A slice for everyone

“We have come up with what we have based on those very difficult conversations about what it was going to take, what we value, what we need there for students in the schools and at all levels.”
— Superintendent Candy Armstrong

     Back in Economis 101, we were taught that the basic economic problem was “unlimited wants and limited means.”
     That comes into sharper focus when revenues dwindle. As businesses and institutions all over the country know, cutting back can be painful.
     Officials at North Wasco County School District 21 know that all too well. The district gets two-thirds of the revenue for its general fund from the State of Oregon.      As each new state economic forecast came in this last year, the picture became gloomier.
     It’s to North Wasco County School District’s credit that administration officials involved all the stakeholders early and often in the decision-making process and did not shrink from having what superintendent Candy Armstrong called “those difficult conversations.”
     By starting those conversations early and providing a clear-eyed look at the financial situation, the district gave itself time to work the nuanced and complicated plan it has devised to meet the challenge of a serious budget shortfall.
     Congratulations, too, are due to licensed and education support professionals for the willingness to compromise some of their salaries in order to not compromise the children’s education.
     That choice was made easier, no doubt, by the decision of administration officials to take the same eight-day cut. It’s an example that many high-rolling Wall Street businesses should have taken to heart in previous years.
     Adjustment to change is always difficult, and all those involved — parents, students, faculty, support staff and administrators — are going to have to make adjustments, some of them serious.
     The one that should concern the community the most is the lack of school on some Fridays for middle school and high school students. There’s a potential for trouble there, but also a potential for tapping that youthful energy.
     One community organization, Youththink, has already said it considers the situation an opportunity instead of a negative. “If we pull together as a community we may be able to truly assist our youth in ways that have not been previously attempted or available,” said Debby Jones, Youththink coordinator.
     The group will host a special community meeting in conjunction with its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, July 8, to discuss opportunities surrounding the four-day school week for high school students.
     The meeting will be held at The Dalles Middle School library (1100 E. Twelfth St.) from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m.
     This is the type of community response that sees the lemonade hidden in life’s lemons and moves to extract it.
     If more organizations and local groups join them in the months ahead, the community may realize a net benefit from the adversity. We’ve done that for economic development; we can do it for schools as well.