Budget cuts to schools result in violence - fewer teachers & aides, huge out of control study halls

[JPZenger]

http://www.mcall.com/news/local/allentown/mc-allentown-schools-violence-20111028,0,638182.story

The recently fired Superintendent of the Allentown School District insisted on renaming study halls as "study seminars" to keep
his false promise of eliminating study halls.

The state budget cuts eliminated many teaching and aide positions. This resulted in many fewer classes being offered, which resulted in many more study halls. Some of these huge study halls are taking place in the cafeteria and the auditorium, with insufficient staff to supervise them. The problems spill out to other areas.

The article from the front page of today's Allentown Morning Call describes how one of the largest high schools in Pa. is being hit by violence. The article also describes how a shortage of aides has created severe problems as kids with emotional problems are mixed into regular classes without supervision.