Last night, the Manheim Township School Board had a meeting in which they started to discuss the 3.5 to 4.5 million dollar shortfall in the budget this year. Things are getting tense. As I read the story, there were a few thoughts that popped into my mind. First, I was almost bowled over by this quotation from Tod Harach, the president of the teacher’s union (you might want to read it a few times):

If the board cuts too heavily into programs, "people will begin to decide, 'I'm not paying Cadillac prices for a Chevy,' and they will move to Ephrata and Donegal and Conestoga Valley and all those other places," he said.

Now for a little rhetorical advice for Mr. Harach. This is not a winning quotation. People buy Cadillacs and Chevrolets. They are taxed for public schools. It is not the same—consent is a big deal for me (and I am guessing for most people). Also, this is about the worst possible analogy in the present fiscal climate. No one is buying Cadillacs now! Let me offer some advice to the teacher’s unions: offer to take a pay cut now. You will be heroes. This sort of Cadillac talk is a one way ticket to trouble.

Also, note this. We have basically returned to a state of infantile thinking. We want what we want and we want it to cost what we want. The people at the meeting want to close school in February or to do a four day school week and keep marching band. These plans will not be seriously contemplated. I am afraid it is going to get a lot worse before it gets better.

Read more:

School Board Meeting article