Which budgeting approach best preserves equity when cuts are necessary?

• A. Avoid eliminating programs that disproportionately affect underrepresented student groups
• B. Eliminate programs with low enrollment across all groups
• C. Shift all cuts to facilities maintenance
• D. Reduce administrative salaries only

Answer: (A)

Protecting equity in budgeting means safeguarding the programs that provide targeted support to students with greater needs. When cuts are necessary, the best approach is to avoid eliminating programs that disproportionately affect underrepresented student groups, because removing those supports would worsen access and outcomes for those learners and widen disparities. Programs serving marginalized students often address specific barriers and help close achievement gaps; cutting them undermines fairness and opportunities for advancement. In contrast, eliminating programs with low enrollment across all groups minimizes overall usage but doesn’t address inequities, shifting the burden uniformly rather than protecting those who rely most on targeted assistance. Shifting all cuts to facilities maintenance or reducing administrative salaries only doesn’t directly preserve access to student supports and could leave equity gaps unaddressed.