Budget gaps won’t allow Columbus schools to adopt every plan on drawing board

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Tuesday, February 07, 2006

Columbus Public Schools officials have been justifiably praised for launching innovative programs, and a plan to offer all girl and all-boy classes at Linmoor and Southmoor middle schools, respectively, was one of the best examples.

But recognizing budget realities is just as important, so Superintendent Gene Harris again was right when she said recently that the single-gender schools will have to wait.

As officials struggle to close a $28 million budget gap for next year, they can’t promise to find money for the new costs involved in setting up the schools, especially to transport students from around the district.

Harris has recommended cuts that would equal about $20 million - $10 million from closing 12 schools at the end of this academic year and $10 million from shortening the school day at middle and high schools and laying off 200 teachers from those buildings. The Board of Education voted in January to close the schools but hasn’t acted on layoffs.

Officials still are looking for ways to cut $8 million more from next year’s budget.

Despite that, Harris said she hopes to offer some of the other innovations she announced in October. Those might include Star Academy, an alternative middle school focusing on science, technology and math, and a collaboration with Ohio State University to develop a “full-service community school” to give families healthcare help, tutoring, counseling and other programs.

Steering the school district toward academic improvement and keeping hold of the thousands of students who easily could choose charter schools or vouchers next year will require a tough balancing act.

Going forward with some of the new ideas is important, because parents opting for charter schools clearly want choices not being offered by the district.

But, as a survey last year by KidsOhio.org showed, many parents have chosen charter schools because of problems that can be addressed without lots more money. Better discipline, better communication between home and school and a greater emphasis on safety depend on management decisions as much as cash.

And no amount of creative programming will save Columbus schools if leaders can’t keep expenses in line with income.

Harris and the board should reconsider single-gender schools when the district’s budget picture improves. Although these schools are not for everyone, separating boys and girls can bring benefits that include fewer social distractions and pressures. Many parents who cannot afford private school would like this approach.

In the meantime, the district has to get its financial house in order, and giving up on single-gender schools for a while is the sort of tough choice that must be made.

Copyright © 2006, The Columbus Dispatch