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State Budget----School Budgets
Once again, the Legislative Session has begun with discussions of reducing funds for Public Education. For School Superintendents, this is nothing new. However, the amount of reduction for public education is the highest I have ever witnessed. While I served as Superintendent of Schools for 16 years, most Legislative sessions, focused on spending and/or higher accountability standards for public education. No one is surprised that this session is destined to “trim the perceived fat and then some” from public education funds. But, everyone is shocked at the size of the proposed reduction.
The State will have less revenue for the State Budget. While the amount of the “shortfall” is debatable, the fact that there will be less money for public schools is real.
Presentation
Perhaps school districts could present layoffs in economic terms which business and community leaders seem to understand. What is the economic impact of a reduction in force of 100 employees with an average salary of $50,000? Economic Development Groups and Chambers of Commerce know that people spend their money close to home and local income travels through restaurants, businesses, car dealers, shopping malls, grocery stores, non-profit organizations, local taxes, etc. Local communities must know the economic result of less revenue for public schools.
What others are doing?
Asking their Contracted Services to reduce their budgets
Asking Contracted Services to show the district the services that would and could be reduced if their budget was reduced by 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, or 5%
Furloughs for non-exempt employees (i.e. reduction in days/hours of work and reduction in pay)
Asking private citizens to speak up regarding the proposed reductions in public education
Cutting Special Education staff to become more in line with their Federal Funds
Looking at refinancing old debt
Looking at creative ways to obtain additional revenue from private sources
Looking at grant opportunities
Contacting their Legislators, with real numbers, to emphasize the effects of cuts this large
Thought
Today, don’t look for someone that can help you, instead look for someone you can help!
What about using the State's Rainy Day Fund? If the State uses some of these funds to help suplement the education cutbacks, then that would alleviate the local tax burden and job losses (which Mr. Yeager makes a great point about the economic impact of teacher/educator job losses). The rainy day fund was built up during economically good times, and if deplinished slightly during this "horrible recession" (as Perry and the politicans tout), it will be built up again with a growing Texas economy. I would say too that in years past a rather gloomy picture is often painted by those at the Capitol when it comes to the State budget, yet it never seems to pan out quite as severe. In addition to using the Rainy Day fund, local districts should tap into their own fund balances (not deplete of course) to help. And finally, our paradigm on funding education has to change from one that is "their sticking it to me on taxes" to let's invest in our students. Nobody regrets buying Google stock ten years ago, neither should we regret supporting education - after all, it truly is our last great democracy in America that allows anyboy to achieve the American dream.
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