The Las Cruces Public Schools system is the first school district I have seen implement furloughs. We all know other government institutions have been relying on furloughs more and more to try to cut spending due to shrinking budgets but now schools are getting into that game too. Starting with the 2015-2016 school year all school employees which is even including administrators and teachers. Some of these positions will still just have an extra day off which is unpaid but some may still work the day they do not get paid.
LCPS is also closing Mesilla Valley Alternative Middle School which educates students that are at risk for dropping out due to disabilities, poor attendance, or are just not thriving in the traditional school environment. These students will now be going to neighborhood middle schools. Several parents protested at a school board meeting last week trying to save the middle school saying they are afraid there kids will end up dropping out if it does not stay open or that they will end up failing and not graduating high school.
This is ridiculous. I suppose you could argue with the furloughs that the employees may just work for free and it does not hurt the students much. I do specify much as I am sure it will trickle down to them somehow however closing the Mesilla Valley Alternative Middle School is just unacceptable. They handle so many at risk and students with disabilities that just can not make it in a “normal” school classroom.