Due diligence is right move

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Thanks to Milford School Board member Len Mannino, he and his colleagues will at least look at possible cuts to co-curricular activities before making a final decision on how to trim $1 million out of the superintendent of schools’ proposed $36 million budget.

Now that is not to say that the budget-cutting plan recommended by Superintendent Bob Suprenant is not a good one. Indeed, we think he’s right when he says his proposal would have the “least impact on instruction for children” and that’s excellent. It would, unfortunately, impact some staff members – but when you’re cutting, someone always takes a hit. We don’t like it and we’re sure Suprenant doesn’t, either.

But as the board was about to vote on the Suprenant’s proposal last week, Mannino jumped in and suggested that they wait until they could at least review co-curricular spending. That means, of course, taking a look at the cost of sports, among other activities.

Suprenant responded that he would look at such spending, but would hesitate to cut coach stipends and eliminate programs that are a meaningful part of students’ education and development.

OK, that’s fine. He’s probably right. Certainly he’s right to indicate that any such proposal would likely bring out a large, protesting crowd.

But Mannino is right to get the board to at least look at such an option. When things are tight, everything should be on the table, whether we like it or not, and no matter how many parents it might irk.

Looking is not cutting. Mannino has not come out in favor of cutting any co-curricular activity. He just wants the board, and the superintendent, to look.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. If parents are concerned that something they support might be cut, they have an obligation to come to School Board meetings and speak up.

If they don’t, it wouldn’t be unfair to assume they just don’t care enough.