In this third of five forums offered to K.C. residents regarding new superitendent John Covington's "Right Sizing" plan which entails closing nearly half of the district's school buildings the apparent consensus is that parents are content with the current state of the district. Not only are they content with it... They are fighting to keep it!
Fighting to keep the staus quo that is bloated administrative costs, underused buildings, an estimated 50% graduation rate and a budget that is staring at a $50M deficit.
Either folks don't understand the concept of the plan or they are so self absorbed that they refuse to consider any idea that might be less convenient for them. I think everyone can agree that widespread change is needed to even reach mediocrity much less a good or great school district and everyone is willing to let that change happen as long as it doesn't directly affect them.
Simple math says that this plan is a neccessary first step. A school distrcit can't operate on a deficit so in order to close that $50M gap KCMSD must raise it's topline revenue by $50M or cut cost accordingly. Since revenue streams are in short supply it looks like we need to get the spending under control.
I guess I just don't understand the rage over the consolidation of under utilized buildings. It's not as if the programs are being cut, they're just being made to operate as efficiently as currently possible. I do have a suggestion that none of the enraged parents have yet to make: If you don't want any schools to be consolidated then pony up money for the budget gap, it looks to be around $3k per enrolled student. I'm guessing we won't have many takers on that plan either.
