MOMS TALK: Fresh Solutions For School Budget Cuts

No matter how you slice it, Wisconsin school districts face serious revenue shortfalls in Governor Scott Walker’s 2011-13 budget bill.  So we asked our readers – and tracked down a few experts – for their thoughts on the subject.

Dr. Joe Schroeder, Superintendent of Muskego Norway schools, says the district began preparing for cuts many months ago with “proactive efforts…to safeguard core programs and services.” 

While he feels the district is on board to weather the storm, cuts are deeper than predicted.  Schroeder’s recommendations will be posted on the district website on March 21, right after that evening’s School Board meeting at Lakeview Elementary School. 

Meanwhile, a quick glance around the country shows school districts are hunting for fresh solutions.  The San Antonio Independent School District briefly considered a four day school week, a move that might have saved $2.5 million.  Across the country, Roy Paisley, principal of Red Hook High School in New York, uses his blog to advance the use of digital readers.

 “With the cost of traditional textbooks exceeding $100,” Paisley writes, “digital textbooks may provide not only additional enhancements but also significant savings.”  Who knew Kindle and eBook would evolve into bargains - instead of luxuries still on many of our wish lists? 

Here in Muskego, parents are starting to weigh in on state budget cuts with practical solutions.  Local dad Rodger Runyan thinks we should look for ways to “combine exercise activity with revenue.”  Runyan attended a Dodgeball fundraiser recently at Lake Denoon Middle School that was “fun and appeared to be successful,” and suggests something as simple as a winter Dodgeball league might generate extra revenue. 

Muskego mom and church volunteer coordinator Jeanne Kolkoski says it may be the perfect time for churches and the community to step up. “People need to work together again to support the community,” she said, “just like we did before government started doing things for us.” 

Training volunteers as reading coaches and for other needed support roles were also suggestions to keep budgets down while boosting resources available to teachers.

You can share your thoughts on school budget cuts with the Muskego Norway School Board during the brief public comments forum at every meeting.  You’ll find meeting schedules here.