Find other ways to cut costs in U-46

School District U-46 has a large deficit that the board of education is trying to reduce. Like many other districts in Illinois, the problem is partially because the state has not been contributing its part to education. But, in U-46 at least, there is also a need to cut costs. This has been true for several years and was likely the reason the district released hundreds of teachers in 2003 and 2009.

Earlier this school year, the board of education realized this and started to do some cost cutting that did not affect the education in its communities. But then, the deficit loomed and the board panicked fearing that they might not be able cut expenses enough by March 15, the date by which they had to notify teachers of a possible loss of employment for 2010-11.

Rather than remembering the goal stated when you call the district number, "Thank you for calling School District U-46 where our goal is academic success for all students," and putting in as many hours as necessary going over the budget line by line to see what could be reduced or eliminated, they blundered ahead by pink slipping 732 teachers, the most important part of every school system. If they had calmed down and committed themselves to finding other solutions, education in U-46 might not be taking the giant leap backward that appears likely now.

But, it is still not too late; now that teachers have been notified of possible loss of employment for the 2010-11 school year, the board, not the hired "financial expert," can put in the time needed to find other ways to cut unnecessary expenses and if they can find enough, recall many if not most of the teachers they pink slipped.

Donald B. Abbs

Elgin