GOODRICH SCHOOLS – Looking at an estimated $150,000 decrease is state funding, officials talked about options at their Monday, Feb. 24 meeting.
“We are already trying to institute minor cost savings to prepare,” said Superintendent Ray Green. “We can anticipate three times this budget cut next year. We will be struggling with priorities through April and May and into the next school year.”
The deficit stems from lower than expected revenue in November and December. The $12.7 billion budget for grades K-12 is looking at approximately $134 million to make up the shortfall.
“At this point, it’s all forecasting. We can’t assume that revenues will be the same as next year, said Green.
With all the board has on their plate, decisions will have to be made about staff replacement, extracurricular activities that may be cut, or the disappointment of having to tap into reserve funds, as board member Shirley Kautman-Jones observed.
“The question for some time will be, what can we get along without? Can we cut teachers from going to conferences? Do we cut reading programs? We don’t want to do any of that. It will all be part of the challenge,” said Green. “Are we willing to run a deficit?”
Many concerns lie in the fact that teachers, administrators or staff may not be replaced if they retire or leave the position, or the fact that some positions may disappear all together.
(As previously reported, band parents are especially concerned about the potential of losing a band director to retirement and not having the position filled.)
Board President Michael J. Thorp said, “I don’t think there’s any doubt that we will have to dip into reserves, but the good news is that we’re still a growing district.”
Board members felt the district could handle budget cuts more effectively than other districts in the state.
“Our budget that we have to work with is small. We’ll just have to roll with the punches for a while and do the best we can with what we have to work with,” said Green.
Governor Jennifer Granholm’s budget decision will not only affect K-12 education, but will also show its face in universities, colleges, local government sectors road repairs, and recreation programs.