Budget reductions; community conversations and Helping students succeed

The budget outlook for WJCC Schools is bleak. The impact of the national recession, declining tourism, retail sales and new home construction has impacted this community. While the unemployment figures are below national averages the numbers of under-employed families seeking assistance with debt, mortgage, health care, child care and utilities is rising. Those who used assets to fund their homes, travel and retirement are also making unanticipated adjustments to spending patterns.

A very wise member of the nonprofit world said that “These are the times that show the community’s values and who are the coalition builders”. It is important that each of us engage in the conversations about education, community services and quality of life. Budget reductions that do not build for the future of the community, rather inhibit recovery should be place aside.

Is it smart governance to release your most experienced professionals while creating the message that there will be no shared sacrifice? Will increasing class size to 25-30 in primary grades prepare lifelong learners? What will be the future cost for remediation of children who do not develop basic skills? Will outsourcing services to contractors who then provide minimum wage and no benefits improve the economic status of the most vulnerable in the community? Are shared services as economic as shared insurance pools? Are fee reductions for services because of age rather than income wise? Can parents, cultural arts, civic and athletic groups find resources to support the areas outside of instruction that add value to education a whole child? Is the cost of assessment as valuable as the cost of solid instruction in developing young children?
Please ask your teaching staff, custodial staff, to ask the School Board to consider these and other questions before backing into the superintendent’s proposed budget. We will be here to recover from the economic downturn, let’s make sure the decisions made reflect this community’s values.

Sincerely
Mary Minor