By Mark
So let's face reality. Something's got to give. 'Tis the season of budget cuts.
We can rail all we want against the flawed system of funding for public education–we can complain about cutting this and that and those as well–but there comes a point that tough decisions must be made.
I recall last year Washington Governor Christine Gregoire posted a website with the bold challenge "You Balance the Budget," where she openly shared the state's budget and the state's needs and challenged the taxpayers to find a solution. I don't have that audacious a charge, but I do have a question:
Since we have to cut somewhere, let's be solution-oriented: What can schools afford to cut?
Go ahead and say "nothing," and then rejoin us in the real world. Since sacrifices must be made, let's line up the lambs. What do you suggest should be first to go when it is time for schools to cut spending? How do you suggest that schools prioritize what stays, what goes, what is sustained and what is starved?
Sports should be Pay-to-Play and self-sustaining, the only exception being those kids who are on free/reduced lunch. If that means expensive sports like football go away, so be it.
Cut the coaches. Sorry, but it’s a luxury. Audit district headquarters and cut dead weight.
Also, special programs that don’t carry a full classroom load should go. In my building we have a program called Academy of Integrated Technology. There are 11 kids in that LA class, while I have up to 36 in mine. Cut it and programs like it. Again, it’s a luxury that can’t be maintained when staffing is being reduced.
Finally, encourage those close to retirement to retire, voluntarily. Pay a full year’s salary as an incentive. Once they’re gone, you can pay two young teachers for the same annual salary as someone at the top of the pay scale. I think it’s unconscionable that the union hasn’t started looking at this option yet.
Not sports or the arts/music — sometimes these are the only things that keep kids in school
Instructional coaches. They’re useful, but not essential.
How about sports?
I don’t envy the decision-makers their job.
Things I think should be preserved until the final hour:
>Technology
>Teacher positions
>Custodial and clerical support (a clean, organized building makes learning happen, really!!)
Things high on my list for cuts:
>Administrative or district office staff/pay
>Athletics (I know, I know…)
>Paper/texts (only if technology is maintained!!)
I am a NBC middle school teacher…I agree with the above comment about pushing out the minimum boundary for transportation, especially in secondary schools. Let’s consider eliminating transportation in city schools where public transit could satisfy the need. Reducing the number of copies & text books purchased and instead teaching kids 21st century skills of accessing education-appropriate technology.
I will take a stab — not knowing how much has to be saved:
Reduce administrative staff
Stop the pension plans and do a defined contribution plan
Across the board pay cuts for all levels…
Reduce transportation costs by pushing out the minimum distance from school before eligible for bus transportation
Out source maintenance, janitorial, grounds services, etc
Do not fill open slots unless critical to the classroom
Then and only then cut the classroom — but do not eliminate arts, music, pe or language classes