More Belt-Tightening Likely for SPS
I attended a Crosscut lunch with their guest, Senator Ed Murray. There wasn't a lot to smile about in listening to him. The September revenue forecast is unlikely to be good. The Governor has already sent out signals that she expects departments to find another 10% to cut.
As the Senator points out, K-12 is somewhat protected because of the constitutional mandate. However, that doesn't mean they might not cut something else. As I mentioned elsewhere, Director DeBell is worried the Legislature will tie money to attendance, forcing a really big mandate on schools and school districts. Don't be surprised to hear more about attendance at your school.
What was sad was that he said that he didn't feel many of his fellow legislators held that kind of regard for higher ed. He said some of them felt the state should get out of the higher ed business (which begs the question of whether it is a "business"). That felt a little scary because we are so focused on K-12 and then the focus drops off after that? Why? He said he thought it was a combination of a mistrust of higher ed (elitism) and not being
As the Senator points out, K-12 is somewhat protected because of the constitutional mandate. However, that doesn't mean they might not cut something else. As I mentioned elsewhere, Director DeBell is worried the Legislature will tie money to attendance, forcing a really big mandate on schools and school districts. Don't be surprised to hear more about attendance at your school.
What was sad was that he said that he didn't feel many of his fellow legislators held that kind of regard for higher ed. He said some of them felt the state should get out of the higher ed business (which begs the question of whether it is a "business"). That felt a little scary because we are so focused on K-12 and then the focus drops off after that? Why? He said he thought it was a combination of a mistrust of higher ed (elitism) and not being
