Superintendent David Smucker was the second person to speak to the League of Women Voters on Saturday, joining his fellow superintendents, Dr. Duane Noggle from both Chino Valley Unified School District (CVUSD), and Dr. Paul Stanton from Humboldt Unified School District (HUSD). Immediately following Dr. Noggle, Smucker started out by saying, "We have 6000 reasons to say that Prescott is a great place." Smucker was referring to the 5300 students, and 720 staff members that are part of the Prescott Unified School District (PUSD).

"Our mission, in collaboration with families and community, is to educate students by providing a safer and engaging learning environment. It is our vision to provide programs which produce confident students prepared for tomorrow's challenges and opportunities," Smucker read from his PowerPoint.

"Our first and second graders, we don't even know what kind of jobs they'll be applying for when they graduate," he pointed out. "How do we prepare them for the future?"

At this point, Smucker is expecting a 10% budget cut from the state. He said, "I'm not here complaining... This is the work that we have. But I think it's fair... and to share with all of you, what's happening with our public education system. This is not complaining, this is stating facts so that you can see what's happening."

Smucker went over some information regarding PUSD:

• Enrollment is down by 205 - 230 students, which equals over $1 million in lost revenues for next year
• Further cuts are expected, probably about $2.5 million, totalling $3.5 million for next year
• Soft capital has been rduced by almost $2 million over the past two years
• Insurance costs are expected to increase by about $500,000; Arizona State Retirement system costs will increase by about $120,000.

Smucker did say that even if the State comes in and reduces revenue to the districts, none of the employees will be laid off mid-year, "That won't happen, we have that covered," he stated.

In regards to the concept of "trimming the fat," Smuckerer quoted the State Auditor, "We spend significantly less in operating costs and more on students than other Arizona school districts our size."

"I didn't come here to ask everyone to put their hand in their pocket. That's not what we're about. What we're trying to do is figure out what's best for kids," Smucker said.

Smucker said that he had been to several groups to speak this year, and that he's learning quite a bit from the community. "I think that public education is the cornerstone of democracy... This country was made great because every student has an opportunity to learn and to grow and to live their dreams. And I deeply believe that, that's why I'm in this work, to provide those opportunities."

"It's not a bad thing to go and take a look at what's important in our schools, and to really clarify what we're supposed to be doing, and what the work is we're supposed to be doing with kids," Smucker said. "I think right now, in this global economy... we have a challenge in front of us. And I think that the standards that kids learn and are tested on in their state assessments - they're there because they are what students need to know and what they need to do so they can be successful when they graduate from high school... What we really need to do is focus on essential skills and standards. What kids need to be able to do when they get out of high school. Reading. Writing. Math. Science. And there's all those other things, too."

Smucker changed tracks a little, as he stated that he considers it to be his job to help build morale as he asks his staff and teachers to make some changes in what they do for kids. He then continued, "The other thing that I'm recognizing in this school district, is there are a lot of people that point at the district as an 'us-them' thing... We have some dissension in our school district, and we're working hard on that right now. It's about relationships and us having a common goal and vision of the work that we do. And secondly, as I come out into the community, I'm not sure all of you trust the school district in what we do with our funds."

He spoke about the tax credit opportunities, and said, "What i have found is that people are interested in giving money to the district when they know where it's going."

"Right now, we don't have federal money, we don't have state money, what we have is a community that cares about kids. How do we go and provide these opportunities for these kids right now? This is our future. These are the kids we'd like to see stay in this area and have homes and raise their family. What a great place to do it," Smucker said.

Smucker did point out that 88% of the money the district receives is spent on people and salaries. By having to put together a list of cuts totalling $4,000,000, the clear implication is that some will lose jobs. Smucker didn't specifically say that, however. "I'm not mentioning that we're going to cut 10 days out of our calendar, or we're going to cut this many teachers, we're not at that point right now. It's so sensitive, that I want to make sure that anything we do do in our district, that I'm meeting with employees and having those personal conversations, because it impacts their lives."

"We can use your help and your support at this time... I don't know exactly what that looks like... Can we do a better job? You bet we can," he admitted. "But what I would ask, after spending the morning here with us, is that you don't walk away saying, 'Boy, they sure complained about what they have or don't have...' Get involved. My door is open, our doors are open. We want to make this a better place. Get involved and help us make a difference."

Editor's note: This article is one of three parts, written after attending a League of Women Voter's meeting.

Prescott Perspective: Dr. Smucker: Figuring Out What's Best for Our Kids

Chino Valley Perspective: Back To What We Love - Teaching Kids

Prescott Valley Perspective: Dr. Stanton: Children Aren't Widgets