Student representative gives impassioned plea

FARIBAULT - The proposed budget adjustments for the Faribault School District were announced by Superintendent Bob Stepaniak to the school board and a packed city hall full of teachers, students and parents Monday night.

The overall consensus from many board members was that they didn't want to cut any programs, but realized that it was a necessary evil to keep the district from reaching financial ruin.

Their opinions, however, were overshadowed by one person. Fergus Gavin, student representative for the school board, received a 45-second standing ovation near the end of the meeting after saying the following:

"This should have been prevented. Students don't want sports cut, fourth and fifth-grade music cut, languages cut, everyday kindergarten cut, the media center cut or teachers cut.

"Students don't want anything cut. Students want to learn in a good environment, with happy teachers with the proper tools. Students want to take pride in the sports team, and our superb music programs. Students want to be proud of their school.

"Students want help and guidance in deciding their future, something that isn't possible now without the career resource center and the loss of Ms. McNelis. Students realize that teachers deserve a good contract. There is nothing more valuable than education.

"As Socrates said, 'the only good is knowledge, and the only evil is ignorance.' So, for every budget cut made, realize that it affects every pre-schooler, kindergartner, grade-schooler, middle-schooler and high-schooler. Realize that every budget cut made and every teacher contract not settled affects the future not only of the schools and kids, but also affects Faribault as a community."

The meeting was adjourned shortly after, but over an hour earlier, Stepaniak was just starting to introduce the proposed 15 budget adjustments.

"The past few weeks we have been meeting as administrators and other staff to basically look at every program and service this school district offers," he said. "I think it's fair to say as an administration, we feel pretty comfortable bringing these to you."

But Stepaniak said he knew the board and the community had to weigh in on the proposed adjustments first. And they both will.

A public meeting will be held 7 p.m. Thursday at the Faribault High School performing arts center.

The board will then have a special meeting 5:30 p.m. Monday at city hall to vote on the proposed adjustments.

- Staff writer Corey Butler Jr. may be reached at 333-3135.
 
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