Current Economic Woes Are Evident At Berkeley High School
Walking around Berkeley High, it is easy to forget the economic woes that exist in the outside world, yet even within school there are signs of a crashing economy.
Classrooms don’t have enough desks, class sizes have sky-rocketed, and students are questioning whether they can afford college. In such a polarized climate, everyone looks for someone to blame. “The cause of the economic downfall is in no way simple,” Berkeley High School parent Rachael Suczek stated diplomatically. Maria Scantina, another BHS parent, firmly vocalized what she believed to be the cause: “Capitalism, as I see it, has [brought] nothing but misery to the state of our economy. The idea that money will eventually trickle down to the middle class from the rich is a concept that has never seemed to work. In our society where the rich get richer and the poor get poorer, the economy does not seem like it will improve any time soon.”
California has been hammered by the economic downturn. In the Bay Area, the lack of economic security that pervades our society has become all too clear. Home sales have fallen 15 percent over the past year across the Bay Area. Current national unemployment rate stands at nearly 10 percent, and in California is has surpassed 12 percent. BHS art teacher Eric Norberg commented, “The economy sets up a sense of insecurity. It heightens the level of anticipation that the worst will happen, and creates an uneasy atmosphere. The current state makes us wonder what life will be like for our kids and hope they are going to be able to cope.”
Within Berkeley High, the cutbacks caused by the economy have become evident. As Dorit Perry said that, “the fact that my classroom does not have enough desks for everyone...” is a sign of economic trouble. According to Perry, there were often kids sitting at the teacher’s desk, on counter tops and at chairs with nowhere to write. It took a month to find everyone a proper seat and in some classes there are still not enough chairs for students.
Teachers did not receive a raise last year and, in fact, many lost their jobs. Some do not have the supplies they need to run their classes. BHS math teacher Scott Wilson is attempting to start a music club at BHS, however he has encountered several obstacles due to the tight budget. “I contributed thousands of dollars worth of equipment to the start of the club, and guess what they thought I was worth? A whopping $65.”
Job-hunting as a high school student has been no easy feat. “Many of the jobs that used to be open to high schoolers are now all taken by college students,” senior Aki Malaki explained when asked her how job hunt was fairing. “I actually lost my job at my aunt’s restaurant. She shut down it because it was not doing well in the economy,” Malaki confided.
“I’ve noticed that my employers have been unable to pay me anymore because of the downturn in the economy,” Laura Lewis commented.
BHS restaurant staples like Lox Stock & Bagel, Fred’s Markey, Arinell’s, and Peking Express are struggling due to the slow economy. Because of tighter budgets, students have been forced to bring lunch on a more daily basis, causing a drop in customers. According to Jimmy, a long time employee of Lox Stock & Bagel, “There haven’t been as many students this year.” Even John’s 1-Dollar Scoop, which sprang up after the fall of the economy, has been affected by the economy in the bigger picture. According to the manager, John’s has always been a dollar. Everyone is affected by the economy though.”
According to the a counselor at the College Career Center, “Students and their parents have been much more sparing with their money especially when it comes to colleges. They have been cutting back and looking at more affordable colleges. Kids who may have once gone for prestigious private colleges are now looking to stay in California and around the Bay Area.”
BHS parent Deborah Moore added, “We’ve been saving for college for years and lost a lot of those savings in the [economic] downturn. I hope we can we can make some of it back by the time our daughter goes to college.”
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