School financial dilemmas

As school negotiations come to a close and students are settled in their schools, community members must now begin to realize that the Washington state legislative actions related to the McCleary decision have placed many school districts in significant financial disarray.

Teachers, administrators and school boards did their best to work within the maze of ambiguity but now their challenge will be how to make the necessary cuts to overcome the overwhelming deficits facing many districts. Class size, activities, technology, extended programs, athletics, busing, staffing, etc. may be included in these discussions. When the discussions lead to action, please don’t put the blame on our educators or school boards, but rather contact your state representative and ask them to develop realistic formulas that meet the needs of all districts and provide a roadmap to financial stability.

The possibility of bankrupt school districts will be saved only through our legislative process; they’ve created an untenable system. Please become a voice for your schools.

Michael Pearson

Spokane Valley