[speedgibson] Speed Gibson: Gopherville: Chaper Eight

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Posted by Speed Gibson:
Gopherville: Chaper Eight
http://speedgibson.powerblogs.com/posts/1211337517.shtml


   Previously: [1]1 [2]2 [3]3 [4]4 [5]5 [6]6 [7]7
   "God, I'm jealous," sighed Claire Andrews, Superintendent of the
   Zenith Public Schools. "He's hiring, I'm firing."
   "That's not your fault," said Senator George Babbitt, who had returned
   home last night.
   "Whose fault is it, George? Yours?" she asked pointedly, but with no
   real malice in her voice. "Sorry. I know what a mad house it is down
   there."
   "You should try it sometime," was the best Babbitt could do.
   Like most nearby districts, Gopherville and Zenith were just a little
   short this year, about $230 thousand and $180 thousand respectively,
   short meaning layoffs were all but certain. Mostly, the problem was
   declining enrollment that meant less State aid, but both districts had
   considerable fixed costs to cover.
   Actually, Gopherville Superintendent Will Kennicott had reduced the
   head count by two, one cook by attrition, the other hard but
   necessary, the high school German teacher. The area had been settled
   by German immigrants and taking not taking German was, well, verboten.
   But the times had changed, and there just wasn't enough demand to
   justify continuing it, especially when money was again tight. He could
   have used Paul Reisling's endowment, as some of the affected parents
   had implored. But he felt guilty enough using about $165 thousand of
   the $250 thousand available.
   That aside, it had been the easiest budget he had ever prepared.
   Between Finance Director Arrowsmith's expertise and Reisling's gift,
   he had money for everything and didn't have to worry about where it
   came from. Martin Arrowsmith in fact tried to hide it from him, at
   Reisling's request, so that he couldn't tell where the money was truly
   coming from, but Kennicott insisted on knowing how far he was reaching
   into Paul's wallet. Otherwise, he didn't know or care which state
   account or formula was involved, or if there were consequences one way
   or another. With Paul Reisling's money, the ultimate General Fund that
   could be spent on anything, Martin in fact was able to tweak the
   various formulas to pull another $28 thousand in from St. Paul. He had
   never had so much fun at the office, and for a good cause.
   "You know, George, I'm happy this happened," she said, leaning back in
   her chair, staring at the ceiling.
   "Sorry?"
   "That the merger didn't happen. It would have been a mess."
   "You would have been swimming in revenue though, from the
   efficiencies."
   "It would have been a mess. A lot of unhappy people. Like in Gardner
   Lake." Suddenly, Claire Andrews straightened up in her chair, then
   stood up. "I have an idea! What are you doing for dinner Friday
   night?"
   "Claire?"
   "Relax. Let's get the Kennicott's on the phone, take them out to
   dinner at the Circle R. I'm buying. Bring a guest if you like." Claire
   was really smiling now. "How 'bout if I arrange a date for you, in
   fact?"
   "Claire, I don't know, ..."
   "I do. And it's business."

References

   1. http://speedgibson.powerblogs.com/posts/1207374623.shtml
   2. http://speedgibson.powerblogs.com/posts/1207774475.shtml
   3. http://speedgibson.powerblogs.com/posts/1208057658.shtml
   4. http://speedgibson.powerblogs.com/posts/1208671051.shtml
   5. http://speedgibson.powerblogs.com/posts/1209093505.shtml
   6. http://speedgibson.powerblogs.com/posts/1209169946.shtml
   7. http://speedgibson.powerblogs.com/posts/1210475250.shtml