On March 10, more than 100 people showed up for the first meeting on the proposed school budget for Jay, which outlined $1,017,347 in cuts. The overriding concern voiced was that the cuts were too close to the students.

So how does the problem get resolved? Will residents be able to reorganize the vision for the school system and, at the same time, decrease the $2.3 million over the figure for essential programs and services?

People can if they work together, think outside the box and reorganize how the students are served. It’s time for the voters to be thrifty and put the community leaders to task to find a creative solution.

There were some great ideas expressed in that meeting. I have some ideas that achieve the goals and would help the school operate like a business in tough economic times. Some will agree and some won’t, and that’s OK. It’s time for a change.

The school system should: Cut stipends 25 percent ($36,000); share a superintendent ($64,000), business manager ($40,000), transportation/buildings director ($30,000), special education director ($62,000) and gifted and talented teacher ($28,000); close the elementary school and have K-6 and 7-12 ($250,000); send students to Foster Tech all day and eliminate 80-minute blocks, efficiently utilizing staff ($300,000); cut supplies 10 percent ($32,000); ask staff for a 2 percent concession ($110,000).

Overall potential savings: $1,052,000.

Judy Diaz, Jay

Member, Jay School Committee