The Inland Northwest’s education layoff numbers are in, and they’re not as bad as many had feared. Getting much of the credit for staving off major staff reductions are federal stimulus spending, creative cost-cutting and, in some cases, growing enrollment, which brings in greater per-student state funding. “The goal was to save people,” said Wayne Leonard, Mead School District business manager. That sentiment was echoed by Coeur d’Alene Superintendent Hazel Bauman. “People will come before stuff. We’re distributing the pain, so to speak.” In Idaho, negotiations with teachers are just beginning. Pay freezes and salary reductions are expected to be on the table, officials say/Jody Lawrence-Turner, SR. More here.

Question: Are you confident that your local school district can provide a decent education to youngsters given the current economic constraints?