From: Jason Major
BCSC School Board member
Columbus
Columbus Regional Hospital announced it has encountered financial hardship and is downsizing. This will leave the community with fewer services. BCSC will now have to investigate how to pay for athletic trainers.
We are witnessing the outcome of CRH’s focus on purchasing land to prevent competition from entering our community and the mismanagement of finances forcing these drastic steps. I feel for all those displaced due to poor financial management by their leadership.
Also of local concern, since 2021, BCSC’s budget has ballooned by 33% to $168 million. Additional debt commitments have been made for $306 million in bonds with $197 million in estimated financing costs totaling $503 million. This includes both necessary improvements and unnecessary new buildings.
BCSC’s October 2023 Demographics Study estimated a reduction of 400-600 students between 2021-2032. This reduction should trigger advanced cost management actions, however, the board voted “yes” on a new $100 million elementary school (estimate includes financing). Population growth should justify additional capacity, but BCSC is growing capacity with projected enrollment reductions which doesn’t make sense. The commitment to spending without increased enrollment/revenue is contradictory to normal business practices. No “for profit” entity would expand their business footprint without return on investment.
Over the last several weeks, conversations have taken place concerning free lunch and expanding it either by two or seven elementary schools. Many individuals worked to estimate the cost of expansion. Differences between the administration and board member Logan Schulz’s derived costs led to the use of a consultant. All parties agreed that it was not easy to estimate and a range of $781,000-995,000 was shared with the public. Qualifiers for free or reduced lunch who apply will still receive it, but free lunch will not be expanded to all students at all schools.
Contrary to communications both here and online, Pre-K funding was not included in the provided estimates nor was it part of the board’s vote as it was presented to the board via an email just hours before the board meeting. Additional concerns are comments from the CEA union president and BCSC superintendent indicating that we “must decide whether this is the best use of BCSC’s resources.” Numerous studies have shown that students who don’t worry about their next meal are able to perform better in daily classwork and statewide tests. Either way, the deadline for application has passed and we will have to wait until next summer to apply for additional schools.
Really hard questions must now be asked. If BCSC doesn’t have money to pay for elementary lunch, then how will we pay for:
- Pre-k?
- Athletic trainers (previously provided by CRH)?
- $503 million in new build and building improvements?
- increasing teacher pay during a collective bargaining year?
We all want better for our kids and community. I will leave it to you to discuss where BCSC should spend their time and your money. Hopefully, it will be on improving educational outcomes and managing expenses to reduce taxpayer burdens.
