There is no avoiding the harsh necessity of budget cuts, according to the Clarkston School Board.
Board members agreed during discussion at the April 10 meeting that the district has been fortunate to avoid major cuts for several years, but that cushion zone is gone.
Now, according to recent discussion by the board, teachers may be receiving pink slips by the end of the month as a result.
Classroom consolidation and program eliminations topped the list of proposed solutions presented to the board by Deputy Superintendent Dave Reschke and Executive Director of Pre-K and Elementary Education Geraldine Moore.
Only an hour after congratulating members of the Future Problem Solvers team for winning the state championship, board members discussed options for budgets cuts that would remove all funding for the program and other extracurricular activities starting next school year.
The administration is looking to cut $2 million in expenditures for the 2006-07 budget to reduce a potential deficit.
‘Please keep in mind that the process of reducing future spending this year by $2 million doesn’t balance the budget and should be seen as a temporary fix by this board and administration,? said Superintendent Dr. Al Roberts at the beginning of discussion.
The eight proposals were only discussed and no action was taken by the board. The board is expected to take action on the matter at the April 24 board meeting.
According to the presentation, proposed reductions include:
? Increasing average class sizes at Clarkston High School to 29:1, at Clarkston Junior High to 28.5:1 and at Sashabaw Middle School to 28.5:1. The proposed changes increase class size by approximately 1.5 students over current estimates. The change would save approximately $757,406 and would reduce staff by 8.6 full-time employees.
‘Increasing class size average at non-Title I K-5 schools to 25:1 and at Title I K-5 schools to 23:1. This reduction would save approximately $485,825 and reduce staff by 7.5 full time employees.
? Reducing non-core teacher support in K-5 physical education, health, art and music to match staff reductions. This reduction would save approximately $88,640 and would reduce staff by 1.8 full time employees.
? Reduce non-load bearing building teacher support in grades 6-12. This reduction would save approximately $34,100 and would reduce staff by .6 full time employees.
? Reduce aide days from 179 to 169 days to match student attendance minus five days. Classroom or instructional aides would be required to be in school less days. During discussion Moore and Reschke indicated the district would prefer to cut developmental days where students are not in school. The reduction would save approximately $158,000, but would not impact staff size.
? Eliminate General Fund money for extra curricular clubs and intramural. Only service clubs would remain, but groups like Future Problem Solvers and language clubs would be cut. This reduction would save approximately $192.206 and club sponsors would be paid by student fees.
? Energy saving plans that would change maintenance staff schedules and would save approximately $220,100.
? Reducing allocations for health insurance premiums to save approximately $200,000.
Reschke indicated that some staff reductions could be balanced by retirements, but there was still a probability of delivering pink slips to teachers throughout the district.
Roberts also stated that additional income from OSMTech open enrollment would help, but that cuts need to be made before that enrollment is known.