Should District 205 rehire its teacher’s aides if it puts the district in a deficit or forces cuts elsewhere?

I guess that would depend on where else it forces cuts.  Russ Ullrich,  president of Galesburg Education Association, said “the reason aides are particularly important this year is because of the newly implemented Common Core Standards and Response To Intervention programs.  The curriculums have become more rigorous and expectations for both students and teachers have been raised”.  As I have a grandson, who will be entering third grade this year, I guess I will see more of what these “rigorous expectations for students” will entail.   If school administrators feel the aides are crucial they should find the pay for them.  “Back in the day” how did one teacher ever teach a classroom full of kids?  I guess those teachers really earned their pensions, which Governor Quinn now wants to see reduced.  In nearly every sector, more work for the same pay is being asked of all employees.  And if the school district is trying to stay within a budget why do they feel that the high school needs astro-turf for the football field?  Why can’t they play on grass like they always used to.  GHS never had tennis courts and a swim pool when I graduated.  How crucial is astro-turf?