School starts next week in Texas.

It’s gonna be hot and sad.

Andy Welch wrote a Back to School letter to parents.

Dear Texas Parent:

We would like to tell you that we are excited about the start of the upcoming school year. But that would not be entirely true.

This past summer, the Texas Legislature cut $4 billion in overall funding for public education, and the impact will be felt in classrooms across the state. Regardless, we pledge to provide your child with the best education possible, in a clean, safe school.

This will be a challenge in a state that previously ranked 44th in funding for public education, and is now likely to fall even lower among the 50 states.

He then goes on to list some of the cuts.

Bubba and I were in the grocery store yesterday and noticed that the third grade school supply list costs about $55.  and that doesn’t even count a backpack.

My teacher friends are spending money out of their own pockets for needed classroom materials.

So, if you are pondering on something nice to do this week, drop by your local school and leave some some pencils, a couple of notebooks, boxes of Kleenex, ball point pens or crayolas.  Or, if you have a teacher friend, give them a gift card to Target to buy some supplies they need.  Consider it a good way to invest in America’s future.

You know that you have an extra $5 to help at your local school so don’t act like you don’t.  You will be appreciated.

Thank you, and now back to our regularly scheduled program.