BY JOHN MARSH
newsroom@newsandtribune.com
NEW ALBANY — Schools all across Indiana are now struggling with dismal school cuts brought upon them by a failing economy and a new state funding process as a result of property tax reform. It will not be easy for any school corporation (or local governmental agency) in the months and immediate years ahead. Until the economy recovers, there are only poor choices.
New Albany-Floyd County Schools must solve a $6 million deficit and that is no small task. No one wants to close schools, eliminate jobs or end programs if not necessary. Given a laundry list of poor choices, the Superintendent and School Board must ultimately decide what are the most important goals for our schools. I believe that three essential elements of a school program should be protected above others. The first is a quality teacher in the classroom. The next is a chance to succeed — a manageable class size. The last is a rich enough K-12 curriculum to engage students in their own learning process and to prepare them for the future they face.
While some may choose to object in part to Dr. Hibbard’s proposals, I believe his plan has focused on the right priorities. His proposals also follow the recommendations fo the Governor’s Office and those coming from the Indiana Department of Education.
It is unfortunate that he came to Floyd County at a time when our own economic perfect storm has hit us. It is also regrettable that he had to confront and make the hard choices that some of his predecessors were unwilling or unable to make.
There may well be more difficult choices in the months and years ahead without a more secure funding process or a growing economy. We can better weather the storm if we keep to the basics — and Dr. Hibbard’s proposals do just that even if we are not happy with some of the results.
