Cut nonessentials first in Dist. 303

I attended a recent District 303 school board meeting and while I agree with Superintendent Schlomann's opening remarks that there is no easy way to make "less bad choices" in finding $5.5 million to make up next year's shortfall, I believe there is one unexamined choice that could put $1.6 million to $2 million back into the classroom where it is needed most.

Given that we are at the point of cutting vital support staff for special needs kids, safety positions that monitor our kids' hallways and grounds, programs in the arts, and hiking middle school sports fees to $100 per child per sport, then we are also at the point where retaining nonessentials should be out of the question. However, nonessentials remain.

Last year the school district hired 21 instructional coaches, positions that in a healthy economic time would serve a wonderful purpose. Traditionally, this position was played by the principal, and in healthier economic times it is a good idea to provide as much ongoing training as possible for teaching staff. However, these are not healthy economic times, and while a nice idea, this is an educational luxury not a necessity.

These administrative positions total between $1.6 million and $2 million in salaries. Before we cut security positions, before we cut in-class teachers, before we cut programs in the arts, before we hike prices in athletics, before we do anything that directly impacts the student and their ability to succeed in the classroom we should be certain we have cut out those things that are not absolutely necessary. In my opinion, this is a big one.

Kelli Anderson

St. Charles