I’m not about to get lost in the numbers or voting records. Nor will I fill the white space with a broad brush of complaints and whining. Rather, I would suggest that a good education starts at home and nurtures with an environment that a budget might provide.

•Cut Elementary music program.
I got tossed out of a Christmas rehearsal in 6th grade. I never appreciated music again until I dreamed a beautiful composition during a time when I was happy.
•Cut curriculum director position.
The school District could do better by hiring a PR man to go around and make people happy.
•Cut golf.
I took the course a couple of times, an expensive education to learn that I was not a natural. Maybe a good way for kids to spend time instead of loitering around outside… somewhere.
•Cut library aid positions.
I might learn from experience if I had to do anything myself.
•Eliminate the vice principal position at the high school and have the principal assume those duties.
I have no idea what a vice principle does other than more busy work.
•Reduce counseling positions to half time.
When I was in school, only the troubled kids had to go sit in a councilor’s office. I don’t know, they should steer kids to scholarship opportunities or tell them where to apply for food stamps.
•Eliminate one of the reading specialist positions at Slater Elementary School.
I learned to read in 1st grade. I was lucky, I had a crush on my teacher and wanted to do well for her.
•Cut days at the end of the school year.
Isn’t there a minimum number of days required to complete the year? I’m not sure about this one, why not just end school all together?
•Cut middle school sports.
Maybe just cut back and let kids get better equipment when they graduate to a bigger league.
•Cut mid-week games.
Well, parents might get more involved if they were free to drive their kids around on weekends.
•Cut non-league games.
League or no league, what difference does it make if the kids are occupied?
•Increase the fee to play sports.
Wow,I was lucky to get an allowance to buy lunch each day. This act would require the kids to learn how to write a grant application so their dad might fork over a little extra.
•Cut sports uniforms and equipment.
Yikes, those uniforms are expensive but what would we do without them?
•Eliminate bus transportation for sports.
Probably happen sooner or later with the changing times and luxury of oil becoming a precious commodity.
•Cut the entire sports program.
And have the kids join an after school book club.
•Completely close buildings on Fridays.
•Cut the senior project requirements, which can be met through career classes.
I had a humanities class in my senior year. I didn’t understand what was supposed to be written in a journal, each day was a repetition of the day before. We had a career day once. A bus load of kids went out to various job sites to view stiffs tending a huge machine while it punched out blanks in a cardboard box factory.
•Cutting administrative positions.
When I was in Hawaii not long ago, the school was the largest employer in the state. I can only imagine the raw numbers fed from a computer monitor while employees were charged to arrange and make sense of them. An elaborate Sudoku game to keep people occupied when they could do better if they only knew how to amuse themselves.

“No Child Left Behind” Mr. Bush?

Between this sagging and dying economy and lack of funds for proper education, our kids are destined to rise to mediocrity.

Yes, cut administrative raises and put a freeze on any increase for at least two years. It may not be much, but it shows a sacrifice for our kids. If they have no money for the school, where can they find it for raises?

The idea that the administrators should not get raises just does not make sense. Let’s do the math…..the most a 5.5% increase would yield is about $25,000, but there may be a good chance that administrators will jump ship and is the district prepared to begin a revolving door of administrators, similar to our neighbor to the east? Cutting sports is an interesting idea. Why is it on the table when we all know that will never happen. I do have an answer…..ask the good citizens of Burns how much is too much to cut and then have a tax override to overcome the deficiencies. Next, contact the great Oregon state lawmakers including the governor himself and demand that funding of education not only is put at the forefront, but that there is a complete overhaul. I bet if the decision to erect a prison in Burns was to be made by the Oregon leaders, there would be a quick decision to “get that there prison” up and running.

Rather than slam those who need to make these difficult decisions, offer them constructive advice and give them a pat on the back. Dave Courtney needs the help and support…….of all!!