From the Michigan City News-Dispatch:
A funny thing happened following the Nov. 5 Michigan City Area Schools referendum – well, not funny as in amusing, but rather very revealing in human nature.
Almost immediately following the referendum’s defeat, in which Michigan City Area Schools sought a 17 cents per $100 net assessed valuation increase in property taxes, the outcry began that MCAS officials should not even think about cutting teachers, staff members or programs for MCAS students.
The common statement repeated over and over was that MCAS needed to “learn to live on a budget” and needed to “learn to live within its means” – but at the same time, class sizes shouldn’t go up and teachers should not be laid off. In other words, make cuts, but not anything like eliminating extracurricular activities, coaching positions or special programs.
For those who continue to espouse this viewpoint, it can be clearly stated that MCAS will be living on its budget and within its means. But it won’t be able to continue running its schools and programs as it does today. By voting “no” to the referendum, school patrons have said they expect MCAS to cut more than $2.5 million from its general fund budget. The general fund budget pays for teacher and staff salaries, school programs and educational supplies.
It will be impossible for MCAS to make these cuts without affecting school programs, class sizes and school offerings. The board cannot cut millions from the general fund budget and have the schools look and seem the same as they are right now. School board members will be deciding on staffing and program cuts to balance the budget in the near future. There are state laws that deal with how and when teachers and administrators must be notified that their contracts will not be renewed. Those notifications will come next year. Human nature (and some of those who voted “no”) may be saying that there are millions in cuts that can be easily made and that MCAS is bluffing about the devastating effect of the referendum vote. But board president Don Delaney was not being sarcastic, or lashing out, at those who voted “no” when he said that “Unfortunately, the voters decided they don’t want a great education, they want a cheap education and that’s what we have to give them.” He was simply stating the truth. The “no” vote is going to result in an MCAS structure that is going to look much different than “status quo.” And for those who want “status quo,” it’s only fair that school officials turn a mirror back to the community and say, “this was your decision.”
http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2013/11/13/news/opinion/nd_editorials/doc52830116b3bef879555756.txt
