Editorial: Join the discussion, affect the outcome

Talk about it

To operate as legally required with a balanced budget next school year, the River Falls School District may have to make cuts totaling as much as $900,000.

The Journal’s story on this topic is given on page A2 of this week’s paper.

The district’s budget reduction package was crafted over a three-month period by administrators with input from staff and teachers.

Now that package gets presented to the public — this means us, the district constituents.

You can not only learn what each of these budget cuts and savings are about, but offer immediate support or criticism for any of the proposals. If you’re puzzled by anything, ask questions.

The school district’s public budget hearing will be held at Meyer Middle School. It starts at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 10.

The hearing is designed for presenting and discussing, not decision making. What happens at the April 10 public hearing will influence the final 2012-13 budget decisions that the school board makes six days later on April 16.

If you’re interested in the financial and academic well-being of our public school system and have the time, consider attending and participating in this important public hearing.

The Journal’s online poll question this week asked: How do you think the Supreme Court should rule on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) commonly dubbed Obamacare?

Early results:

--Unconstitutional, throw it out, 57.1%

--Constitutional, leave it in place, 42.9%

To vote in the poll, go to the Journal’s website at www.riverfallsjournal.com

Tags: opinion, editorials, k12, government