Don’t let the superintendent’s optimism fool you. The local school systems are going to face some hard times and tough decisions when the effects of proration and declining sales tax revenues are felt.

Superintendents for both the Troy City and Pike County school systems said this week that sales tax revenues declines were surprisingly less than expected – good news of sorts for our local economy. Moreover, they said, cuts already made to the districts’ budgets were enough to offset any losses in local sales tax revenues this year.

That’s good news, again.

But next year could be a different story.

The proration our schools face this year could be mild compared to the cuts likely to be faced next year if budgets are based off continued declining revenues. And that could spell trouble for our school districts. Significant cuts in personnel, curriculum and activities could be expected. And that leaves our students and our children suffering.

As parents and taxpayers we need to do whatever we can to support our schools, from shopping locally to boost sales tax revenues to supporting organizations such as the Troy City Schools Education Foundation, which accepts tax-deductible donations which in turn provide grants for teachers to fund programs that enrich their classrooms and learning.

Our schools, and our students, are going to need our help.