Today another story about what is happening everywhere and is going to get progressively worse. Basically the story has to do with the cost of some services and the ability to pay for these services. What I am specifically referring to is services that are provided by the government, the cost of which is paid for by the taxpayers.
As is often the case there are two sides to the story.
One side contends that since the services are becoming increasingly expensive, they can no longer be paid for, and therefore the only solution is to cut these now unaffordable services to the point where the cost is affordable.
The other side I will refer to as the “woe is me” side. In essence, they say that if these services are cut, only bad things can happen to certain groups.
For instance in the San Diego area the South Bay Union School District may close three schools under the superintendent’s latest proposal to respond to the district’s ongoing loss of students and budget deficit.
Next year, South Bay Union faces a roughly $19 million shortfall and $15 million the following year. That’s even as officials expect to spend most of its reserves to balance the budget.
“This is a tough subject. But when you look at the sustainability of operating under-enrolled schools, it’s not financially sustainable,” said Michael Taylor, the district’s consultant on closure talks, during a special board meeting last week.
However on the other side some teachers also argue that the smaller class sizes could actually help address learning gaps among students. (Just a third of South Bay Union students met or exceeded the state standards for English last year, data shows. For math, it was worse: only 20%.)
“We must commit to keeping every single one of our neighborhood schools open,” said Vanessa Barrera, president of the Southwest Teachers Association, during the meeting last week.
So, as is often the case, when the two sides are diametrically opposed, the question is about a possible compromise. And, yes, I do have a potential compromise … set up charity to which contributions can be made. These contributions would then only go those schools that are scheduled to be closed. Those who feel strongly that we need to keep the schools open could then put their money where their mouth is, and after two years the money would either be there or not. If there is still a large deficit, then the “woe is me” group can say, “well, we tried! Que sera, sera” … and the three designated schools can then be closed.
5/28/25