As California’s budget reaches an all time low, public schools scramble for the funds they need to keep their doors open. Public schools all over California are struggling to maintain or improve upon their standards with the dramatic drop in the school budget.
Schools all over the state have had to cut corners and improvise because of the money shortage. Placer High School has adopted a few of their own changes in an attempt to save money; things like instituting online syllabuses, using motion-sensed lights, having a class set of textbooks, and printing on white paper are all energy-efficient efforts to save money.
“I try to do as much as I can paperless,” states Jason Long. As Environmental Studies teacher and Environment Club advisor at Placer High School, Long tries to sets a good example for his students and the rest of the school. Some people are reluctant to admit that they are ‘going green’ but it may be a part of the solution to the money crisis.
“I ride my bike to school when I can and when the weather gets a bit warmer,” adds Thomas Schroeder. A few teachers at Placer High School have changed their traditional ways of doing things to save the school and the environment some stress. Schroeder and many other teachers on campus have started using online syllabuses to avoid wasting more paper.
Long has his students email him their homework whenever possible and doesn’t use a conventional paper grade book
“I do all my grades through aeries so no paper is involved,” states Long.
Students have noticed the class sizes grow and the frequent absence of janitor visits, but not all of these changes have a negative effect on the school. Students and staff are more environmentally conscience and new technologies have been introduced at Placer, not to mention the addition of furlough days and the elongation of weekends!
And yet, the school still hurts. Despite efforts to save money, students still hear complaints about how money is tight and how the school’s funds are low. Leaky faucets, uncontrollable sprinklers, and the usage of energy after school hours are all examples of things that have been overlooked or forgotten but have the potential to harm Placer financially.
“I think we need to manage the energy usage when we are not in school better,” reveals Schroeder.
Athletes constantly see lights on in buildings when leaving a game or practice after hours.
However, the fact remains that money needs to be spent wisely. Long has given a great deal of thought to the subject and has devised ideas of his own that have the potential to save Placer money in the future. Fun ideas, like working on an iPad or kindle for homework and having a few classes without lights, are actually a few of Long’s suggestions that could save money.
Text book prices range from $70-$100 while a kindle costs about $140 and the more expensive iPad starts at $499. An idea some schools in California are experimenting with, has the library distribute the Kindles or iPads instead of textbooks and the students take care of them and return the electronics at the end of the year. This provides cheaper textbook prices, carrying convenience, and the fun of possessing a Kindle or iPad.
Long has also explored the possibility of instituting “Black out Friday.” Students would go to class, just like they normally would, but without turning on the lights. This is perhaps far-fetched, but it is still an energy-efficient way to save the school money.
“Going green” and using the new technology available to our generation might be the answer to the money saving problems in high schools all over California including Placer.