Lovejoy Schools Opinion

[Brenda]

http://www.dallasnews.com/dmn/news/stories/012703dnmetpassthehat.13c7a.html

Front Page of Dallas Morning News
Wealthy but Still in Need

The people of Eanes are doctors, lawyers, business people. Within the district's boundaries reside many of the Austin area's power elite. It's one of Texas' wealthiest school districts.

But now they're passing the hat, asking for charity because they say their schools are in a financial crisis.

"We'll be sending out letters to the community in a few weeks, asking for donations," said Jess Butler, Eanes' superintendent. "It's the most traditional fund-raiser of all saying 'Help!' "

Eanes officials, like those in an increasing number of suburban districts around the state, blame the Texas school-finance system for their difficulties. And they're not optimistic that the current legislative session will bring much relief.

'People are worried'


But next year, if spending levels stay at their current levels, Eanes will face a deficit of about $8 million.
That's the equivalent of 144 jobs within the district, or about 15 percent of the total workforce.

"People are worried about whether they'll have jobs or not," said Karen Linder, a kindergarten teacher at Forest Trail Elementary. "It's depressing to come to work."

"It's not going to be any fun to be a school board member this year," said trustee Robert Durkee.

To keep the cuts from being too deep, the district is thinking up ways to generate more money: starting a for-profit day-care service, selling advertising space on school buses or the aforementioned requests for donations.

"I don't know if people will give, but if the schools mean enough to them, I hope they will," Mr. Farrell said.

The goal of the school finance system, dubbed "Robin Hood" by critics, is to equalize spending between the state's school districts. But even with the large sums it sends away to poorer schools, Eanes still manages to outspend all of its peers.

It's difficult for us to complain about not offering French or German when schools in the Valley worry about turning on the air conditioning when it's 100 degrees outside," Mr. Durkee said.

District officials acknowledge that they spend more than other districts, but they make no apologies. They say the extras are essential: more school nurses, more counselors, clerical aides for teachers and smaller class sizes.

"I don't view those sorts of things as optional or just enrichment," Dr. Butler said. "Those things are essential, but we're looking at cutting them."

Desire to be the best


Eanes is running into one of the most difficult problems of the current school-funding system. It is designed to increase equity between the rich and poor and, to a large degree, it's succeeded. But equity isn't always the top goal of suburban parents.
"We have an attitude here of having the best, being the best," Dr. Butler said. "Our parents won't stand for just an adequate education."

"I think our children are getting a good education now," said Nancy Morgan, mother of three Eanes students. "But it shouldn't be all on our backs. The state needs to do more."

Dr. Butler, a former consultant to both rich and poor districts, has been studying the Texas school-finance system for decades. He's even written a short book on the subject: Schools Circling the Drain, an odd allegory featuring characters named Dan Druff (a school board member), Kay Oss (the business manager) and Gill O. Teen (the school auditor).

He said that when he talks to superintendents in other districts, they tell him, "Jess, you're cutting programs we never had." To which he replies, "They should be able to have all those programs if they want to, even in poor districts. If they want an orchestra program, they should be able to have one. Every child in Texas ought to be able to have the sort of education a child in Eanes receives."

That can't be done, he said, without a major infusion of new money. That's why, he said, he supports a state income tax and higher state spending on education.

But it seems Dr. Butler is unlikely to get his wish, at least in the short term. Legislators, many elected on a "no new taxes" pledge, are facing a $9.9 billion deficit in the current session. Most observers doubt there'll be much if any new money available for education in the next state budget.

[Margie]

School finances are hurting all around the state. If ever there was a time to work together, combine forces, resources and money, this is it!

I'm voting FOR consolidation with Allen on Feb. 1st!

Margie

[consolidatelj]

I would really like to hear Dr. Butler's take on our situation. I really agree with him here when he talks about poor districts. I think we are helping both districts if we consolidate. Allen isn't a poor district, but is it right for us to spend more money to offer less when the same money could be used more efficiently to provide a better education for all the students in Lucas, Fairview, AND Allen.

[Tracy Hancock]

Jess Butler states in the article that he is for a state income tax. That is his solution to the problem. I doubt that many people around here would agree with him.

[Tonda]

The people of Sunnyvale were smart enough to reject the idea of building the district’s first high school. I hope LISD isn’t planning on the community purchasing personalized bricks to build the high school.

$150 parking fees in Carroll, $250 extra-curricular fees in Highland Park, requests for cash donations in Eanes – what additional evidence is required for people to realize that it is not the time to build secondary schools? We will be a district without equity since not all parents will be able to afford these extra fees.

That is of no apparent concern to those so set on offering their children so much less in a smaller school.