Pickerington Local School District (PLSD) has seen tremendous growth and the need for more schools is real. However, I'm concerned that we're not creating enough efficiency with the resources we already have. Let's ''think outside the box'' for a minute to see where we can create more money using what we already have and what we know we're going to get. For once, let's think like real people on a real budget, OK?
First, I'd like to see more of the burden for education fall directly on the backs of those using the services: the parents with children. Let's look at student fees. Is $30 or $35 an adequate fee for a student? I don't think so. PLSD should double or triple their fees to offset the increased costs for supplies, equipment, maintenance etc. My trash service recently increased their fees because the cost of doing business increased with higher fuel prices. The same holds true for student fees. The cost to educate kids has increased because we're paying more for paper, pencils and to keep classrooms comfortable. $125 per child per year isn't unreasonable for a good, comfortable, quality education, is it?
Next: pay-to-play. If pay-to-play fees don't cover 100% of the cost for the sport/activity then increase the fees for each and every sport/activity so that it does cover 100%. This includes salaries for coaches, transportation costs and facilities upkeep. If enough money cannot be generated using pay-to-play fees and ticket sales to keep the sport/activity, then it must be cut. My apologies to those kids who want to play but may not be able to afford it or who want to play but there's not enough interest. I want a new car but I still drive my old car for one very good reason: I can't afford a new car! Why not introduce our young students to this concept early so that they will be better prepared to handle this situation when they graduate. There will always be the ''haves'' and the ''have-nots'' in our society, so they had better get used to this idea. They also better get used to the idea of occupying their free time wisely. Not everyone in the ''real world'' lives a life a constant fun, games and excitement. Reading and quiet time are also options for occupying some of life's spare moments.
What about school parking fees? Why only sock it to the visitors who want to see the games while letting those kids, teachers and administrators, who use the parking lot 9 months a year, 5 days a week, use it for little or nothing. It costs money to keep all those lights blaring throughout the night. We should charge every driver $300/year or more to park. OSU does it. You'll be surprised at how quickly those buses fill up. That's not really so bad, is it? For teachers and administrators its tax deductible. Plus, it will save natural resources and cut down on all that congestion, especially on Refugee Rd. near the Pickerington Palace. This is called a ''win-win'' situation.
Finally, I'd like to see all PLSD administrators, especially our superintendent, make the sacrifices they are so quick suggest that we make. For starters, why not a permanent 12.5% reduction in salary for all school administrators across the board? That would go a long way to prove to district residents that they really are serious about this word ''sacrifice''. Next, I'd look to their benefits packages for more fiscal efficiencies. Ford, GM and many other large companies in this country are revisiting their benefits packages to leverage cuts against operating expenses. Why not PLSD? Will we have some administrators move on to greener pastures? Possibly. But we'll find replacements. We always do.
