Educated decisions

Dear Republican Valley and Twin Valley Patrons,

The purpose of this letter is simple, to ask each and every voter of these two school districts how the present state of the nation, state, and area's economy will impact the livelihood of combining these two districts? The answer can be simply justified within reason when looking at a Microeconomic and Macroeconomic standpoint. A school should be conducted like a business. One must ask themselves, how the current economic condition has changed the demographics through hardships suffered in employment decline, low income jobs, slowed economic growth, and lack of federal and state funding to government institutions.

As earlier stated, when looking at the current economic conditions of our state an example that each and every patron can relate to is the budget cuts taking place in 'your" Nebraska Unicameral Legislature. Recent reports in the budget cuts of the Legislature is to completely eliminate the Work Ethic Camp in McCook and the Correctional facility in Omaha. These facilities are new and adequate, but there is still a threat because of economic conditions and budget crisis that these facilities, which are needed, could be closed after this fiscal year. University of Nebraska Research centers have also already been closed due to budget cuts in the Nebraska Legislature. This pertains to the proposed building of a new school of the joint districts. Even if a structure stands it still does not imply will remain open and remain debt free. It is the present state of Nebraska's economy that Legislature members are making these budget cuts because of the reductions in state tax dollars from recent economic devastation such as the drought, which local business and industry have seen strong effects.

Recently in question with the Legislature is the K- 12 State Aid and budget reductions. Drastic cuts could be made to public schools because they were not devastatingly hit when the University of Nebraska's budget cuts took place. A recent Legislative bill (LB 597) has been introduced to have county-wide school districts. This bill's intent is to study and report on the feasibility of consolidating Nebraska's existing school districts into countywide school districts. These state legislative bills impose a challenge to bill makers, public school patrons, and taxpayers if cuts must be made to comply with the state's budget.

As a state government funded institution these school districts must be conducted as a business. As taxpayers and patrons we are the "managers" and must utilize these six steps in decision making as every business is conducted in a micro or macroeconomic scale: 1.) Identify the Problem. 2.) Determine the course of action. (Develop a list of possible courses of action that may solve the problem. "Do nothing" is part of this decision making list.) 3.) Analyze alternative actions. 4.) Select the best alternative. (This pertains to long and short term objectives.) 5.) Implementing the decision. (Inadequate implementation can turn a "good decision" into a disaster.) 6.) Follow-up, review, and evaluate. (Essential to making sure you understand the problem, this identifies the good managers.)

Now that patrons are provided justification that this upcoming March 25th election is a decision, which "managers" must make to keep up with the economic status of the school districts. We must place our votes like managing any business entity and consider how unfeasible the construction of a new school would be with the micro and macro economic constraints that face this nation, state, and area.

Sincerely,

Regina and Renee Minary

University of Nebraska Students and Republican Valley Graduates