The budget cut saga is continuing for Dunlap Community School District 323, and some community members feel like they are on a roller coaster ride.Board member Karen Disharoon initially requested the cuts be placed back on the agenda for Wednesday night’s meeting, but when the meeting started, she stated that her intention was to discuss the cuts rather than take action on them.
“It’s one of those things that was a significant issue, and I felt like the discussion should be at the board table rather than individual conversations...behind the scenes,” said Disharoon. “I felt like there needed to be an open and transparent discussion of it.”
The board eventually voted to table any action on the cuts, but still decided to discuss them later in the meeting. Tom Feldman was the only member to vote against the motion.
“I didn't feel as though just because (the cuts) didn't have the votes to pass, that it was appropriate to take it off([the agenda) to the extent it was put on,” said Feldman. “I thought the motion deserved for the votes to be counted and for people to get on record whether they were for the cuts or not.”
The proposed cuts on the agenda included changes to elementary school counseling along with the restructuring of academic interventions in the high school and ESL programs across the district. The document also listed higher fees for driver’s education, the “Enrichment Eagles” after-school program, and band as sources for increasing overall revenue.
In total, the cuts would amount to nearly $885,000, whereas the fee increases would raise just over $46,000 for the district.
Reaffirming her position from past meetings, board president Dr. Abby Humbles stated he decision to make budget cuts is always a difficult one, and the board is still searching for a clear picture of what the deficit will be.
“When we said that we needed to look at cuts, it was because we were going to have a deficit,” said Humbles.“I found it very disingenuous of us to continue to make cuts, or propose cuts, when we weren’t going to have a deficit.”
Superintendent Dr. Scott Dearman supported Humbles’ assertion, saying the economic situation in Dunlap last March was vastly different than it is now. When the initial budget projections were made, in the eyes of the administration, the situation was much more dire.
“Property taxes came in better than anticipated, the sales tax money (was) much better than anticipated...we had no crystal ball to give us that information,” said Dearman. “No one really dropped the ball, things just came in differently than expected.”
The meeting only drew two public comments, but both participants vehemently opposed the cuts, highlighting that many changes involved students who either belonged to a minority group or were already at risk academically.The participants also mentioned that raising fees was ill-advised given the widespread economic woes the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has brought on.
Humbles concluded the discussion by echoing her sentiments from past meetings: cuts are not taken lightly and the board has the community’s best interests in mind.
“It’s a difficult dance we have to play and it’s unfortunate because we’re dealing with people’s lives and their livelihood,” said Humbles. “For those of you who come and feel that the board is unreliable, just know that the board lives in this community too, and we love this community. Many of us went to school here, we have children that go to school here, and we want this to be a great place for them as well as children in the future.”
We’re living in unprecedented times when information changes by the minute. WCBU will continue to be here for you, keeping you up-to-date with the live, local and trusted news you need. Help ensure WCBU can continue with its in-depth and comprehensive COVID-19 coverage as the situation evolves by making a contribution.
