Prudent reserves keep SHS strong
In his interview in the Stevenson newspaper, candidate Kim Brady states, “Stevenson is, financially, in a very healthy situation, and I would recognize the board and administration in terms of being prudent with school finance and then making sure that there is a reserve in place. I think that’s all a good thing.”
Yet, Mr. Brady’s campaign website criticizes the very same “reserve” and “prudent” financial practices he praises.
There are many good reasons for maintaining reserves. Reserves protect against the uncertainties of state and federal funding. This is all the more important when the State owes more than $2 million to Stevenson and continues to cut funds for special education, transportation, and other mandated programs!
“Reserves” or fund balances as they are properly called, also ensure continuity of academic programs. Stevenson’s dramatic achievements over the past 30 years are due in part to healthy fund balances that secured important programs for the students.
Prudent management of fund balances also helps avoid seeking another referendum (tax increase). Referendums exhaust administrative and volunteer resources, and distract from the schools’ true role of education.
The United4Stevenson candidates, Terry Moons, Bruce Lubin, Merv Roberts, and newcomer Dave Weisberg, rightly deserve Mr. Brady’s admiration for ensuring prudent fiscal management.
John Osuyos
Long Grove