Opinion
Cutting Through the Noise On “Budget Cuts”
We live in a time in which we are told we can have it all. Everyone gets a trophy, and the line between “wants” and “needs” is blurred. We forget that the government cannot spend without first taking through taxes. All the improvements and new services we ask for come at a price; they are paid for by increasing taxes.
Most families are feeling the pain of inflation right now, having to sit down and take a serious look at household budgets to find areas of spending to cut (cancel Netflix and that gym membership) and put off those dreams of future spending (shorter vacation this year and can’t do the kitchen renovation just yet). While we may really WANT to buy a new couch, we NEED to pay the mortgage and buy groceries. Adult life is full of choices, and the harsh reality is that we can’t have it all.
When we look at wish lists and realize we can’t afford to do it all right now, should we consider that a true budget cut? I would argue no. When I think of “cutting a budget,” I think of looking at actual spending that is already taking place, to find areas to get rid of non-essential items (no more daily lattes), finding better deals (buying store brand), or renegotiating existing contracts (calling the cable company to request a better price or cut the HBO). When discussing the WCPS proposed budget, it appears we have now confused cutting wish list items of future spending as being the same as “cutting the budget.” The hypothetical cuts of wished-for items are NOT real budget cuts. When your child hands you a Christmas wish list, and you opt not to purchase every item on that list, does that mean you cut your budget? Of course not! It simply means you prioritized and made choices regarding which new things to buy.
Months ago, our school system put out a proposed budget of wish list items, no true cuts to existing spending were made. Now, the school system must work to prioritize the extra spending requested. The state has increased school funding by about $4 million, and the county will fund schools the same amount as last year since they needed to prioritize funding the increase to public safety needs (police and fire). Overall, the school budget will increase by about 4.3%; this additional money will fund some, but not all, of the items on the budget wish list.
Teacher raises plus earned salary step increases, adding 4 reading specialist positions instead of just 3, having the school division cover the cost of rate increases for health insurance, replacing the tennis courts ($1.5 million), replacing the stage curtains at both high schools ($50k/each), adding a $100k per year communications position to central office, expanding the agriculture program by adding a teacher….these are all examples of items the school system has requested to add—some examples of what is on the school’s wish list. As adults, we must be able to pay for what we wish for. Now comes the difficult task where priorities must be evaluated and the hard choices made because there is not enough money to add everything. Like your household budget, if they take a hard look at where money is already being spent and can find places to cut back, this will free up more funding for these newly requested items. For instance, would it be worth bringing subs back in-house to avoid ESS’s 31% management fee on this million-dollar line item? Lots of “this OR that” decisions must be made before July 1st. Which items would you prefer to see funded?
Let me know: msalins@wcps.k12.va.us
Melanie Salins
Warren County, VA
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