Schools should pass balanced budgets

In an era when banks have irresponsibly issued mortgages, state governments are in deficit, and the federal government’s credit rating has been downgraded, I look to local boards of education to exemplify a “voice of reason.” I seem doomed to be disappointed.

The Aug. 11 article “Dist. 15 (Palatine) passes budget in the red” begs the question: Why should taxpayers foot the $11 million deficit when each of us is asked to work within a balanced family budget or risk losing our homes?

If corporations passed budgets in the red, they would be viewed as unwise and accused of squandering their future.

Boards of education throughout Illinois: Please act in a way that shows us that you can be fiscally sound now. Don’t defer, deflect or further delay. Please don’t pass on this opportunity to pass a budget in the black. After all, “passing a budget in the red” seems to be an oxymoron.

Steven Long

Hoffman Estates