To the Editor:

Re: “Ithaca Public Schools Face $5 to $7M in Cuts,” News, March 24

In pondering proposed ICSD budget and staff “cuts,” keep in mind that the budget and staff have increased disproportionately to enrollment and incomes over past dozen years. It is time to move back towards a more rational and sustainable level of spending and service.

For example, the current average Per Pupil Expenditure (PPE) is over $18,000. It was about $9,600 in 1996-97. In 1993 enrollment was about 6,200. Today it is about 5,100. Yet staff (administrators, teachers and aides) has increased in numbers. So a reduction in staff is called for and not some kind of sacrifice.

The rate of spending and taxation is neither affordable nor sustainable.

As for Ms. Cole’s comments, let members of Common Council opine about issues under their legislative control (like potholes) rather than the school district (and international affairs).

Allen Lambert

Former two-term member of the Ithaca School Board