Budget woes....

There are approximately 30+ days of school left and I along, with the Board, continue to work on ways to cover the anticipated budget shortfall of $1.1 million and $500,000 in increased costs for the 2011-12 school year.

Mrs. Kaschalk, our business manager, presented a very pointed, user-friendly budget outline for the public on April 13. Her presentation detailed how almost 70% of our district’s budget is a fixed cost. Each line item was scrutinized to see if a reduction or elimination was warranted, with a list of recommendations presented to the Board. These recommendations have been posted on our district’s web site for your review.

To take this one step further, InShore, our outsourced tech provider is developing an online survey with which the general public can offer input about our fiscal trimming. The survey will be live in the near future; with a click of the mouse, you can let us know what is and isn’t important to you. The goal is to gauge what should or should not be considered to make up our budget shortfall, for next year and beyond. The survey site will be live April 25 and will close May 6.

As I have continually said, this is just the beginning of belt tightening for many districts across the Commonwealth. Our district continues to do wonderful things for our students, with less money. This is commendable, but how long can any district do this?

Like many area districts, our budget was cut by 13%. At the same time, the state’s prison budget was increased by 11%. Hmm…. It seems to me that putting money into education that supports the development of responsible, self-sufficient adults is a far better use of taxpayer money than supporting the undereducated, irresponsible citizens who find themselves behind bars. Still, once the effects of limited education are felt, and more young people enter adulthood without the skills to support themselves, an increase in the state’s prison system budget may be warranted. This is a downward spiral that would best be reversed by education, not by imprisonment. As caring parents, educators, and community members, we owe it to ourselves and to our progeny to fight this trend of cutting educational opportunities of our young people.

I urge you to contact the governor and/or local legislators to make your voice heard and let them know that public education is an important investment in our children. As costs continue to go up, and districts look to make ends meet, the lack of funding will undoubtedly have a negative impact on the youth of our society, and on our own well-being and safety.

Dr. D.