"Back off," was the message last month from the vast majority of students who were asked what they'd like to tell state officials about school budget cuts.

Minnesota students are aware of the state's financial problems, but insist that their schools and school-related activities are not a petty cash fund for the strapped state budget. While many students have ideas on how to make schools leaner, most are telling public officials that borrowing from their education now will levy a tremendous cost on everyone in the future.

For April's "live" discussion, Mindworks is looking to the news for inspiration and asking students: "Some state officials say that schools need to make cuts to help balance the state budget. Do you agree or disagree? What do you think should be cut? What do you think should be saved? Has your school already started making cuts? How has that affected you?"

Of approximately 1,200 writers -- primarily of middle-school age and older -- most told officials to leave schools alone.

Of those who agreed that schools could cut spending, most recommended that the savings go back into programs already cut or shaved in recent years. A few said that their schools are just plain wasteful, or should economize for their own good and the benefit of taxpayers.

Regardless of how they stood on school funding, students expressed their views with unusual adamance. A few third-and fourth-graders from Marcy Open School in Minneapolis said they were prepared to go on strike.

Students described the impact that cuts already have had on their schools. They complained of cold, outdated buildings and inadequate equipment. Several lamented the losss of extracurricular activities and classes. In particular, they wondered how the loss of electives and languages would affect their college and career goals.

Students at Central Middle School in White Bear Lake were among those from several schools who said that when they get to high school next year, they'll have a blank space in their schedules because electives were cut as teachers were let go. For most underclassmen, that means a mandatory study hall.

Many schools already have cut bus service to students who live within 2 miles, leaving the students to walk, ride bikes, drive or rely on parents and others for rides.

Many students from districts statewide said that in recent years they've seen class sizes grow to where teachers have to shout over unruly students; others wrote of class bells ringing before overburdened teachers could get to every raised hand.

Students with special needs wrote about losing the one-on-one attention they need to concentrate on their schoolwork.

Austerity ideas

Most students did have ideas for how schools could spend less. In many cases, however, each idea for a cutback was balanced by a plea for preservation. Many students recommended cutting music programs. Others suggested cutting expenditures on technology, cable TV, transportation, field trips or soft-drink machines. A few suggested liquidating the schools themselves, getting rid of teachers' aides, teachers and administrators, or cutting their pay. A few suggested letting mean teachers go.

Some said the same officials who are calling for cuts to education should have their own pay cut before teachers' pay is cut.

Several students called officials (and adults in general) hypocritical for saying on one hand that education is of utmost importance, then slashing school programs. Several worried about layoffs for parents and neighbors who are teachers.

Gov. Ventura figured prominently as the object of students' contempt. They complained that Ventura, who they said already had his shot at a good education, was more interested in his own concerns than theirs. They suggested he cut back his travel budget before looking to their schools.

Students also faulted lawmakers for handing out tax cuts and rebates one year, then calling for deep cuts the next.

"Schools already have to make cuts to operate, without having them cut more from their budgets," wrote Shaun Insley, 16, of Onamia High School. "Then, when the state promises money to schools and the money doesn't come, they have to cut more or try and make do with what they have. Schools also have to sacrifice more sports, teachers and classes to make ends meet and keep operating. Schools shouldn't have to tighten their belts because schools already are making cuts."

-- Maria Elena Baca is at mbaca@startribune.com .-- Additional reporting by Sondra Schroeder-Davis.