This last Tuesday our levy failed at our school. It was very close 49 to 51 which of course makes it even harder to take. The district ran an organized, enthusiastic campaign and about 300 parents went door knocking, but it wasn't enough. It means a 10% cut next year, which is pretty deep no matter how you look at it. When I was hired in '97 the district was still reeling from a number of failed levies. I remember in a staff meeting nearly fainting when Deb Geiger told me that class sizes averaged 35 (they had been about 25 or less where I student taught). Every year since things have sort of degenerated. Actually, I guess there were a few good years in 2000-20001, but I was getting used to classes of 10 to 15 in Kwajalein. The last few years my classes have averaged 35-40 and with the upcoming cuts it's going to be awful. My guess is the new legislature will push to increase education spending but there is only so much money (much of it increasingly obliterated by healthcare costs) The whole picture seems pretty grim.