Something District 518 Board of Education member Linden Olson said at a recent special board meeting makes a lot of sense for Worthington. And it's something all of us should consider as the board considers half a million dollars in cuts for 2006-2007, and possibly more for 2007-2008.
Olson made a point about the possible loss of programs to help gifted students, and the possible loss of foreign language opportunities -- and more -- if major public education cuts become a way of life. His point was that while programs to lift the less fortunate students among us are important (and they are), so, too, are programs that stimulate the brightest and most motivated students. Worthington has a strong record of giving future leaders the tools they need to succeed, and it is in Worthington's interest to continue to turn out outstanding leaders of tomorrow. Cuts threaten that positive record. They can also affect the entire community negatively in other ways.
"I hope that the community understands that when we're having to make these severe cuts, that we're really impacting in a negative way the possibility of attracting the kind of people and industries that we want to attract," Olson said.
Amen to that. Here in March, we wouldn't want to tell citizens how they should vote when the prospect of a new operating referendum comes up again in November, but we agree that the programs offered at any public school directly impact the overall community and its future.
