With one exception, all school districts in our readership area have had their budgets, adopted, and are on to another year of educating young people. But we are moving into tough financial times and our school districts need to begin now to prepare for next year. And, that includes saving money and cutting costs wherever possible.

One school official said recently that school districts are facing the same problems that families face in their households.higher energy costs, higher food costs and higher prices for almost everything else. As a result, we continue to see school districts putting up budgets that show five, six and in some cases even higher percentages in new spending to meet these escalating financial demands.

That school official is correct in pointing out that schools are in the same financial cycle as the public when it comes to dealing with increasing costs. What he did not point out, however, is that school districts, fire districts, towns, counties, and every other taxing entity can simply pass along higher taxes to the public to meet the demands of higher budgets. Property owners and the public have only themselves upon which to rely.

By the time our schools sit down to prepare next year's budgets, it will be too late to address some of the savings and cost-cutting avenues that will hold the line on spending. They need to take action now and that includes everything from being more realistic at the bargaining table to shutting off lights.