We are back, Starting with the budget issues

It has been quite a long time since our last entry into the blog, not because there has been nothing to report on, but rather the exact opposite.   It has been budget time for the Trinity Area School District, and the board members have been addressing many different items. Some of these we have heard about were just ideas, some were facts, and some were just rumors. However, the truth is that the discussions from the board were marred with arguments, innuendos, personal feelings and mistaken facts. We can not at this time attempt to bring to light to all of those conversations but we can speak of some of the major ones.

 

This budget by all accounts is a difficult one; the state has demanded belt tightening and re-evaluation of continuing practices. This edict by the state is a daunting task but one that under the current economic stress needs to be carried out. There is a difference, however, between belt tightening and destruction. When evaluating expenses and reductions due to those expenses, you must always take into account the long term effects weighed against the short term benefits. Therein lies the problem. Certain members of the board, it would appear, have neglected to consider the long term effects of the decisions currently offered.  

 

Let’s take a moment to look at a few of the proposed cuts, changes and offerings under the new budget and why I believe the board may not have  considered the long term pitfalls of these actions. The most important one is the furloughing of teachers. This action could most assuredly eliminate payroll and expense problems; however, this action would also reduce the quality of the education provided at Trinity. During the last meeting eight teachers and eight support staff retired, assisting in the reductions to payroll. The teachers union itself offered a proposal that included reductions in pay and insurance premium increases, along with an open dialog for further consideration, basically in exchange for a temporary "no furlough" condition. The board rejected the proposal in its entirety without even a meeting to discus other options. The board's reasoning included that the proposal contained “too many strings attached to consider” the proposals.

 

Let’s look at the opt-out insurance proposal. The board has been advised by insurance experts not to consider this proposal. Basically, the current health insurance is offered to all full-time employees. If the employee decides not to take the insurance offerings, the school pays that employee $1800 per year. If they do take the option, it can cost the school district around $1600 per month. Trinity has approximately 32 people on the Opt-Out program totaling approximately $57,600 per year. If all 32 employees decide to exercise their right to be included in the insurance program it will cost the district in excess of $600,000 per year.

 

Another major change proposed by members of the board would include “Pay-to-Play” for sports, band and extra curricular activities. This would be either $50.00 or $75.00 per sport per year.This could generate $60,000 to $90,000 depending on the choice. The downside to this is simple: does “Pay-to-Play” means every child plays or every child participates. If a child pays, then can the board still enforce the new grading policy for eligibility? Will there be discounts for multiple sports or multiple children in the same family? The questions could continue here, but I think we all can see that a decision such as this must be accompanied by detailed thoughts and ideas coupled with many discussions from all parties involved. The board can not simply say “that sounds like a good idea” and rush to implement it.

 

Along those same lines is the proposed increase to the student parking fees from $15.00 to $30.00 per year. Although I personally consider this to be a form of double taxation, the proposal offers a clause that states that, in inclement weather, the “Pit” will be closed to all vehicles. Does that mean that the students who park there will be given a discount or refund based on weather conditions?

 

Middle school extra-curricular buses may also be eliminated. Simply stated, there may not be transportation to any academic club or sports function. This action will directly affect only the middle school students; however the problems created can have a much greater negative effect on the entire Trinity district. Without transportation, working parents will in some cases have to prohibit their child from participating in the above stated activities. Most middle school events, sports or otherwise, are held earlier in the evening, prohibiting parent participation in the transportation dilemma. Teachers and coaches will not be able to offer assistance here because of sheer numbers and liability concerns. Dwindling numbers participating will affect the high school because children who have not participated for two years may not be able to rekindle their enthusiasm. The notion that a well rounded student is good for the school system and for the student will no longer be a possibility in the district or will, at the very least, involve many fewer students.

 

Rather than overwhelm anyone with an excessively long letter here, I will be adding additional information every day this week to help understand the current budget and to bring us all up to speed again, at least as I see it.  

  

 

     It should also be noted that Trinity is working with a rather large surplus fund (well in excess of 3.5 million dollars)  that is intended to be emergency working capital. Is this not the type of emergency it should apply to?