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Superintendent stresses mental-health risks as budget choices loom
Summary
Superintendent Tom told the board the district can manage a 3% levy but a 0% levy would mean deep cuts; he highlighted student mental-health concerns, saying the district ranks first in the county on youth suicide and adolescent depression and that pandemic-era staffing additions addressed those needs.
Superintendent Tom used his report to urge support for a 3% levy as a workable path that preserves services and staffing the district has added to address student needs. He said a 0% levy would require significantly deeper cuts and portrayed the vote as consequential for students' mental-health supports.
"If it's a 0%, and now I'm finally allowed to say this, that's a $2,200,000 cut," Tom said, and later emphasized "We're number 1 in the county in suicide. We're number 1 in the county in teenage and adolescent depression." He urged the public to let neighbors and lawmakers know the district's funding situation and to attend hearings and the revote.
Tom framed the budget question as a difficult balance between fiscal responsibility and preserving programs that support students' well-being. He asked community members to participate in outreach to state representatives to press for foundation-aid adjustments that affect the district's revenue.
