Blind put into a bind
Proposed budget calls for Visual Service Center to close in July
For 34 years, it’s been a place the foothills’ visually impaired population can turn to for education, support and friendship. If it closes because of what Placer School for Adults Principal Judy McCoy says are tough choices based on economic necessity, it will make for a darker world for many. On Tuesday, about a dozen Placer Visual Service Center students were busy on craft projects like step stools and baskets while others talked animatedly and easily with one another. Lou Richards, whose macular degeneration has caused decreasing sight since 1980, worked on a basket while his guide dog Aiden rested on the floor nearby. Richards said he found out about the class 10 years ago and learned through the center that he could get a guide dog even though he wasn’t completely blind. A closure of the North Auburn school, proposed for this summer, would leave people at home, with little in the way of outside options, he said. “It’s kind of scary,” Richards said. “A lot of people rely on this. There are a lot of nice people and they’re all the same as you are.” Marianne Enos of Newcastle said the school has helped teach people to live with their blindness through classes on cooking, cleaning and other skills that make them more independent. She attends crafts classes on Thursdays in the center’s converted World War II hospital building at the Placer County Government Center. “I don’t think there’s anywhere else for us to go,” Enos said. “We’re stranded at home.” Under an adult school budget to be considered by the Placer Union High School District board on June 11, McCoy said the visual center would close at the end of July. State and local spending cuts have forced the adult school to shave 20 percent off its expenditures, dropping next year’s proposed budget to $1.7 million. Plans to meet that budget target include laying off the equivalent of 8.5 full-time teaching positions. Visual center teacher Eileen Boyce is among the adult school employees facing layoffs. She has worked there three years and doesn’t have the seniority that other instructors do but she wonders why the center can’t continue with another teacher. “Supposedly, others don’t have the credentials,” Boyce said. “It’s a stupid reason to close down a school. It’s been here 34 years and it’s one of a kind.” McCoy said state funding for the adult school is contingent on providing job preparation with measurable outcomes – something the vision center can’t give. Hard economic times are also forcing closure of a program partnered with the county probation department to teach prisoners on house arrest with ankle monitors. In addition, evening and weekend programs for mentally disabled adults are also under consideration for closure. McCoy said the adult school is taking drastic measures to ensure it can keep its doors open and programs continuing in the fall. The visual center’s budget has dropped from $40,311 in 2007-08 to $29,198 this year, she said. At the same time, it has operated with a shortfall of $18,000 this year. “Our option is we either balance our budget or we don’t survive,” McCoy said. The Journal’s Gus Thomson can be reached at gust@goldcountrymedia.com.
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Hopefully as soon as we get out of this financial mess all these worthwhile programs will come back. In the meantime, just like everyone else that has been affected by the economic downturn, whether private or public sector, we must tighten our belts.
Sad to see, I guess the district has the money to keep Alta Vista open as a boot camp, but close this?
If our military budget weren't so insanely over bloated we'd have plenty of money for good purposes like this. Our priorities are backwards. Sad.
If only we were not giving so much money and benefits to the California Public Employees Union and Correctional Peace Officer's Association so they could assist Democrats in getting re-elected over and over again in a scheme where tax dollars assist one party in maintaining an iron grip on our wallets.. Our priorities are backwards. Sad.
First they cut the transportation for these people to get to the school and now they want to take the school away. This is freaking ridiculous. I agree with prospector mess up priorities.
Backward priorities for sure. Having assisted people who use the Visual Service Center for years, I know what a valuable service it is. Wasted funds will always mean not enough for what matters, and unfortunately I think those in charge are severely learning disabled.
They are taking away a valuable service for those who are blind and have disablities. It should be that they cut the rich first.
lizp08, who are the "rich" you are targeting? I suggest we cut "them".
I mean the "rich" as in the wealthy class and yes we should cut "them".
If only we had a congressman who wasn't inserted into the district by out of state business interests, and who wasn't opposed to taking stimulus funds for merciful uses, and who hadn't stood there on the steps of the state capitol building during the Faux Fox News PR stunt and called for the idiotic teabaggers to donate to a Republican PAC run by Dept. of Defense and Homeland Security contractors. To take out one of the Republicans who broke the last budget impasse.
From your lips to God's ears, Birch, altho we disagree at times.
How is this the problem of the "wealthy class"? Start at the top of the state government and suspend the car/insurance/gas card perks. Continue down the chain until there is enough offset to keep this Visual Service Center open. Otherwise you are stealing from the rich to give to the government (poor), the root of the problem.
I find it sad that this program is closing. I am wondering how they can afford a new assistant superintendent for $120,000 a year and cannot afford a $40,000.00 a year program. Why is it this school district is only closing the programs for the disabled? Is this an issue that should be called to the attention of disability advocates? Is this in line with the Americans with Disabilities Act?
The program will reopen. Educational spending, during these times of budget juggling, should be directed at the children.