Am wondering how many in the forum are planning to attend the K-12 rally at
the capitol on Monday. I'm going because I've seen the effect of the cuts
and the data that shows #1 K-12 funding hasn't kept pace with inflation and #2
SPPS is doing a good job of cost containment (State Auditors report).
* IF the whole $24.3 deficit were to come out of staff cuts (which
isn't likely, although it's ~80% of the entire budget) it would mean 1 out of
every 15 people
* 24.3 is essentially half of what the district has cut in the past 5
years; they're down to bare bones - it is not possible to make these cuts
without derailing essential efforts
* What's more likely is that we'll lose all ancillary (music, art,
student/family supports, athletics, anything else a body can think of)
* I'm not confident we can absorb the cuts without closing schools
(even if we're not talking about it and probably should)
I also think we need to put these cuts in context. ALL of our local
government units - city, county and school district - are at or near crisis.
What
kind of community do we want to live in?
Personally think it's time we speak up. Rally officially starts at 5:00,
although 4:30 might be a good ETA. If going, wear boots/plan to stand in the
snow.
--Jennifer Armstrong
Payne/Phalen
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