Budget Cuts

 

On March 12, the Lumberjack Log classroom was graced with the presence of Dr. Cusick, Longview School District Superintendent. This is the second such press conference we have held with Cusick, and she was as elegant and charming as ever.

“I just love being here,” said Cusick of the Longview School District, “The kids are terrific, as are the teachers. My personal goal this year is to visit every classroom, and I’m at about 200 so far, about half way.”

After pleasantries were settled, we got down to the heart of her visit: budget cuts.

“Be good to each other, we’re all struggling,” is Cusick’s mantra when dealing with the high stress levels across the district.

Employee counseling has been made available, as well as resume writing help and other things to enable those whose jobs have been cut to find employment elsewhere.

“One of the toughest things is dealing with cutting jobs,” said Cusick.

Not everything is doom and gloom, however. Despite the economy, plans are a go for an alternative program that targets drop out and at risk kids.

“This isn’t a mill town any more, no one’s guaranteed a job whether they finish high school or not. This provides an environment for kids who have trouble in a class room setting to get more one on one time with a teacher, or get more flexible hours if they have to work because they come from a low income background,” said Cusick.

This alternative program would be held in either MM or RAL, and would use teachers from both. However, students should not view this program as an easy way to graduate. Every student participating has to complete the same requirements as those learning in a conventional class room, just in a different environment.

One of the questions raised by talk of the alternative program is how cost effective is it to start a new program with $5.1 million in budget cuts.

“We get approximately $5000 for every kid who attends RAL. If we are able to save some kids from dropping out with this program, hopefully we should break even,” said Cusick.

The conversation soon turned towards the proposed budgets cuts for the 2009-10 school year. One of the more controversial topics, though not necessarily most important, is the cutting of C-squad sports.

“We are discussing a pay to play option, ranging from $50-$160, and discounts for those with free or reduced lunch,” said Cusick.

When asked if this would create more of a stereotype about having to be rich to play sports, Cusick countered with pointing out that club sports, that take a lot of money, already play a factor in who plays sports.

“And while I’m not 100% sure, but other schools in our league could also cut C-squad sports, and why would we fight to keep them if there’s no competition?” said Cusick. Many people in Lumberjack Log concur with this statement.

Other potential sports cuts include fewer busses for away games, and eliminating some coaching stipends.

Cusick also has some premature numbers for money the Longview School District will receive from the government stimulus package, approximately $700,000 for free and reduced lunch programs, and about $900,000 for special education.

“This money will help free up other state money we receive, and hopefully allow us to hire more teachers with that money, including part time elementary librarians,” said Cusick.

As in the proposed  budget cuts right now, there will be no more elementary school librarians nest year at all.

Also as a part of the stimulus package, the school district plans to receive about $2 million aver two years for construction work at school that will generate jobs in the community.

Even with this money coming, and both levies passing, Cusick isn’t sure it will be enough.

“We still have $5.1 million to reduce. We certainly needed more money, but we didn’t ask because we know how tough times are right now. Without the levies, we would have tried for a second election on May 19, and if that failed to pass we would be facing 16-20% additional cuts. I can’t imagine trying to run the district with out that money,” said Cusick.

That money may not even be enough. Depending on how state budgets work out, the cuts may have to be increased to $6 million.

Economists predict this current recession to last 2-4 years, and then cut programs will hopefully return.

“We are making every effort to reduce programs, not eliminate them,” said Cusick, “And to keep cuts away from the classroom. I am glad to have received such healthy reactions for the community. Every forum has had 200 or more people in attendance. The feed back has been very good.”

Lumberjack Log is also trying to cut back as our budget has been greatly reduced. One way we have of doing this is we are launching a new online version of the newspaper this month.