Board urged to stop arts cuts

Board urged to stop arts cuts



By MARCIA LANE
marcia.lane@staugustine.com
Publication Date: 01/14/09


Money and how to save it once again headlined the St. Johns School Board meeting on Tuesday. So did the need for support for education from voters.

Two groups -- one representing business, the other the arts -- stepped up to the plate.

St. Augustine St. Johns Chamber of Commerce President Don Wallis said the Chamber would be taking the case for education to state legislators when they meet with them.

"And we have 1,200 members," Wallis said.

School Superintendent Joe Joyner has said everything is up for consideration when it comes to saving money.

Phil McDaniel with the St. Johns County Cultural Council doesn't want to see that include the arts, music and physical education as Duval County has suggested.

"Our reply is four words: 'Thanks, but no thanks.' ... These are savings we simply cannot afford in St. Johns County," McDaniel told the board, noting a strong arts curriculum helps make for a strong education process.

The message his group wants to send to legislators is "Do not cut funding for education. Our children are far too important."

Board members unanimously backed a proposal for a four-week school week during the summer that is expected to save at least $1 million. Most of those savings will come through energy cuts including closing schools and centralizing administration at high schools for the summer.

"Why are we doing this?" asked Joyner. He answered his own question with, "To save money. ... Anytime we do something like this it saves a teacher's job."

District 1 member Bev Slough said Volusia County commissioners are saying they'll be putting all their legislative emphasis on saving education funding.

"I was told they're saying, if education falls, everything else falls," said Slough, who heads the Florida School Boards Association.

That sentiment drew agreement from Board Chair Tommy Allen.

"We've got to have more of that kind of thinking ... and direct support in dealing with the Legislature," Allen said. "Our democracy can't succeed without education."

Allen called voter support vital in dealing with the Legislature, pointing out too many people expect local elected officials to lead the fight.

"There are only six votes up here," Allen said, pointing out legislators need to hear from the public.

Slough said that was happening at least during the current Legislative Special Session. The school district has kept the public informed. Slough has sent out numerous e-mails letting residents know about the cuts and asking residents to contact legislators.

The public has responded.

"(Legislators) are asking why they're getting all these calls and e-mails. They're not very appreciative, and that's okay," Slough said.

Legislators ended up not cutting education as severely as expected despite a shortfall in revenue. Cuts for the rest of this school year will be about 2 percent, which in St. Johns County translates to about $4 million.

"That's about the best we can expect," Slough said.

St. Johns school officials have the reserves to meet those cuts, at least for this year. They're still looking for ways to meet an expected $20 million state cut for the 2009-10 school year.





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