While a referendum is not a cure-all of budget issues for schools, why was this not offered as an option to the community to vote upon?

The community told us through the EnVision Commission and surveys that it was not the time for a referendum. The downturn in the economy has impacted everyone. As families were tightening their belts, they had a right to expect belt-tightening from the schools they support with their tax dollars. BCSC has an obligation to be good stewards of all patrons' tax dollars, and the majority of taxpayers in this community have no children in our schools, thus, they may not feel nor interpret the budget cuts the same way parents do. BCSC believes that this round of cuts has achieved the first criteria of the EnVision Commission - "that all reasonable cost reductions have been explored and implemented". If further cuts become necessary, most likely through growth, then a referendum is likely.