As inevitable budget cuts arise in Salem-Keizer Public Schools, the district has been on a mission to do what’s best for schools. The community has tuned in to help identify the distinct line between what should be kept and what shouldn’t when the budget decreases.
Big changes will be heading towards West Salem High School as we move deeper into the upcoming years.
“I believe it was 7 million that was going to come out of the district level funds to freeze technology spending and things like that.” says Sydney Moneke, a WSHS junior who attended the Community meeting regarding budget cuts.
This amount of money can be seen to create pros and cons for everyone involved. Whether that’s new 40-inch flat screen TVs in every classroom or overall unnecessary spending, it seems to add up to the continuous pattern of debate over whether or not that funding should go towards teachers salaries.
With impending budget cuts coming to Salem-Keizer Schools, teacher’s are at risk of losing their jobs. “Losing people is always a very difficult reality and it impacts everyone at a human level when we no longer are able to continue with everyone in our work family.” says Carlos Ruiz, lead principal at WSHS.
The idea of cutting teachers has been a tough process. “In my ideal world, nothing should be cut. All people perform essential functions to supporting students.” Ruiz adds.
Sydney’s experience at the community listening sessions have been extremely informative to gather the ideas of these cuts. She says, “…there was a resounding theme that I really agree with that sports and extracurriculars should in no way be cut because they just really enhance the student experience.” This point was made very clear to be an unseen option from the community’s point of view.
Along with that idea, Ruiz mentioned his mentality for certain decisions. He says,“The process for deciding cuts is centralized at the district level to assess the level of impact and minimize the level of impact on students.”
As a whole the district still wants the best for every staff and students that may be affected.
