Penny wise, pound foolish

An editorial in the New Ulm Journal is highly critical of the Senate's proposal to cut school budgets statewide:

Shortchanging education is a "penny-wise, pound-foolish" approach to state budgeting. It is going to push the cost of education down to the property tax payers, at least in those districts that will be able to convince voters to pass tax referendums. That is no sure bet in this uncertain economy.

The Senate's proposal has been widely reported as a three percent cut, but that is an average. In North Branch, which does not have an operating levy in place, the total would be between four and five percent total.

We are proud that our senator, Rick Olseen, voted against this potentially catastrophic cut to not only our budget, but the very heart of our mission to educate kids. Make no mistake, if the Senate gets its way, the affect on North Branch Area Public Schools will be felt deeply.

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