|
PTSA Position Statement
Passed 3-4-04
Members of the Stevens
Point PARENT TEACHER STUDENT ASSOCIATION (KNOWN AS THE PTSA), have a firm
commitment to support educational opportunities for students in the Stevens
Point Area School District. We are opposed to the proposed $1.9 million in
budget cuts for the 2004 - 2005 budget year.
We urge that the board
vote “No” on the proposed budget cuts as presented.
The proposed cuts:
-
eliminate course options
for students
-
decrease student time in
academic classes
-
compromise the ability
of school staff to provide adequate counseling to students
-
reduce services to
students
Implementation of one or
more of the following actions could greatly reduce the level of budget cuts
needed:
-
As an interim solution
for the 2004 – 2005 budget, the Stevens Point School District could use
monies from the fund balance (per the School Board’s vote on Monday August
26, 2002, to use $1.5 million from reserves.) It is our understanding
from Dr. Schuler that about half of that approved amount was not used.
This means that $750,000 of the $1.5 million remains unspent, and could be
used to cover some of the targeted cuts. The district should review
whether additional amounts could be used for the 04/05 while still
maintaining the reserve fund above state guidelines.
-
Consider making
additional capital fund reductions.
-
Review Appendix B and
all other non academic expenses for possible additional spending cuts.
-
Place a temporary, one
year, freeze on travel.
Adopting these alternative
solutions to budget cuts for 04/05 provides the following substantial
benefits to the district:
-
The district will have
time to analyze the recommended curriculum and/or structural changes from
the 6-12 Committee Review and possible budgetary impact from said changes.
-
The district will have
time to study referenda scenarios, including but not limited to, a MULTI
YEAR referendum for Fall 2004, tied to the presidential election.
|
