Something has to change about Clarkston Schools, and it needs to change now, according to school board members and district administrators.
Almost all of the Sept. 25 board meeting was spent in discussions between board members and administrators. Though no final decisions were made regarding the district’s future, those in attendance agreed the district is currently on a bad financial track.
‘The task before us is not a pleasant task by any stretch of the imagination,? said Superintendent Dr. Al Roberts. ‘Something has to change.?
Though he described the talks as ‘a little bit more than brainstorming but not much? and emphasized that no decisions were being made that night, during the final group discussion, Roberts stressed the need to commit to a decision and a timetable, as the longer a decision is delayed, the less effective it will become.
Officials agreed the district needs to be operating on a balanced budget by fiscal year ending 2009 or it will risk completely depleting the district’s general fund balance. As of this past June, the district has over $13 million in fund equity. Even in a ‘best case scenario,? however, the district will have to struggle during the current school year to cut $1.5 million in expenditures, according to Bruce Beamer, executive director of business services.
Even then, the district will still post a $4 million deficit. At this point, Beamer said he does not know how the district can manage such a drastic reduction.
Suggestions posed during the group discussion included opening the sports program to corporate sponsorship, something the district has refused to do for many years. Linda Nester, executive director of human resources, suggested that such a move could possibly save the district $650,000 in expenditures. Nester also mentioned partnering with a future land-developer to potentially reduce the cost of an additional elementary school.
Regardless of what decisions are made, Roberts said the district needs to communicate clearly with the public about the nature of the district’s financial problems.
‘The public doesn’t understand the seriousness because we’ve kept it away from kids pretty well,? he said.
Both Roberts and Secretary Ron Sullivan discussed the possibility of cutting non-core programs in the future.
Vice President Barry Bomier echoed Roberts sentiments, stressing the importance of clear communication while the changes are being implemented and the effect it will have on the district’s image.
‘This is going to hurt, but you can’t do it in a nice way,? said Bomier.