School district cost cutting

More great info from the AEI Event on district cost cutting.

From Jose Torres, School District Supue: School districts don’t really lack knowledge and tools but the political acumen to work the budget cutting challenges. Contracts are set way in advance in most budget areas making it very difficult to make substantial cuts. Timing of budget cut announcements are also difficult – you cut freshman and “B” team sports teams like most districts and announce that too early, parents will be storming the board meetings. Every cut has a constituency that is not looking at the total budget picture. Also, RIF notices have to go out March by contract which is before the budget is set. Most districts “over RIF” to make sure they are not stuck with spending with no revenue. Unfunded mandates in the lean years are producing focused civil disobedience from the school districts. Everyone believes that they are an expert in running a school district. The ideal would be to create a brand new school district from scratch (kind of like charter schools)

One key point: true differentiated instruction in the era of rapidly declining budgets requires technology.

Great start to the event!