State is wrong to take school district reserve funds
We have been told innumerable times that New Mexico must recruit companies that will offer good jobs to our residents in order for the state to prosper. We have also been told that a good education system is important to the companies that are deciding where to locate. That makes sense; therefore, as a state we must improve our education system so that companies will want to locate here and good jobs will be available for our graduates.
And yet, the State of New Mexico just took several million dollars from Rio Rancho Public Schools, about 94 percent of the district’s reserve funds. They did it legally, and they took money from every district, not just Rio Rancho.
But we are not outraged because it is illegal. We are outraged because it is wrong.
We know finances for the state are at an appallingly low level, and we know state government is struggling to come up with the required balanced budget. We understand it’s an almost impossible task, but we think it is wrong to take money from schools — again.
Rio Rancho, like all school districts, has repeatedly had its budget cut because of lack of money at the state level, and it has adapted. The district has struggled with budgeting, juggled the money, and figured out ways to keep the quality of our education high.
According to Sue Cleveland, superintendent of Rio Rancho Public Schools, the district has so far not had to let any employees go nor has it eliminated any programs. It has, however, not replaced all of the employees who are leaving, and existing programs may receive less money next year than they did this year.
But the recent loss of reserve funds — the vast majority of the reserve funds — is a big blow. It’s back to the drawing board for district personnel as they, once again, struggle to balance a budget that is far less than expected.
Maybe we’re naïve or ignorant or even stupid, but we don’t understand how the state can give the school districts money to operate, then take it back. We were surprised to learn that such a thing is even legal. But, as we already said, legal or not, it doesn’t seem right. And, keep in mind, the money the state gives — and takes away — came from our taxes.
Rio Rancho’s school district has done exceptionally well in its short history, and our test scores are some of the best in the state. But that doesn’t happen by accident. It happens through hard work and dedication. We can’t help but wonder, however, if it will continue to happen if class sizes have to be larger, programs are reduced and more. We don’t know how much more we can ask of our school personnel.
We’ve focused on Rio Rancho, but we know every district in the state is facing the same problems to varying degrees. We are saddened for all the children in the state and those people trying to educate them. We don’t know what to do, although we would like to remind the governor and legislators that we care greatly about education and want the best possible future for our children — and that requires a good education.
We wonder what we would tell a business thinking about locating here.