After cutting more than $1.2 million in July 2003, local schools will face yet more cuts by the first of the year.
School districts statewide may soon contend with a cut of about $92 per student announced on Dec. 17 as part of an effort to contend with a $900 million state deficit.
The cut was trimmed down from $196 per student suggested earlier this fall, after lawmakers found other areas to shave the budget.
‘We can’t spend more than we have,? said Rep. Ruth Johnson, (R- Groveland Township) ‘Right now I don’t know if we can do any better. Our economy is the second worst in the nation. However, we’re more than likely to stay at the $92 level.?
The funding of public schools accounts for 40 percent of the state’s budget, says Johnson, and with about 1.7 million students in the state the cuts will realize a reduction of about $156 million. Oakland County has about 220,000 students that will be affected by the cuts.
‘We’ll do what we can,? said Bart Jenniches, Brandon School District Superintendent. ‘Right now everyone should stay employed and all major programs will stay intact.?
The cuts will cost the Brandon School District about $360,000 which, says Jenniches, must be cut from the 2003-04 budget. To make up the difference, about $400,000 will be used from the $3.5 million in fund equity the district has set aside.
Similar per student cuts in the Goodrich School District are rather welcome compared to what was first proposed.
‘It’s certainly good news. I sometimes wonder if you should characterize cuts of almost $100 per pupil as good,? said Raymond Green, Goodrich superintendent.
‘If it’s true, we should be able to come close to finishing the year with a balanced budget with just normal fiscal restraint, without laying off people or cutting programs. We had planned on having a little surplus’we won’t have that.?
The cuts will cost the District about $200,000 Green’s not sure how next year’s budget will shape up until the state fiscal agencies hold a conference and agree on upcoming revenues.
‘We’ll just have to see what the numbers are and listen to the governor’s budget message in January. Then we’ll go to work on 2004 – 2005.?
Green plans to tighten belts in different stages. Following the first round budget cuts the professional development, textbooks and instructional supplies for each building were reduced. The latest reduction will mean employing fiscal restraint, including watching the number of copies made and limiting field trips.