Goodrich – Goodrich Schools is tightening its financial belt. Effective immediately.
While other districts have floundered the past two years, Goodrich enjoyed more per-pupil state dollars, thanks to increasing enrollment. But that’s changing.
‘We’ve actually hit a plateau in our growth,? said superintendent Kim Hart.
Last year, the Goodrich district increased by 72 students. The 2004-2005 budget was conservatively based on 40 new students’twice the number of new students actually enrolled this year.
Fewer students means a loss of approximately $137,000.
Combined with an increase in the cost of doing business, budget woes prompted school officials to implement a three-phase budget reduction plan.
Although the school’s fund equity balance was set this year at around 12 percent, cutting the reserved amount too much could be disastrous, Hart said.
‘At 8 to 10 percent (the budget) can spiral out of control very quickly,? she said. ‘Especially in a small school district, when things start breaking, you can lose that cushion very fast.?
The district is required by law to maintain a balanced budget, Hart said.
The first phase of budget measures has already been implemented, approved by the Goodrich Board of Education at the Sept. 27 meeting.
Phase one includes charging staff for use of extra electricity, such as fans or refrigerators in classrooms, as well as a $20,000 reduction in student club advisers,and an athletic program reduction of $32,000.
High school students have already seen the elimination of the school musical, and activities like ski and French clubs. A $25 fee will be charged for activities such as the robotics and chess club.
For middle school students, expect elimination of activites like Quiz Bowl and the talent show, and a $25 fee for activities like the GMS Press and Science Olympiad.
At Oaktree, activities such as literature and small business clubs have been eliminated; students are paying a $25 fee to take part in the Oaktree Science Club.
Field trips have been cut to one per year; students will pay an additional $4 transportation fee for the trip.
Phase two will begin this winter, and will include asking voters for an approximate 18-mill non-homestead tax renewal in the spring, freezing club accounts, and cutting postage costs by sending progress reports home with students.
Phase three is projected to take effect next fall, when school officials may begin staff layoffs, and will charge a required participation fee for athletics, Hart said.
While Hart isn’t enjoying the ‘baptism by fire? her first year as superintendent, the fiscal situation is a combination of unavoidable circumstances, she says, including the state’s blended count program, lower enrollment numbers, and the increased cost of goods and services.
‘Dr. Green knew it was going to be a very tight budget. He had done an excellent job, but even he couldn’t have anticipated this,? said Hart, who feels the district is still better off than many others.
‘Other schools were where we are now one or two years ago,? she said.