RE: School Budget Cuts

["Jeff Goebel" <goebel@palouse.net>]

I like the sound of this note.  I call this "AND Logic," leading to a new
puzzle to solve.  Instead of either/or, why not create a statement that says
we will foster all the programs that are important to the students of the
district while living within a reduced budget?  Next, ask "How do we do
that?"

Most people say that's impossible, so list all the reasons it's impossible
to do this.  Take a look at the list and ask how many of those things are
merely belief systems versus facts created by our beliefs.  Then ask the
important question "Given that it's impossible to foster all the programs
that are important to the students of the district while living within a
reduced budget, if it were possible, what would you do?

Its amazing what solutions spring up.  While working in West Africa over a
year ago, I asked villagers to list all the reasons it's impossible to
increase crop production 50% without Western technology.  Next, I asked them
"Given that it's impossible, if it were possible, what would you do?"  I
attended a scientific conference last week in Georgia where some research
was done this past growing season in these villages.  Yields were increased
"78%" just by adding livestock to the field for 10 days before they planted.
Now, that's impossible!  In a region with 80% of the population struggling
with food security each year, a 78% increase, or even a 10% increase can be
significant.

So, this can happen in Moscow.  It requires imagination and creativity, and
addressing the current limitations.

Respectfully, Jeff

Carl Jeffry Goebel
Goebel and Associates
Website: www.aboutlistening.com
Phone: 509.334.4767


-----Original Message-----
From: John Danahy [mailto:JDANAHY@turbonet.com]
Sent: Sunday, December 09, 2001 3:52 PM
To: Daily News; Vision2020
Subject: School Budget Cuts


     The discussion swirling around the cuts to the school district budget
have taken the traditional path.  We are exposed to various opinions
supporting one program at the expense of other programs, and are seeing the
numerous special interest groups vying to protect their individualized
vested domains.  There must be a better way.
     Do not cut the current budget.  Instead, publicly rebuild the school
district budget from the ground up.  Start with the students, and build the
budget around the district's primary mission, to educate the community's
children.  This process would be longer and more tedious than the current
process of cutting the budget, but would help restore the faith of the
community in the board, administration, and MEA.
     If the district enrollment had grown even one percent over the last
several years instead of declining, there would be five hundred more
students in the district than are there today.  These potential students
represent a significant increase in state funding and are still in our
community.  Perhaps the energies of those who want to increase funding for
the district should be directed at increasing the number of students in the
district, rather than increasing the taxes.


John Danahy
2341 Henry CT.
Moscow, Idaho  83843
208-883-0926
jdanahy@turbonet.com