The budget cutting process is underway and our second public hearing has taken place. I have truly appreciated the attendance and the input of all who have come to the hearings. Everyone has been careful to make their points without overstating them and has respected the time of others to speak. The Reed Custer community can be proud of how we are moving through this difficult time. Even the Joliet newspaper reporter who attended the Essex meeting commented on how unique our process is. Many other districts have simply handed down cuts without truly listening to the community. Your board felt it was important to listen first and decide later.

Whatever decisions the board makes about what must be cut, we will continue to work as hard as ever to make Reed Custer schools the best they can be. All around us there are schools losing staff and cutting budgets. The state is looking at cutting over a billion dollars from education next year. That is not a happy prospect. Whatever resources we have will be used to the best advantage of the most children in Reed Custer. The excellent staff here will do more with less until we can return to a more stable financial situation. You deserve that as a community and should be proud of how you have handled this difficult time.

The best news around is that spring is just around the corner and things are starting to come back to life. We hope no more winter is awaiting us and we will enjoy a long and not-too-wet season for the remainder of the school year. Enjoy this time with your children and know that just as the weather improves, the economy and our school’s financial outlook turns for the better with time also.