January 20, 2010

The 2010 legislative session is off and running in Topeka. Like all other districts in the state, we have been involved in a number of budget discussions, trying to prepare for contingencies as we anticipate the next two years. While it will be difficult next year, the real challenge is the major reduction in funding via the loss of the stimulus money in 2011-2012. While the Governor has proposed a very simple, direct plan to deal with the next three years, no such plan has emerged from the legislature.

Meanwhile, here on the homefront, we continue to provide the best educational opportunities for our students in spite of budgetary constraints. And for that, I am truly grateful.Our conversations with all staffs have gone well and I think our staff has a good general understanding of our current fiscal situation, as well as our desire to make sure that ALL staff members keep their positions for the coming school year. It will be a challenge here as well; I think it is vitally important to protect our staff and keep them employed; not only is it critical to the operation of our district, it is critical to our community. As the second largest employer in our county, we generate a monthly payroll of $2.3 million. Ironically, that is the amount we have been reduced through cuts and funding we should have received but did not.

There are those who say we can eliminate positions of those who do not directly impact our students. However, my contention is that everyone in our district has an impact on our students. We have achieved much due to the efforts of the total staff and I intend to support every effort possible to keep everyone employed.

Please continue to convey thoughts to our legislators, state board members and any others you can think of regarding the importance of education not only to our students, but to the future of our community and to our state.