TOUGH CHOICES ON SCHOOL BUDGET CUTS

Budget reductions are never easy, whether at the federal, state or local levels. Everyone cheers responsible government spending until their pet programs are affected.

The Cape Girardeau Board of Education has been through a difficult few months as members worked to cut nearly $1 million in spending from the budget. Since March, staff, parents, teachers and community residents have provided valuable input on ways to trim the budget.

In the end, the board bit the bullet and pared the budget by $611,000, effective July 1. Another $200,000 will be saved from early retirements. And the district expects an additional $500,000 in local revenue that should push the budget back into the black.

The board had little choice but to make the budget cuts. The district has been spending more money than it has taken in since the 1995-96 school year. The result was a much lower reserve than the state recommends. Living on credit is dangerous. For government, it's a recipe for disaster.

Many teachers were understandably disappointed by the board's decision to withhold raises and freeze salaries. When cutting a large chunk from the budget, it's simply hard to ignore salaries. They are, in fact, the single largest budget item. Salaries and benefits of school employees account for some two-thirds of district expenditures.

It is the same scenario in every district around the state. Schools are labor intensive. That's why public schools always take a hard look at salaries when cuts must be made.

The salary freeze is likely to be a one-year option. The board and the community realize that a quality teaching staff is crucial to quality schools.

The payoff may be in better facilities for teachers. A new elementary school is under construction, along with improvements to other elementary schools. A new high school and vo-tech school are also on the drawing board, along with other brick-and-mortar improvements. If money can't be found for teacher raises next year, the board may consider coming back to the voters.

In addition to the salary freeze, the board reduced maintenance and repair expenditures and administrative travel expenses. Several incentive grants that require local matching funds will be eliminated. Some textbooks won't be purchased.

The district may also hold off on filling a handful of employee positions left open from retirements or resignations. That may mean higher class sizes in some grades.

At least for the coming year, there is no bonanza of additional state or federal dollars. Cape Girardeau has suffered financially because of stagnant enrollments and the fact the foundation formula punishes districts with higher local shares.

With understanding, patience and persistence, the district can work through its financial woes. Increased parental and community support will be crucial during the coming months on this leaner budget.