Another impact of declining birthrates...

At some point, we must face facts. As is the case with Social Security, a smaller population than previous generations, has future impacts and requires less infrastructure, as illustrated in this statement:

"But he was a solo voice among the couple hundred people at Tuesday's meeting talking about how to deal with a school system that has about 90,000 students (depending on whom you count) and capacity for about 122,000. He says MPS has $20 million a year tied up in excess building space."

No one wants to give up what they already have (and, in some cases, feel they are entitled to). But the reality is, nothing is free. I have addressed the choice of reduced birthrates here and here. In addition, population trends and shifts occur all the time. We need a public infrastructure that is capable of responding far faster that our current practices allow.