The time between the Falls School Board considering what cuts it needs to make for the district and actually making those cuts is narrowing and Superintendent Nordy Nelson says now is the time to get involved.
The board will meet for a special work session at 5 p.m. Monday in the Falls High School cafeteria to continue the process of making cost adjustments to offset the about $500,000 the district is losing in state funding with the loss of about 70 students since last spring.
“I think its really important for community members, parents and district residents to get at these different meetings held,” Nelson said. “Decisions made at these meetings can really impact them.”
Monday's session will be the third in a series of meetings the board is hosting to consider areas to which cost adjustments can be made.
The superintendent told board members in a statement that the district is no longer in an arrangement where fund balances will grow. The present district offerings and activities cannot be sustained and still keep revenues over expenditures.
In November, Nelson provided board members with a list he drafted which highlighted options for the board to consider to save the district about $717,800.
The superintendent stressed items on the list, including staff reductions and eliminating two non-revenue athletic teams, were only options and didn’t need to happen all at once. Still, the cuts would enable the district to avoid dipping into its about $3.8 million in reserve funds.
During Monday's session, about seven or eight people or groups are expected to promote their individual departments and/or educational programs that are on the chopping block.
“That is not including the principals who will be presenting their reports on what I've asked them to do as far as enrollment and staff reductions,” Nelson said.
But, the people whose livelihoods or programs that are at stake should not be the only faces in the audience Monday night.
Nelson said now is the time parents and other community members need to get involved.
“We've come out with a list reducing costs in quite a number of areas, and we haven't had a lot of interest generated from the community,” he said.
The superintendent said it is understandable that people may not think their voices will be heard or their opinions will matter.
That is not the case.
While Monday's work session is slated for the specific groups which have already contacted Nelson to speak, the public will get its chance in the future.
“Final decisions will be made during the last Monday in April,” he said. “Before then, we will give the community and parents their turn to speak...However, they should really be a part of the listening and discussion that goes on before any decisions are made.”
