Tuesday, May 11, 2010

My friend has been teaching quilting at our local Adult Education School for 25+ years. With the state of the economy the way it is, we are losing our funding. The State is letting the school districts funnel Adult Education funds into the regular education coffers. It looks like the only classes left at the Adult Education level will be those that are geared towards students and all the adult enrichment classes will be dropped.

On one hand, having worked for 22+ years in school district finance, I can understand their need to do this. On the other hand, having paid my dues as a taxpayer and as a student of the class, I, along with the other students, are heartbroken.


No longer will we be able to meet once or twice a week in the evening to make quilts like this and increase our skills.

No longer will we be able to have access to a very expensive long arm quilting machine where we can quilt our own quilts for just the price of the class ($25 per quarter).

No longer will we be able to make new friends and fellowship over pot lucks.

It's truly sad indeed.


*I'll keep you posted as to the status of the class and also what the district intends to do with the long arm machine. If it is to be sold it, by law, has to go to auction. It would be stored until that happens and we know from experience that stored items are not always taken care of! It could also be put in a student home economics classroom. Since it is a sensitive and expensive machine, there is a lot of damage that untrained and under supervised students could do to it. There isn't a way that it can be purchased outright by any of us. Sad, sad, sad!

9 comments:

Rocky Creek Scotties and Rocky Creek Ramblings said...

It is very sad. And I have to wonder what happens to the machine. Is it just stored somewhere where it can never be used. Is you Adult Ed Center amenable to letting a quilter's guild meet there and take care of the machine - might be time to start a guild. I so hope it works out for you.

(((HUGS)))
Lynn

Thimbleanna said...

That's so sad Miss Jean! I'm amazed that you've had access to a long arm too -- I'd love it if we had something like that around here. Perhaps some of you could meet in each other's homes? And are they selling the long arm? We're having similar education issues around here -- they're laying off a lot of teachers this week. Very, very sad. I hope you can find a way to continue with your quilt friends!

The Green Pea said...

Jean, that is a pity. I hope you can keep your friendship with the ladies. sandi

fiberdoodles said...

That is so sad. Our gathering place closed last year and it was just heartbreaking. We now meet in local library rooms but it's just not the same.

"when one door closes, another opens"

Dawn said...

It is a shame what's happening everywhere. Since my FIL passed away my MIL fills her time with art, computer, and dancing clases through the community college. She's lost most of them too.

That is such a pretty red and white quilt.
Hugs,
Dawn

Linda said...

Oh that makes me very sad. It seems as though there is something that can be done about the use of the longarm and such. Has anyone written to their city council man? Maybe they can charge a hourly fee to use it to help the program out. Things are bad here too. I am so sorry.

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

How sad to hear that! Is there a local quilt shop in the area that might let you meet there?
Hugs,
Penny
p.s. love the red and white quilt!

ChaChaneen said...

Nothing is unaffected is it? Such a shame this may fall under the cuts as well.

Sweet Cottage Dreams said...

Like Miss Sharon said, when one door closes, another opens. I have a hunch that you girls will find a place again. Just keep thinking positive thoughts.

.......I LOOOOOOOVE that red and white quilt!!!!! ;)
xoxo
Becky