I have a question for this list, but first some background.
 
A local, city-run science and history museum recently
experienced a "sophomore slump" when their revenues did not
match their exceptional first year.  Their director resigned
when he felt he could not make further cuts without damaging
the educational mission of the museum (He and his deputy had
already offered to take salary cuts to help).
 
The day after his resignation the board fired four of about 17
staff members.  At least two of the four were directly tied to
education, and maybe more of them.
 
My question...Does anyone have any empirical evidence to show
that cutting budgets for education has an adverse effect on the
future ability of the museum to attract visitors?
 
I think we all believe it does, but we probably believe many
things that can't, or haven't, been supported by facts.  Does
anyone have any facts to support or counter the board's action
in this instance.
 
By the way, I have no direct connection with this case, but I
thought the readership of this list would find the situation
interesting, if not a bit discouraging.  This place is liable
to be in for some tough sledding.  A nearby city is opening a
major maritime center that is bound to draw even more visitors
from the first museum, exacerbating their budget woes.
 
Patrick