Our View: No euphemisms

The head of Spokane Public Schools must feel like the police chief who gets yelled at because she cannot immediately dispatch officers to the scene of a burglary. The problem was created long before the crime was committed.

The inadequacy of the state’s school funding formula for basic education is being played out once again, with school districts forced to cut popular services. As always, the entity that’s at the end of the line in a failed system catches the most heat. The state can pass along the problem; districts cannot.

But like the police department, school districts should be expected to carefully weigh priorities and better manage resources. At present, the district is getting an earful about cutting back on library staff by making 10 librarian positions part time for a savings of about $350,000. The district contends students at the affected schools will be getting the same library time as other kids in the district.

“So we’re right-sizing ourselves,” says Mark Anderson, associate superintendent for school services.

But that isn’t the right size. It’s a lowered standard of service that is being extended to 10 more schools. Rather than trying to justify the cut with euphemisms, it would be more persuasive for the district to compare the cut to services that weren’t cut. For instance, the district says cuts have been made at its central office, but is what remains more important to students than full-time librarians?

Nevertheless, we shouldn’t be at the point where districts are cutting basic services while receiving a $1.8 billion infusion from the state to cover new initiatives, such as full-day kindergarten and beefed-up math and science requirements. The disconnect lies in a funding formula that doesn’t match funds to mandates.

It’s true that schools are getting an increase of $896 per student, but most of that money is spoken for. The lack of leeway means districts have to scramble to cover historically underfunded services, such as special education. It’s like a homeowner with a leaky roof getting an infusion of cash that can only be spent on landscaping.

In response, Spokane Public Schools has diverted voter-approved supplemental levy money to cover the basics. That option isn’t available to districts where voters reject levies.

Spokane Public Schools has a list of 77 services required by federal and state governments that are only partially funded, including special education, transportation and six-period school days (the state covers five). The Legislature has long been aware of the disparity between mandates and funding, and has commissioned studies that have only gathered dust. This year, lawmakers approved yet another study, which is due in January. Except this time they’re calling it an “action plan.”

For the sake of the state’s paramount duty – educating its children – let’s hope that isn’t another euphemism.