Published: March 29, 2006 02:57 pm            

Tough times make for difficult decisions

After wrangling with the issue for more than a month, Teutopolis School District decided to close two of its outlying grade schools, and a third school could close in the next few years.

This was not an easy decision, nor will it be extremely popular. But Teutopolis, like almost every school district in this area, is experiencing a continuing trend of declining enrollment, a fact that hits home at the financial level since the state funding formula is partially based on student attendance.

In order to keep its budget manageable, Teutopolis, like so many other school districts in the area, has no choice but to trim.

Jasper County School District has been fighting the same budget beast — declining enrollment caused by a stagnated economy. To try to stay on top of the financial burden, it closed East and West Junior High schools a few years ago and this year decided to close Hidalgo School at the end of this school year.

When outlying schools close, jobs are lost. There is no tougher decision than to cut jobs, but with the way schools in this state are funded, there is little choice — school districts have to bring in responsible budgets.

Other area school districts are experiencing the same woes. Effingham Unit 40 recently included teachers in its annual reduction of force, which terminates staff members who are rehired if funding is available. Stewardson-Strasburg School District also recently eliminated a teaching position.

Tough decisions, all.

It’s never easy to give up neighborhood schools. When Effingham Unit 40 changed a grade school to a preschool, incorporating the elementary grades into other schools, there were residents who were not pleased with the decision. But the transition went smoother than some expected and there has been few repercussions.

Unfortunately, in today’s economic times it makes sense to consolidate operations. Most school buildings in the area are aged, which results in higher maintenance and utility bills.

But consolidating operations and eliminating teacher positions won’t solve the problem. Even though enrollment is declining, pinched budgets usually result in larger class sizes that have an impact on the education of every child.

The solution: Lawmakers must heed the call to make school funding more equitable. It is ridiculous that some children go to school in crumbling facilities with sub-par educational tools while others enjoy state-of-the-art everything all because the majority of education funding is generated through property tax. Shame on all of us for not demanding our legislators give every child the same starting chance regardless of where they are from.

Lawmakers whose districts cover areas that have state-of-the-art equipment are reluctant to change the formula — their kids are doing OK, and others are worried about getting elected and fear the backlash of a formula change. So, the status quo continues.

A loud and monotonous public outcry is the only hope for change.

Until then, school districts will have to make some unpopular decisions to keep their budgets in line.

Teutopolis set a good example for how to go about making these decisions. The school district involved the public in the discussion from the very beginning. This was the right and fair way to proceed.

Although it would be unrealistic to expect unanimous support, the transitions that will have to be made will be easier because the public had some say in what happens.

Now, everyone has to pull together and remember that education is about our children. In the end, we all want what is best for all the children, even if that means a few may have to give up something precious.