Looks like it's time for new education funding ideas
BY World's Editorials Writers
Friday, November 23, 2012
11/23/12 at 4:12 AM
Tulsa Public Schools officials have decided because of popular demand to sell bricks from the old Barnard Elementary School, recently destroyed by fire.
For $5, anyone wanting a memento of the beloved school can acquire a brick, which will be made available for pickup between 2 and 5 p.m. on Nov. 30 at the Education Service Center, 3027 S. New Haven Ave.
The school system may be on to something here. This nice gesture to make the bricks available gave us an idea. Since it looks as if education funding is going to continue to be a problem for the foreseeable future, why not hold garage sales at schools all over town? There must be all kinds of surplus things lying around our schools that former students and employees would like to have.
Why, the school system could raise hundreds, maybe even thousands of dollars that way.
Of course, we're being sarcastic here. We know TPS isn't resorting to brick-selling in an effort to raise money. But given that public schools have few options these days for filling their growing budget holes, it might be time to consider off-the-wall ideas.
We sometimes joke in this business about holding bake sales to save a threatened institution, but these days, that idea is looking better and better.
But, not to worry. Republican leaders have promised to take care of education when they return to the Capitol in February. Sort of.
That's darn nice of them, especially considering they're the ones who put education in the boat it's in now.
"I think it is incumbent upon the Legislature to make sure we are funding the issues, the reforms we put in place," said Senate President Pro Tem Brian Bingman said in outlining the Senate GOP agenda.
But don't think education's going to get a blank check. "You are not just going to see a blank check going to education," he said, adding lawmakers want to make sure money is getting to "the right places."
Oh, well. Looks like we're back to thinking outside the box. Wonder what used playground equipment would sell for?
Original Print Headline: School sales
