With the budget being as tight as it is, the school board has had no choice but to make budget cuts. It was a very lengthy process with a lot of information to take in, along with the politics of public opinion.
The board decided to cut teachers and counselors and raised lunch prices 12 cents.
Earlier cuts included teachers and school supplies. School board members were also considering cutting elementary schools.
Throughout the process, the community was involved. Students and parents petitioned to keep elementary schools open and board members listened to their pleas.
“During this process, I was committed to getting through next year’s budget shortfall without closing neighborhood schools,” school board member Vanessa Sanburn said.
The decision-making process was difficult and the board members put in long hours.
“As a board, it was approximately an eight week process,” school board member Mark Bradford said. “With board meetings, study sessions, public forums and numerous emails and hundreds of phone calls.”
When it came to the actual decision making on what got cut, the board members had to go through a lot to even think about what to cut.
First, they had to keep in mind what was best for the students and their educational needs, then they had to take in consideration the school’s budget and how much money they needed to save for next school year.
Next, board members had to review program costs and the recommendations for cuts they received from the public. They also asked for the school departments to look over their programs to see where cuts could be made.
“The first step is to evaluate all programs and determine what can have the least impact on students’ achievements,” Superintendant Rick Doll said.
The decision that really gained attention was when the board was thinking about cutting the band and orchestra programs from the elementary schools.
“I think it was cutting the band that woke everybody up,” school board president Scott Morgan said. “The board had never experienced the magnificent and amazing ability of the fine arts community to rally, especially at Lawrence High.”
Prior to the board’s final meeting about budget cuts, LHS band members marched down to the district meeting with instruments in hand, ready to play and show board members that it would be a mistake to cut the band and orchestra programs.
“I think we ended up with a more humane compromise than we would have if the LHS band hadn’t shown up,” Morgan said. “They [the band members] were civil and clearly concerned.”
This community involvement was important to the board’s decision-making process and will be again, if more cuts are needed.