The Monroe School Board is preparing to present an $8 million, four-year, nonrecurring referendum question to voters in April. Without it, school officials say, the district is looking at projected deficits ranging from $1.6 million next school year up to $3.6 million in 2014-2015.
To its credit, we do believe the current administration has shown a good-faith effort to be fiscally responsible with our tax dollars. On the table already is more than $532,000 in cuts for the 2011-12 school year - regardless of whether a referendum passes or not.
Still, we'd like to see the board take a serious look at cutting the co-curricular budget, independent of a referendum.
Earlier this week, Monroe School Board member Bob Erb supported cutting 5 percent of the co-curriculuar budget - regardless of whether a referendum passes. This reduction would include such things as uniforms, dues and fees, equipment purchases, supplies and employee travel.
The actual dollar amount saved from such a move is relatively small, about $25,000. But as Erb said, it's an important gesture to overwhelmed taxpayers that the district is willing to trim what it can to lighten our collective tax burden.
We strongly agree. But we encourage the board to take it a step further and look at cutting 10 percent.
It comes down to a matter of needs vs. wants: If cuts in these areas are livable without a referendum, they are livable with the additional tax dollars a referendum would generate.
That's not to say we don't support these activities. They are vital to keeping kids active, and are part of a well-rounded education. And it's a shame that cuts to education must be considered at all.
But these are unprecedented times, and we're still reeling from the biggest economic calamity since the Great Depression.
Most of us - as businesses and individuals - are making sacrifices on a daily basis, and weighing every need vs. want. Looking at a 10-percent reduction should at least be considered - with or without a referendum.
To its credit, we do believe the current administration has shown a good-faith effort to be fiscally responsible with our tax dollars. On the table already is more than $532,000 in cuts for the 2011-12 school year - regardless of whether a referendum passes or not.
Still, we'd like to see the board take a serious look at cutting the co-curricular budget, independent of a referendum.
Earlier this week, Monroe School Board member Bob Erb supported cutting 5 percent of the co-curriculuar budget - regardless of whether a referendum passes. This reduction would include such things as uniforms, dues and fees, equipment purchases, supplies and employee travel.
The actual dollar amount saved from such a move is relatively small, about $25,000. But as Erb said, it's an important gesture to overwhelmed taxpayers that the district is willing to trim what it can to lighten our collective tax burden.
We strongly agree. But we encourage the board to take it a step further and look at cutting 10 percent.
It comes down to a matter of needs vs. wants: If cuts in these areas are livable without a referendum, they are livable with the additional tax dollars a referendum would generate.
That's not to say we don't support these activities. They are vital to keeping kids active, and are part of a well-rounded education. And it's a shame that cuts to education must be considered at all.
But these are unprecedented times, and we're still reeling from the biggest economic calamity since the Great Depression.
Most of us - as businesses and individuals - are making sacrifices on a daily basis, and weighing every need vs. want. Looking at a 10-percent reduction should at least be considered - with or without a referendum.
