The Threat to U.S. K-12 Education

[Scooter]

That a 0% increase in spending (and property taxes) from year to year is a sound fiscal policy especially when inflation was practically non-existant.

Was there also a 0% increase in enrollment? When the school board puts forward proposals cut costs or reallocate resources (e.g. closing low enrollment schools, adjusting transportation routes/schedules, rationalizing course offerings) do parents/ratepayers go along or do they raise a high holy stink?

[oldr_n_wsr]

Not sure if there was an increase or decrease in enrollment those years (probably an increase). I know that currently the district is having an overall reduction in enrollment especially in the lower grades and I know my property taxes are not being lowered to reflect that decrease. If anything they will be going up as state aid has been slashed by about 15% from last year. They are talking about laying off 300 teachers in the district (I believe right now we have 1700 teachers total)

they raise a high holy stink

aka, "But it's for the children!!!!!"

I recall one year the school board said we should vot the budget in as is as it would be less of a property tax increase than if we voted it down and went on an austerity budget. I still haven't figured out hte smoke and mirrors on that one. It passed, but I voted against it just on principal as I couldn't get a real answer to how austerity would cost more.