not all, around the state are tightening their purse strings due to the current economic downturn.  A significant amount of school districts' money comes from property taxes, and with a shaky housing market, revenue is not keeping up with the demands.  

So how is this affecting Texas teachers?  A quick look at news from around the state show a dim and frustrating next school year.  Austin ISD Superintendent, Meria Carstarphen, discussed the possibility of lowering district contributions for health care, increasing class sizes, and taking away one of two planning periods for secondary teachers.  In the same speech, she discussed the importance of staff retention and decreasing turnover - is this a little contradictory? 

In the coming months, districts will be making difficult choices because of a lack of money.  How are economic conditions affecting your local school and school district?  

In the past few months, I have noticed more and more examples of school districts and teachers doing crazy things to raise a buck in these difficult economic times.  It started with the uproar last year when teachers were selling advertisements on their tests to afford the copies.   Now, Arlington ISD is considering selling advertisements on school busses!  You can read about it here.  

 Personally, advertisements often appear as an endorsement and it seems odd that a public school district would openly endorse any specific product, organization, or service.  However, if it raises funds that allow for more resources or teachers in a school, maybe it is worth considering.  

Have any of you seen or used any unusual methods for teachers or school to earn some extra money?  How would you feel if your child rode to school on the Google, Microsoft, Coca Cola, or Wal-Mart bus to school?