A Sad Christmas Story

“T’was the night before Christmas and all through the schools,
Not a creature was stirring, not even the head fool.
The begging buckets were hung on the chimney with a sash,
Hoping that council would fill them with cash……”

Not a very amusing Christmas story if you are a taxpayer in Danville. But as the new year approaches you can be sure the school board members are gearing up for an assault on the treasury of the city. Right now they are busy assembling sob stories to tug at the heart of the council members. The wringing of hands will begin as they prepare the speeches about how this and that program will have to be cut if the city does not cough up more money. And in their back pocket they will hold their doomsday weapon. If all else fails and the council doesn’t start vomiting cash at them they will whip out this ultimate weapon. “If we don’t get more money we will have to cut out sports and band.” Not that they ever would but it is a rallying point that has been used successfully in the past. Oh no! Band? Football? We cannot allow this to happen! Quick open up the vaults! Allow the money to flow!

Though it would never happen it is a good weapon that council has even fallen for on past occasions. Dare we look at their budget and see the money they have pissed away already? Oh no, that would make too much sense. Even though the school district already gets over twice the minimum the council is required by the state to pay them. Several councilmen have already stated they will increase the city contribution without any facts or figures to back it up.

Meanwhile back at the ice palace on main street the Scrooges of the district will sit down by the midnight oil and prepare their post-Christmas wish list for the city to fund. I have a Christmas list for them:

For the Superintendent:
A coat totally made of Teflon so anything that comes her way will immediately be deflected to some other poor soul. Lord help if she ever had to make a real decision herself.

For The Asst Superintendent for Business:
A color chart and an eye appointment so she can paint schools and offices only ONCE to prevent the illogical waste of money over the years repainting schools one shade different. Also her stocking should be filled with….what else….rubber mulch.

For the Asst Superintendent for Instruction:
An aerial spray of Midol for his office

For the Asst Superintendent for Human Resources:
A chair, a whip, a gun, and a large sack. The tools she will need to get anyone to work in the Danville district.

And finally for the school board:
A free operation to have a backbone installed……………

So there it is citizens of Danville. Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on council. Don’t let this Christmas story turn into a Christmas horror tale. Stand up and d what’s right for the citizens of Danville. Stem the tide of red ink from the school district. At least put some coal in their stockings.