By BETH ALTON
Niles Daily Star

Inflation, recession and depression.  Wars, conflicts and protests. Budgets, columns of figures and tough decisions.

This most recent year, school boards in every district have been up in arms trying to work their budgets. While the school board is trying to figure out how to sort these dismal digits, the students are hearing bits and pieces of what is about to change.

Ever since the economy took a wrong turn, the schools have been in a lot of financial trouble and searched for answers of what to do. The concern about how to manage the money, give the right education and meet everyone’s needs has been on the Board of Education’s minds. Students at Niles High School are hoping to find out whether or not the rumors of the changes are true.

Superintendent Doug Law is fully aware of the cause-and-effect status through the devastating economy. Now, as the budget is being set by the Board of Education for the school district, the Legislature – without the Board of Education’s knowledge – took several thousand dollars and passed a per-student cut,” Law said. Each student has had $165 taken away from them. Three days after this cut was made, the governor made yet another $127-per student cut.

The Legislature has the capability to save the schools from the cut – if they can find the $127 per-student in 30 days, the cut won’t be made. Sadly, there is only a week and a half left of the 30 days. Niles has $4 million in savings, and in order to spare the school the cuts this year, the school board has to take half of that ($2 million).

“Right now, this is an ugly situation” Law said.

Last year, the school had to cut two business teachers. These two teachers were favorites of the students. Trying to get them back, students formed a walk-out protest in the middle of the school day.

“We can change it; the government can change it,” student Justin Hughes said.

Half of the school’s electives are under consideration for cuts. Students may voice their opinions about which classes they want to stay. As long as the demand is high, the classes will remain available, Law said.

The high school will also lose the block schedules. There will be six classes, to be held every day.

“It will be OK this year; we have to make some tough decisions – this regards all schools,” Law said. “There are no big changes happening this year – we just have to see what happens.

“It’s safe to say it’s a political gridlock, and the Legislature won’t be able to agree on how to fix these problems,” Law said.

The set month to have a decision made is January. Whatever happens, everything will be OK, administration says.

“We will still be Niles High School, still the same students and still the same teachers,” high school assistant principal Molly Brawley said.