Help guide Spokane Public Schools' budget axe

Spokane Public Schools has put a lot of possibilities on the cutting board to make up for its possible $12 million budget deficit: raising class sizes by up to three students, firing hundreds of teachers, eliminating the counseling program entirely.

But now, the district is looking for your help to determine where exactly the axe should fall.

Budget forums will be held on May 23 at 7 pm at Chase Middle School, and on May 24 at 7 pm at Glover Middle School.

In the past, community input has convinced the district to retain specific programs. It saved golf and gymnastics programs, it saved middle school sports, it kept the mentor-teacher program (against a recommendation that it be eliminated), and it prevented some cuts to libraries. Several years later, those programs remain.

Of course, this year there are fewer options for creative frugality. But you might as well show up and try to save your favorite program — and suggest what position or program should be sacrificed instead.