To the editor,

My name is Lisa Bench, and I am a teacher in the Ellsworth Community School District. Our district is asking for your support in providing additional funding for our schools through a four-year nonrecurring operational referendum to support our current school budget.

The state does not fully fund our schools, and the rest of the budget needs to come from property taxes. The state funding that we receive has not kept up with inflation and is also based on student enrollment which is decreasing. Due to these circumstances, the ECSD has already made some tough decisions to decrease the budget for next year.

Our school currently operates with five teachers per grade level in the elementary; next year, some grades will be moving to four teachers based on student enrollment. This is a trend that will likely continue. There will be larger class sizes and an increase in teacher responsibilities (lunchroom or recess duties). Is it better for students or teachers to have larger classes? No! But is it a fiscally responsible decision for the district? Yes! The school district is moving to full-day 4-year-old kindergarten to eliminate mid-day bus routes. Is it better for students and families? Maybe. But is it a fiscally responsible decision for the district? Absolutely!

This operational referendum is not asking for luxury items; it is asking for the community's support and funding to keep the school district operating at a level that is even less than where it is currently operating. Phase 1 and 2 cuts have already been put in motion for next year in order to address declining enrollment and an operational referendum amount that is not enough to continue to fund the school district at the current budget amount.

Phase 3 cuts will affect the school district even further if the operational referendum does not pass on April 7. The district has made fiscally responsible decisions to stay within the confines of an already inadequate budget. The decisions that have been made will affect students, staff, and families, but we are all being asked to make some sacrifices.

Lisa Bench

Teacher, community member, parent

Ellsworth