Tackle shortfall from top down

The Everett School District faces a $9 million budget shortfall.

In nearly all budget battles, bureaucrats go right for the “throat” to create the largest public outcry, like laying off teachers or cutting music programs. Cuts like that seem to whip the public into a frenzied state and nearly guarantee that they will rally for the funding (tax) increases necessary to keep those programs going while not really solving the true problem with the budget. But less theatrical cuts with nearly zero impact on education should and could be made first.

I took the time to go to the district Web site and noticed a trend. Almost every department at the district office has at least one administrative assistant. Some have two or three. I counted 42 people with the title of “secretary,” “administrative assistant” or “executive assistant” on the district contact list. Some departments, such as the “Wellness Department” have their own secretary. What does the Wellness Department do that requires its own secretary and could the children of Everett receive an adequate education if the Wellness Department did not exist at all? Some, like the “K-12 Education” departments for Area 1 and Area 2, each have their own secretary. I’m wondering why they aren’t sharing one if their scope is largely redundant.

If the Everett School District is serious about making cuts that are least disruptive to students and the educational process, then they need to start with the district office. I hate to see anyone lose their jobs, but the sole purpose of the Everett School District is to educate children. The cuts should be top-down, not bottom-up. I hope that our new superintendent will show some leadership in making the necessary, hard cuts that preserve the quality of education in our district.

Kim Guymon

Everett

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