They wanted to ask questions when they were supposed to give answers.
What makes up the school district's benefits?
They wanted to discuss specifics when asked about the general.
What about those administrative positions? Which ones are going to get cut?
They wanted an option D when there was only A, B or C. And they weren't bashful about being specific themselves.
Many of the 85 people at a public forum Thursday night brought their questions, worries and complaints about the Omaha Public Schools budget.
The forum, the last of four on the budget, was held in the auditorium at South High School, 4519 S. 24th St.
The school district faces a $22 million to $26 million gap between projected revenue and current expenses, in part because of an expected drop in state money. About half of the funding gap is federal stimulus money that will run out.
The OPS budget for the current school year is $474 million. The district must submit a budget for 2011-12 by Sept. 20.
The forum followed the usual procedure, with Assistant Superintendent Dennis Pool first explaining the details of the budget.
Before Pool finished that portion, however, an audience member questioned the need for summer school.
“Just let me finish my presentation, and we'll get to your question,” Pool said.
That became a familiar refrain for Pool, who commented a few times on how the crowds at the other forums hadn't been like Thursday night's crowd.
Pool moved onto the portion of his presentation in which he asks seven questions to the audience. During the first question, however, one man wanted option D: fill in the blank.
When people have to choose one of the predetermined answers, the man said, “It gives a false perception of people's opinions.”
Later on in the forum, students and parents spoke up for their favorite OPS programs.
Natalie Wilkinson, 17, a junior at Central High, told board members not to squeeze more students into already-crowded classrooms.
Also, don't cut the arts programs, she said.
“It forms who you are,” said Natalie, who participates in jazz choir, acappella and the CHS singers.
The crowd clapped and hollered for Natalie. They did the same for Kylie Schroder, a 15-year-old sophomore at Central, who said board members should switch off some lights instead of upping class sizes.
Contact the writer:
402-444-3106, jonathon.braden@owh.com
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