Money, Dunckley subject of tough questions for schools

Even though budget crunching is number one on the school board’s agenda, turning down the thermostat in the administration building isn’t one of their cost-saving techniques.
Jokes and laughter drifted through the school administration building about the cool indoor temps as residents gathered for Superintendent Ken Gutman’s Community Coffee, but guests were hot with questions on the state and direction of the district.
Most of the discussion focused on financial issues.
Is open enrollment inevitable? What classes will be cut? Will there be staff cuts? How much state funding will we get?
One guest asked, ‘Bottom line, what are we looking at this coming school year??
And the answer?
No one knows.
Gutman referred the financial situation as a ‘budget cliff that districts are about to go over.?
With financial uncertainty haunting Lake Orion Community Schools, the district is taking steps to modify the high school and middle school concepts in a huge effort to reduce costs. The school board discussed the cuts at their Wednesday meeting. (See next week’s Review for thorough coverage on this issue.)
‘We’re hoping by the conclusion of the meeting to determine if we can keep the high school concept for one more year,? Gutman said, Tuesday. ‘It’s a long process to do it right.?
Redesigning LOHS’s block schedule, dissecting the middle schools? team-teaching method and laying off 23 staff members could save the district $1.5 million, according to Assistant Superintendent Jillynn Keppler, but that won’t solve the $7 million deficit facing LOCS in 2010.
Boardmember Janet Wolverton serves on both the high school and middle school redesign committee. She expressed that figuring out what’s best to change is like ‘picking the lesser of two evils.?
‘We tried to keep what’s great about both concepts when considering cuts,? she said. ‘We have to give up some stuff while keeping the core of what’s good. Money’s got to go somehow.?
The superintendent said there used to be a theory that said ‘when you start cutting budgets, you get better at what you’re doing because you pay closer attention to every line item.?
‘But now every cut hurts,? he added.
Dollar signs aside, the other hot topic at the community coffee was LOHS Principal Todd Dunckley’s replacement.
Since April, the district has been looking to fill his position as Dunckley will head to Oakview Middle School to begin his term as assistant principal.
Interviewing is in its second round and Gutman says they aren’t naming names just yet.
‘We’re going to hire the best person for the job, not the best person we’ve interviewed so far,? he said. ‘I’d rather begin this year with an interim principal.?
According to the superintendent, fewer than 60 applicants have shown interest though the district has posted the position on state and national Web sites.
‘Not a lot of people want that job anymore,? he said. ‘It’s difficult.?
A diverse committee of 14 people has been charged with the task of finding a new leader for the high school.
The district took suggestions from the community on just what makes a good principal and their feedback provided over 50 qualities. Leadership is, of course, at the top.
‘They’ll need the leadership to manage 2,400 students,? Gutman said. ‘That’s the size of a small city.?
‘I’m not aware of any human being who has every characteristic,? he added, ‘we’re trying to find the best fit.?
One guest segwayed the meeting to it’s conclusion with a comment of gratitude instead of a question of concern.
‘Just want to say thank you,? she said. ‘I moved here in September for the school district and I’m really pleased.?