Managing Your Money
The school district sits in the center of town. It once sprawled across large expanses of farmland. Soon it will trace the edges of a metropolis. Despite its changes, it is still the heart of the community.
For nearly a century, this school system has served generations of residents, sending many off to grand colleges and careers. But misfortune has struck, suddenly it seems, although school officials have seen it coming for a while.
The district’s budget is in shambles. Years of shifting enrollment -- the population ballooned, then nosedived -- had taken its toll. So has the state’s funding formula, which now relies heavily on local revenue to carry the cost of education -- an expense that continues to mount unabated.
The district needs to take action, and fast. Officials strip everything to the bare essentials. Programs and staff are cut. The budget is frozen. The board contemplates closing schools, then decides to turn to the voters.