School districts across the state are having to make draconian cuts to offset a lack of state funding from the Legislature.

The most recent victim? Jackson Public Schools.

Via The Clarion-Ledger:

Teachers will lose work days and essentially see a pay cut under changes the Jackson School Board approved Thursday for the 2010-2011 calendar.

In a 4-1 vote, the board agreed to amend the district’s calendar for the upcoming school year to reduce the number of teacher work days to 187 – four fewer than for the school year that just ended. Board member Ivory Phillips cast the lone vote against the motion.

When Jackson Public Schools’ calendar was first approved earlier this year, the number of teacher work days were then reduced to 189 from 191. At that time, district officials anticipated state funding cuts of up to $19 million because of the lingering economic recession.

The state Department of Education funds 187 days, and any additional days are at the district’s expense, Superintendent Lonnie Edwards explained to the board. In the past, the district has used additional days for teacher training and for parent-teacher conferences.

Now, “our economic conditions are a lot more challenging,” Edwards told the board.

I understand that we’re facing tough economic times and that some cuts are necessary. That said, the education cuts were did not have to be this steep. The Legislature could have used a small part of the Rainy Day Fund to offset the damage being done to our public schools.

The cynic in me says that Gov. Barbour (and even Lt. Gov. Bryant) have no real love for public schools and would not mind seeing them fail. They could then open up the flood gates to a government-subsidized private school industry.

Sadly, when I push my cynicism to the side, I come up with much the same answer. For no logical person who cares for public education can say we should harm our schools when relief exists.