Things are tough all over. Hours have been cut or jobs lost entirely. Nest eggs have disappeared. Tight budgets are getting tighter. No place is that struggle demonstrated more keenly than in the Carson City School District. It anticipates a $7.2 million deficit next year.
The district's initial response to the shortfall was to close one elementary school. That resulted in such a public outcry that a second plan was devised. The alternative "death by a thousand cuts," however, is no less painful. Plan B has been heatedly debated but is still on the table. The district still must finalize the budget and it's running out of time.
What bothers me most (outside of Nevada's consistent ranking near the bottom of the nation's educational heap), is the uneven nature of these cuts. The more than 50 planned layoffs " including teachers, reading specialists, kindergarten aides and administrators " are almost exclusively at elementary schools.
Such drastic cuts at the early stages of our children's schooling are shortsighted and weaken the foundation of the entire system. Recent gains in student achievement could be damaged for a generation if the district tries to balance the budget on the backs of elementary students and teachers.
Research shows that early instruction and intervention are schools' most effective tools. Furthermore, if children are behind in the third grade, their chances for catching up are small. Elementary reading specialists and kindergarten aides go a long way to improving the quality and quantity of instruction. They are a lifeline for the students, as well as the teachers.
Sadly, instead of pulling together in these difficult times, the school community has become territorial. At the last two school board meetings, passions have run high as teachers and parents campaigned against particular cuts. Superintendent Richard Stokes looked anguished as the board failed to make a decision about unifying the district's calendar. That switch, according to Associate Superintendent Sue Keema's report, could save the district over $75,000.
One thing the board's performance did demonstrate however, was that " after public input " those complex line-by-line budgetary decisions need to be made by district staff whose education, experience and perspective allow them to see the big picture. School board members, who are elected every few years, may be more likely to be swayed by the size and fervor of the crowd.
Inevitably, someone's favorite program, service or schedule will be disrupted. I just hope reason prevails and the community can take the long view as the district attempts to find a way for all schools to share the sacrifice more equitably. Finally, I trust Mr. Stokes and his colleagues to make the necessary budget reductions without jeopardizing the futures of its youngest and most vulnerable students.
- Lorie Schaefer is a retired elementary teacher and reading specialist.