A decision was made. At the district board meeting on Thursday night, leaders made a choice that will have an affect many for years to come. Revenue is down and falling. Something had to be done. Two of the three scenarios reviewed by the board gave a portion of the tax rate back to the taxpayer.

They reviewed three scenarios: If taxpayers end up paying the same amount as last year roughly 31 staffers will potentially be cut, if taxpayers pay an average of $47.50 less than last year 62 staffers will be cut, and if taxpayers pay an average of $95 dollars less than last year 80 staffers could be cut. . They came to an agreement. The district board chose to cut 62 staffers positions.

While 62 sounds like a large number, so does six million.The district has a projected shortfall of $6 million after the 2008-09  school year. At this point, it’s more than about recovering financially this year, but keeping Francis Howell in a good financial spot for the future years to come . The students should have been put first in this decision, and from the outcome it’s likely they were.

Less teachers in classrooms will account for less individual time teachers have with students and larger class sizes, but it could have been over 80 positions cut rather than 62. Parents and students, you have to realize the financial state of our district. Board members made the right call predicting the cuts, because odds are the financial state of the district is only going to worsen with the declining property values that make up half of the district’s revenue. Also remember that throughout the 2008-2009 tax year the Francis Howell district has maintained a 25 cent voluntary tax roll back, as promised. Keep in mind that this financial loss is not due to over spending on the district’s part, but simply the down-turn in the nation’s economy that could not be anticipated to these extremes. In making this decision, the district board did not have plans to make students suffer in school or leave valued teachers without jobs, they are simply looking to the future.

Parents, think of your student’s future. Students, think of your own futures. Does it sound so bad to sit in classes with five extra people knowing that you can go to art club or a track meet after school? Would you rather have class sizes as they are now, but have your sports and clubs taken away with the district in financial crisis the remainder of your school years? The thought of staff cuts troubles many, but will hopefully ease the minds of many in the future when the district is on track to financial recovery. We don’t want to lose our teachers, but the decision leaves hope for years to come and students will still enjoy many school-sponsored activities. We ask you to think about the future of the district and respect the board’s decision. It was a smart one.