SCHOOL CUTS MUST KEEP STUDENTS FIRST

The process of closing a million-dollar gap in the Cape Girardeau School District's finances hasn't been easy. Recently, the Board of Education agreed on $600,000-plus of spending cuts, including a freeze on salaries, and hopes anticipated revenue increases will make up the rest.

The goal is to increase the district's reserves. These are funds that are set aside each year in order to provide a cushion in the event of an emergency or unanticipated funding needs. In recent years, the Board of Education has approved spending at a pace that exceeded revenue. As a result, the district's reserves are too low. The financial turnaround is what has prompted decisions to cut spending in every area possible.

One outcome of these budgetary decisions is the possibility that some of the district's elective courses, particularly at Central High School, might be eliminated. The district currently offers 26 more elective credits that districts of similar size in the area. But maybe cutting electives should have a lower priority that some other options.

For example, most teachers at the high school get two preparation periods each day. Elementary teachers, however, only get one preparation period a day. Around the state, most schools allow only one preparation period for teachers in general. Wouldn't it make sense to ask teachers to give up one preparation period and spend that time in the classroom?

If high school teachers took only one preparation period and taught an additional class, the problems of overcrowded classes and the possibility of dropping elective courses might be resolved.

Teachers, or course, are concerned about their salaries. With no raise in sight for at least a year, they aren't likely to welcome additional teaching duties in place of a preparation period. But the extra workload is something that the Board of Education could take into consideration when the budget adjustments have produced the hoped-for results.

Instead of lopping courses and eliminating programs that were cost justified while the district sank into its current financial pinch, every consideration should be given to maintaining the high-quality learning atmosphere in the Cape Girardeau School District. This will require a heap of cooperation among administrators, faculty, students, parents and board members.

But if these groups divide up into factions that only represent one point of view, the students are likely to get less of a quality education that they deserve. The Board of Education already has taken the big steps toward resolving the financial issues. Now is the time for everyone to take little steps -- together -- until the crisis over reserves is past.