HALF FULL or half empty?

Whether you are an optimist or a pessimist, the Martins Ferry School District’s five-year forecast had something for each when it was unveiled during Monday’s board of education meeting.

The good news is that the budget package projects a positive balance for fiscal years 2011, 2012 and 2013, although the final one being just $7,000. But a little black ink is better than none.

The final two years of the forecast are not so kind to the school district. Fiscal years 2014 and 2015 are showing deficits.

District Treasurer Al Skulich presented the figures to board members Monday. It will be the final time he will do so, as he announced his plans to step down as treasurer effective Dec. 31, 2010.

Nick Stankovich, who resigned as superintendent earlier this year, and the board of education did a masterful job of navigating Martins Ferry schools through turbulent budgetary waters. They kept the district from sinking in red ink through a decisive course of action.

The district leadership implemented a 5-percent across the board wage reduction. It was voted upon by union members and passed with ease.

Moreover, a change in health care coverage saved district coffers some $1.7 million.

Those two moves placed the Martins Ferry school budget in solid shape.

Unless something of major financial consequences unexpectedly shows up on the district’s doorstep, Ferry is in solid shape for three more fiscal years. That is a byproduct of possessing clear vision and subsequently scripting a workable game plan.

While no one likes to stare at a looming deficit, the bright spot is that it is several years down the road. Leadership in the Martins Ferry School District has shown an ability to be creative and aggressive in dealing with its budget concerns.

We believe new Superintendent Dirk Fitch and the board of education possess the ability to tackle the future deficit projections and keep Martins Ferry schools in solid shape for the long haul.