School Budget Silly Season

Those of you who are veterans of school budget campaigns already know what to expect this time of year.

When asked to reduce their school budgets, Superintendents and their school boards will come up with distasteful, cynical cuts that are only designed to inflame the passions of staff and parents, while further alienating taxpayers.

Take for example the budget deliberations in Auburn.

When the school department there was asked to trim their budget to meet the city's tax limit, Superintendent Tom Morrill presented a budget plan that would, if implemented, reduce the number of staff by 29.5 positions. According to published reports, there would be no programs eliminated, but class sizes would be generally larger across all grade levels. There were no administrative cuts proposed.

"Whether it's a front office function or a back office function," he's quoted as saying, inferring that the positions or programs were created based on students' needs. To further complicate deliberations, an alternative plan has been floated.

If you're wondering what the public perception has been to date, read the comments that accompany each article.

Like all other Maine seasons, enjoy this one while it's here.