Commentary; Posted: 9/20/06
Budget decisions were not made lightly
Joe Grafft
Guest Columnist
In a recent letter to the editor, the writer suggested that the November school levy vote is budgetary blackmail that threatens our students.
The fact is that our current levy is about to expire and we cannot maintain all the school services we have without local shareholders renewing their financial commitment to our schools. No one on the school board or in the administration wants to eliminate services, but it wonít be possible to maintain all our current offerings if we lose millions of dollars in funding.
The board spent more than seven months studying, researching and asking questions of our knowledgeable staff before deciding to request a levy renewal.
We did not come to these decisions lightly. We felt it was important for voters to know the full impact of a ìYesî vote and a ìNoî vote so they could make an informed decision.
Thatís why we provided a list of service and staff cuts that would have to be made if the levy isnít renewed.
We could not, in good conscience, ask shareholders to vote on something if they didnít know the consequences.
In determining what would have to be eliminated, we tried to keep as many of the cuts as possible away from the classroom. One of the ways we could reduce costs would be eliminating some bus routes and moving to the stateís two-mile bus limit, which is used by many other school districts.
Cutting back on transportation means fewer buses and drivers will be needed ó saving our district $200,000, or the equivalent of about five teaching positions.
Unfortunately, fewer buses mean fewer students can be transported. Even if buses drive through areas within two miles of the school, there wouldnít be enough room on them to pick up the students.
This change, like all the other items on the list, would not be good for children, or for our community. As a board member, I would hate to see any services eliminated.
But there are no simple solutions.
The alternative bussing option mentioned by the letter writer, and similar suggestions weíve received over the years from other citizens, have been analyzed and considered.
The districtís transportation department has developed the most efficient bus routing system possible by utilizing expert knowledge, computer programs and years of experience. Our bus routes have been analyzed by outside transportation consultants who agree that we run a very cost-efficient system.
I want to set the record straight on these items and to challenge those who suggest our school board and administration would put finances before children.
As school leaders, we are committed to improving student achievement and ensuring every child has the opportunity to succeed.
This fallís levy renewal is vital to maintaining that commitment.
Joe Grafft lives in Linwood Township and is a member of the ISD 831 Board of Education.
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