Public education is a paradox – promising creativity but enforcing conformity, valuing deep learning but underfunding it. Schools are expected to inspire independent thinkers, yet rigid policies and standardized tests push uniformity. Now, with severe budget cuts, the real challenge isn’t just preserving quality education – it’s ensuring curiosity and innovation don’t become casualties of a system that says one thing but doesn’t find ways to fund it.
But here’s the thing: challenges like these can be opportunities – if we come together as a community. History has shown that in times of hardship, communities often rise to the occasion, finding creative solutions and strengthening their shared purpose. Public education is no exception. When schools face budget cuts or policy constraints, it’s the collective effort of parents, teachers and local advocates that can make the difference. By stepping up-whether through fundraising, volunteering or amplifying the conversation about what truly matters in education-we move closer to aligning resources with our values. If the community must pick up the slack to ensure students continue receiving an enriching, high-quality education, then perhaps this moment is also a chance to reimagine how we support learning, not just in schools, but as a society.
How to turn budget cuts into a call to action
Manitou educators are doing incredible work despite financial pressures, but they need support. This is a moment for all of us to step up. Here’s how:
• Stay informed – Know what’s happening with your district’s upcoming budget and how it will impact learning. Then, ask: “How can the community help fill any gaps?”
• Support teachers and staff – Educators will keep doing what they do best – helping kids learn – with or without budget cuts. Show them they’re valued. Send positive emails, write thank-you notes and flood them with kindness. These small gestures help keep teachers going.
• Be part of the conversation – Public schools thrive when communities engage in open, thoughtful dialogue. Listen first. Question what you hear in the news. Go directly and gently to school leaders and teachers to understand the reality.
Stronger Together
The Waterfall Paradox isn’t a problem to fix; it’s a challenge to navigate. And we navigate it best when we do it together. Schools thrive when local communities shape their own future, rather than being swept along by distant mandates.
This is our moment to turn a challenge into a strength. By staying engaged, supporting our teachers and keeping the conversation going, we ensure that both individual curiosity and shared progress can flourish.
Chris Briggs-Hale serves as a member at large on the Board of Directors for the Pikes Peak Bulletin. The views expressed are his own and do not reflect the official position of the Pikes Peak Bulletin. He is a retired principal from Manitou Springs School District 14 and the CEO of Waterfall Learning, a leadership and instructional coaching firm serving schools nationwide.
